FROM THE EDITOR
A Song for the Road
Lorna McIlroy | Editor-in-Chief, news & views, ARTA
Living north of the 55th parallel necessitates many long drives to and from Edmonton, Calgary, and beyond.
I am often asked what I do to pass the driving hours. Many assume that I listen to audiobooks. Wrong! My mind soon wanders, and soon many kilometres and pages have passed.
Others think that I listen to classical music. Wrong again! I certainly enjoy such music, but only with comfortable seating and the option of closing my eyes to amplify the experience. Unfortunately, this is not recommended driving behaviour.
The truth must be told. This is really the only time that I listen to country music. Loud country music! And not a carefully curated selection— no, I just take potluck from any available country music station. I will admit, though, that I mentally underline their grammatical errors and circle inappropriate words in red as I listen.
Country music even has a proven safety value. Some years ago, I was clearing a hill on a narrow highway and saw a huge moose blocking my way. I screeched to a halt and leaned on my horn. The moose’ s expression did not change, but his right ear moved ever so slightly. I lowered my window, intending to verbally assault him, not realizing that Rita MacNeil’ s Flying on Your Own was playing. The moose heard Rita, took off on a clumsy gallop, and may still be running.
I really have no favourite country artist, although I lean towards Canadian songsters. Emerging artists and old standbys all keep me awake and help to pass the kilometres. However, one song from an American artist has had a profound effect on me. Shortly after my retirement, my mother, who enjoyed my daily visits to her care facility for over a decade, passed away. No matter how well we are prepared, retirement and the loss of a parent are huge adjustments.
In this dark time, while I was driving, Rodney Atkins told me to“ keep on going” in his song If You’ re Going Through Hell. Atkins was unknown to me, but his upbeat, energetic, and resilient anthem became my unofficial theme song, encouraging me to push forward and keep moving through life’ s difficult moments. Twenty years later, it still receives sporadic airplay and seems to materialize for me at the most auspicious times, motivating me to keep moving on this road of life.
Welcome Lorna McIlroy, the new Editor-in-Chief of news & views!
AUTUMN 2026 | 7