About Ruth D. Stallard
My Story
Ruth D. Stallard (pen name) is an emerging writer who channels her lifelong passion for journalling into memoirs that explore themes of reclaiming one’s voice and rekindling joy. Retiring from a professional career as a draftsperson to focus on writing, Ruth merges technical precision with enthusiastic storytelling. She graduated with an undergrad degree in Christian Studies, awarded with distinction. Her six-month solo journey from the northern Atacama Desert to the southern tip of Chile—with a foray into Argentina—spanned 12,000 kilometres. This adventure provided her with the foundation for the memoir she shares today. Ruth draws inspiration from her experiences as a motorcyclist, glider pilot, and avid hiker. Her previously published work is a short story about gliding in From Across the River: Anthology of Short Stories. Ruth resides in picturesque southwestern Alberta.
HATCHI
Whenever I had vacationed in the past, I took The Shepherd with me, but since my trip to Scotland with my cousin in 2012, I had found another travelling companion—a sheep. Only Hatchi would accompany me to Patagonia. From the moment I had seen him on that shelf in the sheep farm’s gift shop, with his outstretched brown hooves, his small black-bead eyes, and round beige ears, I knew he would return to Canada with me. He was the physical shape of love: soft, tan fur covering a pear-shaped body, soft as my newborn’s skin. The perfect name had eluded me until my cousin took me to her neighbour Hatchi’s sheep croft later, where I watched the tall, stooped farmer, his thin wisps of white hair sticking out from under his Harris Tweed cap, feed an eager, orphaned lamb with a baby bottle. In that moment, the farmer’s compassion spoke to me of nurture and care, and I connected his name to my sheep. Like the landscapes Hatchi has seen from the back of my motorcycle, he embodies my travels—unexpected moments, softness amidst rugged terrains, and silent companionship that transcends language.
" I just wanted you to know how much I am loving your beautiful writing! I’m only a third into it but WOW! You do have a ripping gift in writing along with your many other talents! I am just blown away and loving it!"
Denise, attendee at my book launch
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March 27, 2025. Excerpt from Sarah Miller’s email to me: We were delighted to have attended your book launch, me especially! I felt a bit starstruck… Usually you’re Cindy, our neighbour, but now you’re Cindy, PUBLISHED AUTHOR! I just think it’s all so cool and I am simultaneously over the moon for you and green with envy lolI have never been a big fan of reading biographies; I just don’t find celebrities or the like relatable. But, as I work my way through your book, I keep saying to George “Everyone should write a memoir! Everyone!” Seemingly ordinary people live such extraordinary lives but so few put pen to paper and let us in. Page after page I am fascinated! And inspired! I have always dreamed of someday writing a book, but the more I read your story, the more I feel inclined to start planning our next big adventure! Perhaps I’ll do a little more living before tackling a memoir of my own lol
March 24, 2025 An amazing phenomenon took place during the book launch that Lorraine, the effervescent owner of Tuesdays, helped me arrange on Thursday. During the last 7 years, I spent a lot of time writing in the room I affectionately dubbed the “rathole”. Alone with the blue light of my computer screen and my words, I often wondered if my mother would be right. Years ago, when I told her I’d started writing a book about how my 6 months of travel in Chile and Argentina had restored my joy and reclaimed my voice, she said, “Who would be interested in reading about your trip?” Maybe no one. But Thursday night changed all that. Listening to the ooohs and aaahs, and laughter, and answering the questions of the 37 fabulous folks who came out on that snowy evening told me that yes, other people are interested! Writing is a process I enjoy, and Thursday night as I narrated my slideshow, I realized that I enjoy sharing my story visually as well as written. The positive feedback I have received from people who have read my book, gives me the incentive to keep writing, and keep presenting my story in pictures as well.
March 17, 2025 Have you ever dreamed of trekking through Patagonia? 🌿 Are you curious about solo travel but afraid to take the leap? 🚶♀️
Join me for an alluring slideshow presentation as I share breathtaking photos and personal stories from my solo journey to and through Patagonia. From rugged mountain peaks to windswept pampas grasses, I’ll take you on an adventure that changed my life—and might just inspire yours.
Location: Tuesdays Bookshop in Bellevue
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
What to Expect:
✅ Insights into the challenges and rewards of solo travel
✅ Stories of resilience, transformation, and rediscovering joy
✅ Practical tips for trekking and travelling alone
AND:
Refreshments provided by friends of the author
AND:
If my journey resonates with you, you can take it home—my memoir “Travelling Into the Patagonian Wind: A Solo Journey to Joy” will be available for purchase. I’d be delighted to sign a copy for you!
🌟 Come for the adventure. Stay for the inspiration. 🌟
A big thank you to everyone who went home from Bagatelle with a signed copy of my book. I am overwhelmed by the community response and support.
Saturday March 8, 2025 Meet with me today at Bagatelle in Coleman! They are celebrating International Women’s Day by setting me up with a book table to celebrate my achievement. Come and chat! I will be there from 1:00 to 4:30. Hope to see you there!
January 10, 2025 Looking for an inspiring speaker to captivate your audience? I’d love to share my journey of self-discovery and the life-changing stories behind my memoir. From navigating remote Patagonian trails to wrestling with personal and cultural challenges, my experiences offer a unique lens on courage, faith, and finding connection. Whether you’re hosting a book club, conference, or community gathering, I’m ready to bring honesty, humor, and heartfelt insights to your event. Let’s connect to tailor a talk that inspires and resonates with your audience.
A turned-down-cornered page in my copy of Robert McKee’s book, Story, reveals one of the reasons I wrote my memoir: “Human nature is fundamentally conservative. We never do more than we have to, expend any energy we don’t have to, take any risks we don’t have to, change if we don’t have to. Why should we? Why do anything the hard way if we can get what we want the easy way? . . . Therefore, what will cause [someone] to become a fully realized, multidimensional and deeply empathetic human being?”
I’d love to share what caused me to change, in hopes of inspiring others to change.