Author writes about hitting rock bottom and surviving

Barbara Stewart is extraordinary, not because of the heights she’s reached, but because she is an ordinary woman who hit rock bottom and survived to tell the tale.Join Barbara at the Courtenay Library on Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. to hear her read from Campie, a beautifully written memoir that reveals her inspiring journey of recovery.Barbara was living an average life as a single mother supporting her family. She shopped organic and owned her house. A few missteps later, she was bankrupt and alone, a progression of events that’s revealed in snippets and letters as Campie unfolds. To find a way to eat and put a roof over her head, she took a job in Alberta’s oil fields. Campie is a snapshot of life in an oil-rig camp — an isolated portable trailer located off a frozen, unmarked road. The camp attendant, or campie, is the lowliest position in camp — and when the work is done, there’s nowhere to go.The men on the rig eat, sleep and party. For a woman 17 years sober and trying to stay that way, it’s a challenging environment.Barbara Stewart is a truly evocative, strong-voiced new writer. Now 25 years sober, she has worked as a loan officer, housecleaner, nail girl and furniture salesperson. In 2010, at age 56, she completed a BA in creative writing from UVic. Barbara’s articles have appeared in numerous literary journals and in the anthology called Best Canadian Essays 2011. She was also shortlisted in the CBC Literary Awards competition for non-fiction. Campie is Barbara’s first book.For more information, drop by the library at 300 Sixth St., call 250-334-3369 or visit www.virl.bc.ca. This is a free program and all are welcome.— Courtenay Library