The Twisted Tree

What happens when a life begins in hardship but refuses to be defined by it?

In Ruth: The Twisted Tree, Ruth Buchanan reflects on an extraordinary journey that carries her from a childhood of poverty on a backwoods farm in Northern Alberta to a fulfilling life shaped by education, teaching, writing, travel, and perseverance.

With honesty, warmth, and a generous sense of humor, Ruth recounts the people and experiences that influenced her along the way. From her family's struggles during difficult times to her father's unexpected success as a writer, her stories reveal the resilience, creativity, and determination that helped shape generations of her family.

Her own path was rarely predictable. As a young woman, Ruth entered the teaching profession despite feeling completely unprepared, eventually building successful careers in education, editing, writing, and investing. Her life also took her far beyond Alberta, including memorable adventures in Florida and Ecuador, where she embraced new places, cultures, friendships, and opportunities.

Through these stories, Ruth offers more than a personal history. She provides a candid reflection on growing older, overcoming adversity, pursuing education, discovering unexpected opportunities, and making the most of whatever life places in your path.

Ruth: The Twisted Tree is a heartfelt and often humorous memoir about resilience, family, adventure, and the winding path of a life well lived. It is a celebration of the unexpected turns that can transform hardship into opportunity-and of the determination to keep reaching for the stars.