Anybody can do it. All it takes is time. Ms Thompson grew up in England, which has a lengthy history. It's there around you all the time. History is everywhere, in story, in place, in landscape.
People live close to the past.
You grow up with it everywhere you turn. When she came to Canada she found out the Canadian people live in the present and future. They spare little time for the past. Left it behind. People who came from the 'old country' moved as far west as they could get.