No Way

Looking for a directionbut the way was blockedthe carefully manicured pathnot for the likes of me Then the snow cameand the tree lined pathbore no tracks of passersbyand I was not brave enough to try So I waited, as the seasons changedbut Spring bought floodingand the way was more treacherous yet –Inside I remain, resigned […]

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Dream

Dream big. Set goals. And when the need arises, be willing to let go. Dreams are meant to inspire and motivate, to lift us in times of hardship – they should never be the chains that bind us to our losses.

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In Praise of Youth

The young can find joy in any moment. These photos are some of the children who have landed in our small town having fled the war in Ukraine. The featured baby was born here, having travelled in vitro. For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: To be young again.

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Guilt is a Crow

I seem to be stuck in an unhealthy cycle – I push myself beyond my limit and then crash. I’m driven by expectations I’ve set for myself and then taunted by guilt when I can’t fulfill them. There is no room in this toxicity to stop and appreciate accomplishments. Guilt is a crowpecking at my […]

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Ancestral

“You never express your feelings, Mom. Everything gets swept under the rug.” This from my middle daughter, who raged at me recently for never being available to help, She has an expectation that Grandparents should be always on call. “And why did you choose to live so far away!” It’s 45 minutes by car, and […]

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Kindness is always appropriate

I offer our Ukrainian guest the last pot of chocolate dessert that had been dropped off that morning by a fellow Ukrainian. “There are fresh raspberries, too!” I add, gifted from another. She pauses, and then shakes her head. “Maybe tomorrow. I had sweet today.” And then she bursts out crying. I reach for my […]

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On the Rocks

Our river road runs beside a cement plant, so there is an abundance of rocks. A favourite sleeping place for the local ducks, and a fun playground for the littles.

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Road Signs

Heavy as the day was –clouds overbearing –the reassurance of signsencouraged progress A closed-in, Earth-standing-stillkind of day – surreal in contrastto global happenings – but cosylike our own little secret. (For Cee’s Which Way challenge

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Prolonged Illness and Isolation

“Isolation is seldom listed as a symptom of chronic disease, but it certainly is a component.  The need for human interaction is very real, in fact, psychologically, I would say it is essential. Making a conscientious effort to reach out to others, balancing social activity with limited energy, and valuing myself enough to keep the […]

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Focus on the Good

I was a ‘bad’ student. I caused trouble for teachers, skipped many classes, and still passed high school with honours. I was an enigma, our Vice Principal said. He didn’t know what to do with me, and ended up inviting me to leave. He was always respectful. That young woman joined me, many years later, […]

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