Ancestral

April 24, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

“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 […]

Kindness is always appropriate

April 17, 2024.Reading time 2 minutes.

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 […]

On the Rocks

April 15, 2024.Reading time less than 1 minute.

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.

Road Signs

April 12, 2024.Reading time less than 1 minute.

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

Prolonged Illness and Isolation

April 10, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

“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 […]

Focus on the Good

April 3, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

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, […]

A Rocky Path

March 27, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

When health takes a hit, the road ahead becomes littered with unknowns. After months of waiting, I finally got in to see a neurologist. Actually, the call came on the very day I was about to tell my doctor to cancel the referral. For ten years I have lived with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Diagnosed, that is. […]

T.G. Shevchenko Celebration

March 20, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

Two photos from our recent gathering honouring the Ukrainian poet T.G. Shevchenko (1814-1861). Schevchenko who knew imprisonment at the hands of the Russians, wrote about his love of country, the resilience of his nation, and the oppression of Russia. His publications have been banned by Tsars. He remains a symbol of hope and peace for […]

Art and AI

March 13, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

This current state of restlessness seems to be adding to the body’s distress. I try to calm myself with art, but the emerging images, abstract and chaotic, only seem to magnify the mood. I never know when a piece is finished, so taking a photo allows me to step away and view my art objectively. […]

The Tour Guide

March 6, 2024.Reading time less than 1 minute.

A few years back, I took a fictional writing course. The featured image is an excerpt from my final piece. Clicking on the link should take you to the original for the whole story. Thanks for reading!

Uncertain Times

Like living in the shadowof a volcano, each complacencyshaken by treacherous rumbles While some see equalityothers chew on bitter lack,and who profits when tempers succumb tothe hot lava of anarchy? (Image my own. Poem first appeared here 04/21)

The Way It Is (tanka)

At every turna challenge – prefer scenicforays, encounterrocky climes – ironic twists,stretching this reluctant soul (Image my own)

Doctoring

Doctoring broken hearts –my own legacy a training ground –like an anesthesiologist I keep the patient breathing,asleep – muted by kindness,unconscious and unable to react. Why? Because lulling others is moreeffective than operating on self –faux obligations such a balm Administer lidocaine to the woundsNumbness preferable to open-heartedinvestigation… no sutures strong enoughto remedy internal bleeding […]