Walls and Boundaries

January 24, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

I wasn’t taught about boundaries as a child, in fact, I was encouraged not to have any. No one said so, specifically, but in the drive to please, I came to this interpretation. Walls, however, grew organically. I remember many a time, curled up on my childhood bed, raging and in tears, repeating over and over: ”I need nothing; […]

Seasonal Defiance

January 22, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

Cast my shadow over white banks/ assert presence: proud, defiant Will find beauty in deserted places / and colour in the monochrome Haunted by a winter state of mind / resolved to stretch despite chill. For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: illustrate a favourite quote or poem. Of course, I chose a poem of my own: Seasonal Defiance, originally published […]

Words Worthy of Our Attention…

January 18, 2024.Reading time less than 1 minute.

What Lies Ahead

January 17, 2024.Reading time less than 1 minute.

What lies ahead,when pain has clouded the past,and fear is choking the present? Is it possible to glimpse the futurewithout projection, without prejudice;or do we need we need to clear the heartbefore we can be guided by hope?

Dramatic

January 14, 2024.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Outside of the city limits, where trees claim honour as the tallest structures, the sky is always dramatic. No matter my mood, the dramatic contrast of a red cardinal against a tangle of branches always makes me catch my breath. So beautiful. The eldest granddaughter, intent on photo bombing my family shots, helped create this dramatic […]

Inky Haiku

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

Wind’s tongue ice-tippedrock resists and pine trees bow –Winter warmed by ink (Haiku inspired by Seasons Words: Springwater holds warmth.) When sitting up to paint is not an option, I appease my creative urge with ink and paper. Starting with a single line, I let the image appear on the page. This one reminds me of a […]

Tantrums

January 10, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

The discussion was light, or so I thought. Until I mentioned that one thing that ignites his rage. Doesn’t matter what it is, does it? We all have it – that tender spot of unresolved emotion. There was no more talking to him, so I moved on; finishing a task I had previously started. But now my anger flared. He […]

War Continues

January 7, 2024.Reading time 2 minutes.

I survived Covid, and Christmas, and was preparing to take a breather – maybe work on my memoir, or get re-inspired in the art room – when the first call came: “VJ, there is a situation I need your help with!” The caller lived in a nearby town, and was leaving the country the following […]

Red House on the River

January 5, 2024.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I have many photographs of this red house, interested as I am in the river itself, but also the architectural aspects of old homes such as this. Who lives there, I wonder? What an incredible view they have. Ric and I have often dreamed of living at the water’s edge – an ocean, or great lake – […]

What Children Have Taught Me

January 3, 2024.Reading time 2 minutes.

When I was a teacher, I created a mailbox for each of my students on the bulletin board. It consisted of an envelope, decorated by each child, posted to the board. It was strictly for communication between the individual student and myself. As I taught high school, many of my colleagues doubted the efficacy of such an effort. They […]

Of Trauma Born

Goodbyes tarnishfaith, like ashesscattered My heart grows dismissal,craves a balm of connectionseeks quiet harbour Remind me what it feels like to be safebreath nurturing life,love a rhythmic flow In meditationI reach for peaceimagine salvation But this wayward chaosunrestrainedcements me in doubt Tainted intentionsI lift up to the Universea tempest without hope My soul incubates malicea […]

Hawk (haiku)

Relevance of Story

Stories have power. Parents, teachers, public speakers, and therapists understand that the secret to engaging an audience or connecting with others is through illustration: storytelling. I see it in the eyes of the my grandchildren, who love to hear tales of family history. I’ve seen in the eyes of students, when recognition and understanding light […]