Morning View

February 5, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

“How long will it snow, VJ?” our Ukrainian roomie asked the other day, while we were driving through a snow squall. “April”, I answered. She thought is was very funny. It’s not April yet. Weekend Sky

I Got the Message

February 3, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Not sure if it is evident, but the last photo is at gravesite. For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: messages

Love is…

February 1, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Sunflowers and smiles

January 23, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

A local craft shop owner makes votives in yellow and blue with sunflowers on them and all proceeds go to Ukrainians. A BC retailer saw her work online and ordered 100 candles, selling them at $5.00 each. Ryan Reynolds saw the effort and doubled the intake. She sent much of the proceeds to a non-profit […]

Heart Full

January 20, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

When can we meet? The message is from Alla, whose bright voice messages always made my day back in the Spring, when I helped her family of five find flights and a host. We are opening our little bakery…we will be very glad to see you. Another message from another family, who with my help, […]

A Ukrainian/Canadian Christmas Celebration

January 9, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

More than 150 people gathered yesterday in our local Presbyterian Church to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas. I am too tired to say much more than I am warmed to my core and so grateful for all these people, who have come into our lives since our decision to host a Ukrainian family. The photos capture it […]

Moose-capade

January 6, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Every Christmas for the 20 years we have been together, Ric has threatened to decorate the front yard (or roof) with a herd of reindeers. Every year, I offer up an emphatic NO! This year, our Ukrainian guests got in on the fracas. They seem to be amused by how easily he baits me. Entertainment […]

Last on the Card for 2022

January 1, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

One last sunset and a year end doodle for Bushboy’s Last on the card challenge.

Holiday Gold

December 30, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Holiday colours

Christmas with our Found Family

December 28, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

The circumstances that brought us all together are tragic, but everyone agrees our new bonds are blessings. We were 20 for Christmas this year. Ric and I and our extended Ukrainian family.

Wings

(Written during my bedbound years with ME/CFS)

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

May is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis awareness month. Also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, this disease is characterized by exhaustion after exertion. The exertion can be physical -taking a shower; emotional – worrying or obsessing; or mental- filling out forms. The best source of information about ME/cfs, as we call it, is the Bateman Horne Center. They […]

Sorry

Sorry –so much inadequacybundled into one wordas if five letterscan conveydepths of regret,shock, dismay seems I am the sparkto your lighter fluid –unintentional, I swear still reelingfrom the aftermathof the explosion attempting todeconstruct theformula –precautionary I am sorry –that you are enraged,that you are so obviously disappointedthat you are consumed with resentment –except, it is […]