Cardinal Joy

January 12, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Five male cardinals greeted me this morning. Vivid splashes of red against the grey backdrop of Winter. Always a delight.

Homeschooling

January 10, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

We’re in lockdown again, in Ontario, Canada, and that means back to homeschooling, so Grumpa and I have offered our services a couple of days a week to oversee the studies. Not so taxing – these two are avid students. The dog, on the other hand, is not impressed.

Wisps and a Jet Stream

January 9, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Same day, different views. Weekend Sky

Sip, Sip

January 7, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge: cups or glasses.

Water, Water, What Fun!

January 6, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

(For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and Photos by Jez: water, water everywhere.)

Mucking About

January 5, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

The original photograph was dull – a cloud of crows dispersing at my interruption – and I almost tossed it, till I saw an hint of possibility. Played with the colours, added filters to give it a painted finish and found a graphic of a man holding a camera. Et voilà, my dull birding photo […]

Squirrel and Deer

January 3, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

A couple of locals for Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week Challenge: animals.

Are you pregnant, or is that a mouse in your pocket?*

December 25, 2021.Reading time 2 minutes.

A heavy fog greeted us this Christmas morning, but nothing can dampen the mood. Ten negative COVID tests brought a group of us together to celebrate Christmas Eve. Not the whole family, but all the grandchildren, which made this Grandma’s heart sing. My son and his wife were delayed by work, so we let the […]

Anticipation

December 22, 2021.Reading time less than 1 minute.

There was to be no tree – both of us lying low – but the granddaughters arrived and with their unique flair, decorated. We cancelled getting together, but then all the adults acquired rapid test kits, and now there is talk of gathering again, but the COVID numbers are rising, so… we wait. Presents under […]

Limping Along

December 15, 2021.Reading time 1 minute.

Ruled out: COVID, heart failure, cancer, and blood clots. Twelve hours in emergency, under intense scrutiny revealed no answers. Symptoms continue. You need “restorative rest” the ER doctor emphasized. “Hire help if you can.” I suspect this is just another stage in my journey with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. The least amount of effort tires me, leaves […]

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 […]