Birds of Prey

August 8, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Bald Eagle having a dip (For Bird Weekly challenge: birds of prey. Featured image is a Red-Tailed hawk escaping my lens.)

Our August

August 5, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Augustine was the name chosenshould this new arrival be a girlbut as her mother labouredshe knew, with certaintythere would be no “ine” She is August, born in Mayesteemed and venerablea name fit for a leader –I can attest to her abilityto run the show – definitely rules my heart. (For Eugi’s Causerie Weekly Prompt: August.)

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #107: listen

August 3, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

Birdwatching for me is a meditative practice. It involves immersing myself in nature and finding a quiet place from which I can observe. I begin with a prayer of acknowledgment and gratitude. I ready my camera and then I listen. Each bird has its own song and variations. It helps me determine where I want […]

To Touch or Not to Touch

August 2, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

She was quite eccentric, and visibly older than most of the students attending our program. I’d had five years between first and second year, so I guess she was drawn to my maturity. We both wanted to be teachers. After graduation, she went on to her Bachelor of Education, and I gave birth to my […]

Be My Guest

August 1, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

(Featured image: Chickadee. For Bird Weekly challenge: at the feeder.)

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #106: touch

July 27, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

“Dear Grandma, We love you with all our hearts. We miss you and wish we couldtouch you and have sleepovers all the time. You are the best girlin the world and I love you so much and hate the coronavirus.” The note came in a homemade card, created and dictated by my four-year-old granddaughter. Touching […]

Little Pests

July 22, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Nancy Merrill’s Photo a Week challenge: insects.

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #105: Quotation

July 20, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Deborah, from AWISEWOMANSJOURNEY, offers daily inspiration, and one particular quotation struck me last week. I’m sharing it with you here as a focal point for the upcoming week: Strive to be uncynical, to be a hope-giving force, to be a steward of substance. Maria Popova Your response may use one, or none of the words. […]

Pages Not Turning Yet

July 19, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

The last pages of my life’s narrative seem to have stuck together, locking me into this current lull. Is it the heat? The body’s response to stress, albeit positive? My mind’s ambition butting up against physical limitation? Likely a bit of each. We’ve already written the opening paragraph for the next chapter: purchased a new […]

Close Up

July 15, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge: Closeups or Macros

This Life A Road

This life a road –the way preparedsigns to guide me,and still, I get lost. Construction, distraction,disobedience – throw me off –tendency to choose tougher routes,broken down and been sidelined And yet, the road still beckons,invites progression, thrills.A rolling stone gathers no moss,my father liked to say, and so… I push ahead, keep motoring,trust the obstacles […]

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 […]