Odes To Water

June 17, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

My soul begs the reassurance of flowan enchanted place along the rivera moment of solace where I can breathe My heart glows at the sound of summerchildren’s voices raised above the splashof clear blue – refreshing memories. (For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week Challenge: water.)

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #100: Pause

June 15, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

The world is a noisy place at the moment, and rightfully so. The bubble of denial has burst when it comes to systemic racism. As people march in protest demanding change, a virus lurks, threatening further losses. And, I haven’t even mentioned the absurdity of political ranting that seems so inappropriately off base right now. […]

What’s In A Name

June 14, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

What’s her name?Simple questionfrom mother to son –recognizing the love-liftedjoy of his countenance. I cannot tell, said he,you’ll ask too many questions.Do I know her?No, Mom, she’s Somali.And Muslim. I felt my whitenessand all its privilegeslap me, stumbled Of course she is welcome,of course it does not matter. Had no sense of the depthof my […]

Unexpected Treasure

June 12, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

Summer arrives on its own schedule, painting the landscape a luscious green. The heat of the day keeps us tucked in a cool house, but not without restlessness. Ric offers a late afternoon drive and parks near a trail so I can wander in. Tall oaks, beech trees, and maples create a canopy of shade. […]

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #99: privilege

June 8, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

“A store in town has activity books for the kids; can we go?” Now that we’ve expanded our bubble, I’m thinking of ways to entertain the grandchildren. I haven’t set foot in a store for three months. The idea excites me. “Better put on something decent,” I tell Ric laughingly. I pull out a top […]

Heart Full, No Words

June 7, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

“I sleep all night with my eyes closed!” This from our four-year-old granddaughter in response to the question of whether or not she could sleep at our house. We’ve expanded our bubble. It came in response to our oldest daughter’s concerns about her child: “She’s not interested in doing anything, won’t eat, can’t sleep, and […]

Lonely Places

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

Once offering solacea place to contemplate Now an ominous reminderof solitude imposed. (For Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: benches)

Farewell to May

June 3, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

A single yellow bloom. Last photo for May, 2020. Unedited. Bushboy’s challenge. Hope June brings some resolution.

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #98: no words

June 1, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

From my place of privilege, I sit and watch George Floyd beg for breath, call out for his mama, and know that I can never truly understand the plight of another, and that I, by virtue of my whiteness, am part of the problem. I have no words adequate enough to express what I am […]

To the Man-Boy Who Publicly Declares He Is Not Afraid of Death

May 31, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

And what will you feelwhen death,as you proclaim,passes you by Targetsa beloved aunt,an elderly neighbour,a nephew with asthma Will you pauseto ponder your partexpress regretfor misplaced pride Or preoccupiedwith your own rightssporting chest protruding blinderswill you deny accountability? “The president doesn’t wear a mask”you pronounce the words as gospeltoo young to recognize that choiceshave consequences, […]

Over It!

One day it’s so mild that I don’t bother with a coat, the next we wake up to snow on the ground. The plants pushing up through the soil seem a little more patient than me – as if they are humouring nature’s fickleness. I’m ready for clear change. A pair of finches just flew […]

Present Distance

I’ve lived the fog of distance –life’s highway a series of hillsdestination without promise Have learned that acceptance gains perspective,that climates change, and hope sustains,and that in the stillness dreams renew. Now I travel quieter paths, appreciatespace, have surrendered to a slower pace –certain that this too will change. (image my own)