Birthday Art

May 2, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

I started the tradition – a challenge really – to create a painting for each of my family members’ birthdays. The challenge continues, as the birthdays keep coming. What to paint for my daughter-in-law, who has already claimed many of my art pieces? I wanted something personal and meaningful, so I decided to tackle an […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #46: Response

April 29, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

For this week’s challenge, I thought it might be interesting to create a post in response to someone else’s work. This might be a poem in response to an image, or an image in response to a poem. It might be an imagined dialogue, or a response that demonstrates how the other has inspired you. […]

So Much Changes

April 28, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

A year ago, we were leaving Vancouver Island, crossing over into Oregon and heading east. We had travelled west with the intention of finding a spot suitable for retirement, but after a month of cold and rain on the island, plus an extended time away from family, we agreed that settling near our loved ones […]

And Then There Was Hope

April 27, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Three years ago today, I dragged myself out of bed, and with the aid of my walker (and likely a wheelchair), I paid a visit to a local doctor/ practitioner of Functional Medicine. Getting out in those days was a huge ordeal, and typically entailed a backlash that would last weeks. I was that sick. […]

Home Means Family

April 26, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Seems we were missed – a heartwarming piece of information. Also seems that so much has happened in our absence – two breakups first time home purchase and acquisition job promotions job losses renovations – inside and out a new haircut loose teeth baby has disappeared We’ve been busy (when I’ve been up to it) […]

Bridges

April 25, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Two rivers intersect in our small town, so bridges are aplenty. A former railroad hub, with few active trains nowadays, the large overhead train trestle now serves as a hiking trail. I haven’t yet found a way to get up there that doesn’t involve countless stairs, so for now I’ll stick to the footbridges. (For […]

Lens-Artists: Creativity

April 24, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I’m in awe of those whose imaginations create “big” – like the statues of these stage hands permanently lifting the curtain at Stratford, Ontario, Canada… Or this butterfly shaped garden at the Botanical Gardens in Corpus Christi, Texas. (For Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge: creativity.)

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #45: Anniversary

April 22, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

“It’s been 45 years, today, since my father passed away,” Ric blurted out the other day. “He’s been gone for twice as long as I knew him.” Easter is a hard time for Ric, as it linked to the loss of many people dear to him. April 15th, for me, represents my first date with […]

We Are Not Alone

April 21, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Mom, I keep seeing 11:11 or 1:11, and sometimes other numbers repeated.” “It’s been happening to me, too.” “What does it mean?” “I’m not certain. One is the number of new beginnings, but I’ve been seeing other numbers too. No matter what the meaning, it indicates that someone is looking out for us. We’ll be […]

Preening Season

April 20, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Beauty of the feathered kindbrings me the upmost joy The males don their brightest colourswhile the females remain shyly coy. Nice to be a spectator, when Spring arrives,the bright display of breeding birds – oh boy! (For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week Challenge: Beauty)

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 […]