V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #78: action

January 6, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Rumination is one of my fortes. I get something stuck in my head and it will spin there nonstop if I let it, even disrupting sleep. It happened recently with one of our daughters. I took something she did personally, and blew it out of proportion, convincing myself that there was no hope for our […]

Sculpting

January 2, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

The best openings are the one’s we carve for ourselves. We spent New Year’s Eve reminiscing about eighteen years of togetherness. Stayed up past midnight, and talked about our future. Hope coloured our words. Sculpting has been on my mind – not literally, but in the sense of chipping away at the outer facade to […]

Wintry Rebellion

December 31, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Tracks on ice remind me that even in the depth of winter there is movement. I am conflicted by the onset of cold: resigned to spending more time indoors, and already feeling the restlessness set in. Art projects line up, encouraged by the many related gifts I received for Christmas. Writing calls to me too […]

Grateful for Openings

December 26, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

“I bought a turkey roll and frozen stuffing,” Ric announced after a recent grocery shop. I might have raised an eyebrow. “Thought we could have it on Christmas day.” “We’re going to visit Mom on Christmas day,” I reminded him. “At the nursing home.” As a blended family, Ric and I surrendered Christmas day a […]

Time For Pause

December 22, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

The current struggle: keeping up with holiday festivities, fighting a stubborn cold, and caring for grandchildren, has taken its toll. I am behind in reading posts, and feeling overwhelmed by social media. Time for a pause. I will be scaling back activities till the season has passed and I’ve regained a semblance of normalcy. Not […]

Winter Hues

December 21, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Winter paints the landscape in monochrome hues – frosted blue waters reflected in iced trees, The greys and browns of goose featherscamouflaged against a buff backdrop. (for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Basically One Colour or Hue.)

Burrs

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

How many winter walksended with burrs mattedin curly Wheaton hair;how you wriggledto escape the grooming,how we laughed at yourjokester antics? Your spirit still fillsthe empty spaces,I hear the jingle of your collar, catcha whiff of terrier fluff,pull on an invisible leashwhenever I encounter burrs. (For Cee’s Flower of the Day)

Pausing to Revel

December 19, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Remnants of wrapping paper peek out from under the sofa. Leftover goodies tempt from the countertop. In the aftermath of our family gathering, I pause to enjoy the peace, processing the sweetness of the day. So many precious moments: “Grandma, can we have another present?” Three-year-old August, so enthralled with the magic of the day. […]

Ice

December 17, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge: Ice, Ice Baby

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #77: pause

December 16, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

As the world bustles, and we rush to meet deadlines, check off to-do lists, and fulfill those party invites, find a moment to pause, look, and listen. Share a photograph, thought, or inspiration. To participate, just create a post and then link back to this one, or drop a comment or link in the comment […]

Having a Why

(This is found poem, previously posted on OneWoman’s Quest II)

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)