Travels

January 9, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

First frost we are plotting –elaborate schemes to escapewinter’s unforgiving chill. Palm trees and blue waters,the flight of parading pelicans –such allure for aging Northerners. Years past, we have travelled far –Europe, Scandinavia, and Mediterranean –this season, Texas has captured our hearts. (For Lens-Artists challenge: my travels.)

Bedside Conversations

January 8, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Mom, I want you to know that I don’t harbour any ill will toward our past. If I seek to know what happened, it is only to understand myself so that I might heal.” Mom nods, considers my words. “There is so much I could have done differently.” “No. You did what you could with […]

Shake Ups

January 5, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

The new year grabbed me in a choke hold and hog-tied me before I had a chance to even think about what it might bring. It started with a text that my mother was in hospital, followed by a harried searching of flights and anxious speculating about how I’ll get home. Me, who hasn’t ventured […]

A Pine Cone Un-pocketed

December 6, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Another day, I would have pocketed this gem, and gathered a few more, with dreams of painting them gold for Christmas along with the grandchildren – laughter and silliness filling the air. This year, I will leave it be, except for the photograph. The Christmas decorating goes on without us. We are chasing the golden […]

Seed Pods

December 5, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

We release our seedspray for their deliverance –mourn the emptiness. (For Cee’s FOTD.)

Shrivelled

December 4, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Wrung out, yet alive –Autumn berries cling to life,and I resonate. (For Cee’s FOTD. Day 2 of travel, and I am feeling the effects.)

RV-Able: 600 Miles From Home

December 1, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

The cold is unrelenting, and sleep does not favour us this first night out, so at 4:00 a.m. we decide to take advantage of Walmart’s 24-hour service and get some groceries. The sight of food stirs hunger and from there we find an all night Denny’s and order an early breakfast. That Ric is overtired is […]

RV-Able: Here We Go Again

November 30, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

4:15 a.m I am wide awake, my head full of what needs to be done before we set out on our next adventure. Ric is sleeping soundly, so I quietly close the bedroom door behind me and set about my business. Outside the wind howls and as if in response, my right hip aches. Yesterday […]

Resetting the Dial

November 24, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

At fifty-nine, I was certain that I knew myself – accomplished, defined and established – but illness changed the framework from which my remaining time would unfold. I became a non-entity in my former career, and a ghost to friends. My children mourned the loss of their vibrant mother and settled into lowered expectations. […]

Withering (FOTD)

November 7, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Others die, succumb but spirit holds fast, believes – defies withering. (For Cee’s Flower of the Day.)

We Are Clay (tanka)

(Photo collage mine)

Ukraine

Planted seeds for prosperity –images of children frolickingthe delight of yellow horizonstradition setting our fields ablaze Till greed came knocking –brother turning on brother Rhetoric and lies shrapnelshattering our dreams Only the deer frolic nowunwitting participants inthis unprovoked slaughterland mines defiling landscapes But seeds are not lost,nor are the legacy of generationswhose soil has known […]