The Roads Most Taken

March 12, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

I follow roads, looping along the river’s banks. Back roads leading to special places frequented by my camera’s favourite subjects: birds. Which road beckons today?Shall I wander where the Yellow Legs wadeor chase the elusive Kingfisher?Every path an adventureevery sighting a gift Which road beckons today?March routes find robinsand the frisky antics of mergansers,Summer, I’ll […]

Golden Moment

November 11, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Golden eagles migrate through here in October/ November. Spotting them is rare, but when I turned the corner and came upon this scene, I knew this bird was not a local. Sorry about the quality. I daren’t roll down the window for fear he would flee, which he did when another car came by.

Birdspeak

November 9, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

What speaks to you?

Brief Encounter

October 23, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

We’re off to the city to pick up a car for our Ukrainian family. Ric has been on a mission to locate and purchase suitable vehicles for the many families here who need transportation but have limited funds. Yesterday, we were looking at houses for rent. Tomorrow it’s a Professional Development day for teachers, so […]

Moments

August 12, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

The trips along the river have decreased, replaced by ongoing texts and emails. A family of cardinals, newly hatched, line our windowsills, their curiosity endearing, yet; my camera remains on the desk. My health has taken a plunge – not unexpected, but despairing. I’ve been locked away inside fighting the sludge. August the 23rd, our […]

Robin, Robin What Do You See

May 30, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

I haven’t been to the river for a while, time no longer a commodity. Ric and laugh at quickly our routines were toppled, and how sedate our life was by comparison. Life before 7 in our household, that is. “So that’s what the dining table is for,” he chuckles, since we never used it as […]

Renewal

April 6, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Once relied on a day-a-page diary to keep me on track. Chronic illness freed me from that. Calendar now sparse, I have yet to learn to the art of renewal. Grateful for awe-inspiring moments. What helps you recharge? (Image my own) (Update: We are still processing the death of my husband’s son. In the meantime, […]

Woodpeckers & Co.

February 18, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Ric had his fifth knee surgery in November, and my health took a nose dive. Now, after two months of doctor’s appointments and ongoing tests, there is a pause. I am ready for rest. Freezing rain set in today, followed by snow, so we are snuggled inside with the dogs and a warm fire. Outside, […]

Cardinal Joy

January 12, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Five male cardinals greeted me this morning. Vivid splashes of red against the grey backdrop of Winter. Always a delight.

Mucking About

January 5, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

The original photograph was dull – a cloud of crows dispersing at my interruption – and I almost tossed it, till I saw an hint of possibility. Played with the colours, added filters to give it a painted finish and found a graphic of a man holding a camera. Et voilà, my dull birding photo […]

Clothing

I would befriend hesitation,take her shopping with me,invest the time, but impulseis my constant companion. Hesitation,born of shared trauma,labours over pain-filled decisions My need is palpable,throbbing,must suffocate it,weighted beneathlayers of numbing fabric Afraid to show myself,afraid that she will find me, block any progress,or worse make my pay for these layersof stolen moments…encounter crazy reflected […]

Green

Chickadees in the House

A friend from my poetry circle honoured me with a birdhouse painted with Ukrainian colours. John has since passed away, and this summer we were finally able to give the birdhouse a home in our garden. Happy to say, John, that the chickadees have settled in and I am joyfully reminded of you everyday.