V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #62: child / childhood

September 2, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

My daughters gave me a copy of this poem, surrounded by images of me playing with the grandbabies. It always brings me joy. As summer comes to end, and the children return to school, I am already feeling the loss of our time spent together, so; I thought it might be fun this week to […]

A Shift Towards Recovery

September 1, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

“Maybe there is a purpose to this struggle,” I say, offhanded, to a visiting friend. We have just made our way to the edge of the falls, the trek difficult for me today, as my legs are not cooperating. I’m hanging onto her arm for balance. I’d been telling her about another visit I’d had, […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #61: recovery

August 26, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

Surgery behind us, we shift to recovery mode – he gingerly navigating the days of healing, while I try to brush off the cobwebs of exhaustion. As relief washes away the dregs of worry, I am still trying to sort out my emotions. Ric’s condition is black and white – a blockage requiring opening. Problem […]

Feathered Blessings

August 22, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

My sick bed – where I was confined for three years – was on the main floor, with a window at my feet. Just outside, my husband installed bird feeders – a condominium of choices to draw feathered friends. Now, I am able to get outside, and commune with the birds in their own settings, […]

One Angle At A Time

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

So many aspects of our little town make it intriguing, and while my focus has been on the natural areas, I am also drawn to the architecture and history, so one angle at a time, I’ve decided to start exploring each element. Photos of St Marys, Ontario, Canada, submitted for Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: angles.

Yellow!

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

For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge: yellow

Downy Woodpecker

August 19, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Frenetic movement just outside my window alerted me that I had company. Parked along the river, I was searching for the young eagle, and equally as delighted to find a Downy Woodpecker in close proximity. Too busy with his task to notice me, he kept up his antics and I took advantage of the situation. […]

Mother Willow

August 15, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Twisted arms, Willow’swelcome – cross child’s refuge,Mother Nature’s balm. There is magic in a Willow’s presence – so many hours spent, hidden in her arms as a child. Even today, the sight of a willow pulls on my heart. Just one of Nature’s many blessings. (For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: trees; and RonovanWrites Haiku Challenge: […]

Lighting: Black and White

August 14, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge: lighting

Still Life (Sort Of)

August 13, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

The stillness of a peachis ripe with juicy promise a whisper not heldwithin a child’s toy and yet a child findsa fragrance of her own and what among usis not still life, untilmind and emotionmeets us, compelsmovement? (For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week Challenge: Still Life)

Monday Mood: Exhausted

The events of the past few weeks, plus the rain, seemed to have caught up with me. Day’s goal: rest, rest, and more rest. (Photo mine)

End the Fray

This breach –this ever-widening gapfear inducedpits usagainst themas if humanitycan be dividedsalvationa selective process. We need a balmto soothe societalwounds, a tonicto calm the angstuntil clarityquells the uproarand kindnessreplaces this sin. (Poem originally appeared June 2019. Image my own)