Rehabilitating the Cynic

July 26, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

Scratch any cynic and you will find a disappointed idealist. – George Carlin Born of losses,the way I steel myself –hard core belyingvulnerability. What if I acknowledged,gave name to the pain –forgave the circumstancesforgave myself? Would I then meltinto softness, wordslosing harshnessjoy taking hold? ** This week’s challenge was centred around the quotation: “Strive to […]

Little Pests

July 22, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Nancy Merrill’s Photo a Week challenge: insects.

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #105: Quotation

July 20, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Deborah, from AWISEWOMANSJOURNEY, offers daily inspiration, and one particular quotation struck me last week. I’m sharing it with you here as a focal point for the upcoming week: Strive to be uncynical, to be a hope-giving force, to be a steward of substance. Maria Popova Your response may use one, or none of the words. […]

Pages Not Turning Yet

July 19, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

The last pages of my life’s narrative seem to have stuck together, locking me into this current lull. Is it the heat? The body’s response to stress, albeit positive? My mind’s ambition butting up against physical limitation? Likely a bit of each. We’ve already written the opening paragraph for the next chapter: purchased a new […]

Who’s Making That Noise?

July 18, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker caught my attention with his noisy chatter. Love that bright mane! The Downy Woodpecker makes a noise like a squeaky toy. This one seems to have found a tasty tree. (For Bird Weekly Photo Challenge: Woodpeckers/ Sapsuckers/ Flickers)

Spring Serves As Reminder

July 17, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Even the old flower –this appearance of decrepitudemerely camouflagefor the soul is eternalreaches for renewaland at every opportunityblossoms…. (For Lens-Artist’s Photo Challenge: Spring.)

Close Up

July 15, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge: Closeups or Macros

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #104: Next Chapter

July 13, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

Sold! Next! Picture me surrounded by packing materials and boxes – I’ll be busy the next few weeks preparing for the move. Preparing for the next chapter. Some of life changes are abrupt, unexpected, and some, like our upcoming house move, are planned out. Either way, change is a given. The focus this week is: […]

Everything’s Gonna Be Alright

July 12, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

What a week. Within days of listing, we had several house showings. The fourth couple through showed interest. They had one other house to view the next day. “There should be an offer coming tomorrow,” the realtor advised us. She called the next morning to say she’d be by at 5:00 for us to sign. […]

Feathers of Blue

July 11, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I know I’ve shown the Indigo Bunting just recently, but it is a fave and fits this category. Another favourite: The Belted Kingfisher For Our Eyes Open, Bird Weekly challenge: Feathers of blue

Dear Child

I know a little girl,whose hair in ringletsfalls, unkempt from lackof brushing; who standswhen she should be sitting;who laughs with defiance whenchallenged, her dark eyes gleamingwith mischief; who holds her chin uphigh and stamps her feet, arms foldedin protest when she does not get her way. I see that little girl,have watched her play,with a […]

Re-de-fine-d

Ask me how I’m doingand I’ll say “fine”, notbecause I’m actually fine,but because “fine” is the onlysocially acceptable response. If I said that I have been lyinghere, for three hours now,willing my body to move,that would elicit unsolicitedadvice and tarnish my “fine”. I’d berate myself for breakingmy promise not to moan,knowing that complainingprovokes a compulsive […]