Thoughts on Gates and Fences

March 20, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

My childhood home was surrounded by fence, bordered by tall cedars – we had a secret to keep. I learned not to trust neighbours. I learned the price of shame. At the back of the yard was a gate that opened onto a field and beyond that a wooded area. There I found serenity, connection, […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #88: Domino Effect

March 16, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Should we cancel our community dinner? The text came in while we were watching the news. One after another, closures are happening in response to the coronavirus – schools, sporting events, legislature, etc. So far there have been no cases in our area. Our first instinct is to say no. My daughter’s company is preparing […]

Morning’s Chaos

March 15, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Morning comes and the calm of night is brushed off with a moment of chaos – the dogs wrestle and shake and sneeze, as if fighting off the effects of slumber. I am not as excited to rise early, have no routine for resetting my status from comatose to awake and alert. I mumble on […]

Boom, Boom, Bye, Bye

March 14, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I’m focusing my lens when we both hear it – duck and I – a boom, like from a cannon. Rattled, Mallard prepares for take off, while I try to shake off the nerves and get the shot. The boom comes again. A hunter in our midst. This duck escapes unmarred, as I do I. […]

Reflections Fascinate

March 13, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

(For Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge: reflections)

Red: A Welcome Sight

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

For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge: red.

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #87: morning

March 9, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

“You do more in a morning than some people do in two weeks,” a graphologist once told me, having analyzed my handwriting. It was not news to me. I was raised to be a morning person. Waking before the rest of the family and getting ahead of the day was my way. Until I got […]

Clichéd Fun

March 8, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

The grass is always greener –magnificent clichescarry on –the writing on the wall,a little bird told mein the nick of time,don’t cry over spilled milk –Is it cliché to saymuddied waters –me over the edge? Thank you all for keeping me entertained with your creativity. My poem is compliments of your gifted responses. Here are […]

Have a Cuppa

March 6, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I’m a mug kind of gal –Spot of tea – Earl Grey or herbal – Feet up, mug in handa warm sip and I’m calm Save the fancy chinafor the birds! (For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: glasses, cups, or saucers.)

Light The Night

March 4, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Snow lights up the night, adding a magical touch. For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week: Light the Night

Imagine

If we could lift understandingto indigenous teachingsexpand our loveto earth, sky, and seaMake personal gain tabooand Ancients a weigh point If we could witness the mountainsslow floating across the skyand touch the dolphin’s soulanxiously swimmingwhere tuna are netted Would we cower at our insignificanceor move forward, learning to acceptthat all of life is deeply woveninto […]

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 […]