Lines Lead

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

Easily swayed, my imaginationfollows lines, dreams of new horizons spins and traces unknown spaces speculates about what might have been… (For Lens-Artists Challenge: Leading Lines)

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #80: habit

January 20, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Be careful of the habits you make,” my father used to lecture, cigarette in one hand, whiskey in the other. “They will either make of you a slave or a master.” Of course, I had no idea what he was talking about, and I hated that his sermons were always: “Do what I say, not […]

Subtract Expectations, Open to Possibility

January 19, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

The snow has been falling all day, filling in the roads behind the plow’s efforts. I am a bit of wreck as I write this. Tomorrow, I am planning a surprise party for Ric’s 70th birthday. The hall is booked, and I’ve delegated all the pieces, but the guest list is shrinking as people are […]

Midwinter Tease

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

Vibrant red,sweet pinks The joy of birdsong Oh, how I long for Spring. (For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Spring Scenes)

Could you just…

January 16, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

…wait for Grandma? How about a cheese? …get your finger out of the cake and say cheese? (for Cee’s On The Hunt for Joy challenge: say cheese. Grateful, as always, for family.)

A Passenger’s View

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

I reconcile this passenger imposed lifethrough a photographer’s lens Record the road ahead, the passagesfind resonance in what lies outside my window. (For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: A window with a view)

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #79 – subtraction

January 13, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

I adopted my father’s rage at a young age, and learned to wrestle with the best of them, typically boys, ’cause Father said never hit a girl. Most days, I’d return from school with debris in matted hair and torn stockings. Mother would shake her head, muttering: “No one will ever love you.” I heard: […]

Decisive Action

January 12, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

Life presents challenges and I stumble to keep up. Chronic illness continues to form the backdrop of my life, so it becomes the baseline for any actions I take. Ric and I made a commitment to our health and our community this year, and that means that I have been more physically active than usual. […]

Scenes From Ontario Winter

January 9, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

I cast my shadow over white banksassert my presence, proud, defiant Will find beauty in deserted golf coursesand colour in a monochrome season I am haunted by a Winter state of mindresolved to stretch myself despite creeping chill. (Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is winter scenes. This Winter I am challenging myself to endure a season […]

Summer Buzz

January 7, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Summer, I hold you in my hearteven as the trees stand barehaving shed their Autumn garbs The glow of green still buzzescarries me through the colda promise worth the wait. (Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge: opposite weather.)

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 […]