V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #81: regulars

January 27, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

The sound of oversized boots dragging across wooden floors announced that it was 2:40 p.m. Shuffles, as we called her, would arrive each day, walk to the back of the store where the cash desk was situated, touch three things, and then turn around and slump on to her next stop. She had a mop […]

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 […]

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.)

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #78: action

January 6, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Rumination is one of my fortes. I get something stuck in my head and it will spin there nonstop if I let it, even disrupting sleep. It happened recently with one of our daughters. I took something she did personally, and blew it out of proportion, convincing myself that there was no hope for our […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #77: pause

December 16, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

As the world bustles, and we rush to meet deadlines, check off to-do lists, and fulfill those party invites, find a moment to pause, look, and listen. Share a photograph, thought, or inspiration. To participate, just create a post and then link back to this one, or drop a comment or link in the comment […]

Seasonal Pairings

December 10, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

A mid-morning glidegeese on frosted river A glance bank at Summercone flowers snugly coupled Two tasty treats, memoriesof late October tricks… (For Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: two of anything.)

Blossoming

It may be foolish of me, at my age and in my current condition, but I hang on to the hope that the pain of this effort is leading somewhere: renewal, new purpose, or at the very least, a blossoming.

Monday Mood: Stretched too far

Saturday we packed up the garage (with help). Dusty, dirty, and exhausting. Sunday we attended and then hosted a farewell party for our Ukrainian roommate, who is going back to Ukraine despite all our protests. Yes, two separate gatherings. Heart wrenching. This morning, we visited our new apartment building to get set up with a […]