Kindness is always appropriate

April 17, 2024.Reading time 2 minutes.

I offer our Ukrainian guest the last pot of chocolate dessert that had been dropped off that morning by a fellow Ukrainian. “There are fresh raspberries, too!” I add, gifted from another. She pauses, and then shakes her head. “Maybe tomorrow. I had sweet today.” And then she bursts out crying. I reach for my […]

Currently Learning…

December 27, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

Reflection, not resolution, is my year end practice. What did the past year bring? What did I learn? What, if anything, was I missing? After so many years of isolation, due to illness, then COVID, we have definitely been thrown back into social interaction. I had come to love solitude. I had surrendered fully and accepted that this is where […]

Happiness

December 13, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Following a dream

December 11, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

When 13-year-old Alina first arrived at our house, she shared with me that she had a dream to join Cirque de Soleil. We’d had a student at one of my former schools who trained for cirque, so I told her I thought it was possible to find a trainer. I had no idea, really. When […]

Sharing

December 10, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

These voices, these lyrics, so powerful. Thanks to Brave & Reckless for posting.

Spark

November 22, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

It took me many years to reconnect with my creative spark, but I’m so glad I did. There is so much hope, release, and beauty in the act of creating. How do you bloom yourself?

Signs of Success

October 27, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

Ric and I took a road trip to Strathroy, Ontario last Friday, to catch up with old friends. We met at Alla’s Pierogies & More, a cute little restaurant with three tables and of course, the exuberant host: Alla. Afterwards, we visited Mykola at his trendy bakery for tea and treats. Alla and Mykola’s families […]

Imagination

September 27, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

When legs seizeand walking fails,I grow wings,shed my fear of heightsand soar above the clouds –Imagination fully engaged.

Hold On

September 20, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Some days, you just have to find that rock to hold onto. Tomorrow you can let go.

Carry On

September 13, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

For the past year and a half, my husband and I have committed to helping Ukrainians fleeing war. This has included opening our doors to house five families. We have been witness to unimaginable darkness and at the same time been deeply moved by the drive and resilience of those whose lives have touched ours. […]

Relationship Shuffle

Yearning for renewalwe wrestle dragons –unsuspected passages,like time machinesscattering ticket stubs We distractseek nourishmentpercolate meaning Nostalgic nuancessuccumb tojagged memories –Cubism in motion. (Art mine)

Spring’s Antics (tanka)

Oh that Spring gale,she’s such a storyteller –awakens the landfiddles with expectations –Welcome post-Winter trickster. (Image my own)

Discourse on Love

Gathered up all the loveI’d previously rejectedpulled it to melike a well-worn cloakImagined the comfortsuch a vibration would bringoblivion amounting to bliss But love –my interpretation of it –does not nullify painAnd I writhed in its intensitypain physically ingrainedburdened by memories How can this be? I criedIn darkness I turned to loveprojected nirvanauncovered such an […]