Frames

August 29, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

I’m trying to frame my life with gratitude, adding structure to the chaos I’m experiencing within. So much of life is a gift, and the troubles, minuscule by comparison. Life changes, and along with it, so do our perceptions, our abilities, and our dreams. Sometimes it is a hard pill to swallow, and then; other […]

Oh, To Dream

July 27, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Imagination floats, full sailinto a dreamy mist, reality out of focusdelightful course Beauty wraps my heartin dream-filled ecstasypaints my hope with shades of love As night falls, the sunserenades my soula symphony of huescoaxing dream-like slumber. (For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: dreamy.)

Of Pelicans and Life

February 7, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

Ric spots them first – an almost endless line of birds heading our way. American White pelicans! They gather as a group just above where we are stalled, waiting for the ferry, and circle the area before continuing their journey. As one group leaves, another follows in a seemingly endless stream. “There must be thousands!” […]

Black and White: CFFC

January 25, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Springtime, and daffodils –in variations of yellow –memories now, coloursfaded to black and white. Yet, beauty lingers – the softedges of a perched dove,her mourning song still echoesa lulling, welcoming coo. And white retains brillianceagainst a backdrop of darkness,in stillness magnifies, beauty’sexuberance refusing to lay dormant. (For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Black and White. Also […]

The Tattooist Of Auschwitz: Review

October 25, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

The atrocities of Auschwitz are no secret, and yet, every surviving story reveals another angle, not only of suffering and inhumanity, but also of the incredible endurance of the human spirit and kindness in the darkest of moments. The Tattooist of Auschwitz is about a young man, Jewish, who volunteers for work duty and finds […]

Cee’s Flower of the Day: Sunflower

October 5, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Cee has invited me to join in even though I don’t know the name of many flowers. I do love to photograph them though, and this sunflower really spoke to me on my walk a couple of days ago. Sadly, as I passed it by this evening, the petals are all gone and the stalk […]

Nurturing Thursday: Thought for August 2

August 3, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Originally posted on Cee's Photo Challenges:
I decided to play with along with Becca today and participate in her Nurturing Thursday. For the Love of Challenges I’ve gathered a list of challenges and their hosts. So if you know a challenge host, please direct them to my blog. Feel free to contact me anytime.…

One Word Photo Challenge: Positive

August 2, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Positive is my granddaughter’s signature thumbs up! Or the enthusiastic greeting of a beloved pup: A visit from a favourite bird, can set my day up right: As can the sudden appearance of a butterfly so bright: (Thank you to Tourmaline for this week’s challenge: positive. All photos are from my personal collection.)

Celebrating the Gifts of Life

July 26, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

At 10, I ruled the world – hard peddling up steep roads and letting go on the other side thrilling to speed and risk. At 20, I felt the pressure to define my life, marry, and be somebody – driven without much compassion At 30, I relaxed a bit, celebrated having birthed three children, confident […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #8: Celebration

July 23, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

By the time you read this, my celebration will have begun. The family and I will have met for a casual dinner at a local restaurant, and I’ll be glowing from pride to think that two generations all started with me. Miraculous, isn’t it? Today, we are headed up north, where I will celebrate my […]

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 […]