Healing Steps

April 24, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

Fear is insidious; it creeps into the psyche and buries itself deep without any conscious effort. It manifests in anxiety, stalls progress, and threatens to define its host. Today, I did something I haven’t done in well over four years; I went for a walk in the woods, unattended. I took my camera and my […]

Englishman River Falls, BC

April 21, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

A break in the rain inspires an outing, and we grab our cameras and jackets and head north along the main highway. We are looking for signs to the Englishman River Falls. The route is well marked. This drive, like many others we have taken, is lined by tall trees, taking us deep within the […]

More of Nanaimo

April 20, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

Illness and old bodies are taking their toll on us, and as a result we are pacing ourselves more, taking days off between outings, try to regain some semblance of balance. It is easy to hibernate when the rain is pouring down, but as soon as the sun shows up, there is an urge to […]

WPC: Prolific

April 19, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

From a distance, I thought it was an island, but on closer inspection it was a mass gathering of surf scoters: Who congregates better en masse than seagulls? Well maybe these sea lions: This week’s Daily Post photography challenge is prolific.

Morrell Nature Sanctuary

April 18, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

Morrell Nature Sanctuary is just five minutes from where we are staying in Nanaimo, and an earlier attempt to visit was thwarted by heavy rains and Ric’s bad knees, so when Pippy comes to visit next, I suggest we try again. “I just want to make it to the lake,” I tell her, armed with […]

Nanaimo, B.C.

April 17, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

“I’ll take you for lunch if you like.” Of course, I’d like. “Can I bring my camera?” “Sure.” So we head downtown with no particular destination in mind, other than to find a place near the water. At the harbour front we find a park with manicured gardens, concrete walkways, and plenty of parking. “Let’s […]

Cathedral Grove

April 15, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

Highway 4 cuts across the interior of Vancouver Island, twisting through the mountains. It’s been twenty years since I’ve passed this way and yet, when the endless rows of trees open to reveal the stillness of Cameron Lake, with mountains in her backdrop, my reaction is the same: the sheer beauty brings tears to my […]

Driving up Vancouver Island

April 13, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

One tooth is repaired, and the other, accompanied by another prescription for antibiotics, will have to be pulled when we get home. At least I can eat on the one side. The dentist thinks the muscle spasms I was having in my face caused me to clench and the pressure broke my teeth. Anyway, TMI. […]

The Butchart Gardens

April 10, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

The sun has decided to grace us with its presence, and as it is our last day in Victoria, we have decided to visit the famous Butchart Gardens. Visiting botanical gardens has become an interest of ours, as there is much to learn, and an excellent chance we’ll see birds. Ric is afraid that we […]

La Push, WA

April 5, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

“It’s up to you,” Ric places the decision heavily on my shoulders. “You pick; I’ll drive.” The choices are to drive two hours to Neah Bay, where if we are willing to trek over fallen logs and a bit of a rocky trail for a mile, we might be able to see whales; or to […]

Present Distance

I’ve lived the fog of distance –life’s highway a series of hillsdestination without promise Have learned that acceptance gains perspective,that climates change, and hope sustains,and that in the stillness dreams renew. Now I travel quieter paths, appreciatespace, have surrendered to a slower pace –certain that this too will change. (image my own)

Floral Balm

Of Trauma Born

Goodbyes tarnishfaith, like ashesscattered My heart grows dismissal,craves a balm of connectionseeks quiet harbour Remind me what it feels like to be safebreath nurturing life,love a rhythmic flow In meditationI reach for peaceimagine salvation But this wayward chaosunrestrainedcements me in doubt Tainted intentionsI lift up to the Universea tempest without hope My soul incubates malicea […]