On Hope and History

February 4, 2021.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Black History Month People

February 3, 2021.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Don’t know about you, but I have so much to learn. “The time is always right to do what is right” MLK said. The rest is up to me.

Reggie

October 6, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

I have a crush on my brother! I know that’s not right, but he is so gorgeous! Long golden hair, blue, blue eyes, and a smile that makes me melt. I can’t look at him without feeling all funny inside, and I’m sure he can tell. He doesn’t talk much, but once he picks up […]

So Many Questions!

October 2, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

It’s difficult, at eleven, to understand the rationale of adults. Why the lies? Who are they protecting? I know now that my “cousin” is actually my brother. This makes sense. Not just a brother, but my oldest sister’s twin! I cannot imagine the pain that separation has caused them. I’m so excited to have brothers! […]

The Mystery Cousin

September 30, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

The boy at the door was tall and slim, and although I had no idea who he was, he said: “You must be V.J.!” A whoosh of Mom’s skirt obliterated my response. She was hugging and kissing him and exclaiming: “Oh my! Can’t believe it is you!” Then my sisters were there, crowding our small […]

An Example of Systemic Racism

August 12, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

A friend texted me the following article on Sunday morning. She is the woman featured in the write up. We have known each other since our children were young, hers just stair steps behind mine. We raised our kids as single moms, without help from our former spouses. She was the first one to go […]

Sculpting

January 2, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

The best openings are the one’s we carve for ourselves. We spent New Year’s Eve reminiscing about eighteen years of togetherness. Stayed up past midnight, and talked about our future. Hope coloured our words. Sculpting has been on my mind – not literally, but in the sense of chipping away at the outer facade to […]

Overnight Invasion

November 13, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

A silent invader, the snowcreeps in overnight, transforms No weapons of war, just a softblanketing pronouncing victory Invasive and inevitable, we sigh acceptanceand still the river flows, for now. (For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge: In My Neighbourhood.)

Driving My Perspective

October 17, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

“Grab your camera; let’s go for a drive!” Ric knows how to pull me out of my doldrums. Despite the cold wind, the day is not without merit. We drive to another small town, just thirty minutes away. Here, wetlands and a wooded trail attract a multitude of birds. I snap a few pics of […]

Every Step a Miracle

June 27, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Angel of Death. The name had started to stick. As a volunteer, working with the dying, my job was to help patients relax, ease some of their stress. “She needs you more than me,” on old Irish doctor said as we both arrived at a patient’s home simultaneously. “I can give her medication for the […]

Chickadees in the House

A friend from my poetry circle honoured me with a birdhouse painted with Ukrainian colours. John has since passed away, and this summer we were finally able to give the birdhouse a home in our garden. Happy to say, John, that the chickadees have settled in and I am joyfully reminded of you everyday.

This Life A Road

This life a road –the way preparedsigns to guide me,and still, I get lost. Construction, distraction,disobedience – throw me off –tendency to choose tougher routes,broken down and been sidelined And yet, the road still beckons,invites progression, thrills.A rolling stone gathers no moss,my father liked to say, and so… I push ahead, keep motoring,trust the obstacles […]