Wagons Ahead

May 2, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

At 4:00 a.m we are both wide awake, so we decide to get up, have a leisurely breakfast and hit the road early. Today we are driving to Utah, having spent the night in Idaho. My fibromyalgia is flaring up. Not sure if it is long periods of sitting, or the over stimulation of passing […]

Highway 82 Through Oregon

May 1, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

We both slept in, so our getaway this time was rushed and I am trying to write from the road, catching up on both blogs and sorting through photographs, with a wi-fi that keeps kicking me out. So bear with me. We are driving through Oregon today, and like Washington State, I am impressed by […]

Three Seasons, One Day

April 30, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

After almost six months of journeying, we are on the way back to Ontario. A constant barrage of text messages fly back and forth with loved ones at home. We are all excited for the reunion. We still have over 2,500 miles to cross before we get there, though, and many new places to discover. […]

Back to Campbell River

April 26, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

We’ve just had lunch in Comox – a quaint, mostly retirement community, judging by the services that line the main street. Mary’s, a small cafe with gluten-free options, is where we met up with Pippa for our last day of exploration on the island. The plan from here is to head north. I tag along […]

A Lake and A Pub

April 25, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

Westwood Lake, situated in the foothills of Mt. Benson, Nanaimo, is an unexpected surprise. Pulling into the parking lot, I am eager to get out and explore. The parking lot fronts a beach area and there are trails leading in either direction – over 5 km of walking trails, as well as mountain biking trails […]

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 […]

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 […]

Hawk (haiku)

Relevance of Story

Stories have power. Parents, teachers, public speakers, and therapists understand that the secret to engaging an audience or connecting with others is through illustration: storytelling. I see it in the eyes of the my grandchildren, who love to hear tales of family history. I’ve seen in the eyes of students, when recognition and understanding light […]