V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #15: Irony

September 10, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Is it just me, or is there irony in the idea of a museum of tolerance – as if the concept itself, now defunct, has been mummified for perusal? Life is full of ironies, and sometimes it takes an objective view to find them. As a kid, I found it ironic that my father would […]

Photo A Week: Fruits of Labour

September 8, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

Finding an outlet to express myself creatively (beyond writing) has been my biggest accomplishment this year. Picking up a camera and a paint brush both happened simultaneously, as our adventures across country begged recording. Converting image to art, via watercolours, has become my passion, although to date, I’ve only had a few lessons, and each […]

CB&W: Open Topic

September 7, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

It’s been awhile since we’ve taken to the open road, since light protruding through shadowy clouds has charmed and lured us onwards, hearts set on adventure, minds as open as the landscape. Just beyond the state line of Arizona, driving into California we were greeted by this posse of burros, shamelessly begging despite the signs […]

Building a Foundation (with help from wikihow.com)

September 5, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

Choose the type of foundation to build. I want a foundation strong enough to carry me through hard times, yet flexible and able to adapt in the moment. Something sustaining, and solid, but not rigid. Set your footings 2 feet across. Two feet on the ground, firmly planted, well balanced, not alone, but interdependent, both partaking […]

Lens-Artists: Action

September 4, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Oh, to jump without fear – a skill long passed, although leaps of faith, I still take – never too aged for those. I remember when speed equated with freedom – a constant race – now I walk with careful measure, fresh air still accompanying pace. Never could accomplish a cartwheel – coordination not amongst […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #14: Foundation

September 3, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

“What about my marriage?” a naive, much younger me once asked a psychic. “The foundation is firm,” the woman responded hesitantly, “but not without cracks.” Cracks? It was more like gaping holes. Easy to see now, in retrospect, but at the time, I was convinced we were rock solid. The suggestion of anything less insulted […]

Continue to Question

September 2, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

Inquiry is a trait teachers hope to instil in students – the ability to not just take for granted that which they have been taught, but the curiosity to question evidence, and to research beyond what is given. Questions form the basis of a reflective life. This week’s challenge was to think about the questions […]

Photo a Week: Details

September 1, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

I’m drawn to the details – a knot hole in a tree – hoping my close-up will reveal a curiosity. The inside of Saguaro, ancient and grey – reveals the inner bones, speaks to a better day. A roadside encounter brought me face to tail with […]

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Colourful

August 28, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Colourful are these Jays, who make Texas their home, and this Altamira Oriole, also spotted in the Lone Star state: What can be more colourful than these yellow and purple pansies: (Lens-Artists Photo Challenge is hosted this week by Tina at Travels and Trifles)

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #13: Questions

August 27, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

What will come from all this suffering? Why do I keep repeating old patterns? Where is this journey taking me? How can I be a better person? When do things get better? A Question by Robert Frost A voice said, Look me in the stars And tell me truly, men of earth, If all the soul-and-body […]

Shoo, Pity!

A kidney stone, coupled with an infection has set me back five days – two trying to soldier through the pain, and three pursuing medical answers. Anyway, I’m on the mend, tired already of this foray into self-pity. Tomorrow, I keep telling myself, is a new day. (Image my own)

Anticipation

Wildlife flirtsblossoms singair vibratessun and rain Birds and beesbuzz in harmonybut a single notethrills my senses Canada Geesesquabble and waddlewhile Mallard Momherds young into reeds A splash signalspresence of beaver,but my ear is fixatedeyes scanning green For a glimpseof brilliant orangecapped with black –Baltimore Oriole (Image my own)