V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #24: Deviation

November 19, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible. – Frank Zappa For several years running, I was invited to speak to the Sociology of Deviancy class at our local university. Each visit, I opened by joking that I was never quite sure whether the invitation was a good thing or not. Truthfully, though, I […]

A Bevy of Characters

November 18, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

“The light is not very good for taking photographs,” Ric remarks as we turn onto the road along the river which has fast become our favourite drive. “I know.” It’s not in my character to give up just because circumstances are not ideal. In my mind, there are always photo opportunities. The river flows […]

White Roses

November 17, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Mythological – a rose, whose hue, so pure, embodies true love. (For Cee’s FOTD)

As Water Flows

November 17, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

As water flows, my mind wanders –relinquishes thoughts and worries As water flows, I surrenderto the blessing of life’s journey As water flows, I acknowledgethe fluidity of emotions, of change As water flows, I experiencethe continum of life’s cycles. (Submitted for Cee’ Black & White Photo Challenge: flowing water. Images are of the Little Falls […]

Pink Mums

November 16, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Misinformed, green fails to fade to brown, clings to pink, conspires against Fall. (For Cee’s FOTD)

Apples

November 14, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Roadside offering – abundance of ripe apples await deer crossing. (for Cee’s FOTD)

A Sleepover and a Surprise

November 14, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Do you want to drive by the river and see if we can find the eagles?” “Yes! Then I can tell Mom and Dad and August that I saw them! August loves birds too.” I smile. August is two-years-old. We have picked up Sloane for an overnight with Grandma and Grumpa. “It’s pretty overcast. I […]

Magical Light (Lens-Artists)

November 13, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Light accentuates….bedazzles… transforms ordinary into magical… slips beneath the shadows… and glows fantastic. (For Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge: Magical Light)

Dahlia

November 12, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Days shorten, threaten – icy shards of rain torture lingering red holds. (Cee’s FOTD)

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #23: Character

November 12, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

It’s a funny thing, character, the way it brands people as they age rising from within to leave its scar – Kate Morton, The Distant Hours The school board I worked for introduced an initiative to promote character education in the classroom. Acceptance, caring, honesty, respect, empathy, perseverance, and responsibility were among the traits targeted. At the start […]

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 […]

Is This War?

“War is hell. You can’t photograph a flying bullet, but you can capture genuine fear.”– unknown The bomb has droppedcontrol slips from our grasp We pray for a parachutefor someone to pull the cord numbers escalate,lives plummet We offer encouragementisolated voices faltering moment of impact imminentthe implosion inevitable impact reverberatesresponsibility moot. ( Image my own.)