Things People Drive (CFFC)

October 25, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I once married a man, whose obsession with cars was equal to worship. I think of our relationship – and all that was missing – when I see vehicles, who clearly take time and attention to keep on the road. That’s not to say I can’t appreciate a finely tuned antique vehicle, nor does it […]

Autumn Sweetness (FOTD)

October 23, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

How does nature choose her hues – the subtlety of pink with blushing cores – sweetness conveyed with such simplicity? (Cee’s Flower of the Day)

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #20: River

October 22, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Everyday, in the aftershock of losing a seventeen year marriage, I sought out the river. I would say a prayer, then walk off the grief and strife, until I came to a bench, where I’d sit and contemplate the message of the flowing water. “Finding my inner peace”, is what my son called it. A […]

A Week of Distances

October 21, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

The distance between one Sunday and the next is always the same, time wise, and yet this week felt so much longer than most. Wednesday brought emotional upheaval, and subsequent exhaustion, and then Friday morning my 91-year-old mother was admitted to hospital, while Ric and I attended a funeral for an extended family member. Life […]

Photo A Week: Through Glass

October 21, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

A window seat at the Mill Street Pub in Ottawa allots a new of the river, and the season’s finest. I think I found the place where angels store their wings. (For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge: Through glass.)

Steps (CB&WC)

October 19, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Rows of pumpkins line the upward climb, and flowery sentinels mark a landing – a well lit doorway adds additional charm a happy home from where I’m standing. Not all places are subject to such tender care – through time and neglect, their beauty offends rickety stones, lead to murky waters, overgrowth of bush and […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #19: Distance

October 15, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Distance by Archibald Lampman To the distance! Ah, the distance! Blue and broad and dim! Peace is not in burgh or meadow, But beyond the rim. Aye, beyond it, far beyond it; Follow still my soul, Till this earth is lost in heaven, And thou feel’st the whole. How do we measure distance, between hearts […]

Plastic

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

Plastic cups are practical for outdoor summer sipping, preferably, of course, with out arachnid dipping. Plastic chairs for lounging are best for surf, sun, and grass except on the hottest of days, they just might burn your a** Plastic skulls lined up along the neighbour’s lawn, cast an eerie light, thrill the trick and treaters, […]

Photo a Week: Whimsical

October 13, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Wasn’t quite sure if this crowing rooster was whimsical or forlorn, now that the flowers that had previously blocked it have been cut down. Whimsical is lying in the grass with a pink helmet on trying to roll your tongue: This past weekend we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving with a family gathering. A full-length mirror provided […]

CFFC: Things People Play With

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

Proportioned to income, boys like their toys fast, and expensive; as if life is a competition and play – no longer resembling the antics of childhood – is winner take all. I still lean towards simpler distractions – board games, a skipping rope, a canoe – prefer recreation that releases, doesn’t add more stress; of […]

I dream that I am teaching again, and having assigned the class independent work, I am spending time connecting with each student to see if they are grasping the material. It’s my favourite part of teaching, and I wake up wondering if I’ll ever have that feeling again. So rewarding. It is bittersweet, growing old. […]

Fatal Fury

Really wasn’t your faultthis fury that overcame –Words evoked onslaught,a raging river of pain. Didn’t mean to push you,miscalculated my aim,swimming in swamp watersnot a recommended game. You floundered, gurgled,cursed me by name –our love story, now viralbrought an alligator fame. (Image my own. Tale is totally fictional, I promise.)