Showdown on the Canal

February 5, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

My first inkling of trouble was when I glanced out to see the heron perched on the hillside, and the egret eyeing him from across the canal. “This will be interesting,” I called to Ric. “The heron is very territorial.” I had seen him chase off other birds, his quick stabbing beak a formidable weapon. […]

An Upside Down World

February 3, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Two things happened this week, that sent me into a spiral of despondency. Two postings, actually, by people I consider friends. It’s not that I believe we should all share the same opinions, it’s that I would hope we are open to discussion. I guess, in retrospect, I am an idealist – I want the […]

Chapter’s End

January 31, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

We are coming to the end of a chapter. After careful consideration of finances and health issues, we’ve decided that our focus needs to shift away from travel to other matters. There is no doubt that last year’s adventure helped improve my health, however; it was more a step up (or out of bed, in […]

Unexpected

January 30, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

The plan is to go fishing off the pier at Rockport Beach. I load up my walker for the journey out over the water, anticipating a day of action shots – immortalizing the excursion as I’m known to do. The early morning rain clouds are dissipating and a swarm of Black Skimmers parades overhead as […]

The Book Club

January 29, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

“I’ve just been reading about you in the bathtub. That is you in the bathtub, right? At least that’s how I read it.” It’s Mom. Calling to check up on how I’m doing. She’s been worried about me since I travelled home to see her. She’s referring to a poem I wrote: A Body in the Bathtub. “Yes, it […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #33: Upside-Down

January 28, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Strong-minded, I am not easily swayed. In fact, I like to say that life has to hit me over the head with a frying pan in order to get me to pay attention. Another analogy I use is that I have to be tied around the ankles, dragged to the fire and hung upside-down – […]

Surrendering to Breakthrough

January 24, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

Pain has claimed left side of body – shards of glass shredding upper arm, wrenching rib cage. It’s been days now and I am worn down by its relentlessness, so I lie down; will my prone body to surrender to the bed, envision the hand of a more gracious force cradling, soothing. I breathe, consciously […]

I See Magic

January 18, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

History came to life the first time I set foot upon the walled city of Chester, UK. I was ten, and my father had brought the whole family to the place of his upbringing. I knew from my schooling all about walled cities, and quickly rambled off facts, my mind exploding as the revelations unfolded. […]

Indian Point Park

January 17, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

“I know you said you wanted to rest today, but do you think we could take a little drive?” I’m back in Texas and the weather could not be better – 24 degrees celsius with clear blue skies. Tomorrow’s forecast is overcast and chillier. My trigger finger is anxious to get the camera going again. […]

Landed

January 15, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

The travel angels saw me home safely, even ensuring I had a whole row of seats to myself on the flight – a gift to someone wary of germs and overpowering scents. The excitement of being back on the canal and immersed in milder temperatures overrides this total exhaustion. I slept on and off for […]

Where Are The Dogs?

Contemplating risk –a reunion with a former selflooking for an exit When did I become a snakerestrained?When did I become persona non grata? I slither between storiesconvince myself I can flydistraction a ruse I have big cat energyoverstepping boundariessocially adverse A faulty jeweldreaming of abundance but there’s a dragon to disarm My mother’s burden on my […]

Turning (tanka)

Mother

When I had a mothermy hair would cascadein curls of auburn perfectiona red velvet bow to accentuate the wave And I’d wear my bestnewly sewn frockwith lace at the neckand fishnet stockingsand patent Mary Janes And the girls giggling with delightwould skip hand-in-handto the school promand the boys shyly perchedagainst the back wall would wonderhow […]