Paradoxical

October 3, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

Fear and intimidation formed the basis of his power. To this day I tremble, afraid I’ve misstepped – parked the car wrong, forgot to close the door properly, or spoken out of turn. My father was a hand grenade with the pin perpetually pulled. He was also motivational, citing the works of Carnegie, Peale, Gibran, […]

Changing Seasons

October 1, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Summer greens dig in, regale the warmth of dayswhile Autumn creeps, spreading reds and golds. For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week challenge: changing seasons. .

V.J.’s Challenge #66: savour

September 30, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Our youngest granddaughter loves food so much that when she takes a bite, she’ll close her eyes, hold the food in her mouth, savouring the flavour, and moan with appreciation. She is three. This is surely a God-given gift. Her sister and cousin eat so fast, I’m sure a famine must be chasing them. I […]

Just Smile and Do It

September 29, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

I argue with myself all day, and in the end decide to don a smile to cover my insecurities. I’ve already missed three circle meetings and it wouldn’t get any easier if I put it off one more time. Ric drives me so I can leave my walker at home. Having scouting out the location, […]

Cars and Trucks

September 28, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

“Why do you have random pictures of trucks?” my daughter asks. “Because you never know when you might need them,” I respond. (Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week is cars and trucks.)

Welcoming Party

September 27, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Potted pleasures hailAutumn’s arrival – graciouswelcoming party. (for Cee’s Flower of the Day. Photo from personal collection.)

Small Town Bliss

September 26, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

No big box here,just shops lined upin historic rows our fragranceeau-de-ferme,earthen fresh Our spires remindersthat values are simple,and life blessed. (For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Countryside/ and or Small Towns)

Only If I Knew…

September 25, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

“I wish I was a boy, Grandma.” “What makes you say that?” “Boys don’t get their monthly thing and they don’t have to birth babies.” I remember thinking the same thing. I also remember how unfair the world seemed, growing up in the era of Women’s Lib, recognizing the broad stroke of inequality. I didn’t […]

Stacked

September 24, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week Challenge: stacks

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #65: smile

September 23, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Anyone want to share their experiences this week?” I’m stood in front of my third year, Life Strategies class. It’s Friday, the day we have set aside to journal and/or discuss the weekly challenge. This week’s challenge has been to smile at someone new. I never know with this crowd whether or not the challenges […]

Present Distance

I’ve lived the fog of distance –life’s highway a series of hillsdestination without promise Have learned that acceptance gains perspective,that climates change, and hope sustains,and that in the stillness dreams renew. Now I travel quieter paths, appreciatespace, have surrendered to a slower pace –certain that this too will change. (image my own)

Floral Balm

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 […]