For the Love of Trees

June 19, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

I haven’t met a tree that didn’t have a story to tell, or at very least an invitation, as the trees featured, whose proffered shade entices. This lone tree speaks to me of isolation and perseverance in times of strife. Oh, the tales this old trunk could relate. I know my inner child stirs at […]

Bits and Pieces

June 18, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Our first summer in the house and he’s putting in a new garden at the front. We’ve been scouting local nurseries and while he pretends that my preferences matter, he really is just humouring me. Ric has very specific tastes in flowers and most diametrically opposed to me. The viburnum featured, for example, will sit […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #53: Lottery

June 17, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

A psychic told Ric that he would win $33 million in a lottery. “Good,” he responded, “because I have no retirement plan.” Always the joker. Still, it’s something we love to fantasize about: what would we do? Ric felt as if he’d won the lottery when diagnosed with Stage III cancer. Six months later, the […]

Orange Is An Anomaly

June 16, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

ArtisticallyNaturedOccasionallyMadAlwaysLearningYearning… According to the True Colours system of analyzing personalities, I am flaming orange, with the least amount of gold, and a balance between green and blue. What that means is that I dislike structure, am highly creative (and a risk-taker) and in equal measure crave order, and feel inadequate. In other words, finding balance […]

Sparrow Study

June 15, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

As common as these little birds are, did you know there are about thirty-five different sparrow species in North America? Personally, I love sparrows: their happy chirps, and perky presence always makes me smile. The featured bird and this younger version above nest in a creeping vine on a nearby carwash. Although, I am in […]

West Perth Wetlands

June 14, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Spring is such a rich season for photography. Wildlife flirts, blossoms sing, and the air alternates between moist and sunny. As serene as this scene appears, birds are singing, bees are buzzing in prolific numbers, and the mosquitoes are having a feast. Still, I linger, hunting for the source of that one song that thrills […]

Extended Blessings

June 13, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Children grow up, establish new lives, and if we’re really lucky they bring home new members to add to the family. I have been doubly blessed with the addition of a son and a daughter-in-law. I can’t say enough about them, and I’m sure they’d kill me for posting their photographs, but it’s my blog […]

Country Roads Bliss

June 12, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Every road leading out of our small town offers a view of rural Ontario. Exploring them, one by one, has been my bliss. We are never far from water, with two rivers nearby, and many ponds, creeks, and other features. Wildlife is abundant, and with every new outing, we discover something different. Above is an […]

Chronically Hopeful Award

June 11, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

Terri, at Reclaiming Hope, has nominated me for the Chronically Hopeful Award, created by Pamela from There is Always Hope. I am so inspired by Terri’s commitment to health and her no-nonsense, honest advice for coping with the ongoing struggle. Finding Terri here in the blogosphere has been a highlight of my experience and I […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #52: anomaly

June 10, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

A doctor recently referred to me as an anomaly. It’s not the first time I’ve heard it from the medical profession. Hardly reassuring. The other day, walking amongst the tall green trees, wondering at the richness of the foliage around me, I spotted a twig of a branch with three red leaves on it. Odd […]

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 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 […]