War Continues

January 7, 2024.Reading time 2 minutes.

I survived Covid, and Christmas, and was preparing to take a breather – maybe work on my memoir, or get re-inspired in the art room – when the first call came: “VJ, there is a situation I need your help with!” The caller lived in a nearby town, and was leaving the country the following […]

Red House on the River

January 5, 2024.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I have many photographs of this red house, interested as I am in the river itself, but also the architectural aspects of old homes such as this. Who lives there, I wonder? What an incredible view they have. Ric and I have often dreamed of living at the water’s edge – an ocean, or great lake – […]

What Children Have Taught Me

January 3, 2024.Reading time 2 minutes.

When I was a teacher, I created a mailbox for each of my students on the bulletin board. It consisted of an envelope, decorated by each child, posted to the board. It was strictly for communication between the individual student and myself. As I taught high school, many of my colleagues doubted the efficacy of such an effort. They […]

Mesmerized on a Cloudy Day

December 17, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

It is not the road –smoothly pavedand well defined –that entices It is the luminous,numinous – darknesssurrendering to light –expansive sky Renders me humblebreathless, mesmerized –imagination and desirecraving flight (For Cee’s Which Way Challenge: cloudy or stormy day)

Magical Beings

December 15, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

There is nothing more magical than a baby, who is able to capture the wonder of all. Magical is the prompt for Lens-Artists photo challenge this week.

Happiness

December 13, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Following a dream

December 11, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

When 13-year-old Alina first arrived at our house, she shared with me that she had a dream to join Cirque de Soleil. We’d had a student at one of my former schools who trained for cirque, so I told her I thought it was possible to find a trainer. I had no idea, really. When […]

Sharing

December 10, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

These voices, these lyrics, so powerful. Thanks to Brave & Reckless for posting.

Don’t Get Too Close!

December 8, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Cee’s Midweek Madness prompt is closeups or macro. That duck was really hoping I couldn’t see her.

No Answers

December 6, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I go the river searching for answers, but she replieswith an eerie reflection that only leaves me chilled. Sometimes, in life, there are no answers.

Monday Mood: Stretched too far

Saturday we packed up the garage (with help). Dusty, dirty, and exhausting. Sunday we attended and then hosted a farewell party for our Ukrainian roommate, who is going back to Ukraine despite all our protests. Yes, two separate gatherings. Heart wrenching. This morning, we visited our new apartment building to get set up with a […]

Let Me Sleep

Like an orphaned treeshivering in a coat of frost my soul wandersdreamless, alone a nobody, nowherein the pre-dawn chill. Beckoned by first lightbody twisting wakens Consciousness clingsto desolate slumber then, reluctantlyreality brings me home. (Image my own)