Please Know This…

November 7, 2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

I received a heart wrenching letter from a Ukrainian whose family has moved to Canada as a result of the war. It brought to mind how often immigrants are vilified, especially to serve political purposes, and how wrong we are when we jump to judgment without knowing the whole story. So, next time you come […]

Leafy Frames

November 4, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

It’s November already, and before I bid adieu to Autumn, I wanted to share these two photos, highlighting the seasonal hooray.

Life as Art Form

November 2, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

Art is an act of intentional attention. The poet invites the senses, observes the flow and twist of words, injects emotion and insight. The painter studies colours, the nuance of shadows, looks for focus and textures, creates a tone. The musician listens, attends to harmonies, gathers rhythms and composes. The photographer selects details, alters the […]

Uh…Okay?!

September 30, 2022.Reading time 2 minutes.

The twins went to school…for a day. Mom and I celebrated with lunch out, except then one got sick and so only one boy got on the school bus while the other lingered home, and when he was finally feeling better, the other 4-year-old came down with a cold. Of course, the first day we […]

Autumn Sky

September 19, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

There is a silken quality to the autumn sky – such allure in those looming clouds…Our household, like the seasons, seems to be in continual flux. I am craving a return to solitude.Time for art and more writing. The sky seems to say: Stay alert! Change is coming. We all knows how this goes. Autumn […]

Kindness

September 14, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Extend kindness to all:doesn’t matter who they are,nor what they might have done to you.Trust me on this –you never know what life might bring back to you,and you will always be glad you did. Image mine

Briefly

September 12, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

A family wedding, the arrival of a new Canadian/ Ukrainian baby, and a picnic to welcome our newcomers has kept me away. Celebration is a much welcome emotion. Pictured is 9 year-old Vasylisa, celebrating her heritage. Cheers all!

Babuschka VJ

September 5, 2022.Reading time 2 minutes.

One twin is precocious and full of life. He jumped from the car the moment they arrived and hugged me. “Babuschka VJ!” he exclaimed. The other was asleep upon arrival and slept most of the next. He ran away when he saw me at first, and startled at any unexpected noise. “He has regressed,” his […]

Good Morning

August 29, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

A rare early morning glimpse from the riverside.

Arrival!

August 26, 2022.Reading time 2 minutes.

“Coming to Canada is like landing on an alien planet,” my friend Svetlana tells me. She arrived a month or so ago, and even with her perfect command of the English language, she struggles to make sense of our way of life. “The bus system, is going to drive me crazy,” she adds. Svetlana and […]

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)