A Ukrainian/Canadian Christmas Celebration

January 9, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

More than 150 people gathered yesterday in our local Presbyterian Church to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas. I am too tired to say much more than I am warmed to my core and so grateful for all these people, who have come into our lives since our decision to host a Ukrainian family. The photos capture it […]

Moose-capade

January 6, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Every Christmas for the 20 years we have been together, Ric has threatened to decorate the front yard (or roof) with a herd of reindeers. Every year, I offer up an emphatic NO! This year, our Ukrainian guests got in on the fracas. They seem to be amused by how easily he baits me. Entertainment […]

Last on the Card for 2022

January 1, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

One last sunset and a year end doodle for Bushboy’s Last on the card challenge.

Holiday Gold

December 30, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Holiday colours

Christmas with our Found Family

December 28, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

The circumstances that brought us all together are tragic, but everyone agrees our new bonds are blessings. We were 20 for Christmas this year. Ric and I and our extended Ukrainian family.

Interlude

December 19, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

Ah Christmas…the barrage of lists, the constant bustle, my aching legs…. When we have a moment to rest, we celebrate that two Ukrainian families have now successfully flown our nest. We are exhausted but warmed by the knowledge that our family has grown. We’ll be twenty at Christmas – our two families of five, plus […]

Photo Shy

December 9, 2022.Reading time 2 minutes.

“Mom, we need photo with you!” This from my emotionally adopted Ukrainian daughter. Her words strike a chord. While I love to be behind the camera lens, I detest having my picture taken. This is unfair to my children, I recently realized. When I’m gone, they’ll have nothing to remember me by. Another Ukrainian family […]

Last of November

December 2, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Bushboy’s Last on the Card challenge. Featured image is an iPhone capture. Below is last on my camera:

Chronic Illness

November 30, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Monday Mood: squirrely

The movers need to be arranged, and the closets sorted and packed, and when was the last time we bought groceries…. Head and attention are going in too many directions at once, and I’m exhausted before I get started. Might be a little cranky too. The stress of moving is real.

Daring

Sidestepped comfortdared to breachpersonal boundaries Knew it was a stretch Uncouth, this bodily responsepain penetrating Dark thoughts wrestlinginner rebel smirking I gleaned a moment of freedomBut at what cost? (ME/cfs is characterized by exhaustion following exertion. Post Exertional Malaise (PEM) is the result, causing symptoms to flare.)