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 […]

Children in Motion

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

Backyard BBQs and picnics in the park – perfect ways to build community. The children benefit the most, I’d say. For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: motion

Don’t Give Up

August 17, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Never give up on you:there will be times where you will feel like such a failureand that all is lost,just know that these are but passing momentsin the greater picture.Life goes on, and so will you –as long as you are alive, there is a purpose and place for you –trust it. Image mine

The Eight Year Road

August 15, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Moments

August 12, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

The trips along the river have decreased, replaced by ongoing texts and emails. A family of cardinals, newly hatched, line our windowsills, their curiosity endearing, yet; my camera remains on the desk. My health has taken a plunge – not unexpected, but despairing. I’ve been locked away inside fighting the sludge. August the 23rd, our […]

Celebration

August 10, 2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Celebrate wins:you will excel, even surprising yourself at times;make sure you celebrate it. (Image mine)

Brief Update

August 5, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

Five bikes – powered by two adults and three children – carried balloons, flowers, and packages across town, voices raised on repeat: ‘Happy birthday to you.” When townsfolk stopped to shout out: “Whose birthday?”, they replied: “VJ’s!” Our family of five Ukrainians have been settled in their own home since June 22, and remain a […]

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.)