Thinking of Ukraine

July 23, 2025.Reading time 1 minute.

Antics from our neighbour to the South have empowered Putin and the attack on Ukraine has escalated. A friend reports that family back home are unable to work as their place of employment was bombed twice in one night. Another tells me the university in her city was bombed, destroying years old history. These are […]

Backyard Birds

July 20, 2025.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Hard to pick favourites when it comes to birds. I love the shocking contrast of the White-Crowned sparrow’s head feathers. The cowbird is not a usual sight at our feeders, so a nice welcome. Waking up to find a pair of bobolinks in our yard was a first for me. I never tire of our […]

Spiral Dance

July 16, 2025.Reading time less than 1 minute.

My daughter and I are speaking again, and I am learning how generational trauma resurfaces – sometimes with a different face, and often with a new perspective. Quite the journey, this thing called life. (Image and words my own)

Scoundrels in the Garden

July 13, 2025.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Clearly conspiratorial, these two young groundhogs have been menacing our vegetable garden and now are plotting to defy gravity apparently – one as the lookout and the other, well: I did look it up and they are part of the squirrel family. A new one for me.

Response to a Recurring Dream

July 9, 2025.Reading time 1 minute.

I’m back at the restaurant where I worked throughout university and beyond. There is no organization in staffing, and the customers are smoking at the table by the entrance, and I’m allergic. I try to find someone in charge, but find only cooks smoking in the kitchen. Coming back to work here is obviously a […]

Self-Isolating

July 2, 2025.Reading time 2 minutes.

“It’s like COVID all over again,” my daughter remarks. She’s right, of course, except I’m the only one isolating. After two rounds of bugs and an infection, I have chosen to stay away from others in an attempt to give my immune system a break. Besides, I have a procedure in ten days for which […]

Advice for Graduates?

June 25, 2025.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I’m trying to think of words of wisdom to impart to our eldest granddaughter as she graduates from Grade 8. Since high school was not a good experience for me, I’m finding it difficult to be encouraging. Here’s what I’ve come up with: – Get involved. Find something that interests you and join in. Yep. […]

Missed Opportunity?

June 18, 2025.Reading time 1 minute.

“Are the children being taught Canadian curriculum or Ukrainian?” Did I detect a tone of disapproval? I was speaking at a Women’s Institute regarding the Ukrainian School we have set up in town. I explained that the children all attend Canadian school during the week, and this is an extra-curricular program which occurs on Sunday […]

Sliding Into Our DMs

June 11, 2025.Reading time 2 minutes.

We’ve all had them – the uninvited messages, randomly warning us about something that needs our immediate attention. Social media attracts many, but I also have found that downloading certain apps increases the number of email or phone scam messages I receive. I’ve engaged with a few and noticed that there is a pattern to […]

Making Space

June 4, 2025.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Multi-tasking becomes a compulsion. I escape quietude at all costs. The urgency that underlies my actions wants me to believe that time and opportunity are running out. Until I catch myself spinning and stop. Question the motivation. Realize the old pattern repeating. Breathe. Now making space for the universe to fill in the blanks.

Making of a Woman

I know that abyss –swallowed up as I waspunch-drunk on darkness Bled as I emerged,each reach a scrape –there was release too Revived now, I honourthat passage, recognizethe making of a woman. (Making of a Woman first appeared here, December 2021. Image: self portrait in ink)

Happy Holidays

Where Are The Dogs?

Contemplating risk –a reunion with a former selflooking for an exit When did I become a snakerestrained?When did I become persona non grata? I slither between storiesconvince myself I can flydistraction a ruse I have big cat energyoverstepping boundariessocially adverse A faulty jeweldreaming of abundance but there’s a dragon to disarm My mother’s burden on my […]