Maple Leaf

November 8, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Tracing the lines of your perfection,I remember, childhood discoveries –wax paper and hot iron,the smell of fresh raked pranks,and what it means to be Canadian. I no longer make leaf art,nor partake of Autumn cleanup,but I have not forgottenthe power of your symbolismand how far we have yet to go. (For Cee’s Flower of the […]

Friends are Blessings

November 7, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Over brunch, my new acquaintance and I discover we have a lot in common – both former teachers, interested in art and poetry, with a love birds. She is just getting back into life after a long stint of caring for a sick husband, who died a year ago. I am finding my footing in […]

Monochrome Day

November 6, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Not flat, nor colourless,just a monochrome day. For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: monochrome.

Numbers

November 6, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge : things with numbers.

Atmospheric

November 5, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Orange sky,wire fence –stay out implied. Silken cloudssurf Autumn hues –seasonal moodiness. (For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week Challenge: atmospheric.)

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #71: wait

November 4, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

I’m sitting in the passenger seat of our parked car, waiting while Ric runs in to pick up a few groceries. This is our normal routine. He shops; I wait. Confession: I am not good at waiting. I have this compulsive need to fill each minute of the day with productivity. So I thumb through […]

Close Encounter

November 3, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

The year was 1964. I was six, and just barely tall enough to see out the kitchen window. I remember it was dark, so I wasn’t bothered too much with what was on the other side, until I saw the flashing lights. Mom and Grandma were stood there with me – we had dishes duty […]

Shades of Green

November 2, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

All is green, come summer here, the river and its banks, and the rolling fields of corn. For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Green.

V.J.’s Challenge #66: savour

September 30, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Our youngest granddaughter loves food so much that when she takes a bite, she’ll close her eyes, hold the food in her mouth, savouring the flavour, and moan with appreciation. She is three. This is surely a God-given gift. Her sister and cousin eat so fast, I’m sure a famine must be chasing them. I […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #65: smile

September 23, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Anyone want to share their experiences this week?” I’m stood in front of my third year, Life Strategies class. It’s Friday, the day we have set aside to journal and/or discuss the weekly challenge. This week’s challenge has been to smile at someone new. I never know with this crowd whether or not the challenges […]

Blossoming

It may be foolish of me, at my age and in my current condition, but I hang on to the hope that the pain of this effort is leading somewhere: renewal, new purpose, or at the very least, a blossoming.

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 […]