Bittersweet Endings

May 29, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

“I’m losing my baby!” my daughter laments while planning our youngest granddaughter’s birthday. The birthday girl is three. She is losing her baby fat, wants to do everything “by myself”, knows her own mind and can articulate it. Like this unicorn costume she insisted on wearing instead of the party dress her mother bought her. […]

Square and Circle

May 22, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

The Egg House is where we get our eggs – enter, select your eggs from the shelves of fresh ones, and leave your change. The best of small town living! A neighbour’s creativity served as a circle for this challenge. Thanks to Nancy Merrill for the prompt: squares and circles.

Rain on Me

May 14, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Stopping at a local nursery on a rainy day, I am struck by how the raindrops add extra texture to the simplest of plants. And I think: a little water in our lives helps us grow. (For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge: raindrops)

Three of a Kind

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

For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week Challenge: Three of a Kind

Preening Season

April 20, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Beauty of the feathered kindbrings me the upmost joy The males don their brightest colourswhile the females remain shyly coy. Nice to be a spectator, when Spring arrives,the bright display of breeding birds – oh boy! (For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week Challenge: Beauty)

Fire

April 16, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Drawn to the smoke,we search for fire Mesmerized by the flame,longing to capture the power even nature recognizes the allure,signals us at the end of day. (Fire is the prompt for Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge.)

Sunshine

April 9, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Sunshine, you magician,adding sparkle to my view Painting the cloudless skya dazzling shade of blue Favoured by your golden rays,we all take on a glowing hue. (Submitted for Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge: sunshine.)

Ducks in a Row

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

Lining up our blended ducks on our wedding day. Many years later, ducks old and new, line up with our ‘baatis’ – Somali pyjamas. Featured image is Whistling Ducks. Submitted for Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week challenge: getting your ducks in a row.

Our Town: A Slice of History

March 20, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Situated at the crossing point of two rivers, our little town was once indigenous hunting ground, until European settlers arrived in the 1840’s taking advantage of the rich deposits of limestone. Much of the original architecture remains, giving the village an old world charm. The television series, Murdoch Mysteries, has used our train station and […]

No Less Colourful

February 22, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Even in black and white, birds are showstoppers. For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week challenge: black and white.

I dream that I am teaching again, and having assigned the class independent work, I am spending time connecting with each student to see if they are grasping the material. It’s my favourite part of teaching, and I wake up wondering if I’ll ever have that feeling again. So rewarding. It is bittersweet, growing old. […]

Fatal Fury

Really wasn’t your faultthis fury that overcame –Words evoked onslaught,a raging river of pain. Didn’t mean to push you,miscalculated my aim,swimming in swamp watersnot a recommended game. You floundered, gurgled,cursed me by name –our love story, now viralbrought an alligator fame. (Image my own. Tale is totally fictional, I promise.)