A Home of Their Own

June 22, 2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

Five weeks ago, a family of five arrived on our doorstep, distraught and teary-eyed after having fled the war in Ukraine. The dad started working the next day, and the rest of us sorted out beds, groceries and necessary paperwork. Within a week, the kids started school and Mom applied for jobs. It didn’t take […]

Where is Home?

February 28, 2022.Reading time 2 minutes.

I ask my three-year-old self to show me her home, and she points to the floor beneath the formica-topped table in the kitchen. There, caged within the chrome legs of table and chairs, she is out of the path of adult legs, whose movements are as unpredictable as their moods. I ask my four-year-old self […]

Our Street, Different Seasons

March 31, 2021.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week challenge: The street where you live.)

Settling In

September 23, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Slowly finding my footing again after what feels like a lost week. Our house has been buzzing with well wishers and workmen. New counters are in, as well as new light fixtures. Pictures are hung. Furniture arrives in trickles – a side effect of COVID. I am grateful for all of it.

Build Me a Place To Call Home

August 19, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

(For Cee’s Fun Foto challenge: all about buildings.)

Decision Made

June 26, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Monday we were excited about the possibility, but then overnight doubts set in for me. He talked me through it, assuaged my fears. The house around the corner with the beautiful views also needs work. We called the owner for another viewing. Ric was right. My concerns were not founded. I was in. But then […]

At Home

May 1, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

A perch to greet the world a corner to keep my books(could use some sorting) A pot of home made soup on the stove(Chicken tortilla – our favourite) This is home. (For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: at home)

Bricks and Stone

November 14, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Our town’s quaintness is derived from the stone buildings, sourced from the local limestone quarry. As magnificent as these historic buildings are, I understand they are hard to heat in winter months. Our winters, in southwestern Ontario, Canada, can be harsh. I am grateful for modern materials like clay bricks, and of course, insulation, that […]

Blessing of Serenity

July 4, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Settling in a small town, especially a senior’s community, is not something I would have ever envisioned, and yet; here we are. Funny how life works like that, and thank goodness it does. I appreciate this place that we have landed more and more each day. It has not been without difficulty, this move away […]

Landed

January 15, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

The travel angels saw me home safely, even ensuring I had a whole row of seats to myself on the flight – a gift to someone wary of germs and overpowering scents. The excitement of being back on the canal and immersed in milder temperatures overrides this total exhaustion. I slept on and off for […]

Orange

I am orangefiery asa sunsetbright asan Autumnleaf –brilliant in the waninghours. (Art my own)

Tragedy (tanka)

Melancoly drags –one young lovelorn foot stuck inregret’s muddy path –ignores what is near, mistakeswhat if for what is. Tragic. (Tuesdays, I borrow from Twitter. Image my own)

Cheer For Spring

Cheer growth –beneath a heavy cloud coverCanada goose passesoverhead, while Iwander Wander –behind a veil of rainy greylens poised to capture life –swallows swoop andrise up Rise up –over rushing waters, branch high,blackbirds huddle, demand my attention –focus Focus –reveals newness: buds breaking through,colours promising thatchilly winds disperse,cheer growth Cheer growth –behind a veil of […]