V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #94: wild card

April 27, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I welcome your response to the Dalai Lama’s words. No specific word for this challenge, so you are open to be creative. Create a post on your own blog and link back here. Poetry, prose, photography, music – any form of creativity welcome. Looking forward to your responses!

Laughter Lingers in Memory

April 26, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

The days fold one into another, and the daily phone calls with Mom tend towards reminiscence – not much happening in the present. We talk about my aunt, her sister-in-law, a colourful figure who lived her life alone – lesbian in a time when homosexuality was considered criminal, and later, a mental illness. Dee, as […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #93: remember

April 20, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Contributions to the weekly newsletter I create for our community often contain nostalgic memes. Remembering past times, especially joys, is a good way to ease tension. This week, I invite you to remember and share. Create a post on your own blog, and link back here or leave a url in the comments. Photos, prose, […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #92: behind

April 13, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

“Behind every criticism is a wish.”– Esther Perel The quotation comes from Esther Perel’s podcast “Where Should We Begin?” which currently features couples in lockdown. Something about the words resonates with me, although I’m not immediately able to explain why. I have witnessed how anger masks disappointment, frustration, or even grief, but criticism. I hadn’t […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #91: transported

April 6, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

“I’ve heard enough of the news!” Ric hands me the remote. “Find what you’d rather watch.” I scroll through the guide but nothing suits me. I am antsy and my stomach hurts. Normally, I like to sit in quiet but today I need noise to shut out my thoughts. News about COVID_19 is overwhelming. I […]

Contributions of Humanity

April 5, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

Driving the neighbourhood, streets are deserted, but the spirit of the residents shines through – art posted in windows, chalk drawings on sidewalks, and front porch art. The lengths people go to encourages me. The best of humankind is shining through. My challenge this week was contribution, and as always your contributions have warmed me. […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #90: contribution

March 30, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

“I received the nicest package today!” my mother tells me excitedly over the phone. “It couldn’t have arrived at a more perfect time!” Kleenex, Voltaren, scotch mints, body lotion and a hand drawn picture from a great granddaughter, all bundled and dropped at the entrance to the nursing home, where we are no longer allowed. […]

Of Course, It Isn’t Real

March 29, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Oprah is smaller in person, and quite unassuming. We’re having tea in her bedroom as she gets ready for the day, and I feel as if we’ve been friends forever. She does most of the talking, and my mind tries to process all the details of her life – most of it contrary to what […]

V.J.'s Weekly Challenge #89: imaginary

March 23, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Fresh air was the remedy yesterday. From six feet apart, we greeted our neighbours. “How are you keeping?,” I asked a widow. “Well thank goodness for the cat,” she said. “Am missing my husband, but I do talk to him regularly.” And then realizing how that sounded, she added: “His picture, you know.” I get […]

The Dominos Are Falling

March 22, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

A local business owner returned from a trip South, and went back to work, his thoughts no doubt wrapped up in the running of his store. Two days he worked, ignoring the fatigue. He blamed it on the stomach bug he’d picked up while away. Day three he decided to get checked out at our […]

Ukraine

Planted seeds for prosperity –images of children frolickingthe delight of yellow horizonstradition setting our fields ablaze Till greed came knocking –brother turning on brother Rhetoric and lies shrapnelshattering our dreams Only the deer frolic nowunwitting participants inthis unprovoked slaughterland mines defiling landscapes But seeds are not lost,nor are the legacy of generationswhose soil has known […]

Winter, Please

(Image my own)

Sing Along

Dove’s mournful cryspotlights Nature’s calling –Let us find a harmonic notesing along for conservation,for preservation, for a strongtomorrow – find our voicesand join the chorus. (Image my own)