An Upside Down World

February 3, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Two things happened this week, that sent me into a spiral of despondency. Two postings, actually, by people I consider friends. It’s not that I believe we should all share the same opinions, it’s that I would hope we are open to discussion. I guess, in retrospect, I am an idealist – I want the […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #32: Stillness

January 21, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

It is not in my nature to be still. If there is a current, I will push against it. When my body fails me, my mind is churning. Emotionally, I am in a constant state of restlessness. Stillness does not come naturally. And yet, when I take time to calm the body, release the mind, […]

Getting Where?

January 20, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

I’m lying here with the heating pad, altering it’s position every so often to ease the pain that has set in since my trip back home. I can’t quite shake the lingering exhaustion. Three things are running through my mind, disrupting sleep: the book I’m working on (and have set aside for far too long) […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #31: Destination

January 14, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware.” Martin Buber I walk to the kitchen, planning to put the kettle on, but as I pass my purse, I remember that I meant to write myself a note, so phone in hand, I return to the couch and type up the memo. Satisfied with that […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #29: Transition

December 31, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

Setting New Year’s resolutions is not my thing. I do, however, honour the passage of one year to another by reviewing what the passing year has entailed and consciously deciding where I would like to focus for the next. For example, as a young mother of three, having returned to work, I learned to prioritize […]

Recipe Needed

December 23, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

Plateauing my cousin called it, this feeling of flatness. “You are just gathering strength for the next climb,” she’d offer. She’s been gone for years, but her presence remains – a pillar in my thoughts. Passion has given over to a sense of pointlessness. I am questioning my ability and the purpose for what I […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #27: Intent

December 10, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

Last year, when we travelled, I was so sick that all I could think about was survival. Over and over again I told my husband that I could not guarantee my participation in much, hoping he would not be disappointed. The experience blew me away. It also renewed my energy and promoted healing. This […]

Shift

December 9, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Synchronicity nurturing wonder,relationships, books, mystery,accomplishment and celebration –home. Conversation, point of view,personification, questions,foundation irony,shadows baseline Attention gatheringdistance riverveil sacrificecharacter deviation –un-lived lives. *** The challenge this week was to gather titles from our own writing and reveal a new message through lining them up. The poem above has been created from the weekly challenge prompts, […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #25: Un-lived Lives

November 26, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

“I met one of my un-lived lives at a party last night” is the title of a post on bone&silver’s blog. I loved this post, and idea, so much I decided to make it the focus of my challenge this week. How precarious are our lives, or are they pre-charted? Does destiny hold all the keys, […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #24: Deviation

November 19, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible. – Frank Zappa For several years running, I was invited to speak to the Sociology of Deviancy class at our local university. Each visit, I opened by joking that I was never quite sure whether the invitation was a good thing or not. Truthfully, though, I […]

Wings

(Written during my bedbound years with ME/CFS)

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

May is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis awareness month. Also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, this disease is characterized by exhaustion after exertion. The exertion can be physical -taking a shower; emotional – worrying or obsessing; or mental- filling out forms. The best source of information about ME/cfs, as we call it, is the Bateman Horne Center. They […]

Sorry

Sorry –so much inadequacybundled into one wordas if five letterscan conveydepths of regret,shock, dismay seems I am the sparkto your lighter fluid –unintentional, I swear still reelingfrom the aftermathof the explosion attempting todeconstruct theformula –precautionary I am sorry –that you are enraged,that you are so obviously disappointedthat you are consumed with resentment –except, it is […]