Gathering

Squirrels, squirrels everywhere, chirping: “Get ready; be prepared”, hoarding their finds with relish treetop leaping with added zest. The geese are gathering too – like all good Canadians – making plans for the winter weighing the options for flight.   Clouds gather to mark day’s end and the influx of autumn weather – and I […]

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V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #18: Gathering

It’s a long weekend for us here in Canada.  Traditionally families come together, partake of a large meal and give thanks for the blessings in their lives. It is not difficult to feel blessed when family is gathered together. What else is gathering at this time of year?  How does ‘gathering’ factor into your current […]

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Re-Focusing Attention

The past week has been very draining on many levels.  I know others have felt it, as well.  The surge of emotional and psychological upset has taken its toll on my physical well-being.  I spent the morning in bed, and part of the afternoon, and then, since the rain was holding off, I asked Ric […]

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Exploring Stonetown

Sunday, being the last day of September, spurred my longing to get outside.  The clouds hung low, threatening to drop their contents at any moment, but I didn’t care.  We’ve been in our new town for two months now, and have had little time for exploring. A river flows through the village, and there are […]

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V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #17: Attention

The quality of our lives is determined by the focus of our attention.  – Cheri Huber As a child, I had a recurring dream: I’m crouched under a large, wooden chair, and Mickey Mouse is headed my way with a kettle of boiling water, intending to scald me, and no matter how much I scream, […]

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Baseline

Baseline is the name of the road on which my final high school stands.  My ‘last chance’ authorities called it, as I’d been ‘asked to leave’ the previous one.  Turned out the attendance officer was a parent of a former classmate and recognized me.  I felt trapped.  Skipping school was how I coped in those […]

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V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #17: Baseline

(Baseline Séance from Mariposaxprs) “Your results are right on the edge of normal,” the doctor told me after administering a mental competency test and adding up my score.  “Really can’t tell from this whether there is a problem or not.  Educated people tend to do better on these tests (masking cognitive impairment) and others not so […]

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Shadows Linger

Shadows shift, alter, but never fade.  They are contrast for light, a companion to our fears, the joy of a good mystery. This week, it had been my intention to photograph shadows, to have fun with what emerged, but life does not always follow our intended map.  Instead, another woman came forward to make allegations […]

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Clouds and Shadows

I find myself drawn to clouds, trying to capture their essence. How, at times they rise, like sculptures of the gods… or how they dissipate, leaving wispy trails in their wake – not wanting to let go.   I remember cloudless skies of Arizona – the perfection of blue crowning our days. It is that […]

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V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #16: Shadows

To contemplate is to look at shadows. – Victor Hugo A child, when first encountering its shadow, might at first feel fear.  Later, she will experience fascination as she discovers that shadows stretch and play at her command. Carl Jung suggests that the shadow is representative of those parts of self that are suppressed and […]

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