Body Count

April 19, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Behind the restlessness behind the shortened fusebehind this continual gut achelies a wall of grief. First four cousinsthen anothera grandmothera favourite uncle the ongoing knowledgethat at any point my sisterwould slip away, disappear in that great abyss But first, another cousina childhood frienda suicide an accident As promised, I held her handas sister succumbed to […]

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 […]

This Is More Than Personal

April 12, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

A movie might be just the panacea we need to escape this current state of malaise. Our middle daughter and son-in-law dropped by with kids and we had a porch to curb-side visit – hard not to hug, but so good to hear those little voices in person. Now that they have left, I feel […]

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 […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #88: Domino Effect

March 16, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

Should we cancel our community dinner? The text came in while we were watching the news. One after another, closures are happening in response to the coronavirus – schools, sporting events, legislature, etc. So far there have been no cases in our area. Our first instinct is to say no. My daughter’s company is preparing […]

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)