I’ve never been much of a risk taker. I like the comfort of the known. And if I find myself facing a decision, I’ve learned to have a good bit of information so I can make an informed choice. Sometimes I envy those who can just leap into the unknown, throwing caution to the wind. […]
Tree hugging, forest bathing, and other curious things…
A screenshot I saved from the twitter feed of author Robert Macfarlane knowing that this was validation of my own affinity for trees and one day I would write about it. For the love of trees… For the past several days I have been surrounded by trees; massive cedars and firs that tower above in […]
It’s good to know I’m not alone…
I was in one of my favourite local shops yesterday and the proprietor, a dear friend, said, ‘You know what you were writing about the other day? I’m right there with you. I have had to eat humble pie more than once when I was convinced I was right and found out I was wrong.” […]
Is this your hill to die on?
Have you ever heard the saying, “Is this your hill to die on?” It’s an old war reference that basically means is this [whatever] important enough to you to really stand your ground and defend yourself? Is it worth causing a fuss over? I use it a lot, or at least I used to use […]
Sometimes I say stupid things…
I have been replaying a couple of recent conversations in my mind and I have come to an uncomfortable conclusion. Sometimes I say stupid things. Seriously. For a woman who makes her living constructing thoughtful and meaningful sentences, I say some really thoughtless even hurtful things. Not on purpose. God, no! But there are moments […]
Learning from the dandelions…
The yard is a sea of dandelions. I haven’t been able to cut the lawn for a few days and the grass has grown tall. The dandelions, too, have grown tall enough to bloom with their bright, sunny yellow flowers. I’ve been sitting on the front doorstep eating my lunch, watching the neighbour’s honeybees taking […]
The folly of boys OR How the outhouse lost its lid
I don’t often share my poetry outside of my family. They’re usually stories from our family lore that are retold in a poem for a special occasion, most often ‘given’ as a gift to my parents. I don’t even recall which event this one was for, but I’m sharing it by request. Growing up on […]
Who’s your neighbour?
When I was little there was a song on the kids show Sesame Street that went something like this: Who are the people in your neighbourhood? In your neighbourhood. In your neigh…bour…hood… Say, who are the people in your neighbourhood? It ended with this little bit of wisdom: They’re the people that you meet when […]
Seeing with the eyes of the heart
The tiny owl sat in the uppermost branches of the cottonwood tree behind my house. Despite the harassment from blue jays, grosbeaks, chickadees, and red polls, he tucked his head beneath his wing. At that moment, he wasn’t looking for a meal which the small birds could have easily provided had the little owl been […]
Laughing at the little things
I am the first person to admit that I’m kind of hitting middle age. Sorry. Had to take a minute there. Truth told? I’m definitely not the first person rushing to say I’m middle-aged. It’s a stupid term anyway. I need something better…but I got nothing. I’ll work on it, but I’m open to suggestions. […]
