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Saturday, November 23, 2013

Touching Memory


Denim jeans and cotton sheets
Pillow case, a white cotton hoodie, cloth napkins and, yes, t-shirts ~ all warm and smooth after the glide of the hot iron.
Tactile release of invisible memories ~
a childhood little red iron that really warmed!
lessons about ironing on tea towels and embroidered pillow cases
pressing open seams of dresses and skirts made in my teens
enjoying even today the smooth feel of fabric on my skin
all despite developments so ironing can become part of home making history.

“Touch has a memory.”
~ John Keats

Friday, November 22, 2013

Access Denied: Health Food vs Survival


Just back from getting a few groceries at a health food store.
And before that, on CBC radio, heard about their annual food bank drive and the increasing numbers of food banks, and thus, individuals in need of food.
Guilty feelings surfaced momentarily about the invisible, yet extreme disparity in so many lives after my recent purchases.
Food banks are the only ‘health food’ stores for some ~
to survive one more span of time.
with energy to maintain employment
to raise a family
for some, we can choose where our food ~ 
for our good health and preference ~ will come from
Am I depressed, guilt ridden or angry about any of this?
Not really.
I am, however, extremely disappointed ~
in the direction our society has taken:
A glut of food in stores that too many are unable to access
A plethora of clothes in stores and malls that too many are unable to access.
Personally, my gratitude sustains me and clarifies my daily responsibilities amid this cultural imbalance.

“There are genuinely sufficient resources in the world to ensure
that no one, nowhere, at no time, should go hungry. “
~ Ed Asner

An Evening Out


Heated political debate on a crisp November evening.
Discussion about the condition of sheep and shoes.
The truly wonderful artistry of our host - paintings with balance and colour.
Delicious gourmet meal ending with chocolate brownies
Debate and discussion about the country’s economics
Chatter about family, shopping and mutual activities
And really a lot of silliness in between ~
All gathered in the invisible web of friendship.

Friends gathered around a table to laugh and visit: wonderful!

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.....
It has no survival value; rather it is one of 
those things which give value to survival.”
~ C.S.Lewis, The Four Loves

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Soulful Windows


Pensive brown eyes or sparkling blue
Grateful green or hazel eyes full of anger
Windows to souls
blind with curtains drawn
covering many dark pathways
shadowy halls where invisible phantoms
lurk waiting to nip and bite
at edges of shrunken souls
keeping brightness dim
hidden in glossy shadow behind
beautiful billowing chemical curtains of false promises ~ 
that only deliver limits and consequence.

“Behind the veil of life, beyond the look of eyes.”
~ Samael

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Crisis Invisible: Action Denied


Should I rant again today? Maybe a couple of opinionated comments?
Yes, I do believe this is a bit more serious than a rant.
The dynamics of what may be active addiction and enabling behaviour is being played out in the media for all to see and comment about.
Cruel, disparaging remarks.
Many solutions to ‘the problem’.

My own comment?
For heart attacks
broken bones
or any other form of health crisis
an ambulance would be called immediately
not after several weeks of discussion by all and sundry.

Another comment?
Enablers - those that invisibly prop someone up while watching them go down seem to have been in vast numbers and only now some of them are responding - but to what: just the behaviour, the legalities.....??

“Delay is the deadliest form of denial.”
~ C.Northcote Parkinson

Monday, November 18, 2013

Ranting about Research vs Common Sense


How much is too much?
An amount or type determined by research and science passed on to society via media and medical folks. Then there are pharmaceutical fixes for us all. I have long touted preventative health care ~ changes in life style, alterations in diet, adjustments and tailoring for improved health. But taking medications only because the research has said we should? Before examining the way we live our lives?

So much is discussed these days about 
life span and right to life, quality of life and end of life care,
that when I hear things about medication solutions, I wonder
what are we proposing to prevent? Death? ~ if so, death is a given ~ the manner of dying is not.

A possibility of a stroke or heart attack? ~ what risks can I avoid. Studies done in the research world ~ who pays for them?, how many folks were in the sample size? Was there a balance in gender ~ in culture ~ in location?

I’m not a scientist or researcher, so it’s nice to learn the information that they find. Being told what is right for me ~ not always comfortable ~ unless my genetics tell me I’m at risk. When I do know that if I pay attention I may just know what hurts me, what doesn’t digest well and to trust in myself first before research tells me what to do ('Myself' might tell me to read some research to find more or different answers!)

Genetics.....risks.....facts determined by research scientists.
Common Sense......invisible knowing of what is right and good.

“Common sense will nearly always stand you in 
better stead than a slavish adherence to the conventions.”
~ M.M.Kaye, Shadow of the Moon

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Behaviour Shouts too Loudly


Addiction to alcohol or drugs is a funny thing
not haha funny
but very unpleasantly odd
Behaviour under the influence is 
awful
maudlin
dramatic
maybe even criminal
(of course there’s the ‘happy’ drunk)
Whatever - it is unwelcome
communication difficult
memory totally unreliable

Addiction, a chronic brain condition, is invisible 
Behaviour is in your face, flagrant and irritating
There are many more adjectives for the behaviour of active addiction.

Recovery from addiction
is not just sobering up
sleeping it off
cleaning up
in a day or two
or a couple of weeks.

Recovery from addiction always starts
with detox - whether at home or in a facility.
Now that’s unpleasant 
physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
everything crushed and soiled.

Recovery from addiction
is mopping up wreckage from the past
rolling up sleeves and getting your hands dirty
while getting your life clean.

Recovery can be done alone - but not easily or comfortably.
(Often called ‘white knuckle sobriety’)
Honesty, kindness and respect, when life and loves have not always been treated with honesty, kindness and respect, is a necessary ingredient.
There are folks out there who provide this ingredient - 
men and women of the communities we live in.....go out and find them..

“You were sick, but now you’re well again, and there’s work to do.”
~ Kurt Vonnegut, Timequake