Christmas Wrapping ~ 1

No perception of stress or strain today!
Christmas music……
Reading and writing……
A day for wrapping, ribbons and bows.
Not many things
Enough to satisfy my Christmas longing
Preparing for weekend family time in Vancouver!

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of 

a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”

~ Burton Hillis

Ode to Weather

As much as we complain about the weather
Too cold and wet
Too hot and dry
Too windy, dusty, bright or dark
Or
Not warm enough
Not dry enough
Too calm ~ there must be a storm coming
Weather can always be counted on
Along with our perceptions of what weather should be
Conversation at the grocery till with perfect strangers!
On the bus to break uncomfortable distance with a seat mate
We complain about the weather…..
And yet it brings us together 
Gathers us together in malls, churches and coffee shops
Or snugged in our living rooms and kitchens
We need community 
We need family ~ and neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet ~
Will keep us from each other

“Nothing brings you together like a common enemy.”

~ David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest

Baby Steps and Quiet Corners

Depression at Christmas time
is it’s own barrier against family times 

for joy, stories and fun ~
A thick, dark barrier full of fear

Tiny baby steps toward bright lights ~
Sitting in corners hearing laughter
eases the silent darkness,
thinning the barrier with great caution.

Depression at any time is its own barrier.  

Tiny baby steps and quiet corners are important ~ 

thinning the barrier to feel comfort, safety and joy

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, 

live in the moment, live in the breath.”

~ Amit Ray, Om Chanting and Meditation

A Winter Daffodil

A chill came on the air today,

wind moist with stinging mist

Yesterday, the sun was lovely, warm and pleasing

A late winter daffodil ~ a mere perception of spring blooms despite wind, rain or sun.

Seasons change with coastal winds while this lone daffodil ignores the seasonal shifts.

“Embrace the weather, child, and 

you’ll understand the balance of the world.”

~ Dean Koontz, Brother Odd

Turnaround Monday Treasures

Done my day job for a few days
Writing set aside but for diary and blog

Late lunch at James Bay Heron Rock Bistro!

Lots of activity from morning to night!
Walking and talking and laughter and chat

To a huge mall seeking yarn for a project
UpTown Mall is vast and walking was long!

Then back to town to James Bay - hunger growled!
Heron Rock Bistro and a Smoked Salmon Benny with Horseradish Hollandaise more than satisfied that!
To say that I had the best Benny I’ve had would be understated.
A mere, and very delicious, perception of the horseradish
Thin crunchy curls of onion with home fried potatoes…………...but I digress.

A shopping wander through Second Chance Consignment next door
Leaving with Blossom Time china pieces and a fine piece of pottery.

Home for  a short break….hang a Christmas bow glittering green and red on the door…
So exhausted….sigh…….

Then off to the annual Victoria Athletic Club Christmas Party
Members attending bringing food donations for the Food Bank drive.
Catered beautifully by the Grand Pacific Hotel 
Door prizes won by fifteen members - I wasn’t one of them.

Now to bed after such an exhausting day!

“You can either be a victim of the world or an adventurer 

in search of treaure. It all depends on how you view your life.”

~ Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes

Holding Stillness

May, 2008 Hornby Island

Hold still ~

stillness smooths sharp curves
softly stretching worries,
perceptions of great sadness in clouds adrift in open skies

~ Holding stillness

“There are seasons when to be still demands 

immeasurably higher strength than to act.”

~ Margaret Bottome

Author's note: Edited January 14, 2024