Stacked

Ideas ~ stacked in neat piles

to be used when it’s time

Ideas pulled from the stack

will build, will create, will grow

Ideas ~ stacked in neat piles

will be used when it’s time.

“Ideas come from everything.”

~ Alfred Hitchcock

Regina Talent on Display

On this gray day, rain soaking the very dry earth, a friend and I took a trip to the Aurora Art Guild Show and Sale. Held in The Terrace Rotunda just south of the University of Regina, we had opportunity for coffee and a good chat before viewing the extensive art works of Regina artists. Then we strolled though all the artwork on offer. From large colourful abstracts, rolling landscapes and waterscapes to small gentle floral canvases, they were all at reasonable prices.

I plan to attend Brushworks Art Guild Show and Sale in June. Fortunately, it is within walking distance (or bus if I feel like it) from my home. 

Aurora Art Guild Show and Sale

The Terrace Rotunda

Innovation Place

#10 Research Drive, Regina, Sask

(South of University of Regina)

May 11 - 13, 2023

Brushworks Art Guild of Regina, Inc.

Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre

2420 Elphinstone Street, Regina, Sask

Art Show and Sale - June 2 - 4, 2023

“The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions 

that have been concealed by the answers.”

~ James Baldwin

 

Spring Awakening

Leaf buds cautiously unfurl,

  tulips mirror the sun,

their fronds nestle with lush grass.

“When one flower blooms, spring awakens everywhere.”

~ John O’Donohue

   

Chapter 2, Episode 135 - Never Too Old - Situationally Theirs

Never Too Old

“Martha, do you remember Malcolm from years ago?” Digby was about to go into his office. He and Martha had come in to work and had just had their morning coffee with Elizabeth. “No, should I?” She was getting organized for a meeting she had scheduled with Emelina. Nervous and a bit distracted about the upcoming meeting, she couldn’t really recall anyone by that name. “Malcolm? I’m not even sure I know anyone by that name.” 

“Oh well, we were much busier then so you may not have met him. We called on him to deliver goods to us, or if we needed large packages delivered elsewhere.” Martha was too quiet. Looking at his wife, he recognized a troubled look on her face. Concerned he stopped and asked “What is it, Martha? You look troubled. Just now, with Elizabeth you seemed fine.” Martha smoothed her face and was about to say that everything really was fine, but everything was about to come tumbling down. She was sure of it. “James, you and I have talked about retiring. I’ve finally decided to do something about it. I’m sorry I haven’t talked with you about my decisions before now.” James sat back down. “Well, I’m here now. Let’s talk about this decision you’ve made. Will it affect me?”

Martha didn’t know what to say, how to say it. “It probably will, but not in a bad way. At least I hope not………..I have an appointment with Miss Emelina in an hour. I’m going to ask if I can have my hours reduced. There is so little to do here anymore and I can come in whenever she needs me. I really want to get to making our cottage more of a home for us rather than just a place to eat and sleep. I want to garden and take care of our little yard so it doesn’t get all raggedy like it did last year. And there's a quilting group I'd like to join ~ something I haven't done for years.” James sat back in his chair, surprised she’d never mentioned it before. Their hours were very flexible and they could come and go as they pleased. “Why are you nervous about it? Miss Emelina has not insisted that we be here at certain times, just as long as we take care of our duties.” Martha sighed and patted James’ hand. “That’s what bothers me. Our duties. I don’t know about yours, but I have so few duties anymore. I just come in to chat with Elizabeth. At least that’s what it feels like. I'd like to come in twice a week on certain days, and come in if there’s something special that Miss Emelina wants organized. But even then I could probably do it on the days I do work.”

Elizabeth, Cook to most people outside of the Estate, returned to the table drying her hands on her apron. “I know what you’re talking about, Martha. That old fridge and stove have never been more clean since we got back from pandemic lockdown. The Pantry is half empty, but I keep it spotless as well. Some days I cook just to have something to do. Once we’re getting things from the garden, it keeps me busier. Samuel’s taking more of the produce to the Food Bank than in the past when I was feeding more people.”

Martha sat up straight. “That’s who Malcolm is! He helped Samuel every year taking food to the Food Bank or what ever else he needed. Am I right, James?” He was nodding. “Yes indeed, Martha. He was sometimes out here helping to pick apples as well. He’d take the seconds to the Food Bank along with the other produce.”

Conversation turned to this Malcolm. “Yes, I remember him too, James. He delivered the very chairs we’re sitting on. If we needed anything, that’s who we called. The pandemic put us out of touch with so many folks.” Elizabeth was glad the conversation had turned away from retirement. Even if she had done more cleaning than in the past, she had a wonderful kitchen to cook in. That had been one of her childhood dreams. When she saw her mother fighting with her old stove and always needing the refrigerator fixed, she just wanted a good kitchen. “James, what brought up Malcolm? Did we ever know his last name?”

James was glad that Martha had relaxed, hoping that her request to their employer would be received favourably. “Well, he called me the other day. Wants me to mentor his nephew about my job. I told him that we didn’t do much out here any more, but he was quite insistent. So I agreed, one day a week, to let his nephew  - I believe his name is Phillip - come out here and I would teach him what I could. As far as his last name, I don’t recall it but I’m sure if I look up an old invoice I’ll have it. Phillip is coming tomorrow at 9. Elizabeth you’ll be here if I’m late? We’ll probably have coffee, or tea if that’s what he prefers, and then I’ll give him a tour of the place. If he wants to know about butler-ing we’ll start there.”

“Oh, good. Someone to cook for besides just the three of us and anyone else on the Estate. I’ll start getting your lunches ready today and make scones in the morning. I get here at 7 so, will have time and they’ll be fresh and warm for you.” The atmosphere in the kitchen went up a few notches with the excitement of having a new face coming among them. 

“Well, ladies, time for me to get to the office and Miss Emelina should be here anytime now for your appointment.” James got up from the table, leaned on the back of his chair and said. “If this young man really wants to work out here, I may just see about having my hours cut back too.”

~~~~~

Later that evening at their cottage, James and Martha Digby, started sketching their plans for travel and for creating a home together they had never had. They had worked many years together, been married for two years and now wanted more. Martha’s meeting with Emelina had gone well. She’d now be working only Tuesdays and Fridays, coming in if she was needed. James would be mentoring his friend’s nephew with hopes that it would help them develop their new life. 

“You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.”

~ C.S. Lewis

Plaid Sunshine

  Being awed by plaid sunshine

         has little purpose

      but to warm my heart.

“Look at the sunny side of everything.”

~ Christian D. Larson

Word Play is Fascinating - The End of the Story

Epilogue

Eventually the little family I created from my opening writing exercise solved all their problems. Phil found a great job being mentored by James Digby, his Uncle Malcolm's long lost friend at the Beaufort Estate. Uncle Malcolm may have cameo appearances in other episodes of Situationally Theirs! Rita, Phil’s mother developed an amazing garden, loved every minute of chatting with the birds and getting her hands dirty. Philomena, Phil’s wild and crazy twin, found a place on the Island where she could keep Oscar, her Blue Heeler and go to University lear life. Oscar was one happy dog, because he got a run everyday with his favourite human. Sarah-Ann, cousin to the twins, shared Philomena’s cabin on a small acreage, making Oscar happier than ever: two humans to go running with at different times each day!! Eventually, the little family I created from my opening writing exercise solved all their problems.

Creating stems from each letter of the word PURPOSE was quite different for me, using names rather than phrases. I had no plans to create a family or to connect them to the characters of Situationally Theirs, those episodes posted each Wednesday. The whole writing exercise was fun, especially connecting them to characters of the Beaufort Estate, who have often lived in their own world since the beginning of the pandemic, with thanks to Phil’s Uncle Malcolm for that blending of stories on the May 3rd episode of Situationally Theirs. 

Thanks for reading all my writings!

Susan

“Why it’s simply impassible!

Alice: Why, don’t you mean impossible?

Door: No, I do mean impassible. (chuckles) 

Nothing’s impossible!”

~ Lewis Carroll, 

Adventures in Wonderland/Through the Looking-Glass

 

Uncertain Futures

         Uncertain Futures

Sarah-Ann had seldom visited her Aunt Rita and Uncle Ralph in their home She was sure it would not be a pleasant visit, but she had to talk to someone. When she was at the front door, before she rang the doorbell, she carefully wiped the tears that wouldn’t stop. Desperate, she silently begged her eyes to stay dry. She could let that dam burst when she was alone again. Her hand had just left the doorbell, when it flew open and her favourite cousin, Philomena wrapped her in a big hug. Sarah-Ann had no choice but to hug her back, wanting to slump into cousin’s shoulder and sob. But she had to talk with the family first. In a shaky voice she spoke into her cousin’s shoulder “It’s so good to see you, Phil. I’m glad you’re home.” Philomena held her away from her. Sarah! What’s wrong?! You’ve been crying. Don’t tell me it’s just allergies. We see each other often enough that I know you.” Putting her arm around her shoulders, Phil led her into the house. “Mom! Mom! Sarah’s here and somethings wrong. We’re going into the living room.” Rita, involved in an online gardening lecture, excused herself from the lecture and quickly closed her computer. She joined the two girls in the living room. “What on earth is the matter Sarah-Ann? It must be something serious for you to be this upset. Are your parents all right?” All her niece could do is nod her head and stutter out “They’re ok, Aunt Rita. I’ll be all right now that you’re both here. Thank you.” She took a deep breath and  asked for a glass of water. “Of course, dear. Philomena, please get her a glass of water. There’s a pitcher of water in the fridge.” She turned to her niece and, smoothing her hair, said “Now, tell me what’s wrong. It must be something we can fix.” Sarah-Ann wasn’t sure about that, but it was so like her aunt to want to fix things. “I’ve lost my job, fired. They told me I was being paid too much and the boss was trimming his budget. Now I have to tell my parents and they never liked me working for that horrible man anyway. At least they thought he was horrible.” Rita patted her hand. Philomena gave her a glass of water. “Why did they think he was horrible?” Sarah dabbed her eyes. “Dad said he’s a crook. I didn’t want to believe him, but after working in accounting for  a while, I was beginning to agree with him.” Her eyes full of anxiety, she looked up at her aunt. “But I couldn’t afford to lose my job so I didn’t say anything. Now that I have, I’ll have to give up my apartment and my car and I don’t know where I’ll go. I can’t go back home and listen to my father tell my how right he was.” Sarah-Ann’s parents lived outside of the city on a small acreage and were not in Hartley very often. Rita had not seen her sister for quite sometime. The did have regular phone conversations, so she knew a little about Sarah-Ann’s work situation. She was right to come here first. In a word she didn’t use often, she knew her brother-in-law could be a real jerk. Her niece didn’t need his arrogant, obstinate attitude right now. She wouldn’t have been able to deal with it. “Well, honey, you stay here tonight. You girls can have a good chin wag. We’ll sort this all out. I may have some ideas that I’ll have to talk over with your Uncle Ralph. But call your mother and let her know where you are. You do have your cell phone with you? If you don’t, use our phone in the hall.” Philomena had been quiet while her mother calmed her cousin down. She agreed with her Uncle about Sarah’s employer, but had never said anything. She knew it wasn’t any of her business. She didn’t like to see her cousin like this though; it made her angry that this man would be more worried about the all mighty dollar and her cousin. Firing her without notice, not even time to know what to do next. Finally speaking up she asked “Are you getting any severance pay, Sarah?” Sarah looked bewildered. “Severance pay? I think he might have said something about it, but I was so shocked I just put my coat on, picked up my purse and walked out. I can email him or call him in the morning.” Philomena said “Come on up to my room and send off and email right now. You don’t want to let him think you’re going to let him off the hook about that!” Sarah followed her meekly to the stairs. “I don’t think it will be that much. Her cousin, who was half way up the stairs, turned to her. “It doesn’t matter home much. It’s the principle of the thing. Don’t let him get away with it. He may not let the union into his busIness, but I’m sure he wouldn’t like a law suit and some publicity for his “Going Out of Business” store ~  that’s been ‘Going out of Business’ for the last 15 years - while we were still in high school!” 

~~~~~

The two girls, both 30 and born one day apart, talked all evening only coming downstairs for dinner and later on for a late cup of hot cocoa. After they had torn Sarah’s boss to pieces, then written a very polite and professional email to him, they talked about Philomena’s trip all the way to Winnipeg, then about the boys they had crushes on in high school, best restaurants and the runs they used to share. Oscar, the family’s Blue Heeler, lay quietly on the floor, watching them both. He finally fell asleep but not so soundly that he wasn’t paying attention. Once in a while, one ear would perk up to some noise from outside or somewhere in the house. Then he’d settled again with a groan and dream about going for a run tomorrow with both girls. Philomena gave her cousin pyjamas to were and settled her in the spare room for the night…….where they talked more about their futures. 

“Girls, you’ve gotta know when it’s time to turn the page.”

~ Tori Amos, Tori Amos: From the Choirgirl Hotel