Election Day - City of Regina

The line-up spilled out of the old brick building onto the sidewalk. A lovely autumn day, sun shining, a light breeze and patience seemed to be in force. Edging slowly to the front doors of the school house, casual conversations and old friends sprouted from time to time. Once past the front doors, up the ancient stairs, I was astounded! The line-up was not only long, but had snaked around, in at least four rows in front of the auditorium. Still everyone was calm and patient. Gave us a chance to look at the beautiful old architecture that had been restored and honoured. Oak banisters and moldings, high, high ceilings, old photos of children in the gymnasium and class photos from a couple of decades ago - or more - when teachers were still in suits and ties. Today, classes were in and, seeing kids in the halls, I wondered if we made a good impression about elections and voting. Our long snaky lineup was all ages, smooth skinned young people, middle aged, young adults, and a fair amount of gray headed folks. 

In the last month, I voted in a few elections. In the last many years, I have voted in many, many more. I  have not ever been in such a long lineup: 45 minutes! And when I left, the line had spilled out onto the public sidewalk and was half way down the block. Was this an anomaly or an indicator that this group of voters were serious about this municipal election

“Sometimes the wheel turns slowly, but it turns,”

~ Lorne Michaels

Embodied

The human body

like snow flakes

no two are alike

but when differences mesh, 

we dance together, 

grow together, 

laugh and love together. 

Only if 

our minds slip with

misdirection do we falter,

but our breath can return us 

to our body.

“The human body is the best picture of the human soul,”

~ Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosopher

(1889 - 1951)

A Wandering Eye

Such interesting things catch 

my eye when I’m out walking. 

A baby’s sock for instance. 

I wonder if the little one’s toes 

are cold, when it was noticed 

if there was a blanket and then 

I walk on and notice a mitten, 

left over from last winter still 

hanging from a twig, and my 

gaze shifts to a pink rock, midst 

a small yard of grey, beautiful 

in its difference. And there’s the 

leaves. In spring, their green haze  

wakens the trees; in summer, the 

trees are full of their life; in fall, 

they are dyed, dried, and curled, 

in winter there are hangers on 

that blacken against the snow. 

Noticing these things shows many

moments and progress of a city’s life.

“Keep your world small, keep your focus on the thing 

right in front of you and slowly wideout that world-view.”

~ Victor J. Glover, NASA Naval Aviator

Technology Gremlin

Give me a hint. Just a suggestion 

about the inner workings of computers so I can go in, a turn a screw or push a button, anything that would let me continue with my writing. My knowledge 

is severely impaired. This metal box with a screen that holds dictionaries, encyclopias, connections to family and friends, chatter from the four corners 

of the earth, becomes a silence with only 

my files, my photos. Disappointment 

doesn’t prevent me from taking a pause; 

finding the solution when morning comes.

After the refresh of sleep, the technology 

gremlin may have vanished into the ether. 

And when I wait long enough, 

all is restored ~ at least most of it…

“Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.”

~ Thomas Edison, Inventor