How High

Ambition to live the life 

we were given 

put on the wayside 

when confronted with style, 

images and must do’s. 

If we do not measure up 

then we chance to

forget our own courage 

and desire for independence. 

Independence of thought, 

 of action 

    of belief 

in life as we see it.

And so we climb 

into that suit of armour 

that fits us best and 

take the direction of our choice 

despite pitfalls that may be in our path. 

“We never know how high we are 

Till we are called rise; 

And then, if we are true to plan,

 Our statures touch the skies.”

~ Emily Dickinson, Aspiration

An Afternoon at the Farm with Jeffrey Straker

Dreading what turn the weather might take, I was very pleasantly surprised. The afternoon was bright and warm with just a cool breeze throughout the afternoon. A modest gathering sat in lawn chairs at a farm just north of Southey where we were entertained by Jeffrey Straker, a Canadian folk/roots singer-songwriter-pianist backed by an instrumentalist on a base cello. His music was lively and covered his Saskatchewan roots from the prairie skies to the demise of the tall grain elevators! He included the song he wrote for King Charles’ coronation, which did reach King Charles, who sent a gracious reply. Jeffrey is quite a story teller as well! 

I attempted to take photos, but the sun was too bright and I was too moved by his music. These lilies were in my photo files that fit the bill. 

“Folk music is the original melody of man; 

it is the musical mirror of the world.”

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

When We Look

Recalling each moment past

is no easier than stopping 

the flow of water whether 

 river, lake or ocean with

trees lining their banks 

  dipping their branches low 

shelters for birds and 

   our memories

Watching clouds in the sky 

 ~ moving vessels of memory 

 golden at sunset 

    or red at sunrise

   clouds of white puffs, 

  storm clouds filled 

    with thunder and lightning

Recalling each yesterday when we look.

“Memory is not frozen it’s very much alive, it moves, it changes.”

~ Louis Malle, film director

(1932~ 1995)