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

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

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

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

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

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