Inside Voices

Inside voices echo the halls
Bounce off of windows
Roll across tables and fall on the floor

Inside voices shout fun and games
Cheer on the competition
Tossing life and joy into dark corners

“Life is more fun if you play games.”

~ Roald Dahl, My Uncle Oswald

No Magic Wand

It tears my heart
when laughter and fun
feels too loud
too tinny
scraping against
old scabs and hurts for some
no magic wand
to bring emotion and feeling
into gentle focus so
laughter and fun 
feels healthy and warm.

“When a man is prey to his emotions, he is not his own master.”

~ Baruch Spinoza

Snow Day #2

The beauty of snow 
has shifted to 
slippery slush
with sneaky icy patches
drowning in rain
leaving only a memory 
of questionable fun 
in late afternoon at 20 kph.

“Don’t knock the weather. If it didn’t change once in a while, 

nine out of ten people couldn’t start a conversation.”

~ Kim Hubbard

Medieval Medicine: Workshop Review

I was so caught up in the beauty of the snow yesterday that I put aside this review until this afternoon. Victoria snow usually doesn’t last long, so I appreciate it’s beauty while being cautious about icy streets and sidewalks. Saturday, before all the snow, I and a friend attended a  full day of learning about Medieval Medicine. I’m not very good at sitting still and haven’t been in full day classes for a very long time.

Facilitated by Hélène Cazes of Medieval Studies and French, this was the 30^th Annual Medieval Workshop, held on the UVic campus, and was well attended. Started in the living room of one of the founders, interest in Medieval issues has grown so that the venue is now in the Bob Wright Centre at the University. The interest has also been such that a core group of attendees have been returning regularly. The workshop will be taking a new form that will be forthcoming.

Galen and Hippocrates, Master Bartholomaeus and The Black Death. The Balsam Tree, no longer found in this world of modernity, was the panacea of the Medieval world. We learned about the beginnings of medicine. In the foyer on Saturday, there was a Library Presentation, a Silent Auction and demonstrations of various medieval tools, including wool carding, weaving and spinning. Jewelry made and crafted after jewelry from Medieval times were on display and for sale. (I did try on several rings, but didn’t buy anything.) After our lunch break and before the afternoon session, we were treated to music by the Banquo Folk Ensemble playing and singing medieval music. They had a varied selection of medieval musical instruments.

Writing this review cannot encompass all that was presented. Was this fun? Not certain I can say that it was. Was it interesting?  Most definitely. Since medieval times, men like Hippocrates and Galen, have grasped onto questions about the nature of healing. Along the way, the identification of diagnosing and differing treatments have brought us into the sphere of modern medicine.

“Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.”

~ Hippocrates

Snow Day #1

Snow
beckoned memories of 
fun and snow angels

Soft
Calm 
Gentle

Bright white sparkle shows
winter colours in stark contrast
Branches and twigs collect icy pillows

Water still and grey
Gulls miss busy air currents
Snow crunch and slick with each step

“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things,

but just look what they can do when they stick together.”

~ Vesta M. Kelly

Senior's Forum Review

The last few days have been fun, busy and very interesting. To start the last few days, The Senior’s Forum, held this past Thursday, held a glow of illumination in this corner of the world. When I received an invitation to this Forum, I was intrigued. 

Always rather surprised to include myself under the Senior identification, nevertheless, I planned to attend. It was a wise decision. The topics were wide ranging and addressed articulately and pointedly by attendees and the panel. The panel included Carole James, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake, Judy Darcy, MLA New Westminster and Selina Robinson, MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville. Selina Robinson is presently the New Democrat opposition spokesperson for mental health and addictions, seniors, local government and sports. Judy Darcy is the New Democratic Opposition spokesperson for Health. Other speakers were a caregiver, both professionally and personally, as well as a paramedic sharing their on the job experiences.

After introducing themselves and their portfolios, the panel shared the microphones with the attendees asking for specific concerns experienced, as well as concerns some of us may face over time. To my surprise, the most discussed concern was regarding affordable housing for seniors. Having had cause in the past couple of years to find new housing for myself, I had had opportunity to identify this as a very real problem for myself. As incomes become lower and fixed, all housing costs, whether rental or owned, are escalating. Those of us becoming hospitalized, and unable return to our homes due to incapacity, often have nowhere to go. Fortunately I am not in that situation. Besides the lack of housing, participants have also indicated a decreased availablity and quality of care. A physician from the James Bay community shared his very real concerns about a ‘staggering degree of waste’ in our health care system. Several participants asked the very real question about the funding necessary to create and enhance programming for seniors. Other issues raised were transportation, health care accessibility and even, brief discussion regarding recent legislation for Medical Assistance in Dying.

How do I describe this packed house of senior citizens? I could talk about all the gray headed women and men. I could talk about walkers, canes and bent backs. Instead I’ll talk about the vibrant aura of active interest in life, living and willingness to challenge and communicate with our government.

“We can’t legislate a roof over someone’s head, 
but we can legislate a roof over someone’s car.”

~ Senior’s Forum participant

The Photograph

Also from Writer's Group on Friday afternoon, this piece was a bit difficult for me. I think I got the time line a bit skewed, however we were given ten minutes to write. We each pulled an old photograph from a bag of photographs and only had a minute or so to look at it before the timer started and pens landed on paper! (I did do a bit of editing. Still needs more!)

The Photograph

I absolutely loved my hat! Standing under the tree on the prairie, I felt quite glamourous. Ordinarily I was in the kitchen kneading bread or scrubbing clothes on the wash board. I did put my hands in my pockets for the photograph. I had fallen for the devilishly handsome young man who was to have his photograph taken next. We met at The Strawberry Social in the small town we both lived in. I was shy and didn’t say much, but had hoped he would like the Shortcake I had made. Later in the day, as he was leaving, he asked if he could call on me. I hesitated only a second before saying ‘yes’. 

‘Come for tea on Sunday afternoon if that is a good time for you. My mother and father will be home and would love to meet you.’ 

‘I have met your father in town at the machine shop. He is a kind man. I’ll be pleased to meet your mother.’

I gathered my things up and, as properly as possible, hurried home to tell my mother of the invitation I had extended for Sunday. I had not expected to have so much fun that day.  Before going to the Social, mother brought out the beautiful hat that she had worn when she met my father.

‘It looks lovely on you dear, but you must remember to hide your hands!’

“A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into.”

~ Ansel Adams