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Saturday, February 15, 2020

Shiver

Definitely not snow covered ~
roads splash under tires while

cold ~ not really cold ~ 
rain avoids a snowflakes life 

drip dropping rain puddles 
and pooling into dirty ponds

draining over cement curbs
of sidewalks and onto asphalt

grassed boulevards and parks
mush and slush while

cold water drizzles and drops
from slate grey flat skies 

through moss patched trees awaiting 
the warmth of tomorrow’s sun

snow drops and crocus shiver,
close up in the cold and damp

Brightly coloured rain gear for Eva and I 
hung up to drip dry behind closed doors.

“Into each life some rain must fall.”
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Friday, February 14, 2020

Canine Communication

Brown eyes fixed me
with an insistent stare

with a little dance 
toward the door.

Brown eyes fix me
with a sweet look

my dinner was
delicious

Brown eyes
watch me closely

when I put on my coat
and tied my shoes.

“An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.”
~ Martin Buber

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Taking a Break ~ 2

There’s a funny thing about the routines we have at home. They only seem to exist at home. Sticky little things that tag along in our suitcases and in our minds. When we go away, even if we take our ideas and ordinary things on a trip ~ long or short ~ they are out of place. Their place has been left behind in the structure we’ve created for ourselves within our own four walls. I can hear many voices, including my own, saying: “You’re on kind of a holiday. Leave home at home.” I do have trouble with that to a degree. First of all I take medication. That is one routine that should not be sidelined, whatever the holiday or vacation or 'away from home' time is. Being away from any health care team, besides not being able to enjoy a new environment, can create another set of problems that have nothing to do with fun.

Medication aside, some of our routines, rituals or habits can be integral to what we enjoy doing. I have learned to allow the timing to be flexible. Make the time used shorter. In regards to my blog entries, I find new topics for writing. That would be true for any artistic endeavour. And of course there is getting some created in advance so a quick click of my finger will post the prepared written work. There are many solutions individual to each person and situation. But there can be some guidelines:
  1. Be flexible. 
  2. Enjoy wherever you are.
  3. Eat different food
  4. Don’t have too many guidelines ~ or any at all
Today I’ve watched talk shows, the news and taken my grand-dog, Eva, for two walks. The second one was pretty short! Neither of us was happy about the cold rain soaking us. We squeaked inside the door, and towelled off before the wet and mud could get through the house. Paws wiped, raincoats (Eva’s and mine) hung to dry, my shoes left at the door we settled once more. Eva to her bed on the floor and me on the couch with the TV remote close at hand. When one is retired, there is seldom an official ‘vacation’ time, so any time……….Excuse me, lunch time……..

An hour (or maybe more) later ~ Pardon me. I took a break for some hot soup, a sandwich, texting with my son. I have to get back to the TV or a nap or both. 

“Almost everything will work again if you 
unplug it for a few minutes…..including you.”
~ Ann Lamott


Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Tripping



It’s a trip!

A short one for
Unconditional love
from my very
huggable sons,
striding out with
my grand-dogs,
cuddling with
my grand-kitty!


“Unconditional love is hard to compete with.”
~ Abbi Gline, Because of Low

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Not Today, Thanks

A tiny black spot 
of gloom and doom
hovered
on the horizon
near my heart
bouncing and bobbing
waiting
for me to catch it.

With a deep breath
I said ‘No.’

Saddened ~
that gloomy black spot
slowed,
stopped, then
was caught up in
the drift of the sun.

“Saying no to something is actually much more powerful than saying yes.”
~ Tom Hanks

Monday, February 10, 2020

Selfie





Life is ever
imbued in lines
written about
birds and bees
flowers and trees
with no deadline
to meet 
save the one
I create for myself.



“A deadline is negative inspiration. 
Still, it’s better than no inspiration at all.”
~ Rita Mae Brown

Sunday, February 9, 2020

Downriver

words
slipping and sliding
from a storied float
bunch up against
the shores of wanton
Word Flow
like a logjam waiting
to be broken with 
an inky cant hook
opening the flowing river 
to creativity once more.

“…writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”
~ Charles Bukowski,  The Last Night of Earth Poems