Up, Up and Away

Tucked up in a tree,

a hideaway of many colours

shelters secrets, dreams and stories.

Whispered hopes and plans 

fly up through branches to the sky.

with the laughter of childhood.

“For in every adult there dwells the child that was, 

and in every child there lies the adult that will be.”

~ John Connolly, the Book of Lost Things

Echoes ~ 5

Crocus blossoms as tiny

sunshines in perfect harmony.

Smiling echoes of spring.

“Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men.”

~ Chinese Proverb

Zoning

They were waiting for me.

Little morning comforts.

Places where each thing resides ~

The laundry hamper waiting to be filled with my traveller’s clothes.

Mail resting quietly in my mail box.

My tea cup, clean and awaiting hot tea.

Jade plants longing for sunshine.

Open space ready for my empty suitcase.

Patient, but without personality until

I walk in the door to pick them all up ~

my home life begins as before. 

These little things are my comfort zone of home. 

My own creations of order and stability. 

“Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns 

to appreciate it the more from his wandering.”

~ Charles Dickens

A Turning

Over the vast prairies

Sunshine lights up the land

I turn my face up to its grace.

Over granite mountains

Sunshine sketches sharp relief

I turn my face toward its artistry

Over sparking waters

Sunshine outlines each wave

I turn my face toward its brilliance.

Over land, mountain or waters

Sunshine, always a welcome blessing,

brings warmth to my heart and my soul.

“Ô, sunlight! The most precious gold to be found on Earth.”

~ Roman Payne

The Mountains of Vancouver

Snow-capped mountains,

aglow in the morning sun,

narrowly pose for

neighbourhood walkers, 

peaking from behind 

roof tops, trees and power poles.

“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains.”

~ John Muir,  The Mountains of California

Time Out

I finally did it. I went outside without my grand-dog Eva. But only for about an hour. Walking Billie, my grand cat, doesn’t happen. He’s a kitten and developing his ‘cat independence’ complete with repeated meowing to remind me that I really am not paying enough attention. Playing chase the ball or little red pointer light has been sadly neglected. I’m not to mind when Billie leaps across my laptop while I’m typing. Then they both just go to sleep. Curled up in their cuteness beside me.

I needed human connection. 

Voices.

Actual speech.

And so I did it. And just before I stepped into the grocery store world, I did one….more….thing. I went into Church’s Chicken and had lunch. Surrounded by the voices of humanity. I ordered the ‘2 Pcs Combo’ - substituted the drink for Coleslaw. Then I ate it. 

I suspect there is little difference baby-sitting grandchildren! It is all a great joy and privilege.

“Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and 

responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.”

~ James Cromwell

Time Flies

Time flies whether 

you’re having fun or not.

One year ago at this time,

I was finishing my last nursing shift.

After over fifty years of 

learning work/life balance until

time to learn balance for a life

of retirement and ‘slowing down’

with a few months of rest, 

recuperation and renewal 

for my inner child, who 

has finally come out to play.

“For retirement brings repose, and repose 

allows a kindly judgment of all things,”

~ John Sharp Williams