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Saturday, April 9, 2022

Oceans of Time


Currents curl and roil as

waves roll into shore

frothed with memories ~

one and two and three

lifetimes ago

 Babies born and grown

   Babies born and grown

     Babies born, grow to live

to create their own frothing memories filling oceans of time with turmoil, joys and calm.


“Sometimes we exist long enough to lead the next generation, 

other times, to plant a seed and let its resonations 

of our time here on Earth ripple into new waves.”

~ A.J.Darkholme, Rise of the Morningstar

Friday, April 8, 2022

Uncertain Freedom - A Rant

I have tried to keep discussion about the Covid 19 pandemic and all its variants on this blog to a minimum. The effects on my person have only been the restrictions.


To my knowledge, I’ve not even been in contact with anyone positive for any of the variants in the last two years. Yes, I do know of people that have been positive. So what’s the big deal today?


Well, I’ve been out for lunch two days in a row. Problem? 


All restrictions were lifted in this province February 28, 2022. In the last month, I’ve been slowly increasing my outside activities. A widely varying number of people wear masks - or don’t. However, I continue re-familiarizing myself with outside contacts. At the same time, I seem to have a low level of anxiety that I may not even notice until returning home. However, often I am exhausted, for no reason other than I’ve been enjoying a social time with friends! Calm returns after I’ve had time to experience home and quiet ~ sometimes I even get a good nap in!


I am definitely not the only person who struggles with this new found and very uncertain freedom. The uncertainty? The new sub variant of Omicron, BA.2, is circulating happily throughout Canada - including here in Saskatchewan. Sadly, reporting of the current Covid status in this province seems limited to scattered items in news sources and interviews. 


“Don’t pray for better days, pray for a better 

attitude to withstand uncertain days.”

 ~ Mac Duke, The Strategist


 

Thursday, April 7, 2022

I Am An Authority


Taking a trip down memory lane this evening, I came upon this grand gentleman at the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm in Victoria. Oh, I saw beautiful gardens, trees covered in clouds of spring blooms and flowers in decorating yards throughout many walks. On the farm, there were charming goats, haughty llamas and proud peacocks. When I came upon Him, his wattle bright red, his stunning black and white feathers fluffed out as proudly, it made me smile. I’m certain he has a calming effect on anyone, including the hens, that challenges his authority!


“To punish me for my contempt for authority, 

fate made me an authority myself.”

~ Albert Einstein


Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Chapter Two, Episode Seventy-Nine - Old Friends and Tulips - Situationally Theirs

Old Friends and Tulips


“Are those tulips I see?!” Sonja, Martha and Elizabeth had taken their dessert out to the porch. The sun was low in the sky. A single beam graced early tulips in a flower bed by the house.


“Yes, dear, I planted those years ago - with Samuel’s permission of course. They come up every year as faithful as you please.” Martha had found Thomas’ wife to be a very pleasant person. Quiet but pleasant. She suspected that she felt a bit of a fifth wheel, out of place and with people she didn’t know. “Are you all right, dear? You’ve been quite quiet and from what Thomas has told James in his letters, you’re not a quiet sort at all.” 


Sonja turned to her two new friends. “You’re right Martha. I have been a bit withdrawn, worries about family in Ukraine. Cousins I haven’t seen or heard from for a long time. With the nastiness in Europe, I haven’t been able to think of much else. But seeing your beautiful red tulips, brought  me back to life. Thank you for planting and tending them. And who’s Samuel?”


Elizabeth spoke up with a chuckle. “He’s the crotchety old guy that tends the gardens and yard. One of my very dearest friends, and it seems, a good friend of your Thom’s.


Sonja nodded and smiled “Now I remember. Thom has talked about him. There were three of them. Your husband, Martha. My husband, Thom. And this other fellow, Samuel. I wonder what they’re getting up to out there. They’ve been gone a long time.”


~~~~~


“Are you boys getting hungry yet?” The sun was getting low. Still spreading a beam or two across the estate. James glanced at his watch. The three of them were back at Samuel’s cabin. They had roamed through the orchard, found all trees they had climbed and scarred with their penknives and located the big rock where they had hid a old tin box that held the cigarettes they managed to ‘borrow’ from  neighbours or friends. “Thom, remember the old garage?” He  held out an old photo of the three of them on their bikes in front of the garage. Hair all slicked back, jeans rolled up, wearing matching t-shirts from some car wash charity. “I had forgotten about that day, Sam. Is the old garage still standing?” Thom was the only person, besides his father, who could call him Sam and get away with it. James stifled a smile each time he heard it. He hadn’t called Samuel that shortened name for years. He looked over at the photo and shook his head. “Is that really us? The years have changed us all. We were a pretty tight trio of friends, weren’t we?” 


They all fell silent. James finally spoke up. “Samuel, let’s take Thom over to where the garage used to be. You did save a few things didn’t you? Are they in the shed? Then we can get back to the house and get some supper. Elizabeth probably has kept things warm for us.”


“I’m so glad we made this trip, James.” Thom had often stopped and just stared around him, while James and Samuel were talking over the old times. “It’s so hard to believe I’ve stayed away for so long. Have I missed all this green? Sometimes when winter seems to take so long to be done, I do think of some of these times. Even the rain. That not as much, but it is softer and kinder than the rains in the mountains. Enough of my wanderings. You’re right, let’s get back and get some supper.” 


~~~~~


“Here they come, Martha. I’ll get back into the kitchen and get their suppers out. You and Sonja stay out here and make sure they wipe their feet before coming in.”  With a laugh, she took the side door into the house. “I like her, Martha. And you! You have both been so kind to me, despite my withdrawn behaviour.” She picked up the empty dessert saucers and tea cups. “Would you get the door for me, please? The men will find their way in on their own.”


“Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends.”

~ H. Jackson Brown

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Measure Twice

Measured steps take time ~

 the hurry up of excitement

doesn’t want to take time

  

Measured steps savour

 the taste of excitement ~

and time almost stands still


                 ~~~


Measured steps take time ~

 the run away of fear

wants to speed past time


Measured steps trip on

 the acrid taste of fear ~

and time almost stands still


                ~~~


Measured steps take time ~

 the hesitation of courage

wants time to roll backward...


Measured steps stop.

 Courage rises from deep within,

Measured steps move us forward.


“Step by step, Moment by moment, 

We live through another day.”

~ Anne McCaffrey

Monday, April 4, 2022

Before the Summer’s Dry



Landing gently on

snow melt ponds draining 

through the trees of Wascana 

park, pairing ducks and geese

enjoy this bounty of nature

before the summer’s dry.





“There is something infinitely healing in the related refrains of nature - 

the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”

~ Rachel Carson

Sunday, April 3, 2022

Simplicity

 





Air seems clearer when 

sunshine releases 

ice from shore


Air seems clearer when

a simple thank you

is sufficient.






“Gratitude bestows reverence…changing forever 

how we experience life and the world.”

~ John Milton