Far from the Chaos

 

Earthly beings in 

forest, mountain and plain. 

tied up in a world burning 

with fire and with hate, 

yet with each new offspring 

there is hope 

bringing new growth 

before the chaos is stilled. 

Sinking into despair binds us 

without preparing you or me 

to be as tender leaves in spring

for we all still live each day. 

Though many branches 

may be burned or lost, 

the spark of life and kindness

lives on in our roots.

It is with humility that

I share these words 

from my cocoon 

far from the chaos.

“Perhaps it is controlling the chaos within more than the chaos without.”

~ Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus

Finding a Right Way

Agreement comes 

not with 

loud, angry words 

at its close, 

but with 

compassion and humility 

for the other. 

There will be 

struggle and differences aired 

to find a right way 

but that is 

where agreement begins.

“Unless both sides win, no agreement can be permanent.”

~ Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President

 

Repost - Last Penny, First Meal

Repost - Last Penny, First Meal

Sitting alone, he reached into his pocket and found a coin. Pulling it out, it was just an old penny. Pennies meant nothing any more, but he thought he’d keep it anyway. Kind of a keepsake now that Canada wasn’t making them anymore. And it truly was his last penny. His once shiny shoes were dusty and his wrinkled suit was dusty as his shoes. He was tired after a long day walking the streets. ‘Pounding the pavement' that’s what his dad used to call it. The offers of handouts, he was sorry he hadn’t taken. He was hungry - his stomach tight and sunken. He had been so sure that today would be the day he would find a job - a job that lasted. He had done a one time stint the day before at a restaurant washing dishes so he at least got fed a good meal. The sun was warm. The streets were quiet - everyone home. Home for supper, with a family. Living on the streets was so foreign to him. He didn’t belong with those folks gathered around the fire in the park after dark. He didn’t belong in the line ups at the soup kitchens. He shook his head. How had he gotten here? He’d heard his own story told many times - but it was at the water cooler or over dinner with a friend - and then it was always about someone else. Someone with no name or no face. He hadn’t learned how to survive without a pay cheque. Those lineups were filled with laughter, arguments or flat blank stares. He just didn’t belong there. He had had a good upbringing - sure there were arguments and dissatisfaction but it was just normal stuff. He followed his big brother through school always trying to keep up to him. He played a lot of sports. He got a good education that got him a good job. Almost even got married, but she found her career more important than having a family with him. That was OK. That’s kind of what women were expected to do.  

Then the company he was with went bankrupt. He didn’t know all the details, just that he was out of a job. Done. In a city far from any of his family or anyone he knew.

“Hey buddy. What are you just settin’ there for? Don’t you know it’s time to eat?”

An old fellow with a long fuzzy white beard and a long white braid had stopped in front of him. His clothes were neat and clean, but completely mismatched. The young man smiled at himself for the judgments tumbling through his head.

“I’m not sure I’m all that hungry, but thanks. My name is Steve.” He automatically reached out his hand in greeting. “Well I suppose I could eat a little bit. Do you mind if I join you? I haven’t a chance to visit with anyone all day. Been looking for work. By the way, how do you people survive out here? I’m between jobs and am getting back on my feet.”

“Sure, Steve, come on with me and I’ll introduce you to the folks that run this here kitchen. There’s a buncha pamphlets that’ll tell you all kinda things. Where meals are, job info, somethin’ called resume writing and how to get a clean room for the night - if you’re quick.  My name is Joe and I kinda talk a lot but I’ll try to slow down a bit. Here we are.”

Joe greeted a few of his friends with laughs, back slaps and gently for some ‘How’re you doin’ today?” Embarrassed, Steve stayed close, and was introduced around. 

“Steve, I finally got me a place to live but I keep my feet down here so I can spot you young fellas that need a guide. I can show you good and bad. Point out those folks to stay away from and those that are real helpers. Did you ever learn that in all your schools and jobs? Livin’ on the street you get to feel the sun and the rain. That’s good. Livin’ on the street, you can’t lock your doors - that’s bad.

“I’d never thought of those things I’ve been doing what I thought I should be doing - until now. But there’s no manual for suddenly being homeless with no money. The money I made at my jobs, I spent as fast as I made it. I guess it’s time to learn about surviving on my own wits and learn what’s important to me.

“Yep. You can be angry and feel sorry for y’self. Or you can come on with me and have supper. There’s some real learnin’ to be done here if you’re willin’ to be humble and ask for help.”

The young man still didn’t feel like he belonged but the old man had spoken to him as an elder to a child, all the while walking him to his first meal in a homeless shelter.

“People who are homeless are not social inadequates.

They are people without homes.”

~ Sheila McKechnie

Authors Note: 

First written May 16, 2013

Minor Editing November 19, 2023

A Small Meal

I’ve spent the day watching cooking shows.

Thinking...Pork ribs...a dry rub...

Spices and brown sugar 

from cupboard & spice rack

Slow cooked for four hours

Brushed with my bbq sauce

Under the broiler to finish

One small meal with more for the freezer.

Humbled, grateful and comfortable.

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song 

above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

~ J.R.R.Tolkien

Behind the Wheel

 

The road travelled 

   has not always been smooth

     will not always be smooth

Dedication behind the wheel

    needs intention and hope

      needs humility and gratitude

“And I realized that there’s a big difference between

 deciding to leave and knowing where to go.”

~ Robyn Schneider, The Beginning of Everything

Movie Review: Champions directed by Robert Farrelly; starring Woody Harrelson

Drunk driving, arrogance, community service and a basketball team named Friends. A charming story with deep meaning? Light, full of the joy of living and lots of laughter. Woody Harrelon is Marcus, the assistant coach with a minor league basketball team. At a regular game, in a fit of annoyance at the head coach, Marcus shoves him and is kicked off the court. Believing he has been right, he heads to a local sports bar where that scene is being replayed on the big screen TV. Drunk and grumbling to the bartender, he gets in his car, ploughs into the back of a police car and winds up in a court of law. His choice? 18 months in jail or 90 days of community service as coach of a basketball team. All members mentally challenged adults. Against his better judgment and some prejudice, he accepts the Friends. He has some learning to do about humility and the team is more than willing to teach him. 

One of the early scenes is a lovely woman leaving his bedroom after a one night stand. Turns out that she is the sister of one of the team members. Johnny, played by Kevin Iannucci, is a very central figure in the story and loves Marcus on sight. Later in the movie he gives Marcus the stink-eye for having a relationship with his sister. One of their players and the only girl on the team, is returning to the game after being out with an injury. Constantino, quite a diva, challenges Marcus as soon as she meets him. Anyone for that matter: Marcus, his assistant and the whole team if they don’t meet with her standards.

Each of the team members has their own history. Woody Harrelson, as Marcus, must mold them into a winning team. If they can beat the other local teams, they will go to Winnipeg for the Special Olympics. Getting the money for such a trip is just one more challenge for the Friends. These people have brain injuries, congenital problems, or Down’s syndrome. Darius, for instance, a good player, refuses to be coached by Marcus because his brain injury was caused by a drunk driver.

I’ll not tell you the outcome of the Special Olympics. Suffice it to say it was a satisfactory ending. Laughing out loud at the antics in the movie, our movie group loved the whole story.

“You know the game better than anybody. 

You got to learn to build relationships.”

Coach Phil Peretti,  Champions

Directed by: Robert Farrelly

Based on: Campeones by Javier Fesser David Marqués

Writing Credits:Mark Rizzo

Abbreviated Cast: 

Woody Harrelson - Marcus (Coach of the Friends)

Kaitlin Olson - Alex

Ernie Hudson - Coach Phil Peretti

Alexandra Castillo - Judge Mary Menendez (as Alex Castillo)

Matt Cook - Sonny

Kevin Iannucci - Johnny

Madison Tevlin - Cosentino

James Day Keith - Benny

Matthew Von Der Ahe - Craig

Ashton Gunning - Cody

Casey Metcalfe - Marlon

Cheech Marin - Julio

Joshua Felder - Darius

Tom Sinclair - Blair

Alex Hintz - Arthur

Bradley Edens - Showtime

Mike Smith - Attorney McCurk

Stephanie Sy - Reporter

Easier

It would be so easy 

to walk past 

all the gifts of my life.

It would be so easy

to give only a casual nod 

to their presence in my life.

It is always easier

to slow down, breathe

and take time for gratitude.

“Life is a long lesson in humility.”

~ J.M.Barrie, The Little Minister

At the Bus Stop ~ Castle in the Air?

It was an ordinary day. Not too hot but hot enough. I hadn’t worn a hat against the brilliant sun so I stepped into the bus shelter to wait. Turned out, it was a longer wait than I planned. So I looked around at the ordinary street scene. Traffic, walkers, nothing special. Glancing up to the clouds ~ I love clouds ~ I was transported into fantasy land. I blinked, cleaned my glasses and looked all around me. It really was only a reflection, but where……..what? I’ve been in many bus shelters on hot days but this effect was absolute magic. I stepped out of the bus shelter - the ‘castle’ had vanished from the clouds. Back in ~ the castle reappeared. 

My bus was coming so I had no time to see which building it was……..but the sense of magic has stayed with me. 

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you 

because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. 

Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.

~ Roald Dahl

At Sunset ~1

Lost in the trees 

at sunset ~

the peaceful dark

is blessed by gilded 

purple-blue and mauve.

“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places

 where other people see nothing.”

~ Camille Pissarro

Book Review: Bluebird by Genevieve Graham

I bought this book out of desperation. At a grocery store. Because I wanted something to read while I had coffee at Starbucks. It couldn’t be all that riveting. I don’t know if I could call it riveting, but it certainly kept me turning the pages. The Prologue introduces Cassie Simmons, in the Present Day, when Matthew Flaherty, covered in fine white dust, brings her a dark green bottle: “It’s just a whiskey bottle.” Renovating an old house, this stranger to Cassie, was tearing down a wall when he broke one bottle and found more; he brought one bottle to the museum hoping to learn more.

To find out more, I read the book ~ twice. I could have written this review after the first read, or without a second read. The story, however, takes us into World War I where Adele Savard and Jerry Bailey meet. Canadian nurses entered the war when there were insufficient nuns to maintain the field hospitals. Because of the blue shade of their uniforms they were called Bluebirds. Jerry Bailey and his brother John were in the same Canadian regiment and were tunnellers. I had never heard of this devastating part of World War One. These soldiers dug tunnels beneath the German trenches, mined them and blew them up ~ unless detected by the German soldiers. Jerry was injured in this dangerous work, Adele cared for him. 

This next part of the story is set in Windsor, Ontario in 1920. Rumrunning was often the only work that returning soldiers could get. Although very lucrative, it was dangerous. One man, Ernie Willoughby, had taken control of most of the alcohol traffic in the Windsor area; he was cruel, ruthless and had been a childhood chum of Jerry and John.

In the meantime, Cassie and Matthew, back in the present day, are trying to piece together what could have happened. Cassie has family history connecting her to this saga. She is keeping it from Matthew. 

Wonderful characters, Canadian history including World War 1, Prohibition, Temperance, rumrunning and a nod to the Spanish flu all wrapped up in two ordinary human beings who fell in love in a war-time field hospital.

p.s. Don’t neglect to read A Note to Readers at the back of the book. Genevieve Graham makes it as interesting as the novel itself. She spells out interesting details about Canadian history in the 20’s.

“Bailey. John Bailey. No, Sister. It’s not me.”……… 

“He’s my brother,” he said quietly. “Please help him.”

Title: Bluebird 

Author: Genevieve Graham

Copyright: 2022

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Type: Novel

Format: Soft Cover

ISBN - 9781982156657 (Soft Cover) - Canadiana

ISBN - 9781982156664 (ebook) - Canadiana

ISBN - 978-1-9821-5665-7

ISBN - 978-1-9821-5666-4 (ebook)

Chapter Two, Episode Ninety- four - Hiding in Plain Sight - Situationally Theirs

Hiding in Plain Sight 

Calming music, soft voices of Spa employees and clients, and an aura of peace surrounded Dez. The gentle tinkle of the bell at the door gripped her. The pert young thing who had oriented her to the telephones, the importance of new client forms and general office management had gone off to Mexico for a destination wedding that they all had talked about in the staff room. She was on her own. With a new modern hairstyle, manicured and painted nails, her new wardrobe ~ she felt uncomfortable. Pretending to file something and make notes about something, she had not seen who came in. It was probably just the mail but, annoyingly, she was nervous. She’d been a waitress in more that one diner, slung beer with the best of them, cleaned restaurant kitchens, worked in a dry cleaning store, managed an apple orchard and set up beehives. How was she to greet clients? Her mouth had gone dry. 

“Excuse me, please. I have an appointment with Sarah.” Swinging her computer screen to face her, she asked “Your name please?” Her fingers were poised to pull up Sarah’s appointments, when Sarah approached. 

“Mrs. Beaufort, it is so good to see you after all this time.” Before Dez could say anything, Sarah and Emelina walked down the hall to Room 2. She breathed a sigh of relief. Her sister glanced back once, but Sarah ushered her into the Aesthetic Room. “Is she a new employee? What is her name?” 

“I’m not sure what her name is, but yes she is a new employee. Now, here. I have your foot bath for you. Slip your sandals off and I’ll set them aside. There’s a hook for your purse. Have you decided on a colour for your nails - both toenails and fingernails? Same colours or something different.We have some new ones here.” Scarcely taking a breath, Sarah knew Emelina from a previous location and had recently joined this Spa.

“I have really missed our regular appointments, Sarah. I’m pretty good doing my own pedicures, but I’m not so good at the manicures. I’ve had to have my sister help me with that when I can.” Sarah looked up at her from massaging her feet and legs.

“I don’t recall you talking about a sister before.” She lifted one foot out of the warm water, wrapped it in a towel and set it on a pad beside the foot bath. “Well, we were lost to each other for many years. We left on not very good terms.” She took a breath. “That’s why I asked about your receptionist. She looked so very familiar but the hair. The make-up. They were all wrong. Even her voice was different.”

~~~~~

It seemed like there were new clients waiting outside the door to come in and keep Dez busy for the next hour. Actually there were only three, but Dez had been so rattled when Emelina almost recognized her, that if felt like there had been twenty-three. When the clients were all being massaged, or manicured, or were relaxing to some other Spa treatment, Dez took a big drink of water, leaned back in her chair and looked for a way out before her sister could see her. Sure, in the mirror she looked good, but she just didn’t look or feel like herself. Maybe if she told her boss she was really sick she could just leave. She had always envied Em for being so very ‘put together’  ~ that’s what their mom would say, anyway. Now she just wanted to be in jeans and a t-shirt, her hair all unruly, little make-up if any and definitely no long painted finger nails. She loved the foot soak and leg rub but the rest of it she could really do without. Oh, she’d tried before, and each time felt almost as uncomfortable as she did now. Now, if she wanted to stay in this job ~ the only one available to her right now ~ she’d have to put up with it. Maybe she could tone it down some how, but probably not today. She saw the door to the Aesthetics room open.

She shoved her chair back and escaped to the bathroom just in time. Sarah would have to take care of payment and rescheduling. Dez needed time to think. Think about when and how she would contact her sister about why she didn’t acknowledge her. Maybe she’d just go out to the Estate? Contact Martha to see when her sister would be there? 

Dez slammed the flat of one hand on the sink counter. “I am almost forty years old and acting like a scared teenager! What the ^&*() is wrong with me? 

“The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself.”

~ Mark Twain