Published inThe Lark·PinnedMember-onlyUnfairness Starts Before We Are BornInequity and injustice unbalance the world — Elsa can’t remember every baby she has ever guided into the world. Every mother that she saved or didn’t. But her weariness at this most recent world crisis is almost more than she can bear. The hospital is surviving on hope and not much of that is left. The world…The Lark5 min readThe Lark5 min read
Published inThe Wind Phone·PinnedMember-onlyWe Are Allowed To GrieveAs much and as long as we want — The path of grieving is different for everyone. At least that’s what people tell me. And yet some judge us, tell us or others that they believe there is a finite quantity to what we should be permitted to feel. Some of them say the darndest things. Sometimes it is…The Wind Phone4 min readThe Wind Phone4 min read
Published inCrow’s Feet·PinnedMember-onlyIt’s Never Boring With Our Granddaughter EvaAnd in addition, she speaks baby — My granddaughter Eva turns five this spring. Where we live this means she will go to kindergarten in September. She is more than ready. While her mother filled in the paperwork her four older siblings had all kinds of advice for her. One of the more pertinent ones was the…Grandmother4 min readGrandmother4 min read
Published inThe Lark·21 hours agoMember-onlyShe is Here and She is GoneBut the sun shines anyway — She hears the noises from her hospital bed In her room, in her house, down the hall Sedated but still here Her brain seems subdued Not quite up to the job of following all that’s around, but trying Some things are familiar The lid of the teapot climbing off Water pouring in…The Lark2 min readThe Lark2 min read
Published inThe Wind Phone·1 day agoMember-onlyAnniversaries With Loss Are HardThey are a reminder of the one who is missing from the table — I visited with a friend yesterday. She served me warm milky tea. That’s not the only thing we shared. She lost a son this year too. Like my child, hers was an adult who had experienced years of addiction and living on the streets. While my son relapsed and died…The Wind Phone4 min readThe Wind Phone4 min read
Published inTravel Memoirs·6 days agoMember-onlyStepping Into AfricaA life-changing, mind-altering trip of my youth — Stepping into Africa would change my mind about the state of the world in a much bigger way than I had ever imagined. I disembarked from a plane on that December day some 47 years ago with a sense of adventure and pure joy in the discovery of a new…Travel Memoirs4 min readTravel Memoirs4 min read
Published inBouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs·Nov 28Member-onlyWhen They Grow Up But Not QuiteIt will happen: probably, eventually, maybe? — “Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.” — Opening line from the Radio/TV series Dragnet My son was visiting and had no pj’s with him so I lent him mine. It was no big deal…Bouncin And Behavin Blogs4 min readBouncin And Behavin Blogs4 min read
Published inTravel Memoirs·Nov 27Member-onlyTravelling the SeasIn a boat we call home — Last year my husband and I took a 32-day trip in our home. No, not a motor home nor a camper van; the ancient boat we live on. She’s an almost 100-year-old vessel that was commissioned by the Anglican church to provide services to the coastal communities on the northern…Travel Memoirs4 min readTravel Memoirs4 min read
Published inThe Motherload·Nov 26Member-onlyParenting Adults: A JourneyAnd I am still learning as I travel — The counsellor I’ve started seeing is helping me in my journey parenting adults. My oldest child is 43 so it’s not my first rodeo. But my youngest is 22 and there are more than a dozen in between so it seems it’s about time for me to get it right…The Motherload4 min readThe Motherload4 min read
Published inAge of Empathy·Nov 25Member-onlyNot Feeling Sorry For MyselfBecause things could be different — I took a shower and washed my hair. I stood there a long time letting the water cascade down my back. Then I sprayed hot water over my lower back with the handheld nozzle. Finally, I got out and dressed which was a chore in itself. Putting my socks on…Age Of Empathy3 min readAge Of Empathy3 min read