Hidden Colours

WARNING: Brief, disjointed thoughts ahead. Things (well, just a few of the many, many things) on my mind this month: Thanksgiving — in Canada, we celebrate in October. Gratitude. The paths we take and the ones we left behind that still make us wonder, What if? Choices. Colours. How we see the world, and others,Continue reading “Hidden Colours”

To the Moon and Back

It’s true what they say: time flies. Or more accurately, it speeds by like a rocket. Anyone else wondering where September went? Or for that matter, where the entire summer went? I sure am. Somehow I thought it would be the bonkers first half of the year that kept me off the grid. After all,Continue reading “To the Moon and Back”

Fun and Games

Amusement parks are all fun and games until you decide to try the tilt-a-whirl in your 40s. (Ask me how I know, haha.) Mere seconds in, I had to give the thumbs down signal to stop the ride and be let off — with the kids on board giving me the evil eye — thenContinue reading “Fun and Games”

Happy Trails Are Here and There

Planes, trains, automobiles, and more have been the name of the game lately. The month began with this view of the local cycling path, and ended with a conference in the Deep South of the United States. After 22 hours of travel, I finally arrived back home from a week-long work trip to Columbus, Georgia.Continue reading “Happy Trails Are Here and There”

Birthday Greetings

Mrs. Nellie French,Kezar Falls,Maine Post marked South Hiram, Maine, December 19, 1924 12-19-1924Wishing you a very happy day and many more to follow. From your friend Alice [B. or D.?] Nellie G. Ridlon French was born on November 28, 1867 in Parsonfield, York County, Maine to Magnus and Emily Emery Ridlon. She was one ofContinue reading “Birthday Greetings”

All Good Betide

How much can a single postcard tell you? Quite a lot, actually. All it takes is some effort, a bit of luck, and most importantly, just enough details to launch a viable search. And always, “hope’s beacon” pointing the way. This particular story begins with a postcard sending good wishes for the New Year, 1912.Continue reading “All Good Betide”

Tragedy’s Heir

I’m the Shell,The Dark’ning Shell!My smoke-clouds shroud Dominions where my red rainnever fell:Far beyond the seven seas,On the mountain and the plain,Hearts are shrunken to the lees,Souls are withered for the slain.I am the Shell!My dread reverberations echo over hill and dell,Where the grey-haired Mother sits,Fearful that the sock she knits,Will never reach the boyContinue reading “Tragedy’s Heir”

Summer Solstice

I didn’t write yesterday. Not a word. Despite setting aside the entire afternoon, a glorious few hours for uninterrupted productivity, on the longest day of the year. June is busy, even during a pandemic. When All the Things that come with season’s end take over, time is hard to come by. So I’d settled myselfContinue reading “Summer Solstice”

Place

Look at me,really.Not a glance as you passthrough the daily grindthat grinds you down to function and noformof emotionto see my heart,this space is more than the sumof itspartsand peeling oilpaintsplattered where I see a picture,do you?Am I only four walls on a foundation,roof overhead, abedtoo hottoo coldjust right ? Look closer,behind features and paper-workContinue reading “Place”

Objects of Affection

Well, my fingers didn’t fit in the holes quite like they used to when I was young, but everything else was perfect. The white numbers and letters circling the clear plastic dial like groups of children on a merry-go-round. The chrome hook cradling the heavy handset with its curly cord hanging slightly kinked in aContinue reading “Objects of Affection”