Perspective

   A friend has arrived on my doorstep. She has flown the coop, if you will, in order to put her life in perspective. We sat fireside last night and talked and talked, drinks in hand and hearts on our sleeves. I cannot solve her problems, but I can listen. And feel. A life in flux is a familiar theme as of late and I offer what I can to those that I care about. I offer me, what little wisdom I have, when I can. It is what I do.

   I suspect that more words will flow as the day progresses. I left my friend to catch up on sleep, while I coffeed up to fuel myself for the day ahead. It might be a long day. I start the day with this song and it feels right to share today. Enjoy and I hope that your life gains insight in some little curve of it. Peace friends.

Keeping an eye peeled

Keeping an eye peeled

for something worthy to stretch

out of my niche for

A PA Day in November

At 3:00 PM this afternoon, the temperature went up to 17C (or 62F for my American friends). That was according to the Weather Network in my little corner of SW Ontario. It is mid-November and that has got to be pushing some kind of record (Yup, just checked the Weather again and we haven't seen that temperature on this day since 1964). I remember plenty a day when the world has been covered in white in years past. I know that Ms. C will slap me silly claiming I am jinxing the world, but I am still in a little bit of disbelief. It was just gorgeous with nary a cloud in the sky!

Ancient dinosaur wandering the woods

So rather than sit inside and cook, clean or tackle the never-ending laundry pile, we packed into the van and went a'wandering with friends in tow. It was a PA day for the girls, so a special treat to have such glorious weather to enjoy. We headed to a local park for the girls to play, then explored the forest surrounding it. My idea of a perfect day and these smiles give proof of the fun that we had.

The girls tamed the beast into a ride

Everywhere we went, we found giant stumps that I couldn't help but snap another picture of. The little hams were only too willing to climb up for their photo op.

After the woods were conquered, they ran back to the playground 

for one more round of swinging fun

Before calling it a day,

 noshing on dinner

and climbing into bed

 for sweet, sweet dreams

 of a day spent under a magnificent, clear blue November sky.

Remembrance Day - Lest We Forget

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

by John McCrae 1915

No Words of my Own

Just my poppy offered up

for those gone before

for my freedoms

...

Leaving the Light on

I sit in the silence of my own creation. 

for  this,

Today

I am grateful. 

I have peace in my little space.

My tears, a dear memory

held close to my heart.

They are a piece of my ever- following soul,

but they do not own me 

anymore.

 ~

Now,

tears of dismay 

flow heavy.

Too many shattered ghosts

treading through carefully crafted worlds

fallen apart

from false promises.

Lo, 

fine spirits spun out in flux 

on yesterday's prayers forgotten

~

I held love in my hand,

not perfect,

not always soft, kind or cuddly,

but steadfast and strong.

Is it so hard to believe

that my lumpen love

was the rarest golden ember

that others beseech,

reach for its flawed facets

when that ember speaks to all?

~

I hear the echo.

I see the waves that ripple 

through times turbulent

remember well my "enough?"

and feel

whimpering for those lost

that I cannot help

or point the way for,

but know

 that I will hold my light out to forever.

~

***

Swirling winds of separation

seem to be the norm in my friendship circle at present.

It makes me thoughtful and sad

for those walking that path of thorns

~loving thoughts sent to you all~