Tag Archives: writing

Giving Thanks

12 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by in Food and Cooking, Health, Travel, Warm fuzzy

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This time of year you can’t skim through blog post titles without encountering many about giving thanks.

I think that’s great. I think we should do this at least four times a year if we’re not able to perform the ritual every week at some place of community worship. We can each express gratitude, repeat “thank you” when we wake up to start our day, and when we lay our heads on our pillows, reviewing our experiences and serendipitous encounters throughout the day.

These are just a few of the things for which I am thankful:

  1. Family and friends;
  2. Food and wine;
  3. Books!
  4. Freedom, the right to vote. Opportunity to vote in advanced polls during this longest election campaign in Canadian history; WTF?! #ABC!
  5. Freedom of not having to openly declare myself associated with one particular belief system or political party;
  6. Opportunities to learn about different belief systems, political parties, platforms, candidates and guides. Sometimes, you may not be thrilled with the leader or the bombardment of negatively comparative messages but can identify with some of the teachings, platform promises and really admire the work of some of the representatives; (apologies for that clever analogy!)
  7. Full time employment;
  8. Vacation time away from the daily grind, time for reflection on my experiences, accomplishments and plans for the future;
  9. Opportunity to push myself with my flying anxieties again, this time in a larger aircraft and for a bittersweet journey down memory lane;
  10. My nerve-damaged yet persistently expressive hands on any QWERTY keyboard;
  11. The Internet, virtual and real communities, and blogs;
  12. Opportunities for narrative in rewriting my own stories, taming that inner-critic to bring about major changes in my life.

 

 

How about you?

Thanks for dropping by.

T

Poetry – Is it worth the coal?

03 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by in reading, writing

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I am making slow, steady progress with sorting through and parting with some books.

Now I have reached the poetry piles. For years I dabbled and struggled with reading and writing poetry. I fell in love with the sonnets of a dead poet, was inspired by an adventurous young man, and intrigued by the complexity of writing Haiku. That sh*t is hard to write.

books poetry

Just some of the poetry books I have collected

Many years ago, a local poet and retired University Professor spoke at one of my writing group’s meetings.

What caught my attention during his presentation about poetry, writing poetry and wanting to write poetry was a loud, painful yell “Aaaaaaah!” about whether that was how you wanted your readers to see you, just blaring out words and angry tirades.

He mentioned a saying from way back in England: “Is it worth the coal?”.

From what I recollect, his explanation was that this question would be asked when there was need for a journey by train and if there weren’t enough passengers or cargo loads to justify the expense.

He equated that to writing and publishing poetry. It’s a little antiquated but I can agree in theory.

For a couple of years, I schmoozed with poetry groups. I read different kinds of poetry but just couldn’t appreciate most. Some were too personal or required a dictionary – or even worse – an encyclopedia by your side.  I just wasn’t the same as being raised by a Father who would recite the works of Robert Service while juiced up on rum and coke or beer.

I even made attempts of my own.  At least mine were mostly published electronically.  No coal was burned.  No trees were harmed.

Thanks for dropping by. You may just find some of my unwanted poetry books at a used book store one day.

T

First world problems

15 Friday May 2015

Posted by in Health, pets, photography, writing

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Our apartment building is out of hot water – again.

That’s two days in a row where my morning routine is knocked off kilter.  Yesterday, I was able to perform some work from home during the outage.

Thankfully, I have today off but am delayed in preparing for a medical appointment, performing my errand run and eventually enjoying a slow dinner with writing friends.

These inconveniences and interruptions to lifestyle are good opportunities for us to pause and look at the big picture.  They help us see how lucky we are in comparison to others who have been affected and displaced by natural disasters or civil war.

Sometimes one may become overwhelmed by the calls for assistance. You can compensate by picking a couple of causes that you can afford the conscience, time and money to support.

For the rest, you rely on the compassion and foreign aid funding through your government.

I am grateful that I have:

  • Access to clean, running water;
  • A safe, comfortable home;
  • Family and close friends;
  • Access to safe, local food sources;
  • Public libraries;
  • Work I enjoy;
  • Reliable electricity, Internet service and other essential utilities;
  • Volunteer opportunities;
  • The freedom to speak out and express.

Black cat sitting at computer screen

I am lucky for the freedom of whimsy, creative license to express through my cats >^..^<  They don’t seem to mind my body odor as I sit and stew with my thoughts.

Thanks for dropping by. Where are you from and what are YOU thankful for?

T