I know I haven't posted much on here. You might think I have nothing say. Quite the contrary, actually. I have so much to say.
But things happen. Life happens.
And before you know it, the summer is half gone. Hard to believe, but easy to predict.
Writing is already starting to pick up with two assignments handed to me this week. I am also being tapped for several Fringe Festival reviews next week for the SP. How exciting! Been so long since I've been to a play, I think I'm going through withdrawal.
I've started playing around with some fiction and believe it or not I have a story AND a character that I like. At the same time. Even a plot. Conflict, too! If I'm not careful I might just have a story on my hands.
Other musings...
Life is so precious. So fragile. So fleeting. One minute things are fine and the next a bomb goes off (whether real or metaphorical) and the life you knew is suddenly dark and partially in rubble.
Getting through those dark times is no easy task. In my life recovery has two key ingredients - faith and people. Faith gives you hope - in the face of dark odds. And people keep you sane.
Both light the way to a better tomorrow. Happily, God has filled my life with both.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
My muse
Once in a while my muse surprises even me. This from today... (sorry, my muse doesn't do punctuation some days).
standing on a slippery rock, jutting out of the ocean. i stand defiantly in the face of the relentless waves and intense wind. the waves have been disturbed from their normal ebb and flow, instead they hurl themselves at the shore with thunderous crashes. the frothing water surrounds me, licking at my feet, like a hungry predator. i have fallen off my perch more times than i can count. my body is bruised and scarred from the tide's tumult and it's latest angry attack.
but i will not be removed from my perch for more than the time it takes to climb back on. though sometimes it may take a lifetime, the process of struggling back upon the rock is the only thing that gives me hope. the promise that i will stand with the storm behind me and the calmed waves offering a gentle bed for the setting sun. it's a picture i keep in my mind for the days of the darkest storms - for the days when i cling to my rock until my fingers ache, my knees and elbows bloody from the surf's constand pounding.
it will be calm again, i know. the sun is still behind those angry clouds, ready to shine it's brilliance like a precious jewel to those who have yearn to see it, and ached to feel it's gentle warmth.
it will be calm again...
standing on a slippery rock, jutting out of the ocean. i stand defiantly in the face of the relentless waves and intense wind. the waves have been disturbed from their normal ebb and flow, instead they hurl themselves at the shore with thunderous crashes. the frothing water surrounds me, licking at my feet, like a hungry predator. i have fallen off my perch more times than i can count. my body is bruised and scarred from the tide's tumult and it's latest angry attack.
but i will not be removed from my perch for more than the time it takes to climb back on. though sometimes it may take a lifetime, the process of struggling back upon the rock is the only thing that gives me hope. the promise that i will stand with the storm behind me and the calmed waves offering a gentle bed for the setting sun. it's a picture i keep in my mind for the days of the darkest storms - for the days when i cling to my rock until my fingers ache, my knees and elbows bloody from the surf's constand pounding.
it will be calm again, i know. the sun is still behind those angry clouds, ready to shine it's brilliance like a precious jewel to those who have yearn to see it, and ached to feel it's gentle warmth.
it will be calm again...
Friday, July 07, 2006
Happy Holidays aka Our First Family Holiday
Ever have one of those smile to yourself for no reason kind of moments?
I'm in the middle of two weeks vacation. I've taken time off from my out of home work (is there such a thing as vacationing form in home work, I wonder...) and since I have no articles to work on, it's basically an involuntary vacation on that end.
So my husband and I and our two kids headed for Regina last Wednesday so we could travel with my brother-in-law and mother-in-law toward Lethbridge for a family wedding. Please no one explain to me the difference in time that would have been saved had we simply travelled straight to Lethbridge from here.
After several days of swimming in the pool at Lethbridge Lodge we were off to the mountains. Our kids were psyched. They had never seen the mountains up close and personal before and we planned to spend two days hiking in Banff.
The kids were disappointed our hotel didn't have a pool. I, on the other hand, after several swimming sessions in Lethbridge felt relieved! It did have an outdoor hot tub, however. We could sit and relax in hot bubbling water while revelling in the mountain scenery surrounding us.
Watching our kids faces as we drove toward these mammoth majestic peaks was a special kind of joy. They loved it. I've never heard so many "oh cool!" or "wows" before.
After two days in Canmore, we headed to Calgary to stay with friends. It was such an encouragement to reconnect with old friends. We got to meet their son who was just about to turn two. The kids had a blast together. The older kids (the husbands) had fun playing with their new X-box as well.
The next day we went to Heritage Park in Calgary. We enjoyed walking through their living historical exhibits. Workers wander through the park dressed in period costumes. They had my pity as that day neared almost 30 degrees. I have newfound respect for my ancestors - wearing long skirts and sleeves in blazing heat while warming the house further with cooking and warming water for cleaning.
After a trip on their steam train and their paddle boat we happily hopped back in our air-conditioned car for the trip to Hussar to stay with more friends.
Staying on a farm was quite the treat for Logan. Our friends don't farm themselves, but there is a lot of farming heritage there. They joyfully showed our budding young farmer around.
The next day (Thursday) we drove through rain to Drumheller to tour the Royal Tyrrell Dinosaur Museum. Despite the crowds it was a fascinating. After all that walking we basically fell into the car for the last four hours home.
I got to know my kids so well during this last week. So many aspects of their personality that I never noticed before. It was so wonderful to see.
I also enjoyed the change of pace. The absence of the normal routines of life, bring a rejuvenation I'd forgotten existed. I found myself smiling to myself for no reason frequently. In fact, I think I shall continue to do so from time to time as I remember the laughs, tears, fun and relaxation.
Perhaps I'll post some pictures in the coming weeks.
And we're not done yet. Next Thursday we will drive to Dauphin. Friday we head to Winnipeg for another family wedding. Saturday we return to Dauhpin. The following day we will drive to Saskatoon and possibly to Biggar to meet my mom. The kids are going to my mom for two weeks for swimming lessons. I have a feeling they may need the down time from all the activity!
Til next time...
I'm in the middle of two weeks vacation. I've taken time off from my out of home work (is there such a thing as vacationing form in home work, I wonder...) and since I have no articles to work on, it's basically an involuntary vacation on that end.
So my husband and I and our two kids headed for Regina last Wednesday so we could travel with my brother-in-law and mother-in-law toward Lethbridge for a family wedding. Please no one explain to me the difference in time that would have been saved had we simply travelled straight to Lethbridge from here.
After several days of swimming in the pool at Lethbridge Lodge we were off to the mountains. Our kids were psyched. They had never seen the mountains up close and personal before and we planned to spend two days hiking in Banff.
The kids were disappointed our hotel didn't have a pool. I, on the other hand, after several swimming sessions in Lethbridge felt relieved! It did have an outdoor hot tub, however. We could sit and relax in hot bubbling water while revelling in the mountain scenery surrounding us.
Watching our kids faces as we drove toward these mammoth majestic peaks was a special kind of joy. They loved it. I've never heard so many "oh cool!" or "wows" before.
After two days in Canmore, we headed to Calgary to stay with friends. It was such an encouragement to reconnect with old friends. We got to meet their son who was just about to turn two. The kids had a blast together. The older kids (the husbands) had fun playing with their new X-box as well.
The next day we went to Heritage Park in Calgary. We enjoyed walking through their living historical exhibits. Workers wander through the park dressed in period costumes. They had my pity as that day neared almost 30 degrees. I have newfound respect for my ancestors - wearing long skirts and sleeves in blazing heat while warming the house further with cooking and warming water for cleaning.
After a trip on their steam train and their paddle boat we happily hopped back in our air-conditioned car for the trip to Hussar to stay with more friends.
Staying on a farm was quite the treat for Logan. Our friends don't farm themselves, but there is a lot of farming heritage there. They joyfully showed our budding young farmer around.
The next day (Thursday) we drove through rain to Drumheller to tour the Royal Tyrrell Dinosaur Museum. Despite the crowds it was a fascinating. After all that walking we basically fell into the car for the last four hours home.
I got to know my kids so well during this last week. So many aspects of their personality that I never noticed before. It was so wonderful to see.
I also enjoyed the change of pace. The absence of the normal routines of life, bring a rejuvenation I'd forgotten existed. I found myself smiling to myself for no reason frequently. In fact, I think I shall continue to do so from time to time as I remember the laughs, tears, fun and relaxation.
Perhaps I'll post some pictures in the coming weeks.
And we're not done yet. Next Thursday we will drive to Dauphin. Friday we head to Winnipeg for another family wedding. Saturday we return to Dauhpin. The following day we will drive to Saskatoon and possibly to Biggar to meet my mom. The kids are going to my mom for two weeks for swimming lessons. I have a feeling they may need the down time from all the activity!
Til next time...
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