February 14, 2012 - Breeding Discontent
Chinese proverb. Image ‘Amish children on their porch, Pennsylvania, 1938 by J.Baylor Roberts’ found in Lapham’s Quarterly publication.
Grief & Loss
January 17, 2012 - A Spot of Grief
Just lost my best mate – and shadow. Each day I’m realising how much a part of each day she was. She was my view …
…sat patiently as I made paper things.
But the poor old girl was going blind – her back legs and mind were failing her. A friend’s question helped us make the painful decision to end her suffering; “Make sure every day is a good day for her”. It wasn’t. And it was our own pain of losing her that became the reason we wanted more days with her. But she was suffering terribly. What we’ll hold close in memory is the 14 years of good days we spent with her. But right now, the sadness is here. And I’m thinking…sometimes sadness pals up with anger. Sometimes with fear or despair. And sometimes it’s just straight up sadness. Sheer loss, and you just have to let the tears pour - and not lose grip on the good times you had. Wrote this Haiku poem about her a while back here. And Catapillar Talk I hold close as a soothing reminder about life’s natural cycle. RIP pooch. Long live the dog.
November 16, 2011 - Happy Birthday You Two
My folks are having a joint 80th birthday party this week – HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mum and Dad. Their support has always been like having a net under that tightrope to impossible things. And Mum has had to tread that wire herself since being diagnosed with cancer. I’m putting on a post-party afternoon tea to keep the celebrations flowing and found these serviettes that were a perfect fit. See also the original version of the Super Hero Poem I wrote for Mum. Clunk and Jam version. That ‘impossible thing’ story..the French tightrope walker . Mission Impossible by Steve Jobs. Army of Ink for Mum.
October 13, 2011 - Caterpillar Talk
Another piece from Chris Van Allsburg, from the book, ‘The Mysteries of Harris Burdick’. Previous one here.
October 10, 2011 - In need of a shrink
We’re never as alone as we think and this movie ‘Shrink’ attests to that. It’s full of people normally flawed and in the process of self destructing and therein lies the potential for repair. The movie delivers a refreshingly honest look at the dark realms of society (and mind) which is potentially confronting as I found myself relating so closely to the screen. It essentially delivers a moving message around taking responsibility when ‘shit happens’ with some insight into the effects of suicide (not answers) – if you can see you way through the pot smoke. Don’t watch it if you’re feeling really down – it’s pretty full on… hopeful, but full on. And if pain persists? See a shrink or find a good listening friend (even if it’s a dog). It doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you – it’s just someone to talk things through when things aren’t going so right.
June 20, 2011 - Flock of White
Yesterday was the first year anniversary of life’s end for my dear friend Fi. Late in the afternoon a white flock arrived on the lawn outside my window – and one, all on its own, danced the high wire (below). I was warmed to think there might have been a message in this from Fi. Fi, like me (and Mum), was a ‘bird talker’. We speak to the feathery friends who visit and reside in our gardens …
…and not just the feathery kind.
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