When I worked in the Post Office years ago, one of my coworkers was a man named Moe Bailey Moe. had major hearing loss and was oblivious to all the foolish and crude chatter going on around him. If I wanted to talk to him, I first had to get his attention. He would turn … Continue reading NOISE
Whimsy
Backyard chatter
photo from Pixabay, public domain, photographer not named Yesterday was a beautiful fall day, the first day of fall in fact. We were a group of ten writers gathered in the backyard of a friend in Saskatoon. We were seated in a large circle, duly spaced according to COVID-19 regulations, far enough from traffic noise … Continue reading Backyard chatter
The lament of the creator
Every creator painfully experiences the chasm between his inner vision and its ultimate expression.- Isaac Bashevis Singer Do you suppose that's why Monet painted so many pictures of his flower garden -- he was trying to capture it on canvas exactly as he was seeing it? I don't believe a writer is ever fully satisfied … Continue reading The lament of the creator
Affection deficit syndrome
The photo is from Shutterstock, but looks very much like our cat Pookie. Remember how Charlie Brown used to say that he wished he could stay home from school and dedicate his life to making his dog happy? Sometimes I think that’s what Pookie expects from me. Of course, he likes to sleep most of … Continue reading Affection deficit syndrome
Bird watching
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay We have three hummingbird feeders and enjoy watching the little guys zip to and fro. They are also very much aware of our presence and every once in a while one will come close to the window and hover there a few moments to get a better look at one of us.
Seldom Seen Saskatchewan fauna
I have hardly ever seen a live porcupine. They are nocturnal, reclusive and prefer wooded areas. We know they are around by the steady stream of dogs brought to veterinary clinics with their snouts full of quills. We occasionally see a porcupine lying by the side of the road, a result of trying to cross … Continue reading Seldom Seen Saskatchewan fauna
18,263 days ago,
on August 1, 1970, I married a young lady named Christine. The marriage took place in the St Barnabas Anglican church in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; the church is gone, but Chris and I are still married. The days slip by one after another, then we wake up one morning and we are old folks. Early … Continue reading 18,263 days ago,
Heart Health
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, health authorities have been telling us that elderly people are most in danger from the virus. Mortality counts appear to bear that out. However, studies of the data are refining that message, showing that heart health is the critical factor in whether or not one survives an attack … Continue reading Heart Health
Yesterday didn’t turn out as planned
Our garage was new seven or eight years ago, the walls of osb panels which should have been covered by siding long ago. That never happened; finally I decided that at least we could paint it. So I bought the supplies and started to clean up in preparation for painting, trimming the grass around the … Continue reading Yesterday didn’t turn out as planned
A more intense exercise
The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends aerobic exercise to improve cardiovascular health. That kind of exercise also improves energy levels, alertness, helps maintain a healthy weight, or lose weight if necessary, and avoid diabetes. Aerobic exercise can be any physical activity that raises your heart rate and is sustained for some time. Heart and … Continue reading A more intense exercise
Flatlander Faith 