More than six months without a post can mean only one thing: My focus has been elsewhere...
However, the new year and new beginnings are nurturing my creative juices - and my vision board for 2012 says WRITING EVERY WEEK, so stay tuned!
Who knows what will pop up here one day soon...
Friday, January 20, 2012
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Lessons in the garden
Everything really important in life can be learned in the garden:
First the rain, then the sun, then things grow.
Ten minutes here and there keeps it looking good. Much better than good intentions to spend half a day making it look gorgeous.
Earthworms can be startling creatures but their work deep down is vital to what shows above.
Cats love sitting in among the plants. Natural (and wise) decorations that move with the sun.
Build a retaining wall and little kids will play on it. Young spirits bring good energy.
A plan is essential.
Ripping out wild and unexpected growth is essential.
Letting unexpected things spurt up between the plan is essential.
What was dormant last year, may come back better next.
Getting your hands dirty early in the season gives you a jump on new growth.
Whether sites of activity or quiet contemplation, gardens ARE life.
First the rain, then the sun, then things grow.
Ten minutes here and there keeps it looking good. Much better than good intentions to spend half a day making it look gorgeous.
Earthworms can be startling creatures but their work deep down is vital to what shows above.
Cats love sitting in among the plants. Natural (and wise) decorations that move with the sun.
Build a retaining wall and little kids will play on it. Young spirits bring good energy.
A plan is essential.
Ripping out wild and unexpected growth is essential.
Letting unexpected things spurt up between the plan is essential.
What was dormant last year, may come back better next.
Getting your hands dirty early in the season gives you a jump on new growth.
Whether sites of activity or quiet contemplation, gardens ARE life.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Monday's election: Vote local
This election, I'm voting local - I mean really local, for Winnipeg Centre's Liberal candidate who has worked on social justice issues in this riding for 20 years. Allan Wise arrived in Canada as a refugee from Iran and has lived through poverty and struggle, and always given back. Now I'm giving him my vote on Monday.
Allan is the executive director of the Central Neighbourhoods Development Corporation (CNDC), and teaches politics as a sessional lecturer at the University of Winnipeg.
Unlike Winnipeg Centre’s Conservative and NDP candidates, I have attended the last two all-candidates forums: one at Gordon Bell, the second at Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre. Bev Pitura attended neither, while Pat Martin was absent at Gordon Bell (he attended a fundraiser instead).
I first met Allan on my doorstep where, eloquently and passionately, he explained that he wants to be the voice for the people of this riding in Ottawa. He wants to take his experience with social justice issues and translate them into policies on housing, jobs and youth programs that make a difference on the ground, here at home. He has pledged to hold town hall meetings throughout the year and to listen to us more than he talks at us: “I have two ears and one mouth; this means I should listen more and speak less,” he says.
In my neighbourhood of Wolseley, we represent only 20% of the Winnipeg Centre riding, yet hold the voting power. We show up at the polls, while many, many residents north of Portage and west of Main Street do not.
Before you vote, please consider the record of our incumbent MP and think about everyone in our riding who needs – desperately needs – a strong, locally rooted voice in Ottawa. If this election is truly about change, that change begins with your decision about who to vote for on Monday. It matters to you and to me, and it likely matters even more to the kids who go hungry for lack of food in the fridge at home and who think a short stint in jail is the best way to find a place to sleep. For the single mothers of every race who cannot afford a decent, safe place to live and raise their children. For the immigrants and refugees who are trying to find their way into a new life of meaning and dignity in Winnipeg. The list goes on...
Think before you vote on Monday. Same old, same old is not the best choice this time round.
For more info about Allan Wise, visit him online at http://www.allanwise.ca/ .
Allan is the executive director of the Central Neighbourhoods Development Corporation (CNDC), and teaches politics as a sessional lecturer at the University of Winnipeg.
Unlike Winnipeg Centre’s Conservative and NDP candidates, I have attended the last two all-candidates forums: one at Gordon Bell, the second at Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre. Bev Pitura attended neither, while Pat Martin was absent at Gordon Bell (he attended a fundraiser instead).
I first met Allan on my doorstep where, eloquently and passionately, he explained that he wants to be the voice for the people of this riding in Ottawa. He wants to take his experience with social justice issues and translate them into policies on housing, jobs and youth programs that make a difference on the ground, here at home. He has pledged to hold town hall meetings throughout the year and to listen to us more than he talks at us: “I have two ears and one mouth; this means I should listen more and speak less,” he says.
In my neighbourhood of Wolseley, we represent only 20% of the Winnipeg Centre riding, yet hold the voting power. We show up at the polls, while many, many residents north of Portage and west of Main Street do not.
Before you vote, please consider the record of our incumbent MP and think about everyone in our riding who needs – desperately needs – a strong, locally rooted voice in Ottawa. If this election is truly about change, that change begins with your decision about who to vote for on Monday. It matters to you and to me, and it likely matters even more to the kids who go hungry for lack of food in the fridge at home and who think a short stint in jail is the best way to find a place to sleep. For the single mothers of every race who cannot afford a decent, safe place to live and raise their children. For the immigrants and refugees who are trying to find their way into a new life of meaning and dignity in Winnipeg. The list goes on...
Think before you vote on Monday. Same old, same old is not the best choice this time round.
For more info about Allan Wise, visit him online at http://www.allanwise.ca/ .
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The state's role in daily life
As we head into the final stretch of the current federal election, I am horrified by people's apathy. How can you not be interested in participating in the democratic process that brings clean water to your kitchen tap, content into your classrooms, snowplows onto your winter streets, clean camping sites into your provincial and federal parks, qualified doctors into your hospitals, skilled bureaucrats into innumerable positions of power, influence and service within systems that manage everything in Canada from housing to infrastructure to culture to immigration programs.
I feel strongly about voting, feel everyone should live up to their responsibilities as a citizen by voting, and wish that every eligible voter would ask themselves these two questions:
1. "What role do you want the state (government) to play in your life - when you're healthy? when you're sick? when your loved one is in trouble on the other side of the globe?" Do you want the state to have put in place systems that help you, support you, encourage you, rescue you? Or do you want to go it alone, always, because everyone should always be self-sufficient?
2. "Would you feel comfortable if all services in our society were privatized and run for a profit? And I mean everything from schooling to healthcare to utilitities to...the list goes on." Of course, when something is run for a profit the people involved often play third or fourth (never mind just second) fiddle to the bottom line.
I believe that government (the state) has a strong role to play in Canadian society, and MUST play a strong role to keep our country one in which every person has opportunity not only the person who is privileged with brains and money; to keep our country one that is open to immigrants and refugees who not only need our freedoms, but whose skills and contributions WE need; to keep our country one in which we can expect - every day - to have access to clean water, qualified healthcare professionals and educators....the list goes on.
Vote. Vote with your brain and your heart engaged. Do not succumb to voting for the incumbent merely because you recognize their name. Take the time to become educated and informed on the issues.
Even if you don't care about the outcome, I sure do.
I feel strongly about voting, feel everyone should live up to their responsibilities as a citizen by voting, and wish that every eligible voter would ask themselves these two questions:
1. "What role do you want the state (government) to play in your life - when you're healthy? when you're sick? when your loved one is in trouble on the other side of the globe?" Do you want the state to have put in place systems that help you, support you, encourage you, rescue you? Or do you want to go it alone, always, because everyone should always be self-sufficient?
2. "Would you feel comfortable if all services in our society were privatized and run for a profit? And I mean everything from schooling to healthcare to utilitities to...the list goes on." Of course, when something is run for a profit the people involved often play third or fourth (never mind just second) fiddle to the bottom line.
I believe that government (the state) has a strong role to play in Canadian society, and MUST play a strong role to keep our country one in which every person has opportunity not only the person who is privileged with brains and money; to keep our country one that is open to immigrants and refugees who not only need our freedoms, but whose skills and contributions WE need; to keep our country one in which we can expect - every day - to have access to clean water, qualified healthcare professionals and educators....the list goes on.
Vote. Vote with your brain and your heart engaged. Do not succumb to voting for the incumbent merely because you recognize their name. Take the time to become educated and informed on the issues.
Even if you don't care about the outcome, I sure do.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Publishing - new frontiers
Everyone has a story to tell. Many of us write. Some of us want our work edited and published. Fortunately, more and more innovative options are being developed for writers to share their work.
The latest example I've seen is Unlimited Editions (http://unlimitededitions.ca/) - a truly innovative idea by Dropped Threads co-editor Marjorie Anderson, and published fiction and poetry author Deoborah Schnitzer. These creative women are using technology to reach out internationally to pull writers into a collaborative publishing venture that already has Jack Hodgins and Gail Anderson-Dargatz involved.
Check it out. If you're writing today, you need to stay on top of the latest innovations in your craft.
The latest example I've seen is Unlimited Editions (http://unlimitededitions.ca/) - a truly innovative idea by Dropped Threads co-editor Marjorie Anderson, and published fiction and poetry author Deoborah Schnitzer. These creative women are using technology to reach out internationally to pull writers into a collaborative publishing venture that already has Jack Hodgins and Gail Anderson-Dargatz involved.
Check it out. If you're writing today, you need to stay on top of the latest innovations in your craft.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Life path
Our first challenge in life is to find our path. The second challenge is to continue pursuing that path, despite what others say, think or feel about our chosen direction. Satisfaction comes from understanding that we have, indeed, found the right path for ourselves. Suffering exists only when we cling to what is not or cannot be. If some in our life don’t approve of or appreciate our choices or perspective, that is their prerogative; it has precious little to do with us. Validation comes from within – not outside of – ourselves.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Of rights and risks
Elections, elections everywhere. But nary a leader in sight.
Well, that's not actually true, but it sure seems to be the mood of the people these days. Look anywhere - in your own city or across the border in the US - and the horizon is clogged with people complaining about politicians and the gravy train. Well, anger is a righteous emotion, but I'm not convinced it's prudent to make decisions while in the throes of it.
With our democratic right to cast a ballot comes the responsibility to BE responsible about that right. This means taking the time to listen beyond the 30-second sound bite and actually invest our energy in learning what the candidates are truly saying and - maybe most importantly - what the facts of the moment are.
There is so much nattering going on about "the fat" at City Hall (or in Ottawa or at the Leg or down in Washington - pick your political location)...and it's just that, nattering. How about someone in the media does some real investigating to unearth the FACTS about the fat: Is it really there? What would we be cutting in order to trim the fat? How much fat should we have in order for our lives to have some flavour, some meaning?
I'm getting mighty tired of the armchair politicos raising their voice in anger, while remaining firmly seated on the couch. Get out there and make a difference. Stop whining from the comfort of your blinkered perspective. Want to retain the right to vote? Then exercise your responsibility to be engaged in the process. With every right comes a risk. And we're on the verge of risking our collective democracy for the privilege of rule by anger.
Well, that's not actually true, but it sure seems to be the mood of the people these days. Look anywhere - in your own city or across the border in the US - and the horizon is clogged with people complaining about politicians and the gravy train. Well, anger is a righteous emotion, but I'm not convinced it's prudent to make decisions while in the throes of it.
With our democratic right to cast a ballot comes the responsibility to BE responsible about that right. This means taking the time to listen beyond the 30-second sound bite and actually invest our energy in learning what the candidates are truly saying and - maybe most importantly - what the facts of the moment are.
There is so much nattering going on about "the fat" at City Hall (or in Ottawa or at the Leg or down in Washington - pick your political location)...and it's just that, nattering. How about someone in the media does some real investigating to unearth the FACTS about the fat: Is it really there? What would we be cutting in order to trim the fat? How much fat should we have in order for our lives to have some flavour, some meaning?
I'm getting mighty tired of the armchair politicos raising their voice in anger, while remaining firmly seated on the couch. Get out there and make a difference. Stop whining from the comfort of your blinkered perspective. Want to retain the right to vote? Then exercise your responsibility to be engaged in the process. With every right comes a risk. And we're on the verge of risking our collective democracy for the privilege of rule by anger.
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