Two days ago we celebrated mom’s 93rd birthday. A few family members joined for a lunch and cake at the care home. Mom is living with dementia and although she knows who we are when we show up, her short-term memory is extremely short term. In the two minutes it takes to walk from theContinue reading “Birthdays and fading memories”
Author Archives: toffeereflection
Tattoo
Several years ago I was determined to get a tattoo that symbolized the freedom in my life that I was starting to feel. Freedom from abuse, from feeling cornered in every part of my life, unable to live the life that I desired. The freedom that was helping me to see who I was andContinue reading “Tattoo”
Never give up
Yesterday was a rough day. I felt emotionally drained by mid-morning and the day went downhill from there. Some random events triggered strong emotions and each one compounded on the others throughout the day. A few years ago I received incredible assistance coping with, and working through some trauma from the past, including childhood traumaContinue reading “Never give up”
Snail
I found this snail in my garden. Apparently they are invasive and can become pests. The green background is the yard waste bin where every snail I find ends up. Snails are interesting creatures — a little gross when they get their slime on your skin — but interesting all the same. Imagine being ableContinue reading “Snail”
Urban Deer Story
We had a lovely conservation, this majestic creature and I. It was early morning and the crisp air of fall enticed me outside to do a bit of gardening before the day got busy. He was admiring my hibiscus and I was admiring his antlers, pointed toes and high heels. He may have been hopingContinue reading “Urban Deer Story”
Watching the garden grow
Each evening since arriving in Cape Breton almost 7 weeks ago I have attempted to take a photo of this backyard. A couple of days were missed while I was travelling but the main goal of tracking the growth of the garden has been maintained. It is easy to lose sight of progress when watchingContinue reading “Watching the garden grow”
170-Year-Old Pipe Organ in Cape Breton
Shortly before leaving BC to drive to Cape Breton, I heard of a 170 year old pipe organ in a Catholic church on Isle Madame. Notre Dame de l’assumption, located on the small community of Arichat, NS is the home of a 1-manual tracker organ, built by Henry Berger in 1854. The day after arrivingContinue reading “170-Year-Old Pipe Organ in Cape Breton”
Road Trip Reflections: A Journey to the East Coast
After 11 days of driving with pauses to visit along the way, I arrived on the east coast at my daughter’s home. I didn’t stop to take many photos especially during the last few days of driving since I was just eager to get to my destination. It was a good trip. Several of theContinue reading “Road Trip Reflections: A Journey to the East Coast”
Lessons from a fall
Monday night I wanted to respond to one last email before heading to bed. Sitting on my soft, comfy, 5-wheeled chair I tried to roll forward, closer to the keyboard. The wheels objected, the chair toppled forward and I landed solidly on the floor — tailbone first. This irritated a previous injury caused by fallingContinue reading “Lessons from a fall”
Resting for a moment
Although I have picked up and discarded much evidence of the deer roaming in my yard throughout the winter, I haven’t actually seen the deer very often. Yesterday morning this doe stopped to rest for a long moment — at least a couple of hours. Looking weary, she stared into my eyes, almost pleading forContinue reading “Resting for a moment”
Reflections 