toffeereflection

Loneliness

Yesterday I came to the realization that I have no one I can talk to who can—or will—listen. Dad is gone. Mom can no longer remember, understand or follow a conversation. My siblings tend to judge, or tell me how I should live my life. My children all have huge problems that they are dealingContinue reading “Loneliness”

Space

There are mornings where I can’t sleep in past 5:00 a.m. In fact, most mornings these days I am on my 2nd cup of coffee before the sun rises. The photo above was taken on a particularly smoky morning last week. The wildfires burning in the north sent the smoke our way and helped createContinue reading “Space”

Waiting

We are both waiting. Gia is waiting for her owner, true love, master, food-giver, ball-thrower and only person in her world, to return and sit beside her. I’m waiting for my son to join me for pizza and a drink. (Yes, he is the same person for whom Gia is waiting, although he is notContinue reading “Waiting”

Home again

A week ago I was on my way home once again. I had decided to spend a week with my granddaughters in Saskatchewan, just a 2-day drive from here. When you do the math, 8 days away with 2 days driving each way, means there are only 4 full days to visit. And the 4thContinue reading “Home again”

Home

I was sad to be leaving after such a short visit. On my last two days we drove to see the sights and spent time talking, exploring and planning. Flight delays on the way home to B.C. resulted in an unexpected overnight stay in Toronto, giving me more time to think before returning home. TimeContinue reading “Home”

Peace

The house is quiet again. No more folding paper airplanes, building LEGO tractors, looking out for the deer, watching the quail families hunt for food. Well…I can still watch the wildlife in my backyard on my own but I admit that it is much more exciting to see the looks of amazement in my grandson’sContinue reading “Peace”

Twins

These two siblings were lounging in my backyard just after sunset a few days ago. I live in the middle of a small city of 160,000 people. Wildlife seems quite abundant, with deer visiting almost daily, coyotes patrolling the streets at night and reports of cougars lying in wait for deer at a nearby creek.Continue reading “Twins”

Rules

Where I now live there are rules. One of them is that I need permission to plant any tree or shrub. I applied properly to see if I could plant two trees that would not grow no taller than 20 feet. The person who gives permission must have been very busy last month since itContinue reading “Rules”

Thunderstorms

During the past 10 years when I lived on Vancouver Island I can recall only one mild thunderstorm. In the Interior they happen frequently. This evening I am sitting out on my deck enjoying the lightning bolts and thunder along with storm clouds as they catch the light of the setting sun. Bliss.

Warmth

Moving back to Kelowna has its blessings. My son and I are able to spend more time together. After hikes with his two girls, Gia and Lacy, he often invites me to meet him at a restaurant or pub that allows dogs on the patio. Here they are resting beneath the picnic table. Gia isContinue reading “Warmth”