non-fiction

Across the intersection I spotted ‘spandex man’. The light was red and I had stopped. Bright colours, wild patterns, tight fabric, all in a quick glance. We were the only two in sight.

Bike + Spandex + Pavement have always intrigued me. I learned to ride in fields, on gravel and, wearing my purple corduroy overalls. Bike riding has become one of the icons for a friendly environment. To me, the mere presence of pavement implies a lack of environmental concern.

He was turning left, I was going right. We were headed towards the same two lane road. He would have his lane, I mine. The advance arrow turned green and spandex man began to turn. I slowly crept forward to make my legal right hand turn on a red light. Looking up I saw dramatic, purposeful hand gestures being made to me. I tried to figure them out: not a left turn signal, right turn signal, stop or, middle finger. I had no idea what his signals meant. On ‘serious bike signal school’ day I must have been out riding by the creek stopping to pick crocuses.

As I turned, I assumed that the tight spandex must’ve cut off circulation to his brain.

If you want to communicate with me you must learn my language. And for the record, internal combustion engine beats spandex every time.

faith

"Faith isn't an act of intelligence, it's an act of imagination" -Christopher Moore

watching water

I sat. My chair was recovering from its trek through the water. Its ride had been full of slips, smiles and, sways. We now rested on the gravel bar.

Water swished around me with a lighthearted plan. It kept moving but, was enjoying the detours along the way. It carefully danced with joyful inhibition. The drops had gathered for an afternoon adventure. Still stones and moving water performed the duet that was the accompanying soundtrack.

I needed this time and space. I longed to follow.

Would you rather...

clever or wise
kindness or justice
chocolate or lemon

Spider Webs & Cotton Candy

One day as I was sweeping away spiders webs that had overtaken the cool and interesting spaces on a deck, I noticed a smiliarity between spider webs and cotton candy. The webs fastened themselves to the broom the way cotton candy attaches itself to a paper cone. Here are the similarities that I noted:

- sticky
- traps (a sugary high or death)
- look pretty from a distance
- created by a skillful artist ( i've made cotton candy, it's an art )

upstage the bride

"Little black dress": $59.99
Strapless bra: $9.99
Sterling silver/Amethyst Necklace: $6.49 ( an amazing 90% off)

Fabulous outfit for Molly's wedding: priceless

Grey

If I ever write a book it will be titled one of the following: “No sticks on Tuesday” or “Shades of Grey” (sorry, Billy Joel). Hmm…. I could write 2 books.

This entry would be in “Shades of Grey”.

I’m glad life is not black and white. We constantly need to be deciding where we stand on things. We need to maintain the balance of what we want and where we are going. And then decide which shade of grey we are leaning towards. Choosing a shade of grey is usually for the moment but, we go on from that moment, so it’s important to choose.

I have been listening to the song “Beautiful People” by Jason Upton, here are some of the lyrics:
“Turn down the radio,
I want to hear.
Turn down the voices,
Hurting my ears,
There’s a moment getting away
And there’s something I want to say”


Those last 2 lines get me thinking…… I’ve had a lot of moments get away. Here comes the grey. Sometimes it’s been good that they got away, I would’ve said or done something I’d regret. So, I’m glad I paused to look at the palette and choose a grey. Of course there have been times when the moment got away and I regretted it. You can learn from regret if you’re willing to look back.

Occasionally, I’ve been proud of myself for saying what I needed to say and of course reluctance having to admit there have been times when I spoke and shouldn’t have. All good, all bad, all grey.

Don’t be black or white, make the hard decision, pick a shade of grey.

OAR

Here are a few pics from my weekend in Sask!

kinetic OR potential

tall grass OR short stop sign

permanent OR temporary

worth it ( 19 min of fireworks) OR wasted time (55 min in parking lot)

Smurf Blue OR Smartie Blue