Stories from my life, the universe and everything.
(reposted from July 2020 with an updated comprehensive guide to dragonflies from https://happydiyhome.com/) In my experience, dragonflies have never posed a physical threat. I teased David once that he must have some Disney princess in him when a persistent dragonfly kept landing on his face and t-shirt while we walked in the woods one day. … Continue reading Speaking of Dragonflies
This is the story of a schoolyard bully, a conspiracy led by mom, and the dynamics of shame that can get stuck in the body. Growing up in the 60s, we had a neighbour who lived across the street. He was a year younger than me, in my brother’s class at school. And he was … Continue reading The Dynamics of Shame
The scent of lilacs sparks musings on ancestral memory and healing. What experiences imprinted the scent in my family's collective memory?
Lately, I have felt the deep pull to connect with my lineage, to learn more about ancestral healing of intergenerational trauma. There is evidence that memories and experiences are passed on through generations in our DNA. The study referenced here speaks to it. I feel grief and deep regret at not having asked for more … Continue reading Ancestral Lullaby
We’d been talking about it for a while when we saw a house for sale that caught our imagination. We called our agent to see about the possibilities. The market was hot he told us. Houses were selling in our neighbourhood quickly and over asking. There was no possibility of even looking for a new … Continue reading House Hunting with the Ancestors
Pain is a side-effect, not the goal, and it is most certainly not a reward. I'm writing a new song. I’m unlearning self-combat and replacing it with self-compassion.
I am resourcing the incredible strength of character and unconditional love I’ve inherited from my mom. And I am grateful.
Like many of us, I’ve internalized arbitrary standards of health and beauty imposed by systems and those dominant cultures that have nothing whatsoever to do with health, inclusion and love and everything to do with control, and exploitation.
In this very strangest of years, Christmas time has come feeling – well, feeling more Christmassy – than any other has felt for me in a very long time. No decorations, no parties, no fancy dress (and let’s face it, maybe not even a shower). No mad dash shopping, no lights, no tree. I don’t … Continue reading A Christmas Wish
We signed in at the first stop along the tour, providing our contact information for tracing purposes, and sanitized our hands. The woman who greeted us inside said “Feel free to touch anything that catches your eye. Texture is a big part of my work.” She explained her process of using tubes of liquid clay … Continue reading Feel Free to Touch