THE TWO FACES OF SPRING 2019

ByLee Ann

Hello there!

After many false starts and a cruel false promise that the snow-pack would melt slowly, Spring unleashed ferocious flooding in both Ottawa and Muskoka, my two home places. Our own properties are dry and safe, but many people endured evacuations during the past couple of weeks and now face despairing restorations of their homes and cottages.

So I begin this season – typically my favourite of the year – with mixed emotions. Sadness and helplessness stirred together with hope, as Nature starts to offer gentle, warm days and that gorgeous new green of unfurling leaves. Bitter-sweet this year.

This month’s poem has that same mix of emotion, which I thought was fitting for the kind of spring we are having in my neighbourhoods.

May you always find hope emerging!

Here’s Minds and Hearts.

Lee Ann

SIGNS OF SPRING

ByLee Ann

Hello there! Welcome to March – which can be kind of a heartbreak month, so close to spring and yet often so far. At least in Ottawa. This year for sure: Environment Canada’s senior climatologist says we get the gold medal for winter misery.

Jock River ice, Richmond Ontario

But even here, in our misery, I’m noting some signs of spring:

  1. There is warmth in the sun. (Never mind that the roads are now flooded because the storm drains are lost under deep snow.)
  2. My son’s golden retriever is blowing his undercoat. (I groomed him last week and I’m still vacuuming…)
  3. The cardinals are singing!

How about in your neighbourhood? Any signs of spring? Please share!

And also new for spring: on March 9, a fresh exhibition of artwork begins, by the Ottawa West Arts Association. I created two brand new pieces for the show, which is themed ABSTRACT. Access to the gallery at the Goulbourn Recreation Complex is always free, or you can check out my new poems with photos here. I’d love to hear what you think!

Meanwhile, please take a few moments to relax and take a look at the first of my new Travel Series, from our recent getaway to Arizona. I hope you enjoy A Mother’s Prayer.

Lee Ann

QUIET

ByLee Ann

Hello there!

Where I live, in the historical village of Richmond, Ontario, we are so lucky to have the Quiet Garden, which sits behind St. John the Baptist Anglican Church. The Quiet Garden was a community project undertaken to mark the new millenium; it’s a lovely area set beside a creek, with flower and shrub beds, a vegetable garden, lawns, and two labyrinths. It’s a place I can go in any season, to step out of routine and “busy-ness,” to take time to just breathe.

Do you have such a place? I think you do: it can be as close as a chair in your back yard or on your balcony. As easy as closing your eyes.

This month, I hope you take some time to find some quiet in a place that can restore calm for you. Meanwhile, please stop the “busy-ness” for a moment and have a look at Contemplation.

Lee Ann

ANOTHER MOMENT SOMEWHERE BEAUTIFUL

ByLee Ann

Hello there!

Once again, I’d like to invite you to pause with me and spend a moment somewhere beautiful. This time, it’s at Remic Rapids Park along the Ottawa River, where artist John Ceprano creates his sculptures every summer. His carefully balanced – not glued! – rock figures inspired this month’s poem.

Please pause in your busy day to relax and reflex a bit. I hope you enjoy For Dreamers and Immigrants.

Lee Ann