Cherry Blossom Quest

Posted on March 25, 2024 by Dale | 139 Comments

It’s Haibun Monday at dVerse. This week’s host is Frank J. Tassone who has challenged us to share our first (cherry) blossoms (hatsu hana)! I must say this has made me look forward to seeing them even more.

We’re nearing the end of the month of March and there are still patches of snow here and there left from the last surprise snowfall. I shouldn’t be surprised and I’m not, except I am. We got so little snow this past winter that I was fooled into thinking I’d be seeing more signs of spring blooms. So far, only the leaves of my daffodils have been courageous enough to pop up. I don’t expect to see any blooms before a good month. I wouldn’t mind being surprised, though. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge, Mother Nature.

In Montreal, we will not be gifted with cherry blossoms until the beginning of May, at the earliest. This year I have promised myself to go where they are plentiful: Chinatown, Jean Drapeau Park, Westmount Park. I’ve looked up the best places where I can find myself under a pink canopy of intoxicating scents. It will be worth the drive and no worries, dear Readers. I shall share the bounty!

Quest for spring blossoms

An endeavour most lovely

Traffic forgotten

Sunday Story

Posted on August 27, 2023 by Dale | 115 Comments

Shades of greens and yellows serve as a backdrop to the colourful flowers dotting the garden. What a surprise to find squash, no wait, are they melons? Either way, they seem to be enjoying themselves as they mingle within this flower garden. Last year it was pumpkins. What will next year’s surprise addition bring?

There is a story

Hidden amongst the flowers

Gnome hides and giggles

Late Spring? Not Quite Up Here

Posted on April 25, 2023 by Dale | 108 Comments

For Haibun Monday, hosted by Linda Lee Lyberg on dVerse. Since Spring has finally sprung, why not, eh?

Siberian squills

Sweet violet

Carpet of Siberian squills

Daffodils and hyacinths

Striped squills

I am asked to write a Haibun about late spring. Problem is, we are merely at the beginning of it up here in the Montreal region unlike my fellow writers below the 49th parallel who have been sharing photos of their blooms since end of February, beginning of March! Up here, we go from temps begging for sundresses and sandals and the next, it’s full-on garb, including coat, hat and gloves (for those of us of a more delicate nature). Exposing toes at this time would be foolhardy.

How can we ask for crocus and daffodils when we expect them to be covered in snow? And yet, they do just that. They take the risk to pop up out of the partially frozen soil next to naked branches and we delight in it. During my latest walkabout, I am delighted to see yellows and blues and every shade of purple with some pink interjected here and there, just because.

I’m particularly beguiled by the random pops of sweet violets, striped squills, and Siberian squills that seem to scatter willy-nilly wherever they please. Not that the more formal gardens with hyacinths, daffodils and the early tulips don’t have their own special charm, of course. It is the wild ones that captivate me.

Frozen ground holds on

Battle royale in progress

Blooms unrepentant

Summer Solstice

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Dale | 76 Comments

I haven’t been doing much participatin’. Just a phase I’m going through, methinks. However, I did start this two days ago (what?) and am finally ready to share today. dVerse on Monday Haibun was hosted by Frank J. Tassone and he suggested we celebrate the Solstice (summer for the northern hemisphere, winter for the southern). I love this time of year because it still has a mix of cool and warm days, especially in the Montreal area. It’s a little Russian Roulette weather-wise. Come mid-July to mid-August, we risk getting the gross, humid, hot and life-sucking heat. So, I shall take this time to celebrate the little joys.

Dragonfly

Strawberries

Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

Daisies

Roses

The tulips, rhododendrons, and lilacs have come and gone, their scent barely a memory before the next wave of blooms take centre stage, such as daisies, irises, and lillies. Hatchlings have broken free from their shells and are looking less and less like little aliens and more like their parents, wings coming in slowly.

Yes indeed, Summer Solstice is upon us in the northern hemisphere. Before the humidity and serious heat hit, we are graced with temperatures hovering around the 25℃ (75℉). Daisies sway in the lovely breeze, bees are buzzing, roses are blooming and strawberries are starting to pop up to join with the rhubarb – cakes, pies, cordials? The sounds and scents of summer fill the air. And when the rains come? They can be gentle or fierce, accompanied by thunder and lightening. Oh! To have a covered porch again so that I can feel I am one with the elements!

To Summer Solstice

Coming to life with aplomb

Soak it all in now

Climbing Mountains

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Dale | 108 Comments

it is Haibun Monday today on dVerse, hosted by Frank J. Tassone. Today, we are to write about Cold Mountain – a Chinese poet from sometime in the 9th century, during the Tang Dynasty. His poetry has influenced both Zen practitioners and eastern style poets. The immediacy of his work embodies the emphasis on the present moment that defines Zen aesthetics. The Beat Poets were moths drawn to his fire. Well. That is quite the mouthful. Thankfully, Frank has not limited us to trying to become Chinese Zen Masters. His instructions are as follows:

Today, write you haibun on either one of the following options:

A Cold Mountain: the towering heights, frigid temperatures, majestic views, or existential challenges of a mountain. You could even go metaphorical, describing the cold mountain of overwhelming circumstances, or how we make mountains out of mole hills.
The Cold Mountain: a haibun that follows the influence of Hanshan (Cold Mountain), with his immediacy, concern for humanity, and deep devotion to nature.

I knew a man who believed he could climb any mountain. And he did. Life was never a walk in the park. A difficult childhood, a substance addiction, a near bankruptcy, were all stepping stones for him. He always made the choice to live. He cleaned himself up, he paid his debts, and he worked his way up from sweeping floors to fixing machinery to designing to owning his own company. An autodidact who didn’t understand the word quit.

Some mountains are harder and colder to climb than others. And some, you cannot reach the top, no matter how much you desire it.

No challenge too great

When you believe in yourself

Until breath runs out

Winter Whites and Blues

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Dale | 198 Comments

Frank J. Tassone hosted Haibun Monday for dVerse yesterday. He wants us to get seasonal in honour of winter. Those of us in the northern hemisphere might be just about done with the white stuff and cold but hey, it does have it’s beautiful moments. Should you want to try your hand, just click here and add your link. All jokes aside, I do love winter – not as cold as we’ve had, thank you very much!

There is something special about waking up to a fresh blanket of snow. Bleary-eyed, you crawl out of bed, not really ready to face the day (or maybe you are). You open your blinds and catch your breath. While you were sleeping, nature was laying down a gift. All is covered in pristine white and the skies are as blue as they can only be in winter.

Now energized, you check the temps and dress appropriately to go out and get a better view. Away from the noisy streets, as you make your way, you feel the silence grow louder the further you go. The crunch under your feet is now muffled by the layer of fluff, your breath comes out in plumes and your jacket crinkles as you walk. While the sun is shining brightly, it is stingy with its heat. But you don’t really mind as you’ve dressed accordingly and while slight, you do feel the lightest of ray of kisses on your exposed cheeks.

Ah! If only all of winter were so! But alas. That is the part of the gift of having four seasons. We must enjoy the best of them while we can.

Blanket of white snow

Blue skies and crisp air delight

I’m ready for spring

Subdued Celebration

Posted on January 6, 2022 by Dale | 89 Comments

On Monday, Lisa hosted a dVerse Haibun with the theme “Celebration”. Like most people, Christmas and New Year’s were not the celebrations we were hoping to have. for this prompt, I kept it to Christmas mainly because New Year’s was a whole lotta nuthin’.

Christmas Brunch – no cutting corners

A full plate (yes, I like to mix my peas and potatoes)

What’s left! Hardly shows we ate anything!

The plans were set in motion. This year, we were going to retake Christmas, government be damned. It had been cancelled last year, thanks to measures to combat COVID. Not this year! Christmas Eve at Tracy’s (all dressed up) with game gift exchanges, a potluck feast and scratching of Chinese gambling cards. This would be followed, the next morning, with brunch at my house where we all squeeze in (still pyjama-clad) my kitchen and living room while Iain makes the omelets and the rest of the breakfast goodies. Don’t forget the “mimosies” as Mick used to call mimosas. After naps, we make our way to Lisa’s (casual) for our turkey dinner that ends with a Texas Hold ‘Em poker game. We were so excited.

Then December 23rd happened. COVID hit and we had to cancel. A scramble to buy a turkey, hope it thawed out in time. Iain made us three our brunch and, later that day, while the delicious scent of Christmas permeated the house, Iain went to get my mom and we shared a perfectly roasted (if I say so myself) thirteen-pound bird with mashed potatoes, canned peas (don’t ask, traditions are what they are) and homemade gravy. I even found jars of my cranberry sauce and pickled beets, preserved previously. All was not lost.

Parties are cancelled

Celebrations now subdued

Love remains present

Spooky Is As Spooky Does

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Dale | 120 Comments

On Monday, Frank J. Tassone hosted dVerse’s Haibun Monday. He said: “Let’s feel the spooky sensation of this coming Halloween/Samhain! Let’s celebrate that emotion of dread. Let’s write our haibun that states or references fear.”

Looking for a particular photo and some inspiration I went through my pictures. I found a couple (though not the one I really wanted) and settled on this one. Shall we?

Nicole was practically skipping as she made her way home, still feeling warm and fuzzy from the lovely evening she had had with her besties. Getting together for dinner and a movie was always so much fun. In the spirit of the upcoming holiday, they had gone to see Halloween #27. (Seriously? When were they going to give it up already?) She giggled as she thought of how ludicrous the whole thing was until she noticed how dark and quiet the woods seemed suddenly. Where was the birdsong? The buzzing of insects? She tripped over the roots of a tree, just managing to stay upright. The willies crept in and she imagined the tree branches reaching towards her to grab her. She stumbled forward, fear overtaking her reasoning as she hurried to get out of the now-scary woods and out into the clearing. What the hell was wrong with her anyway?

Fear courses through veins

Causing heart palpitations

None of it is real

August Rush

Posted on August 5, 2021 by Dale | 126 Comments

Monday was Haibun Monday over at dVerse. This morning I was feeling the joys of August. This afternoon’s sun was intense. This evening, the crickets are louder than ever. As far as summer months go, this one is pretty much my favourite. So, why not write a little ode to it?

The sun is still up before I am, for now, just not quite as high as it was one month ago. This morning’s run is in slightly cooler temps. The light feels softer, the sun’s rays longer. As the sun rises, so do the heat and humidity, reminding me of those dog days of summer that I cherish, knowing that it’s a question of time before autumn comes in and paints the trees in golds, oranges and reds and when the “fond de l’air” gets chilled. But for now, August reigns supreme.

The butterflies and bees flitter and buzz about with wild abandon and the bunnies keep me company, sometimes hopping alongside me, most times doing an about-face and leaving me with a vision of a white little puff ball bouncing away.

The darkness comes earlier and the crickets seem to be holding a cacophonous sing off. Which choir is pitch perfect?

August is a rush

Everything is more intense

Last blast of summer

In a Rush For the Flower Moon

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Dale | 99 Comments

Two days later than I wanted to post. Sigh. Life. It does love to throw curveballs at you, doesn’t it? This one was a doozie and took me two days to recuperate from! Still… Please pretend we are May 25th – the day I wanted to post it, even if the dVerse prompt came on Monday, the 24th. Frank J. Tassone was the host and the subject was: write a haibun about the Flower Moon – said moon was officially yesterday and somehow, I missed it. Or rather was so sure it was the 25th that I didn’t even think of checking last night. This moon pic was taken on the 25th, however 🙂

You aren’t due till the summer solstice, possibly near a Strawberry Moon? Probably not. You are supposed to arrive when roses and and peonies and poppies are in full bloom. When the tulips and daffodils have already done their thing.

Instead, you decide the Flower Moon is more your style. You want late spring blooms: lilacs and rhododendrons, daisies and violets.

Maybe you know your time here will be brief so you want to get a chance to fully experience everything nature has to offer. Who knows? All I know is this: When the day is breezy and I open my bedroom window, the scent of the wild lilac bush right below my window comes up and wafts through my room, reminding me of you. And to think this year was to be your lucky year! Twenty-five years old on the twenty-fifth of May.

A Flower Moon child

In a rush, to see it all

Gone before you could