We are now in the season of Lent, the 40 days that precede the Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. One of the Lenten activities that is available to people in Toronto, Canada from March 2 to April 14, 2022 is a public Stations of the Cross art walk/exhibition titled Crossings. Art by Canadian artists has been… Continue reading “Crossings” An Art Walk for Lent
It was a thrill to hear, yesterday, that Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance was found in Antarctica’s Weddell Sea. If you’re interested in the story of the exploratory expedition to Antarctica, during which the Endurance was crushed by sea ice and sank, I recommend Shackleton’s riveting book South. I read and reviewed it in 2020.… Continue reading South: The story of Shackleton’s 1914-1917 Expedition – Review (repost)
It’s All About Love: Confessions of a Caregiver by John Murray My rating: 5 of 5 starsWhen John Murray’s wife Rita was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease just over 13 years ago, it wasn’t a big deal to them. However, in the years following, the disease has impacted the life of this senior couple in increasing… Continue reading It’s All About Love – review
Over the last few weeks I've been cleaning out some shelves. In the process, I've come across a few books (paper books) that I have been meaning to read, but never got around to. Christianus Sum by Shawn Pollett is one. I read it earlier this year. Here's what I thought. When Senator Valerianus returns… Continue reading Christianus Sum – Review
Though it’s only mid-February, today the sun is out and the temperature has risen to double-digits. Better yet, the crocuses have come up in the park! I was going through old files earlier this week and came across some of the poems I wrote years ago. “Calendar” is one which seems perfect to share on… Continue reading Calendar
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Any success at keeping those resolves? Here’s a tongue-in-cheek poem I wrote some years ago, that addresses the phenom of resolution keeping. "That frozen stash of Christmas treats..." - sketch by V. Nesdoly. JANUARY, FEBRUARY… It's January, all must changemy resolutions cry it!I'll clean the cupboards, shine the glassCompletely… Continue reading January, February…
Last summer the community outreach coordinator at our church had the idea to build and plant a community garden right on church property. It was a lovely spot, which I couldn’t resist painting. In the fall, I entered my painting in an art and poetry contest sponsored by the Christian Courier magazine. The contest, called… Continue reading Pandemic response–through art and poetry
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I got a set of water-mixable oil paints for Christmas. I’m in the process of learning to paint with them. After my first session, I realized I really did need to purchase the painting medium (to thin paint when it was too thick—water works but it makes the… Continue reading Learning through play
"Waterlilies" - painted card by Violet Nesdoly Do you have some favourite routines or rituals that you go through at the beginning of the year? To my mind, starting a new calendar with a new “last name” lends itself to several traditions that I’ve enjoyed for many years. One of them is choosing a word… Continue reading Choosing a word for the year
Happy New Year! Here we are, already seven days into 2022. How is the year treating you so far? Have you made (and perhaps broken) resolutions? Are you trying something new? I am! My family knows what to give me at Christmas these days. A gift card to my favourite art supply store gets 5… Continue reading The sun rises on something new
Violet Nesdoly 