Money Woes And just like that Oh it seems so wrongAs I accost the bank teller An afternoon now gone. So much time wastedPursuing the money trailTo find where it all wentLike chasing my own tail! Why can't banking mattersBe kept pure and simpleNo annual or service chargesOr minimum sum limitations? But no of course … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #56
Father-son bonding #2 — Rites of Passage
Hey J my precious son, Since my first post about it, I'm getting both excited and nervous as I start planning our December staycay. Truth is, I've never in a million years thought I would be undertaking such an ambitious project -- to take us away for a father-son bonding retreat. Just us two. To … Continue reading Father-son bonding #2 — Rites of Passage
Life Skills I Do Not Have #4 — Thanksgiving
Tomorrow, many celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, where it is a public holiday and families travel across the land to reunite and celebrate the occasion together. Depending on which website you surf, anywhere from five to over 15 other countries in the world have their own version of Thanksgiving too. Not so here in … Continue reading Life Skills I Do Not Have #4 — Thanksgiving
My Monday Metrical Musings #55
Checkmate! It's all aboutWhat matters mostThe rook, the knightOr the holy bishop? No, my sonIt's about the KingHe's the most important pieceSo think think think! Before you make Your next hurried moveLook closely, pleaseBefore he goes poof! I've played this game More years than youSo up my sleeveI've still got a move or two! Haha, … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #55
On World Children’s Day – How a poolside encounter reminded me what truly counts
On World Children's Day, let me share about a recent poolside encounter. A couple of weeks ago, I overheard an interesting conversation between a male who looked to be in his late 50's and a young boy about my son's age of 12. The exchange took place at a neighbourhood pool where I go for … Continue reading On World Children’s Day – How a poolside encounter reminded me what truly counts
IMD 2021 — Towards better gender relationships
What a difference a year makes to International Men's Day (IMD)! For those not in the know (and I'm guessing that's most of us!), there really is such a thing as an annual IMD, and it's happening in two days' time on Nov 19. A year ago, I wrote about IMD. At that time, I … Continue reading IMD 2021 — Towards better gender relationships
My Monday Metrical Musings #54
Accepting Accepting listswith inconsistencyMy life a messyTapestry Accepting lifewith uncharacteristic zealAs golden sunlightPours over corncob field Accepting lieswith downcast looksMy days on endlessTenterhooks Accepting liftswith open palmsOf calloused linesTrailing sunken arms Accepting lovewith pale parched lipsWeather-beaten dryLonging for dew drips Accepting lobswith barely-clenched fistsWhite-knuckled bruisedDesperately coming to grips Accepting losswith nary a careKnowing someday soonI'll … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #54
Parenting Motivations #5 — Our first family cell phone agreement
Son, congratulations on owning your first cell phone! You’ve proven yourself mature and responsible enough for us to entrust you with this modern-day device. Given that you have a new cell phone in your hands now, courtesy of your mom and me, we obviously trust you to make good decisions. So why are we making … Continue reading Parenting Motivations #5 — Our first family cell phone agreement
My “Writing Heroes” #4 – Those who write. Or do nothing!
Everyone would agree it's an absolute gift to come into a new work week where the calendar looks pretty empty! For a writer, that's like a sweet promise of long, uninterrupted moments filled with blissful writing. What could be better? Of course, my daily parenting duties continue, so I'm not exactly "free". Still, since last … Continue reading My “Writing Heroes” #4 – Those who write. Or do nothing!
My Monday Metrical Musings #53
I Just Need A Moment (Violin Musing II) So this is how it feelsWhen a dream dies.A dream I never knewWas all mine.Had I knownI would have given it back.Returned it like a dog-eared library bookOr an old shoe to its rack. But we strolled into this dream togetherDidn't we?We didn't force feed or threaten … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #53