image source: Ben Nelms for CBC “Aggressive Wildfire Threatens Major Okanagan Cities”

Untitled  

Only the Lucky Ones 

Orange, smokey skies

Cloud our thoughts

Confusion and loss

Invade our lives

Burning out of control

Devil’s breath destroys

Leaving our home behind

Only the lucky ones

Get out alive

-LTW

With the wildfires foremost on my mind, the above poem came to me naturally. I can’t think of a title though. Strange as usually titles come to me first. 

I’ve been thinking about the evacuees due to wildfires in both the Interior British Columbia and Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories. In addition, the tragedy of Lahaina in Maui, Hawaii has weighed heavily on my mind as I’m sure it has with you as well.

Normally I would write about ‘summer’ and what I’ve been up to but summer hasn’t been pleasant with wildfires dominating the news. The season’s no longer as charming as its endless blue skies and incredible sunsets. It is disturbing. I do feel that our world is truly on fire. 

Just for reference, the city of Yellowknife is the most northern city in Canada. There is no daylight on the winter solstice and no darkness on the summer solstice. I’ve heard from people who have lived there that it is a magical place where the Aurora Borealis dances and the community, although fraught with a colorful history, is tight knit.

If you are curious about this city, I recommend reading Elizabeth Hay’s Late Nights On Air. I’ve read it twice because it’s that good. It is fiction (semi-autobiographical) and takes place in the mid-late 1970’s. She weaves the political issues and the growth of the city of Yellowknife in her story making the city itself a central character. The story takes you through the wilderness as well which is a vicarious way to experience the Great North without leaving your couch (haha).

I pray the city will survive and the evacuees can return to their homes and livelihoods. Ditto for the city of Kelowna which has been hit hard in the suburban areas. I saw on the news that the conditions for fighting the fires have improved but still, no rain in forecast to assist.

To give you a visual, you see on the map below exactly where Yellowknife is located. The Interior cities in British Columbia are southwestern part of the map.

Summer isn’t over yet and nor are the wildfire dangers. Let’s hope for improvement in the next few days. What’s happening in your part of the world? Do you feel overwhelmed by climate change, or the ‘news’ in general? Let’s chat in the comments. Also, if you can suggest a title for my poem please tell me in the comments. 🙂 Thank you, LA CONTESSA who suggested the title for my poem!

When I was a child this odd and haunting song was often heard on the radio. I didn’t know what it was called or who sang it but it was both dreamy and sad. Something about life’s illusions. What even are life’s illusions? I would ponder.

There was a carousel or was that a different song? No, it was a ‘ferris wheel’ and a ‘circus crowd’.

In a world of increasing Artificial Intelligence, are you missing the human touch? I am. In 1992, Bruce Springsteen penned a song titled “Human Touch”. I suppose he was ahead of his time.

image source; Unsplash by ThisisEngineering RAEng

These days, the human touch seems to be missing, a dreadful consequence of automated life. It’s not that I’m a super social butterfly–in some ways I am the opposite. I prefer to remain in my studio, as many writers and artists do, rather than host a party for example.

I heard on the news this morning that our iconic Royal B.C. Museum is in the process dismantling “Colonial” displays. Without seeing these displays, I could easily render their meaning: the time of settlement of the white man in Canada. And we can’t speak of that without acknowledging the Indigenous tribes who were here first.

I can’t believe it. It’s my tenth Blog-giversary! Ten years of blogging here at lisathomsonlive. Notice how the word ‘giver’ is found in this term bloggiversary. It’s fitting, isn’t it? We bloggers give a ton. Words, ideas, solutions, time…Time does fly while you’re having fun. Best of all, fellow bloggers who have become my online friends have enriched this whole blogging thing.

Um, just bitching over here, trying to understand the world around me. There are some things that have been bothering me lately. Not all of it is due to Covid, either. But yeah, there is a little of that, too. Let’s get started:

They say we remember moments in our life, not days. We remember how someone made us feel, not the words they use. I agree with these statements, 100% (although, I do remember words). But let’s not rule out SCENT. Scent evokes a moment, a feeling, sharp memories and a STORY.

So I’m on a bit of a rant today. If you’re a mom, you might feel the same. On Saturday May 8th, I had a nice face-time call with my son and his girlfriend. Of course, we got onto the subject of mother’s day and what my plans were. Then I remembered last year’s mother’s day, and I told them about how I turned on the television in the evening, to see what wonderful shows/movies might be on.

Do you dab life away? What do I mean by this? Well, I’m currently taking an online watercolor class. This is a new medium for me. I’ve painted in oils and mostly acrylics. Watercolor is a different animal altogether. I find myself dabbing away what I’ve put on the paper. In fear. Fear of what? Paint blobs.

Still here. It’s been quiet here at the blog. Even on my social channels I haven’t been interacting much. I certainly haven’t been creating brilliant thoughts or beautiful pictures I want to share with the world…which leaves me feeling a bit disconnected. But I could say I’m feeling more connected with myself. That’s not a bad thing.