LOSS On Friday, July 11, 2025, our beloved Oscar crossed the rainbow bridge. That morning when we awoke, he was in the hallway, puddles of urine and vomit around him. We cleaned him up, took him outside where he was able to go to the bathroom...but then he fell to the deck and couldn't move.… Continue reading Loss, Labour (Quitting Writing) & Luxuriation
Tag: reading
A Photo Update!
Life has been life-ing, baby! Here are some photos to catch us up... The Honourable Mention! Thanks so much to the Women on Writing community, and judge for the Winter Flash Fiction contest! I made it to the top twenty (over 200 submissions!) and garnered an Honourable Mention! I'm sooo grateful and excited! 2. The… Continue reading A Photo Update!
Inside Second-Hand Books – Always Leave a Gift
I'm a fan of second-hand books. I frequent Goodwill to purchase used books for myself and for friends. Yesterday there was a 50% off sale at one of the Goodwills...so I went and filled up. There's even a Goodwill Bookstore - all books! There's something really special about second-hand books. Firstly, I love the term… Continue reading Inside Second-Hand Books – Always Leave a Gift
On Mandatory Suffering
I've been contemplating suffering. I've been suffering pain in my body chronically for decades...my autoimmune system (has two diseases!) on high-alert for as long as I can remember...and more recently, a lower-back issue that's been on-and-off since 2022. The term 'comparative suffering' has been bopping around between my parts for years now too. I don't… Continue reading On Mandatory Suffering
VANESSA SHIELDS 