Freedom Convoy – First year Anniversary
I am honoring those who continue to stand up for freedom and peace against
machiavellian political practices.
My ‘tinfoil’ hat’s off to you!
Happy Anniversary!
You make me proud to be Canadian! Roll on! Honk, Honk
To see my original story from one year ago, please click on the link below:
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Compositions | Tagged anniversary, blog, Canadian, creative writing, freedom, peace, politics, tinfoil hat | 37 Comments »
A piercing scream cut through the quiet night, ricocheted off concrete walls and echoed onto the city street. A hollow thud then gasp of air followed. It was the woman’s last breath.
A dark figure loomed over the body.
Bobby-Joe McKintock had just frightened his nosey, old neighbor to death; quite by accident, when in jest, he’d jumped out of the shadows.
A sinister laugh caromed through the night. Bobby-Joe glanced around then disappeared into the darkness before the backlash of what he’d done hit him.
Quiet fell upon the city street. The silence was deafening.
Sounds of sirens and gunshots ensued.
It was a ricochet that ended him.
As it turns out, the rebound effect is no joking matter!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged blog, creative writing, darkness, fiction, humor, ricochet, short story | 14 Comments »
I am chasing the winter blues.
It’s hard to create a work of art when you are feeling under the weather. Fever and delirium make sentences nonsensical. Your spirit seems to float away from your body – out of this world. You feel completely disconnected. The most talented of artists use the dark times in their lives to create beauty. It takes fortitude and resilience to recover from illness let alone create art.
I haven’t been feeling well – not at all.
I am not a good patient. I do not like being under the weather, I’d rather be in it, outside in nature.
The blues are pulling at me like a magnet. I can see them from my window. They taunt me as they dance and skip along the snow drifts daring me to catch them.
The day is early. The sun is only beginning to rise. I slog into my winter gear surprised that I am not collapsing under its weight and head out the door.
The air hangs softly in the distance a paler color of white than the snow lying on the ground. ‘Angel’s breath,’ I smile at the thought of it as some blue disappears with the sun’s first rays.
‘Most people chase rainbows in order to discover magic and I’m out chasing the blues. But, why limit one’s self,’ I think bemused. Continue Reading »
Posted in Lessons of the Drum | Tagged blue, blues, freedom, health, horses, inspiration, lifestyle, nature, prairie, resilience, short story | 9 Comments »
Feeling cold and sluggish?
Perhaps you need a little more warmth in your life.
Indulge yourself.
Drink a cup of hot chocolate.
Chocolate not only warms your heart but your soul.
Dark chocolate keeps you healthy by adding antioxidants.
Antioxidants lower blood pressure and increase circulation to your heart.
Not enough sweetness in your life?
Add some marshmallows.
Feeling dull or sluggish?
Spice up your life.
Be adventurous,
Add a cinnamon stick to your cup of hot chocolate for extra flavor.
If you are daring enough, you can get even more spicy.
Nothing warms your heart on a cold day like a cup of hot chocolate
with a few drops of hot sauce.
Sit back and relax.
You will feel the heat running through your body in no time.
Enjoy the burn.
No one really needs an excuse to indulge in chocolate!
Chocolate’s heart healthy.
Just warm your heart up a little if you’re cold.
Get spicy!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged antioxidant, chocolate, cinnamon, cold, health, heart, humor, inspiration, spice, warmtn | 25 Comments »
Nothing is as black and white as it seems,
If the world seems drab,
Color it,
A picture can paint a thousand words.
2023, Welcome to another colorful year!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Compositions | Tagged 2023, art, color, inspiration, international, lifestyle, paint, picture | 6 Comments »
When all that glitters,
is not gold.
Posted in Compositions | Tagged art, blog, creativity, glitter, inspiration, international, nature, snow | 9 Comments »
Baby, it’s cold outside!
It’s the end of November and it is -13 degrees Celsius (12.2 Fahrenheit). The wind has been blowing with gusts of 42 km (27 mph) and higher so it feels like -23C (-9.4 F). It’s so frigid that I am unable to think. Perhaps, I have frozen my brain…
How does a Canadian prevent brain freeze in the winter?
Word of the Day – Toque
/tōk/
Canadian definition:
A close-fitting knitted hat, often with a tassel or pom-pom on the crown.
People also ask
How do you use it in a sentence?
I will use it in a sentence so that you can both remember what it is and how to pronounce it.
“It’s so cold outside, that I toque a wool cap and put it on my head.”
And, that my friend’s is also how a Canadian prevents brain freeze in the winter!
Stay warm!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged brain freeze, Canadian, humor, knit, lifestyle, short story, toque, winter, word-of-the-day | 14 Comments »
A pale dawn arises,
Snow falls,
Sullen shadows cascade across the land,
Images cold against glittering drifts,
A terrain flash-frozen,
No layers of warmth will cushion heartaches pain,
In winter,
When the wind bites,
Nostalgia quietly visits.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged frozen, heartache, lifestyle, nature, nostalgia, poem, prairie, shadows, short story, snow | 13 Comments »
It has taken me some time to silence the thoughts of others and cipher through their parables and codes.
Social media is inundated with an extraordinary amount of negativity. Many comments are meant to debilitate the vitality of opponents who dare think outside of the box. It is easy to attack someone whom you cannot see.
It is also easier to control those whose faces are covered. It removes the aspects of humanism. Covering ones nose and mouth deprives the brain of oxygen and weakens soundness of mind.
I suspect the past few years has done irreparable damage to human kind.
(I can still feel the agony of those who withheld their screams of terror and disbelief until their eyes deadened and their hearts hardened.)
It’s easier to follow the masses than it is to stand alone.
Fear can be a strict task master. It drives groups together but it can also break them apart.
Many people gave up.
Others allowed themselves to become disabled through the pressure tactics forced upon them. Hypnotized, they consumed propaganda spoon fed to them by daily dose of dishonesty and negativity. They became the fanatical converts who threatened non-believers. Non-believers were ostracized and pushed into seclusion.
There are many fanatics today that seek continued control over the populous. They have a surplus of information ordained to frighten the weak into a continued life of subservience.
They want the masses to move through life like robots – zombies with dead eyes, stiff movements and no heart because when you stunt growth or imagination, there is no individuality – no freedom. This is called censorship.
What they do not know is that you cannot cripple the heart or mind of an artist!
The individual pain each person endures throughout life is precisely the gold that shines through an entrapped mindset to create an artist. Seclusion is all that is needed to break free of the trap. When one enters the silence, true beauty is created. This beauty is art.
Art means something different to everyone. It is a distinct experience distinguished by you alone. Art heals crippled minds, broken hearts and beckons to the individual in each of us, bringing hope.
You cannot censor hope!
Hope is a light engrained so deeply within the Universe that death cannot even snuff it out.
Artists know this secret.
They are able to read between the lines.
They are the truth seekers.
They are the free-thinkers fanatics want to silence.
You cannot cripple an artist, excluding them or forcing them into silence is a gift.
Silence is where an artist goes to create beauty.
We can always use more of them – so please, censor away – for in the end, it will be the artist’s who heal the world with their beautiful stories.
Remember:
“Those who speak in parables and code harbour great secrets.”
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Compositions | Tagged art, blog, codes, fear, inspiration, lifestyle, parables, politics, secrets, social media | 14 Comments »
Beware,
When the veil thins,
On ‘All Hallows Eve,’
The Pumkin Patch comes alive!
Happy Halloween!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged All Hallows Eve, blog, Halloween, horror, lifestyle, patch, pumpkin, short story | 3 Comments »
Today, I sat in my rocking chair on the porch with my two trusty dogs at my side, soaked up the rays of the autumn sun and listened to the crickets sing.
When nature brings you bliss, the world’s woes drift away…
Give yourself permission to relax.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged autumn, crickets, dogs, lifestyle, nature, porch, relax, short story, song, world | 9 Comments »
There is a warm autumn breeze; I sit beneath the trees and watch as colored leaves fall earthward.
The trunk of the tree I am sitting under is strong; its roots are spread wide and deep. Yet, the tree is flexible and is able to bend when times get turbulent. That is why this tree has survived its many years on earth.
The tree’s large branches reach heavenward. Some of the branches are barren having lost their leaves. Still, other branches are alive with color. The leaves on those branches are preparing to make their descent but for the moment, they are full of life and enhance the world with their beauty.
I notice the leaves of this tree do not fight their ending – they have lived their life to the fullest – so, they simply let go and float gently earthward as if they are two stepping in time to a slow waltz. They dance, twirl and float earthward where they join other leaves, those that fell before them. The fallen leaves cushion the new arrivals. Their landing is soft, gentle. Each leaf is reunited happily with those that fell before them – these are their fallen family and friends.
Those leaves that remain high in the branches shiver with excitement and celebrate the life of the leaves that fell before them. They whisper to the fallen in the soft breeze, “We are in death, even as we live.”
Realization dawns on me, I am sitting beneath the family tree. The tree has been softening my sadness – my grief. It has not only been comforting me with beauty and dance but sharing ancestral wisdom as it welcomes another extremely important leaf home.
Celebrate life with every breath you take,
We both live and die in every moment,
Life is colorful,
Enjoy it,
Take comfort in the dance of the falling leaves,
Remember those who went before you,
They are never truly gone,
The circle of life is never-ending.
Gone but not forgotten…
“Falling Leaves,” is in memory of my Dad:
Franklin J. Andrus – May 28, 1938 – October 10, 2022
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Lessons of the Drum | Tagged autumn, celebrate, color, death, grief, honor, inspiration, leaves, life, lifestyle, tree | 8 Comments »
Feeling a little bit like a turkey lately?
It’s alright to be a turkey.
Feel free to gobble up the day!
Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!
October 10th, 2022
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Compositions | Tagged gobble, inspiration, lifestyle, Thanksgiving, turkey | 7 Comments »
The mission is murder.
The buzz word is fly!
In the name of fair play, I did warn them. I said, “If you don’t leave this premises, you will die! This is not your home. You are not allowed to gather here!”
But, they cannot help themselves.
It seems they have invited swarms more. The house is a buzz of activity. I am not as hospitable as they have assumed. They have over-stayed their welcome and have gotten on my last nerve.
They are pests. Pests that like to do the backstroke in my morning coffee or drown in it. They bug me, these uninvited guests. They steal the very food from my plate – pests. Their flying buddies like to swan dive into my hair or fly up my nose. They don’t understand the word, ‘No!’ It amuses these pests to touch my body with their creepy little insect feelers. They won’t stop. It gives them a buzz then they get high! They just won’t stop irritating me, even going as far as landing on my hands as I type this!
Enough!
The mission is now murder!
Fly swatter in hand, I am in full stealth mode. My trusty cat is assisting me in stalking the many-eyed prey! It seems that they have pestered her beyond her limits as well. She alerts me to their presence with her surreptitious cat call.
The flies think they will out smart me by camouflaging themselves on dark furniture or hiding in plain sight. I suppose they assume they can out maneuver me since they have thousands of watchful eyes observing my every move.
“Wrong!”
The swat team and I have taken down a number of assailants. Their bodies are piling up! Some of the fly survivors are conducting forensics on the dead or perhaps they are cannibals foraging on their own kind.
They get the smack down. At times, it’s a smorgasbord; multiple bodies with one swat or a two for one deal – a regular kill pattern for this experienced swat team.
It’s war. We have no mercy, the pests were forewarned!
Finally, after an hour of stalking and murdering flies, it has gone deathly quiet. The pests that are left have gone underground or into cracks or crevices. They are difficult to find.
But, I am smarter than a fly. I will patiently outwit them.
I only need to wait until the time is right before I raid their fly encampments. For now though, the swat team has further business to take care of. Death is cumbersome and we must dispose of the multitude of fly corpses before their living relatives feel the sting of the upcoming raid. There will be more bodies. The remains will be disposed of. This is not a game. This is war; I must take time to plan the next siege on these pests before the next swarm appears. These pests have eyes everywhere. I dare not rest, the swat team and I need to plan and perhaps rally more troops.
In the meantime, if any of you have had the intention of visiting in the form of an insect or let’s say; a fly on the wall; beware – my buzz word this season is, ‘Fly,’ and I’m on a murder mission.
All other company is welcome! Please feel free to bring your own swatter! Be prepared to raid flying pests when necessity warrants.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged assailant, blog, corpse, fly, forensics, humor, lifestyle, mission, murder, short story, stealth, swat | 9 Comments »
Let’s be real.
Life is a puzzle.
The world can be confusing, chaotic and merciless.
Reality in the real world means that life doesn’t always supply us with positive experiences.
There are times in life when the world seems to have a destructive strangle hold on your psyche. The foulness around you contains a sour stench and negative energy saps at every fibre of your being until you are completely devoid of inspiration. Puzzled, you become subconsciously stuck in a mire of difficulties, bogged down at every turn. If you allow yourself to stay stuck in this destructive mire, eventually, that is all that you experience – negativity, and the difficulties which come with a depressed mindset. Essentially, this means you have become blocked. Continue Reading »
Posted in Lessons of the Drum | Tagged block, drama, inspiration, integrity, leader, life, lifestyle, moral, psyche, puzzle, short story, world | 14 Comments »
Let go,
Spread your wings and fly,
Life is about making the right decisions and moving on,
Learn from the riches of nature,
The best things in life are free.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Winged Messages | Tagged American Goldfinch, fly, free, life, lifestyle, nature, wings | 9 Comments »
When it’s 32 degrees Celsius (86.9 F) but feels like 36 (96.8 F) and a sirocco is blowing across the prairie; you know that Mother Nature’s dehydrator has kicked in. During such heat waves, one must be sure to drink plenty of fluids and attempt to stay cool – hydration is the key unless you want to whither up like a piece of dried up old jerky!
Many people suffer immeasurably during summer months due to the onslaught of intense, desert like heat waves so they head to a body of water or a beach to help keep their body hydrated and their heads cool.
Hydrotherapy is the use of water to treat a disease or to maintain health.
The theory behind hydrotherapy is that water has many properties that give it the ability to heal. Water can store and carry heat and energy. Likewise, water can cool. It can also dissolve other substances, such as minerals and salts.
Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy or water cure, is a branch of alternative medicine, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy, that involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment.
Drinking water also assists in maintaining mental clarity but, the sound of water can be calming and bring a sense of balance to one’s spirit when the day is just too hot to handle.
If my mental demeanor is at stake because life has become too fiery, I find the sound of water soothing. However, when Mother Nature’s dehydrator is full throttle, I enjoy going for a nice cool swim in order to refresh, calm and maintain my health.
Water heals.
The picture below is my idea of hydrotherapy on a day where it’s 32 degrees Celsius but feels like 34 with a dehydrating sirocco breeze on the prairie.
If a sirocco visits your area firing up your daily life until it’s too hot to handle, try hydrotherapy.
Ease your pain; take the first step; get wet; just plunge in; let water heal you.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged dehydrator, health, heat wave, hydrotherapy, lifestyle, Mother Nature, prairie, short story, sirocco | 10 Comments »
Posted in Compositions | Tagged prairie, wild flowers, Wordless Wednesday | Leave a Comment »
I have no words today.
I’ve been off…
Gathering;
Sights,
Sounds,
Smells,
From an acrid landscape once purple on the horizon now turned emerald green.
Humidity drips from the atmosphere, as wildflowers dance and sway, perfuming the breeze.
The air is filled with music the song birds sing as they perch on branches laden with berries these bushes bring.
Bees hum in harmony in tune with the song, collecting sweet nectar as they work along.
On the grassland beyond, graze antelope and deer.
And, a coyote and pups yip happily from their den near here.
I lay back quietly on this quilt made of grass and soak in the scene as I contemplate what words would describe what happiness means.
So grateful am I for the serenity this Prairie Oasis brings.
Yes, I must apologize for my lack of words,
And, as for descriptions,
There’s simply not one single thing to describe,
Peace
On
Earth.
I’m off today, gathering – words.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged gathering, inspiration, lifestyle, peace on earth, prairie, short story, words | 17 Comments »
“When words are both true and kind,
They can change the world.” Gautama Budda
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Winged Messages | Tagged Guatama Budda, inspiration, kind, lifestyle, true, words, world | 1 Comment »
“It is hard for me to understand a culture that not only hates and fights his brothers but even attacks Nature and abuses her.
Man must love all creation or he will love none of it.
Love is something you and I must have.
We must have it because our spirit feeds upon it.
Without love our self-esteem weakens.
Without it our courage fails.
Without love we can no longer look out confidently at the world.
Instead, we turn inwardly and begin to feed on our own personalities and little by little,
we destroy ourselves.”
Chief Dan George
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Winged Messages | Tagged Chief Dan George, hate, inspiration, love, nature, quotes, self-esteem, spirit | 11 Comments »
A few weeks ago during the last few days of a long drought, we had an early morning visitor arrive for coffee.
When a moose appears on your doorstep, intent on sharing your morning cup of coffee, it is always a special and sacred gift. Moose are predominately solitary animals who are able to survive within any territory be it on lands such as forests, and prairies, or wet areas such as rivers, swamps or lakes.
The moose is an animal of contradictions. It seems awkward and strange yet it is a majestic creature with tremendous grace despite its ungainliness. Moose have an undeniable sense of self and the simple fact that they are able to survive in any territory means that they have developed much wisdom. We found ourselves very fortunate to receive this visitor for coffee and take part in the medicine it offered.
Moose are associated with the north direction on the Medicine Wheel. The north direction represents wisdom. Self-esteem is the medicine of Moose because it represents and recognizes that balanced power has been used in a situation and that you should be congratulated.
The core of Moose medicine is in knowing the wisdom of silence, so that when it is proper to speak you can take pride in your words.
The Moose is a revered animal in the, “Great White North,” otherwise known as, “Canada.” 
Canada just had its 155 year celebration on July 1st, 2022.
Moose Milk; is a traditional Canadian cocktail with its roots in historical celebrations. The Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Canadian Army all claim to be the originators of the drink.
My exposure to Moose Milk has only been medicinal. It was a remedy used by my family to cure the common cold. It was a hot drink served in a coffee cup. The recipe consisted of whiskey, brown sugar, cream and boiled water. It has never failed to cure the most stubborn of head colds. The traditional Canadian cocktail differs from the one our family used as it can not only be served hot but cold.
We love cold drinks during our summer season in Canada and in the spirit of our Dominion Day celebration I have added a cold libation for you to try. It is a slightly different version of Moose Medicine, a bonus treat, to celebrate Canada’s 155th celebration. See the recipe below for ice cold Moose Milk. I hope you enjoy it throughout the hot summer months ahead.
Please use wisdom when consuming alcohol. Try to refrain from damaging your self-esteem or that of another by speaking when you could simply remain silent. Ask Moose to help you honor the gifts you can give and recognize your worthiness into the future. Remember to congratulate yourself for your successes in life. Enjoy!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Compositions | Tagged Canada, celebration, history, inspiration, lifestyle, medicine, moose, Moose Milk, prairie, recipe, self-esteem, wisdom | 10 Comments »
When clouds of dissension swirl about you, rise above like an eagle.
Don’t let someone else’s thunder rain on your parade.
Realize; there are cracks in everything, that’s how the light gets in.
Let the power of lightning inspire you towards a brighter future.
Remember; some of the best things that happen are the one’s you never thought could.
Be grateful, a storm can deliver many gifts.
Welcome them with open arms.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Lessons of the Drum | Tagged art, dissention, eagle, gifts, inspiration, light, lightning, parade, rain, storm, thunder | 9 Comments »
As I take a moment to ponder changes,
I wish –
A wistful, so long to Spring,
And a whimsical Hello to Summer,
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens,
but often we look so long at the closed door,
that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.” Helen Keller
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Winged Messages | Tagged changes, happiness, Hellen Keller, inspiration, spring, Summer, whimsical, wistful | 17 Comments »
Never stop dreaming of the possibilities…,
Lilacs are the earth’s way of rewarding us for surviving the winter.
They bring us hope with their warmth and light.
And, revive us with their dreamy scent.
The possibilities in life are endless.
Dream.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Lessons of the Drum | Tagged dream, earth, hope, inspiration, lilacs, possibilities, scent | 6 Comments »
“…find out where joy resides,
and give it a voice far beyond
singing.
For to miss the joy is to miss all.”
Robert Louis Stevenson
Posted in Lessons of the Drum | Tagged inspiration, joy, Meadowlark, Robert Louis Stevenson, singing | 7 Comments »
"Keep your face always towards the sunshine,...
- and shadows will fall behind you." Walt Whitman
Posted in Winged Messages | Tagged face, inspiration, Quote, shadows, sunshine, Walt Whitman, wild flowers | 15 Comments »
Like Old Mother Hubbard, I had nothing in my cupboard. It was bare – and our barnyard was empty too.
I had a hankering for some fresh eggs and at the price of eggs today, well; it felt more frugal to get some chickens than drive to the store and buy a carton of eggs.
I missed having chickens. There are so many things a person can do with eggs. They were a staple in any kitchen. It was a pity I was out.
If only I could get my hands on three or four layer chickens and perhaps a rooster…
Hens lay eggs daily and if the rooster did his job perhaps one of the hens would go broody and hatch a few chicks. I smiled. It was a project worthy of dreaming about. Then again, why dream when one can make it a reality, it never costs anything to ask a question.
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged barnyard, chicks, coop, cupboard, eggs, fairy tale, hens, Old Mother Hubbard, prairie, Rhode Island Red, short story | 11 Comments »
Been to hell and back,
Gonna follow the Devils tracks,
Flew 23 hours toward the African sky,
To look that Devil in the eye,
Mosi-oa-tunya,
Smoke that thunders,
They said that through this mist,
I’d find eternal bliss,
Crawled up Table Mountain,
To look at Devil’s Peak,
Not a trek for someone,
Whose spirit is weak,
Mosi-oa-tunya,
Smoke that thunders,
They said that through this mist,
I’d find eternal bliss,
Below me lies red African soil,
Where slaves once sweat and toiled,
Black maned Lions no longer roar there,
But, the blue eyed Devil doesn’t care,
Mosi-oa-tunya,
Smoke that thunders,
They said that through this mist,
I’d find eternal bliss,
One must follow when their Spirit calls,
So, away I went to Victoria Falls,
I took a dip in the Devil’s pool,
One thousand feet down if you’re his fool,
Mosi-oa-tunya,
Smoke that thunders,
They said that through this mist,
I’d find eternal bliss,
The eyes are the windows of the soul,
But if looking in the Devil’s is your goal,
And, if you have the courage to take the dare,
Then the Devils gonna give you a hell of a scare!
Mosi-oa-tunya,
Smoke that thunders,
They said that through this mist,
I’d find eternal bliss.
Be sure to Follow, Like, Comment and Share – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Compositions | Tagged Africa, bliss, Devil, Devils Eye, inspirational, Mosi-oa-tunya, poetry, travel, Victoria Falls | 15 Comments »
“Elk are powerful, adaptable animals that have played a significant role in cultural mythologies. Elk encounters are, for most people, rare,…
The elk represents dignity, power, inner strength, and passion. If you experience an elk sighting, it’s a message to stay steady on your current course. An elk sighting is also a reminder to be diligent and see things through. If you do, you will earn the respect of others for standing your ground. An elk sighting lets you know that because of hard work, you’re about to come into the life of plenty you’ve envisioned. This is a great reward for a job well done.” LJ Innes
Elk were introduced on a military base in Suffield, Alberta in 1997. Since 1997, the population of the original elk herd has grown and so has the territory they now occupy in Alberta such as the prairie. My home on the prairie is just a few hours away from the Suffield base. Elk can cross a lot of territory in a few minutes. They have immense stamina; this coupled with their long-legged stride enables them to out distance predators with ease.
Elk encounters are, for most people, rare – so I count myself as a very fortunate part of the few who have encountered prairie elk.
The first time I saw elk on our property was mid-October, about 3 years ago, just after returning from a safari in Africa. I have to admit, observing a herd of elk from the comfort of my own home was every bit as exciting as the safari!
The bull in charge of the herd was magnificent! He had the largest set of antlers I have ever seen! He was accompanied by about 30 cows and their calves. It was bow hunting season so no doubt this herd, was fleeing the bow and arrow hunters.
The elk herd was tired when they arrived at our yard. Some of the cows were limping and a few calves were exhausted. The bull let them rest and graze here for about half an hour before bugling then rounding them up and moving on. It only took a few minutes for the entire herd to disappear into the horizon beyond my line of sight. I imagine, they had successfully out distanced the bow hunter’s long before arriving here.
Normally, bulls and cows keep with their own sex. It is only during the rut that bulls and cows intermingle. We have had 5 or so nice looking bulls steadily visit us over the years but until last week we hadn’t seen the main herd again.
Until last week, that is.
It was at dusk and we counted about 30 cows. See the pictures below:
I was so excited the elk were visiting that it was hard to hold my cell phone still enough to get a few pictures to share.
Elk is wonderful species of wildlife that lives and breathes out here on the prairie. And, while they don’t visit often; I am always excited to see them. The next time they come through, though, I’m hoping to diligently count a few calves.
As a power animal, elk can remind us that we have enough stamina and strength to go the distance. We only need to pace ourselves and take time to rest along the way to achieve our goals.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Compositions | Tagged 1997, Alberta, dignity, elk, herd, inner-strength, power, power animals, prairie, Suffield | 13 Comments »
I have reached a plateau. It has been an uphill battle to get to this spot. The journey has been fraught with chaos and malicious energy. I am exhausted and need rest. I survey my surroundings and notice that this is not actually a resting spot. It is a cross road. I can choose from four directions. I can veer left or right, go back the direction I came from or continue uphill. Surely, the path upward looks to be more work. Both paths which veer left or right seem to be level. But neither of those paths interests me. I know from experience those paths are diversions. Personal success takes longer to achieve when you walk along the path of others. I am independent. I want to discover my own path. My path is always harder. I prefer to travel unknown, uncharted paths – those seldom traveled. So, I know that from the four directions my choice path is the one which continues uphill.
Energy swirls about me pulling to and fro. Malicious. Chaotic. Instinct tells me that this is the energy one faces when they are about to self-sabotage or are being set up to fail but strive forward in order succeed instead.
I sway first left, then right but the frantic, hostile energy that wants me falter and tumble backwards is vehement. The resistance from the heinous darkness pushes back and forth against me causing friction.
It is unwanted energy and it is rubbing me the wrong way.
Sparks are beginning to erupt. Patiently, I smother them but really, time is not on my side. I have limited resources; constraints prevent me from effectively battling the unwanted friction and the continual onslaught of unwelcomed energy is beginning to mess with my mind. This maliciousness is presenting as a head game. I want to explode. My sanity is waning. I can feel the heat within me building. The sparks are beginning to smoulder into a fire – the fire is rage.
I decide to stand quietly at the plateau of the crossroad and breathe.
Breath work is a subtle technique that can be used to bring abhorrent friction into a more malleable static energy. Static energy is still charged. It isn’t energy I like; but, static energy can be endured and will remain unchanged or even dissipate as long as no extra friction is introduced. Subtle techniques to quiet friction are not always successful.
I am being battered. This heinous, dark energy seems to be taking advantage of the subtle energy – it’s growing harsher – biting at my psyche. It is affecting my ability to think clearly.
No matter, I am a Master there are other methods I can employ to quiet the friction. But, my methods are all subtle and rather than quieting the chaotic energy, extra friction charges the atmosphere around and within me. The harassing energy has entered my very core – goading, irritating and threatening to infect me with its disease like qualities. An inner war has been declared and I struggle against this dark force which wants me to cause harm or even drive me to kill. Lesser adversaries have succumbed to these malicious energy sources. They’ve gone mad, driven to insanity by the barrage of negativity that infects their mind.
I summon my inner strength in preparation for the fight. I must maintain my clarity of thought.
The malevolent taunting, jeering energy pokes dirty fingers into my brain as it stirs and beats at my sanity twisting rational thoughts into mayhem. I am being attached from three different directions. My patience is spent. I am wearing down, becoming exhausted. My mental and emotional stability continues until completely fatigued, my resolution of peace dissolves.
Frustration and anxiety are wholly apparent. I am now realizing my inability to control that, which cannot be controlled – every action is begging for a reaction.
True, I am undergoing an inner battle. I have an acute awareness of this. However, inner-battles will grow until they burst outward.
It’s, fight or flight time. My nerves are raw. My jaws are clenched. Tension runs up my backbone. My hands are clenched into fists. I have settled into a battle stance and ready to move if one more irritant attacks.
I know what I want and, it’s not this!
I cannot take being rubbed the wrong way any longer; the friction attacking my inner boundary is unbearable. Fiery rage leaps upward as I burst into heated flames. I manage to control the fire. It was merely a short burst of intense heat meant to cremate noxious emotional energy. Nothing has been severely damaged although there is a blackened mark where I once stood at the crossroads. The outburst left but a small blister on the face of the earth, a scar which would heal by encouraging new growth. And, by undertaking the difficult task of expelling negative energy, I have now been propelled forward on my path uphill. The action was necessary for positive development to occur.
Still, I am shaky and exhausted. I did not want to erupt into fire. The war against malicious energy drained me mentally, physically and emotionally. But, I gained ground as a result and successfully stepped onto my own path. This is a path of the unknown. It is uncharted territory, this path that proceeds at a steady, gentle, uphill grade and is one where if the traveler is mindful, they will meet success by taking positive strides forward.
I survey the path ahead with tired eyes. I can see the first marker to my success is only a few feet away. I move my feet forward slowly, one by one, it is a methodical shuffling movement – no need to hurray now. I give myself permission to move slowly and conserve my energy until I reach the marker. My reward is a well deserved rest. I need to unplug for a time before continuing on.
Change takes time.
Healing takes time.
I arrive at the marker and take a seat. This is the most comfortable spot I have discovered in a very long time. I feel protected here. As I sit relaxed, I notice how as the world rolls by, I am no longer affected by its friction. I am grateful for this time to rest; even the most masterful of Guru’s need a brain-break to recuperate from mental chaos.
Stress is exhausting.
Give yourself permission to take a rest.
Unplug.
Chaos and friction in life will always be present.
There will be times in life when you are rubbed the wrong way and will need to address friction. Remember, subtly does not always successfully diffuse friction. In those cases, be tactful; use control; take the higher road – you will save someone from heartache by doing so, even if that someone is you.
Take small steps forward.
If all else fails, simply take a brain-break!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Lessons of the Drum | Tagged brain, chaos, emotional, energy, friction, lifestyle, mental, rage, rest, short story, stress | 6 Comments »
The camera lay around the photographer’s neck at the ready as he traversed the paved path through the cities park. His sharp eyes had spotted nothing of interest thus far. Once or twice he’d put the camera to his eye and snapped a picture just see if anything came to light once developed. But, today, the subject matter along this path fell short of what he deemed worthy to capture along his daily hike.
He gazed up at the sky and wondered if rain would fall from roils of brooding grey clouds above him. Dismal, that is what the day was. This park was dismal and empty as well – no subject matter or maybe; he was just bored of the same ol’, same ol’.
His mood was beginning to match the atmosphere – dark and foreboding, such a waste of his efforts thus far with his camera. This path, a tried and true one, was a bust. Perhaps if he were to deviate from this path and take the detour ahead toward the water’s edge, it would scare up something interesting to photograph.
He stepped on the narrow dirt trail and followed it as it wound downward toward the river’s edge ducking wayward branches and stepping over deadfall as hiked toward the water. Not far in the distance, he could see an opening in the trail that opened to the river. Not a great photo but he knelt and snapped a picture which depicted how opposites can sometimes enhance one another. It was a serene entrance guarded by what appeared to be atmospheric turbulence in the distance. It should have a sign posted that reads, “Enter at your own risk,” he thought crassly.
The disturbing and depressing inner revelation of his own mind surprised him. No matter, he shrugged. Darkness can be corrected. Lightness and color could be added via filters which would enhance beauty where nature lacked it.
He continued forward with renewed purpose, that is when he spotted a target worthy enough to freeze in time.
If only he could capture the moment!
Quietly, he slid into position. First kneeling and then adjusting himself into the prone position.
He reached for the camera and removed the lens cap while he stalked the target with his eyes.
She belied beauty as she sat unaware of his presence on a felled tree, mesmerized by the lapping, flowing water at the river’s edge.
The frailty of the target in a moment of serene strength had him awe struck. Her beauty glowed against the angry, brooding clouds in the back-ground and portrayed the mood which this picture would encapsulate. It was perfect. She was beautiful.
He’d call this potential award winner, “Moody Blue.” He could see this infamous picture framed in gold.
Slowly, deliberately, he moved the camera to his eye, first playing with the focus then readying his finger to snap the shot. He could feel the excitement build; his heart pounded and his breath quickened as he fought to steady it in this moment where perfection lingered at his finger-tip. It wouldn’t do to ruin this picture with a shaky hand. A photographer, like any good hunter, needs a steady hand to shoot its target – breath control is everything. His breath eased slowly from his lips as his index finger hovered ready for action.
“Steady,” he breathed as a clap of thunder erupted above him and a wisp of wind drove a raindrop into his eye. Jerking in surprise, he snapped the shot.
When he opened his eyes again, his target had vanished as had the perfect moment in time.
Years later, the photographer admits to pulling out the discarded, wayward snap shot. He says it still makes him feel moody and blue. Yet, he continues to wonder what would have happened if he’d had the courage to talk to the beauty on the river’s edge that day instead of trying to freeze her – unaware – in a moment of time.
His only award from that day is in a still memory. What might have been a picture perfect moment gilded in gold is now only something locked away in his personal memory bank for no other but him to admire.
And, ‘Moody Blue,’ that’s the depression he feels on days with roiling grey clouds devoid of a picturesque beauty. They remind him of the gloomy rain day when he missed a moment meant to be frozen in time only to re-live a harsh lesson from time to time – when you live your life through a lens, don’t blink or you’ll miss it.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged blue, camera, lens, moody, nature, perfect, photographer, picture, short story | 12 Comments »
Winter lifted her icy fingers,
And just like that the sounds of water running,
Birds singing.
And Children laughing filled the air.
Welcome Spring!
Posted in Winged Messages | Tagged bird, fingers, laughing, sounds, spring, water, winter | 18 Comments »
When the World’s fog starts encroaching on your peace of mind and ugliness creeps forward, step-back, breathe and focus on the highlights of your day.
Beauty is a matter of perspective.
Clear your focus.
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Winged Messages | Tagged beauty, breathe, focus, fog, inspiration, peace, perspective, ugliness, world | 8 Comments »
Today, March the 8th, is an annual celebration and focal point in the movement for women’s rights where our social, economic, cultural and political achievements can be honored and a day where we can acknowledge the challenges we continue to face for equality.
For those of you out there who are battling against the ongoing attack of rights, privacy and opportunities of women, I salute you. Your determination to carry on, even in moments of perceived weaknesses, are the hallmarks of strong women in our society today.
As we grow in wisdom, strength and unity, let us continue to support and empower others with grace now and into the future. May our grace transform world chaos into beauty by shining the light of truth on wrong.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Posted in Compositions | Tagged 2022, challenges, equality, international, strength, truth, unity, wisdom, Woman's Day | 17 Comments »
Freedom
Occupation
Emergency
Act
Back-door
Minority
Government
Policies
Entitled
Elite
Backpedaled
Ukraine
Russia
Authoritarianism
Border
Distraction
Hypocrisy
Oxymoron
Virtue
Signaling
Clown
Vodka
Sunflower
War & Peace
Enough
Said
Honk
Please feel free to write your own story with the above words of the week!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Winged Messages | Tagged Authoritarianism, elite, emergency, freedom, peace, policies, Russia, Ukraine, War, Words of the week | 9 Comments »
Today, I am a proud Canadian who is ashamed of their Government.
Too much power in the hands of one person is dangerous.
This person has shown to the full extent what type of Government corruption exists.
It is on full display for to the World to see as the Emergency Act was passed in parliament granting unprecedented power to this one individual and his entourage of enforcement bullies.
And, while the leaf seems to have fallen;
I have faith in the power of the people.
We are strong. We are resilient.
And, I believe we will win!
Truth, honor and justice will prevail in the hands of many!
We are the heroes we are looking for!
We are the majority!
Let’s right our maple leaf!
Posted in Compositions | Tagged emergency act, heroes, honor, international, justice, maple leaf, people, power, world | 18 Comments »
Push-Me-Pull-You Effect?
“What is the Push-Me-Pull-You effect?” you ask.
In simple terms, it is an interest of a person, party or idea undone by indecisiveness and fear of commitment by the other person, party or idea.
The Push-Me-Pull-You effect perfectly explains why it is such a lengthy process to rid ourselves of the bloated, constipated, far-reaching mandates and restrictions we are subjected to in Canada.
Let’s see in simple terms how the Push-Me-Pull-You effect explains our current dilemma in politics today as it works in a Democracy such as Canada because, in my opinion it explains the tactics used by all elected parties.
The Push-Me-Pull-You effect isn’t something new but it has greatly inhibited us especially in the past few years under a minority Government. Neither; is the Push-Me-Pull-You effect a tactic that just started recently. As far as I’m concerned, the Push-Me-Pull-You effect has been a never ending cycle in every political arena practiced by bureaucrats since its dawning day – the cycle being that of ‘deflecting blame,’ rather than that of ‘taking responsibility.’ The premise seems to be that the political party who is able to deflect blame more successfully onto the opposition gets to stay in power of the Ivory Throne. In Canada, the Ivory throne is on Parliament Hill.
However, the never ending Push-Me-Pull-You tactics involved in the political arena which has led to a bad habit of Members of Parliament quickly succumbing to a strategic game of, ‘Blame and Finger Point,’ played between the Federal, Provincial, and
municipal governments has caused nothing more than constipated thinking from those same elected Members who then look down on the working class people from their parliamentary Ivory Towers. Their privileged lifestyle has put them out of touch with real people on the ground.
The real people on the ground are the working class. And, they are the type of people that not only walks their talk but take action. They don’t have to take a poll to know what to do or go to work. They know what needs to be done, and they do it. They know how to work.
Meanwhile, in the Ivory Tower on parliament hill, another backdoor meeting took place because regardless of speeches on transparency, our elected Liberal officials don’t know what to do without a plan. And, this elected Liberal party rallied against the plan, made by the opposition party, the Conservatives; whom, on February 14, 2022; actually planned on voting on a plan, to make a plan to end the over-reaching pandemic mandates of the elected Liberal party with the help of other Liberals and other opposition parties.
It’s actually quite sad that the opposition parties had to poll people before they could present a plan, to vote on a plan, to make a plan. If they vote to agree to make a plan; then they will vote on a date to debate on the plans, to make a plan. It takes a gross amount time, to talk of the talk, to just plan, to make a plan. It’s time consuming to plan, to make a plan. Neither party wants to offend the other party on the plan, to even talk about the plan or draft up the plan because they need each other’s votes to pass the plan on making the plans, plan. Then they need to canvass the popularity of the plan to make the plans on the plan. That’s before they can even take any action on the plan. But, that’s democracy – isn’t it! Democracy is a big old popularity contest on plans to make plans. And, the polls dictate which popular plans will be planned because the tax payers pay for the planning of the plans, plan so should be factored into to planning of the plan.
I’m wondering how many of those Ivory Tower occupants actually went and spoke face to face to any of the people who fund their pay checks before they made a plan to poll the people on the plan, to make a plan and then attempt to pass the plan.
The majority of Canadians know how to make a plan, execute it and then work to accomplish the fulfillment of the plan because, they know how to work together in order to succeed unlike their Ivory Tower observers – the Push-Me-Pull-You’s who love the popularity of the polls on their plans to make and plan plans but never plan on actually executing the plans – that would take a time management plan which would probably take more than 2 to 4 years to plan!
So, you can see, what type of effect of the Push-Me-Pull-You has on parliament hill, and why there is a bunch of moaning, bloated, irritated tantrum throwing, red faced Members of Parliament – their burdened, constipated mindsets must make a plan before any movement can pass. And, when their planned plans to make plans can’t pass, movement is stagnated and more constipated planning ensues.
The majority of Canadians are very observant and open-minded like myself. We like our freedom and are choosing to no longer be impeded by the Push-Me-Pull-You’s.
Push-Me-Pull-You’s are slow-moving and have restricted or inhibited thought patterns. Their bloated, constipated mandates and restrictions need to be excreted into archives of history.
Enough with the planning already!
Can someone please deliver the Push-Me-Pull-You’s some diuretics so we can get some free flowing movement on Parliament Hill?
End the Constipation!
End the Emergency Act!
Canada is the true, north, strong and free!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Compositions | Tagged Canada, constipation, current events, emergency act, health, humor, Ivory Tower, plan, politics, Push-Me-Pull-You | 11 Comments »
The past week or so have certainly been jam packed with current events in Canada as the Freedom Convoy rolled into an unprepared Ottawa taking politicians and residents by surprise.
When unprecedented numbers of the silent majority stand together for a common cause such as freedom and do it peacefully, it has a way of inspiring the world and bringing such things as corruption and political pandering to the forefront.
All one has to do is compare honest truth alongside that of corruption to see for yourself who the real peace keepers of Canada have been for the last fortnight. (No offense intended here but they have not been our politicians or Legacy News reporters.) The real peace keepers standing strong and united for our freedoms are truck drivers, farmers, small business owners and families from every corner of our vast country.
The information and stories evolving from the Freedom Movement come so quickly that it is nearly impossible to stay current on them. I quite literally have no words or perhaps there are too many of them bouncing around in my head to get down.
Some of the coverage has been absolutely hilarious. My kudos go to: Russell Brand #UnderTheSkin, Tucker Carlson *Tonight* on Fox News and the Lotuseaters.com Media/News Company for your great sense of humor and for the coverage each of you supplied for our freedom movement. I’d also like to give a little shout out to Western Standard – Cory Morgan’s rant on his morning show Triggered; the “new normal,” which I thoroughly enjoyed.
One of the more interesting developments I’ve also noticed along with the arrival of the convoy is the amount of extremely talented artists coming across social media sites, all using their voices in some way shape or form. I managed to save some art by some very talented cartoonists before they got censored. See below:
The fight for our freedom in Canada is very real. I have used a few examples in this post of the types of free speech we can lose. We are already having our freedom of speech censored. Use your voices Canada! Let’s mandate freedom.
I am standing up for Freedom.
Honk if you do too!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Compositions | Tagged 2022, Canada, cartoonists, convoy, current events, freedom, Freedom of Speech, humor, international | 23 Comments »
Dear Readers,
I’m not sure if you’ve heard about the Eighteen Wheels of Freedom slow rolling across Canada from east to west, north to south destined to meet at our Nation’s capital in Ottawa.
Canada is a country with many cultures and belief systems. Canadians are amicable, hard working, intelligent people who enjoy life. We have a great sense of humor. We value laughter. But, above all, we value what freedoms we are afforded.
However, we are struggling to retain our freedoms during these ongoing episodes of pandemic paranoia. Never ending rules, regulations and changes in policies inflicted by federal and provincial leaders make the most law abiding citizen reel. They dangle our freedom before us like a carrot as they steadily move our reward beyond our grasp with even more mandates. For example, the 90% vaccine compliance in Alberta promised a “Best Summer Ever,” reward which if you remember correctly was quite short lived. Then they introduced the QR Code so we could supposedly get back to normal but, you have to have to present one before you can join any social activity.
If anyone has the audacity to voice their protest, our Prime Minister describes them as ‘tinfoil hats’ or ‘conspiracy theorists.’ He believes Canadians are meek and complacent people who will do exactly what he wants because, “we are in this together.”
Meanwhile, we’ve lost friends, we’ve lost family and we’ve lost businesses as one by one the Government targets industries and groups with its coercive vaccination measures, passports and nonsensical tax hikes.
The state of our country or, that of any other country in the world since the pandemic began is unbelievable. The Main Stream Media here is the same as elsewhere – it’s all politically motivated pandemic propaganda or twisted with distractions designed to hide politically motivated strategies. When exactly is enough, enough?
It takes a lot to get under a Canadians skin or ruffle our feathers. We are known as humble people in Canada but, I’ve always said when the silent majority has had enough of the rhetoric, the world will sit up and take notice. Continue Reading »
Posted in Compositions | Tagged 2022, Alberta, Canada, convoy, current events, freedom, hope, lifestyle, peace, politics, semi, world | 18 Comments »
“Who let the dogs out?”
The Sun let the dogs out!
Obviously, the Sun’s dogs needed out for a good run, perhaps they’d been penned up for too long of a stretch or maybe they just needed to get out and howl at the full moon last week. Dogs can be very insistent when they want outside. Madam Sun probably coined the term, ‘hounded!’ In which case, I am totally able to relate to her or even sympathize!
Dog Owner Beware!
Posted in Lessons of the Drum | Tagged blog, Canadian, lifestyle, old wives tale, prairie, prophecy, short story, sun halo, sundogs, whirling rainbows | 23 Comments »
Woebegone, hang-dog shame is what he felt. His shoulders slumped and his head drooped momentarily. He’d been caught then accused. Now, he’d been charged with a lifetime of deceit. He had a choice and could have answered honestly but he did it again anyway.
He was compulsive.
He looked the Judge in the eye – denied everything.
The one honest thing he had learned during his life was that no one believed a liar anyhow.
Plus, the burden of proof lies with the Court.
They found him, “Guilty as charged.”
Posted in Compositions | Tagged Court, deceit, hang-dog, honest, shame, woebegone | 9 Comments »
She was giving and kind. They worshipped her like a Saint. She was of the earth and moved about the land like a breath of fresh air.
They said he was the Devil. His was a craggy, worn exterior. People avoided him. He was hard they observed – probably cruel. He was fire and ice. He’d burn you if he could.
No one knew for certain how they’d come upon one another but they were concerned for she epitomized all that was good – but he was evil.
It was pure magnetism that pulled them together. Opposites attract or so it is said.
It so happened that she’d heard a sorrowful sound and followed it until she happened upon him. When she’d found him, he was like a pool of iced over water cracking, groaning and crying for help. He craved warmth, she could see it. The magic happened when she looked beyond his icy blue depths and into his soul.
To him, she was like a downy white quilt that wrapped his hardened exterior in warmth. When he looked into the darkness beyond her eyes – that is when he melted.
She held out her hand and he readily took it. Holding her tightly in his arms, he waltzed with her over the tapestry of the earth to music of the Universe.
With their spirits entwined, they balanced and danced, bringing the world alive with beauty.
And, the people worried over the change in him. It seemed unnatural.
Now, consensus is that she’s a Sorceress – wicked.
While he…, he is merely a man who has fallen under her spell.
‘But not all opinions are equal,’ she reasoned. And, she did not hold the opinions of others.
She had awareness; an awareness that the others did not; for she knew what had happened when the eyes of fire and ice met the eyes of earth and air – two souls collided and became one.
‘Eyes are the windows to the soul,’ she knew and she knew the power of ‘love.’
She held the opinion, ‘When souls unite in balance and beauty, love is neither wicked nor evil. Love is a gift found within the eyes for any who dare look into their depths.’
Posted in Short Stories | Tagged air, blue, creative, Devil, earth, eye, fire, ice, inspiration, lifestyle, saint, soul | 13 Comments »
Posted in Media Room | Tagged 2022, best, cartoon, Happy New Year, lifestyle | 17 Comments »
Wishing all of my family,
and friends – old and new,
an amazing holiday filled with
Christmas Cheer!
Thank-you for following, reading, commenting and sharing The Trefoil Muse
Posted in Compositions | Tagged cheer, christmas, family, friends, holiday, inspiration, lifestyle | 16 Comments »
It is never late for work,
Its timing is perfect,
Always shining and warm,
It is beautiful when it rises,
And when it sets,
It is loved around the world,
Earths star;
The Sun.
Winter Solstice 2021
Posted in Winged Messages | Tagged 2021, lifestyle, love, nature, star, sun, timing, warmth, Winter Solstice, world | 10 Comments »
We have undergone seasonal changes on the prairie. Snow finally fell to coat the land. It was a welcomed sight. The fall season has been mild this year – dry and windy without much moisture. This has made life for the smaller prairie animals easier than in prior years as they are able to forage uninhibited by deep snow.
The jack rabbits have been extremely prolific. There are dozens of them careening across the landscape camouflaged in their new winter apparel of white. They move in large groups like snowballs with legs as they bound across the land imitating the whirling drifting swathes of snow.
Some of them like to race, zigging and zagging along the edge of the road at 35 mph. They are flexible, their agility saving them more often than not from an untimely demise under vehicle tires. If they zig when they should zag, they become fodder for hungry scavengers happy for an easy meal.
The jack rabbits blend into the winter environment easily now that their coats have turned white. It takes a keen set of eyes to spot them when they stand frozen and alert atop the snow covered horizon where they listen attentively for predators lying in wait for them. Jack rabbits need to be aware of the dangers lurking about them.
Not all danger abounds on land. Above, another creature has changed colors with the season. It perches above proudly displaying its white plumage as its wise eyes scan the prairie to find a rabbit to bring home for lunch.
And so, the circle of life continues as the seasons change on the prairie.
Posted in Compositions | Tagged circle of life, jack rabbits, lifestyle, nature, owls, prairie, seasonal changes, seasons, snow | 9 Comments »
She drifted on an endless tide. Emotions lapped at her sides like waves. Some passed her by believing her to be redundant. Others saw her value and tried to bring her aboard. She was very desirable, a streamline, timeless vision. Her knotted, gnarly appearance only added to her mystic. Along with her intrigue, she held little bark. Truly, a quality piece, one that they could work with but her weight was camouflaged within her well hewn exterior and to their surprise, she was heavy.
They pulled, tugged, heaved and attempted to rope her in to no avail. Continue Reading »
Posted in Compositions | Tagged analogy, blog, creative, driftwood, inspiration, lifestyle, nature, strength, tree of life, wisdom | 18 Comments »
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