Saturday, May 12, 2012

A Sunset



     I've been suffering from an extreme case of Writer's Block this past week and it's not so much that I don't have ideas, but that I don't know where to start. To get me back on track I've decided to write about the simplest thing I can right now: The sunset

     When I look out my window, the first thing I see are the shadows of houses hanging over the fence boards and the leaves dancing on the maples. It hasn't cooled down entirely from earlier today so the breeze is warm and sweet and it's gently blowing the curtains back through the screen door. I breathe in the scent of early May. The one that's only present after a warm spring afternoon, right before twilight hits and just as the birds are settling.

     From the balcony, when I look to the left I see my mountain, otherwise known as the Niagara Escarpment, illuminated with the sun's last golden light. The new leaves are bursting beautiful greens and every once and a while a still budding tree top lets you see the branches lying underneath. The blue of the sky is slowly sneaking away and changing into a lovely shade of lapis that stretches all the way across Grimsby. 

     The distant laughs of kids at the park fill my ears and I'm smiling at the thought of longer days, warmer nights and the hours of running barefoot in the grass that are soon to come. However, in all of this, the main subject of beauty is the beautiful sunset to my right. The sun's just going down and the horizon is highlighted with a baby pink glow that spreads over the pines and across the park, it's beckoning. 

     When I look down, the white on the street sign is glinting, making the words Trillium Lane shine so perfectly.

I'm glad I live here. Where it's so quiet you can hear a whisper, where the birds sing so sweetly, where I can watch the sun make its graceful disappearance into tomorrow. Here on Trillium Lane.    

     

Thursday, May 03, 2012

The Queen of Hearts

The Queen of Hearts she made some tarts on a sunny Wednesday. 
The Princess of Hearts was bored with the tarts and asked when her sister could play.
The King of Hearts longed for the tarts sniffing around the room,
Waiting the long torturous minutes, he would retire soon.
At five past nine the buzzer sounded filling the family with glee,
But the Queen of Hearts shewed them away, the tarts were for charity.
The scent of tarts it filled the room: Chocolate, raspberry and lemon.
A careful hand she lifted the tarts, each had to pass her inspection.
At quarter to ten the Queen finally asked which of them wanted a taste,
The family was tired but nonetheless eager and ran to the table with haste.
Crispy shell and warm gooey center, how could they NOT be nutritious?
In a small tired voice, the Princess she spoke
"Sister, your tarts are delicious!"







Sunday, April 22, 2012

Determination. Intrigue. Victory. Enthusiasm.


To Dive: To fall or descend through the air. To plunge below the surface of the water, as a submarine. To enter deeply.



     It was diving that I observed today. A competition judging precision of the take-off, air time and entry of several contestants from around the country. As much as I'd like to, it would be a lie for me to say that I took each diver into account. I suppose I should have studied each entry equally, but my attention was devoted to one participant in particular; Kailey Schalchter. In spite of the fact that she only began diving in September, the eleven year old showed exceptional promise. Form. Focus. Feeling. Precision. Power and Passion. These are what make up a champion. 


     From the instant she grabbed the railing of the ladder, my heart was won over by her winning smile of self confidence, radiating from her face, shining down on the judges. Pikes and twists and flips. In the pool, out of the pool. Score announced. Waiting in line for the chance to go again. Her one meter dives were spectacular, her three meter dives incredible. The strength of her upper body. The placement of her toes balancing on the edge of the board. Arms raised. Eyes closed. Inhale. Exhale. Focus. Even my breath was held. Time seemed to be frozen, until suddenly she sprang off the edge, tucking and turning, silently slipping into the water. The sound of applause filled the room.


     I had to squeal with excitement when it was declared that the young diver placed 3rd in her category. I sat in the audience, laughing and smiling as she made her way to the podium to receive her very first medal. Third place, against kids who'd been competing for years. It's impossible not to admire her determination. At least, it's impossible for me.Whether we find her diving in the Olympics someday, or whether she dives solely for the fun of it, she has a talent and a spirit that we can't help falling in love with. She makes it look easy. 




To the Diver  
     Kailey you are amazing! Hilarious, beautiful, talented, caring and absolutely, 100% devoted. I admire you, your determination, your personality. You inspire me, and I couldn't be more jubilant to call you my cousin! I'm proud of you Kailey!!!! <3  


The Champion.













Saturday, April 07, 2012

Remember the Reason

Today's the day we remember, a certain man who died,
All our sins forgiven, on a cross He was crucified.
Every person's wrong and every person's sin,
He gave up all He had, to come and help us win.
Because of what He did, today we are set free,
He took the keys away, from our greatest enemy.
On the third day He rose up out of His tomb,
Left His Holy Spirit, and promised He'd be back soon.  
While you're hunting for your eggs, remember what is true,
Through all His suffering and pain, He was thinking about you. 


Happy Easter!!! 




~Laurel Mikay
2012