Just before the flurries fell yesterday, the spring bulbs were planted in the ground –  finally. Winter is here and a stubborn sense of optimism compels me to pack the cold soil with these precious little nuggets. This defies “common sense”.

And the same could be said about writing a letter: putting pen to paper, sealing it in an envelope, attaching appropriate postage, taking it to a mailbox. And hope, hoping that it will reach its intended destination sometime in the near future.

Waiting for the winter to get done with, waiting for spring bulbs to surface, waiting for news from a friend on the other side of the world, waiting for the improbable and mysterious transactions that take place for a small parcel to successfully move through space until it reaches my hands…

Waiting is the hardest part.

Testing one possible word…

Getting my digits “limber” for a winter season of making embroidery, I’ll usually start with stitching in cursive script before tackling more challenging landscapes.

And if there ever was a sure-fire way to cement a friendship, it is a shared meal, breaking bread together.

My community garden plot is nestled in the west end of the city. This is a space I use to test ornamental plant hardiness. Gardens surrounding my small plot boast a mind-bending assortment of food, cucumbers, corn, herbs, garlic and of course, tomatoes. The size of the garden plots vary but in general, they are roughly the same size as a single parking spot. Needless to say, the landscape in the neighbourhood has changed dramatically, c’est la vie. 

In the background, the iconic CN Tower dominates the Toronto skyline.

In the foreground, the monarch butterfly quietly goes about its business.

Her name is Truffle and her snout is wet.