isobelmtl
Writing under a Montreal sky
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Author: isobel cunningham
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It was a few days before Christmas. A soft snow fell over the city and outlined the twigs of shrubs in front yards of small houses in an obscure neighborhood. Far from the big stores and bright lights of downtown, people went about their daily routines. People cooked special dishes and hid the surprises they…
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My two younger grandchildren attend Dollard des Ormeaux elementary school in the South West of Montreal. Today was the day of the Christmas concert and at l pm many parents and grandparents, uncles and aunts and younger siblings trooped into the decorated gym of the little school. We were a mixed bag both in age…
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Behind the modest houses rows of duplexes, stairs curving like ringlets, run the narrow rectangles of freedom. City back yards, paved over, little hot tubs, corner lady’s flower jungle. apple tree and lilac herald behind the chain link fences. Lanes bisect the lots High board fences, gates, ramshackle garages, trees the power-guy “pruned”, speed bumps.…
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This summer and fall I spent a lot of time with wild trees, trees that were in charge of things. I helped dig them up and replant them. I watered saplings with hope and wishes ….and water. Every morning I walked around the quiet property and looked them over with my kind host. He had…
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For one, it was soon enough.
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To celebrate the holiday season, we’re offering a free Kindle version of the Silver Birch Press Green Anthology – available Monday, 12/5 through Friday, 12/9/16 at Amazon.com. (If you don’t have a … Source: Free Kindle Version of Green Anthology 12/5-12/9/16 – Happy Holidays! Love this press that has published some of my stuff. Take advantage of their generous gift and get…
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Heedless of the calendar three spirits emerged into misty late November days. The merciful gardener learning of impending frost clipped and slipped them into a little crystal vase. Saved, but do they miss the homely chaos of the little city plot? Miss leaves, birds, wind, the cold mist and faint light of an alley light?…
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In the country trees live their lives unmolested by humans. They sprout up, mature, die and rot to feed the next generation. Farmers or other country residents try to ” manage” things a little but it’s a futile struggle and the best they can hope for is a peaceful sharing of land, air, rain and energy.…
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OK I admit it. I like to get hits on my blog. Seriously, if you live in the country, sooner or later a big old tree on your property is going to die. It will rot and pose a threat to power lines, your car parked in the driveway or various life forms passing by.…
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As a Canadian I have always had great respect and admiration for our neighbour to the south. The United States of America is in some ways an unfathomable mystery. Founded on noble principles, it’s history is a long struggle of good against evil. It is framed by hope, persistance, grandeur and respect. What often struck…
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