Strong brushstrokes of colour
Two slashes in a yellow canvas
A cacophony of colours on metal in three dimensions
As I walk through the contemporary art floor of the Museum of Modern Arts
A strange feeling overtakes me
I should be painting or writing too
These artists are well known but we are all artists in our own way
We can be inspired by the art of others
And we can inspire others
What a great feeling to be surrounded by art
January 4th, 2026
My several bookcases located
In the different rooms of the house
Are full of books
I’ve even given some away to make room
There was a time that I had a ‘reading chair’
And I read book after book
Lots of biographies, some historical fiction
The odd fiction book
Some self help books
I remember one time I was at a bookstore looking for a new book
One of my criteria was the number of pages
The more the better
So it wouldn’t finish soon
I read about political figures and actors
I read about people from other cultures
But now, it’s a different story
I buy a book, read a few pages
And then it sits in my room
Why am I not reading as much any more?
I miss it
Want to go back to it but
The world has changed with social media
The all-consuming social media
I read articles on my phone
But many articles, one book does not make
Times have changed and so have I
I look with envy at the books on my bookshelves now
It helps that I have published a few books of mine
But I wonder if I’ll ever read like before
December 10, 2025
The statistic’s page in my poetry blog shows me how many people are reading my blog every day
Then there is a world map
And and I can see which countries the readers live in
It’s so inspiring
It’s truly amazing
That people in Vietnam and Columbia
Singapore and Indonesia and Bahrein
Read what I write
I look at that world map
And realize how connected we are
How easy it is to communicate with a global audience
We have come such a long way
From the times that we needed to read books to find out what was happening
In the other parts of the world
Or travel
Now, the world is at our fingertips
It has become a village
And we are its inhabitants
Nov 27, 2025
My nose starts running for no reason
I don’t have a cold
I don’t have allergies
Then I remember I take cancer medication
Medicine to prevent a relapse
And this medicine has few side effects
One of which is a runny nose
But I try to be thankful for taking this pill
Otherwise the cancer may return
I have to live with the reminders of the cancer I had and the uncertainty of it coming back
The scars of cancer are on my body
My chest doesn’t look the same
My nose drips and I am reminded that I had cancer a while back
Nov 24, 2025
Albert says I’m on my phone too much
First, I protest
Then I think a little and I realize
The reasons why I’m my phone so much
My phones is my means of communication with my friend around the world
From Iran to Switzerland to Sweden and such
I do my banking on my phone
My grocery list
My dictionary and thesaurus is on my phone
My entertainment
My camera and my photos are on my phone
I write my poems and
I read the news on my phone
I research things
I listen to podcasts
And I do committee work on my phone
So, that’s why I’m often on my phone
Albert protests and says
Your time with me can’t be on your phone
October 16th, 2025
Cancer has reminded me of how fragile I am
Cancer has led me through the valley of confusion and disappointment
Cancer has made my mortality more real
But going through cancer treatment has showed me I can overcome adversity
with the support of family and friends
It has showed me how much I am loved
Cancer has taught me to be grateful for each day and to not take my health for granted
With every difficult experience comes gifts of great value
Yes, the path is rocky and there are unexpected surprises
There are many what ifs and whys
But I try to focus on the positive and learn the lessons of life
October 13, 2025
Imagine four people in a home
Each in a different room
Not allowed to visit each other
Having nobody to support them when they experience difficulties
Or celebrate good times
Now imagine families in different houses
In the same condition
Not allowed to interact with and console each other when going through tough times
Unable to extend a hand in assistance
Unable to invite each other to have a cup of tea
Unable to visit each other in the hospital
We are social beings
We thrive on interaction with each other
We solve problems together
We lean on each other when we need help
There was a time when we had to live in separate pods
To that add the fear of getting sick
The reluctance of getting close to others
And news of illnesses and even death
No wonder mental health issues increased
No wonder loneliness spread
Let’s hope we don’t have to go through this another time
September 23rd, 2025
The woman who is sitting across you
Full of confidence
At the top of her game
May have had very difficult experiences
She may have been seriously ill
Lost hope and almost lost faith
Challenges in life can do that to us
The woman who is smiling all the time
Fresh as sunshine
Has scars of her own
And difficulties she cannot share in a casual conversation
It seems it’s better to assume that
Everyone has been hurt
Everyone has suffered
Whether we know it or not
We need to be gentle with each other
Supportive of one another
And when the time arrives
Hold that someone’s hand
Listen to their story
And give them the opportunity to be heard
September 29th, 2025
The woman who is sitting across you
Full of confidence
At the top of her game
May have had very difficult experiences
She may have been seriously ill
Lost hope and almost lost faith
Challenges in life can do that to us
The woman who is smiling all the time
Fresh as sunshine
Has scars of her own
And difficulties she cannot share in a casual conversation
It seems it’s better to assume that
Everyone has been hurt
Everyone has suffered
Whether we know it or not
We need to be gentle with each other
Supportive of one another
And when the time arrives
Hold that someone’s hand
Listen to their story
And give them the opportunity to be heard
September 29th, 2025
Once in a while
I need a day or even half day
When I can forget my to-do list
And do instead things that energize me
Drawing, writing, hanging out at a coffee shop
And even though these seem like solitary activities
From time to time I need to be alone with my own thoughts
Talk to myself
Create by myself
Sometimes we need solitude
To recharge our batteries and relax
Make no mistake
I love being with people especially my friends
But occasionally
I need a day
Like today
Which is very low stress
And full of nourishment for my soul
September 22, 2025
lida's musings 