The Fox

My Obituary

My second creative writing course at the University of Toronto – Writing Through Reading – started three weeks ago. I’ve been so busy getting well that I haven’t had the time or inclination to blog. So sorry and thank you to those who reached out to see where my words were. Sharing my Week 1…

Mother’s Day

My Mother loved colours on the cooler side of the spectrum … mauves, light blues and mint greens. I loved pinks and oranges, especially together. Mom dressed me in a beautiful pale yellow lace dress for my sister’s wedding, but there are no photos. At two and a half, I was having none of camera…

Grateful Day

I am grateful that I woke up. I give thanks to God and ask for His forgiveness, guidance and grace. I am grateful that I slept well in my beautiful and cozy silver grey striped sheets and duvet. I am grateful that I heard my son come in late last night. He is safe and…

My Hero

Flash Fiction Challenge: Explore the Complications of Heroism from Chuck Wendig. “You are a hero!” my best friend whispered as she hugged me tightly. “Why?” I asked, “Because I didn’t die?” Still standing after a brutal year-long Round One in the ring with cancer and its insidious treatment, I need to squeeze my eyes shut…

No Signature Required

“I can’t read that. It’s in cursive.” Cursive and script were taken off the elementary school curriculum years ago. I recall my Grade Four son bringing home a 32-page handwriting workbook to be done over the weekend. Being left-handed, it was an exercise in contortionist’s pain. That was his entire education on script. Humankind’s history…

Conscious Stream

Can I get out of bed? What time is it? It’s too early (roll over). I have to get up. Out of bedroom. Dogs need to pee. Coffee. My eyes are itchy. Where is the whipped cream? Weird as fuck dream. I have a headache. Medication? Weather? Slept too long? Caffeine withdrawal? Stress? Good morning…

Personal Pain

Am I allowed to feel a moment of personal pain? I feel guilty expressing my pain when it pales in comparison to other’s pain. The pain of Humbolt. The pain of Toronto. The pain on the other sides of those stories. The pain of the truck driver. What kind of pain did Alek Minassian feel…

Cancer Wars

Imagine the opening scene of a dramatic television show … the beige double doors to the hospital’s Chemotherapy Unit swing open … slo-mo filming crunches time to jarring seconds, allowing you to take in the chaotic landscape before you. Row upon row of sick people sit in blue vinyl recliners while hooked up to IV…

Pray For Me

My current favourite song is Pray For Me by The Weekend & Kendrick Lamar – Black Panther movie. Love the beat. And it suits me just fine these days. I’m always ready for a war again Go down that road again It’s all the same I’m always ready to take a life again You know I’ll…

You Get What You Give

Sorry Felix, but I love the original version of “You Get What You Give”. New Radicals in 1998. One, two One, two, three Wake up kids We’ve got the dreamers disease Age fourteen we got you down on your knees So polite, you’re busy still saying please Frienemies, who when you’re down ain’t your friend…

MOTHERboard

I hope my son appreciates me. “Mom, the internet is down.” “Working for me. I am watching Netflix.” “My computer won’t connect.” “Try rebooting.” It’s Windows …. “Still won’t. Do we have another ethernet cable?” “Short one. Install your old wireless adapter on your main computer.”(he has 2 gaming computers and a laptop for school)….

My Lucky Day!

I caused my first car crash on a Friday the 13th. I had been working all night and was heading back to the office. Sick with a sinus infection, I sneezed blood all over my dash, and momentarily lost sight of the car in front of me. I rear ended it at the intersection of…

Fox Diaries

Author: The Fox