Holly Dickson-Ramos's Blog, page 10

Breathe

I found peace in the dessert. I found peace in the raging waves. I found peace in what you say… and I can finally breathe again. I found peace in the chaos. I found peace in suffering. I found peace in confusion. I found peace inside of me… and I can finally breathe again. Peace... Continue Reading →

Goodbye Bees

You may recall that enthusiasm for attracting and aiding pollinators, an at-risk population, led me to dig up and plant most of my backyard with daisies, black-eyed susans, salvia and other bee-attracting plants. The result, in my opinion, was beautiful. I’m drawn to explosions of colour – barely-controlled country gardens. The bees obviously share my... Continue Reading →

Unmaking the Bee Haven – Phase Two

You may recall that enthusiasm for attracting and aiding pollinators, an at-risk population, led me to dig up and plant most of my backyard with daisies, black-eyed susans, salvia and other bee-attracting plants. The result, in my opinion, was beautiful. I’m drawn to explosions of colour – barely-controlled country gardens. The bees obviously share my... Continue Reading →

Reminders

Recently someone recommended a book to our (on-line) church small group. The book describes Jesus as a beautiful outlaw and for the most part I really enjoyed it. By the time I hit the last chapter, I was expecting a hum drum summary, not something new, but the author took me by surprise, introducing some... Continue Reading →

Nestled Near

A bird built her nest on top of our front light, obviously oblivious to the fact that light generates warmth, and heat against the delicate properties of an egg white can be disastrous if that egg white is the amniotic fluid essential to new life. We won’t be turning on the light any time soon.... Continue Reading →

A Visit With Family

It’s been ages since I’ve seen family face to face.  Although our province has, once again, initiated a state of lock-down for us all, we drove to see my sisters over the Easter weekend (visiting outside by a campfire with one and taking advantage of the chance to ‘join households’ with the other).  It was... Continue Reading →

Do The Next Thing

Early spring in our yard is messy. We live in a snow belt, and most of our property lies buried in more than a couple of feet of snow all winter.  When milder weather melts the snow, we find vole tracks snaking across the grass, mole mounds that resemble huge dung heaps, and holes everywhere.... Continue Reading →

Kitchen Disaster

Multitasking in the kitchen rarely goes well for me. Yesterday my desire for a hamburger was irresistible. Mixing up a batch of dough for burger buns seemed simple enough, especially since it was the early afternoon – there was plenty of time for kneading, rising and baking before our evening meal. My heart had been... Continue Reading →

Stay-at-Home Silver Linings

The past months have been unlike any I can remember, culminating in Ontario’s stay-at-home order, which permitted leaving home only for work or essentials such as groceries.  I could share with you all the things I’ve missed most – I’m sure you’ve longed for some of the same things I have during the past eleven... Continue Reading →

Bagels Demystified

Who knew that making bagels was so easy? For months I’ve been baking all of our bread:  baguettes, whole wheat loaves, hamburger buns, flatbread…  Bagels, though, are a mystery.  Isn’t there an obscure ingredient that gives store-bought bagels their distinctive flavour and texture?  Haven’t I heard something about boiling bagels?  Surely that can’t be true. ... Continue Reading →