JustMOMsensations

 Photographer: N Rau Whether you celebrate this annual event or not, Halloween gives kids a chance to explore their creativity in costumes and provides the opportunity for communities to get more acquainted.   One Cornell home proves kids are not the only ones churning those creative juices.   This Cornell – Markham home grows its Halloween ornateness a little more each year.   It is not surprising to see cars slowing or families making special foot treks to explore the ‘eye candy’ this home has to offer.   From the towering Frankenstein, to gravestones, spiders and a carriage of horror – this family goes all out!!   When asked what motivated the effort, homeowner Jenn said, “We started it for our own kids.   Each year, as neighbours commented, it grew and grew.   This year – we even received a letter of thanks from one neighbourhood boy!”   Photographer: N. Rau Daniel’s family moved to Cornell just over one year ago. “We fell in love with this communi

All writers need to explore their dark side, every now and then.  Let me know what thoughts this poem provokes in you:   The Blur   I crave the blur Whether joy or pain provokes The blur equalizes   I want to share The tongue gets loose Acceptance mesmerizes   I join the group The spirit is free The value criticizes   I awake with regret Self-preservation protects Remembering emphasizes   I feel it again The blur did not erase The emotion metastasizes  

I am in a unique place in my family.   I was raised by parents born in the Great Depression of the 1920’s.   My three older siblings are of the BoomerGeneration   and I am Gen X .   I have nieces, nephews and cousins who are Millennials  (also known as Gen Y).   I have empathy for all perspectives.   Of primary concern, I am driven to understand the possibilities of the world my small children will inherit. This video from Upworthy.com crossed my screen recently.    It is a sarcastic depiction of criticisms directed toward the Millennials, and the response of some, referencing the conditions created by previous generations.     Don’t let the sarcasm distract from the powerful message.   The video is both thought provoking and disturbing. As the compelling ideas from the video began dancing through my head, they gained momentum and reminded me of what I already know;   there is no reality, only perspective.   Since that provokes the next thought – empathy comforts perspective, I