A Black Pacific Sideband Slug, or a native Banana Slug (Ariolimax columbianus) in a darker morph.
Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas), a native species to the Pacific Northwest.
A Mudlark jumping his shadow
The Slug and the Toad (a Tanka)
The long black slug said
“I’m the largest slug worldwide.”
The brown toad replied
“That’s awesome, but can you leap
over your shadow.”
Ivor Steven (c) October 2025
Hello, dear readers and followers. I write for Coffee House Writers magazine (USA) fortnightly, and my poem “Before, Between, and Beyond” is in this week’s edition. The full title in my ‘Office Documents’ is “Before, Between, and Beyond (or, Under a Cloud, to Beyond Cloud Nine),” but that was too long for the Magazine.
To read the poem, please click the link below to visit my Coffee House Writers Magazine article.
>> https://coffeehousewriters.com/before-between-and-beyond/
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Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)
Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)
Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven © October 2025
Over on Weekly Prompts, the monthly colour challenge this weekend is Orange. To visit their fabulous site, please click ... Here. The centre of my new Energy Flow dreamer catcher is Orange.
My old original Man-del-la shield, which was a gift from my Canadian Uncle many years ago, hangs under my courtyard verandah.
“Found at the top of the Skytram Lift, Whistlers Mountain—handcrafted echoes of the alpine spirit.”
My Energy Flow dream catcher, which now hangs on my lounge room bookcase.
And the Vision Seeker dream catcher hangs up on my writing desk
Dream Catchers
With nimble fingers and warm hearts,
the Man-del-la was crafted for me—
or someone much like me.
A symbolic shield to protect,
to bring good health and prosperity.
My Energy Flow dream catcher,
with its unique, handcrafted design,
reveals the scattering of energy
being drawn back to its source—
strengthening my spiritual self.
The Vision Seeker dream catcher
captures bad dreams in its web,
allowing the good ones to pass through.
The quartz stone at its centre
helps remove negative thoughts
and enhances spiritual communication and guidance.
Ivor Steven © October 2025
Before going over to Gabriola Island, we (me, Penny & Dave) had lunch with Dave’s sister, Sandra, and husband Jordon, at the charming Gina’s Mexican Cafe in Nanaimo
The inviting Gina’s Mexican Cafe
My scrumptious lunch
Left to Right, me, Jordon, Sandra (Dave’s sister), Dave, and Penny. Then Sandra and Dave
And a great time was had by all.
Ivor, Sandra, Jordon, Penny, and Dave
Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
On this day, my cousins, Penny & Dave, took me to a local Maple Bay pub for lunch to meet their friends, Joan and Darcy.
After lunch, we went for a scenic tour around the Maple Bay and Genoa Cove area.
The Lion Rampant Scottish Pub. Lunch with Dave, Penny, Joan, and Darcy
The Balcony
The picturesque views from the pub’s balcony
Maple Bay Marina
Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
Genoa Cove and Dave, Penny, and Ivor, after walking the ‘planks’ between the Floating Homes
Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
My cousin Lynn, ask me, “would you like to go to museum, or go and have a picnic down by the ocean at Saxe Point Park” …
The lovely picnic area at the waterside park
The picturesque Saxe Point Park
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
Late Monday morning. After visiting the incredible Kinsol Trestle, it was time to board the Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay ferry, and then drive back to cousin Lynn’s place in North Saanich.
On the ferry from Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay with Penny and Dave
Senanus Island and approaching Brentwood Bay.
After lunch at Lynn’s place in North Saanich, it was a fond farewell to Penny and Dave, who headed back to Duncan and Maple Bay (Mount Tzouhalen) …
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
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Sunday we drove up the coast, not too far away, for lunch and live music at the Osborne Bay Pub. And I meet a group of Penny and Dave’s friends, Nancy & Joe, Joy, Jane & David, Pauline & Patrick, and Hermann. (Yep, they all received one of Ivor’s poetry cards)
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The Tourist Has a Rest Day
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Where else would I want to be?
On a rainy Sunday afternoon
But at the rustic Osborne Bay Pub
Overlooking the opal blue bay
For my Canadian tour’s rest day
There, listening to live jazz music
From the talented, Lady O and the O’men
Enjoying the Irish Guinness beer on tap
Then sipping on a Cabernet Sauvignon
From Smoky Bay, South Eastern Australia
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
From the delightful township of Nanaimo we went by ferry over to the picturesque Gabriola Island, where I had arranged to meet up with my fellow WordPress pen-friend, Louise Gallagher. We had previously met via Ali Grimshaw’s, ‘Writing Circle’ Zoom meetings. Meeting Louise in person was very exciting for both of us. Our shared love of words and nature made Gabriola the perfect backdrop for a memorable meeting, now captured in the images that follow.
Cousin Penny and Louise. Louse’s lovely sunflowers
Louise and Ivor together with Bau, David, and Penny on the sundeck
The view from Louise’s sundeck
On the beach in front of Louise’s house
Louise: https://dareboldly.com/ and, https://sundayswithbeaumont.com/
Ali Grimshaw: https://flashlightbatteries.blog/
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Gabriola Island
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 