come back, Sunshine!

Holy crap. It's only 37 degrees here. Florida.
Predicting a high of 59. Tomorrow a bit better.
Thursday we might see 70. Geez.

Berry's going to get off the plane tonight and think
he's still in Indiana. Well, maybe not quite, but it
sure is colder than we were both hoping for.
We may not get outside as much as we thought.
What to do? What to do?
We'll have a week to figure it out.

Posting will be light to none, possibly. Forgive me?
I'll make it up to you. Promise.

'Scuse me now. Still need to do laundry and shave my legs.

(HAPPY NEW YEAR!)

Shall we get on with it?...

Clean it up.
Sweep it out.

Holidays seem to put real life on hold, don't they?
Maybe that's some of the attraction since so many
aren't too fond of what they live every day. Sad, that.

My life is far from exciting and I never expect perfect.
I am, however, absolutely enjoying what my life is now.

I continue to work on ideas for the Pondering....... store.
I want to thank all of you who ordered items so far. I'm
hoping to see business pick up in the coming year.
Your business is very much appreciated and I hope you are
pleased with what you received. To all of you, whether you
have purchased anything or not, please know I am open
to any and all suggestions for the store. Leave comments
or send email.
I've come to realize that it will take time and trial and error
to create more of what people want, whether it be for
themselves or others.

I love this creative process and am enjoying some collaborating
with Berry (Boneman) on some of the ideas and products.
As a matter of fact, he will be in Florida in a few days. Some of
our time will be spent on more collaborating. Some of our time
will be spent viewing the ocean from a balcony.
We'll make time for tourist-y type trips to St. Augustine, Deland,
Ponce Inlet and perhaps Cross Creek. Blogging will be light.
He'll get to meet Sparky, too.

I don't believe anyone has a clear view of their life path. But, I
believe more now than before that if one has a dream based on a
true passion and is willing... no, determined... to work toward
that dream with every bit of their heart and soul, the dream can
be realized. The ending reality might be different than imagined
but it might also be better than imagined.

What we need and what life brings to us, after working hard,
could be a dream beyond imagination.
Pursue. Persevere.
Stay open to possibilities.

Merry Christmas from Sparky...

and me! ♥

Ho Ho Ho and Channukah Haiku...

VOTING UPDATE: VOTE before midnight Thursday!

Sparrow thinks of everybody.
She chose two topics for the Haiku Contest this week:

****** CHRISTMAS **** and **** CHANNUKAH ******

Pick one or both and submit yours by 10pm Wednesday.

*******************

reflect, remember.
gather friends and family
in heart if not home.

Let it snow for some.
Fire burning warm inside.
Others want palm trees.

Merry Christmas

to me
Merry Christmas to me
Merry Christmas to me-ee
Merry Christmas to me.
damnit.

My computer monitor died today.
First thing this morning.
You know it had to be replaced. Had to.
Paying bills, email, IMing, blogging, and
keeping up with the Pondering.......store
really left me no choice. I just wish I could
have paid cash instead of adding to the charge card.
Yes, I could use the local library computers but
I have some concerns about security there and
they limit your computer time to thirty minutes.
Not to mention the gas used driving there and back.

I'm still unemployed and my budget is so tight
it squeaks. Soon, it will be screaming in agony.

However, I will keep my whining limited to
this little bit here 'cause today is the day my
friend (Colleen) is having her surgery.
I haven't heard anything about that, yet.

The new monitor is a widescreen. Stuff looks weird.
Guess I'm going to have to give in and put in the
disk that came with it so it can do what they call
'adjust the resolution'. ??

ooooohh. Maybe this 109 dollah purchase can be
a business expense.

Primordial Slack slacks not...

Joan has provided two beautiful stories.

The Manger Is Empty

Christmas Miracle

Go with smiles, open hearts and tissues.

late addition to the Pondering....... store

5" x 7" Framed, $15 each + shipping.
or
Unframed, pack of 4 with envelopes, $20 free shipping.

the Pondering....... store

UPDATE: Hurry up Haiku...

UPDATE: go back to VOTE before 11pm Thursday!

You know the drill, folks. It's Wednesday.
It's Haiku Challenge time at All Atwitter and the topic is:

*********************** BUSY *************************

Deadline to submit your entry is 10pm tonight.

Comeuppance is mine...

I haven't posted much recently that's worthy
of attention. Having some silly-assed sniffle thing
is no excuse. I can only say that, at times, I am lame.
And a slug. And, the worst, forgetful of my blessings.

Yesterday, I got slapped with some comeuppance
and I really, really hope it sticks. I suppose, in all
honesty, that it will fade and the necessity of being
slapped again will bring me back to humility.

One of my former co-workers is also one of my best
friends. She has stayed in contact with another co-worker
who was laid off a year before we were.

The other co-worker is a beautiful, sweet lady who never
stops smiling and loving life. She was diagnosed with
breast cancer about six months ago.

Her first surgery was to remove the tumors and cells.
Then, the heavy-duty chemo treatments began.
The resulting side-effects were gruesome but, her family
and friends say that she continues to be happy, smile and
never complains. She got more scary news.

Surgery and chemo didn't kill all the cancer cells.
She is now scheduled for a double mastectomy on
December 21, then waits for the incisions to heal
before she starts radiation. No guarantees for anything.

She's still smiling, positive and loving life.
In the photo above, taken yesterday, she is the gorgeous
blonde on the right. Colleen is her name.
The lovely lady on the left is my best friend, Jan,
who went to visit her.

Jan recently started a new job as a CNA in a nursing home.
She works in the activities department. You know, reading
books to the residents, organizing music time, decorating
rooms for the holidays, feeding them if they need help,
playing games with them, talking to the families.
She loves her job. Jan is perfect for the job.

They had a birthday party for one of the residents. The
lady was celebrating her 107th birthday. Jan said the
birthday girl insisted on cutting the cake herself and
wanted to serve everyone else. Smiling, always smiling.
Not all of Jan's stories about the residents are happy.
But, she's doing good things every day.

I don't want this to turn into a ramble. I just wanted to
share two of the many people who bless my life.
If you are of a mind to, please say a prayer for Colleen.

Sometimes, I forget how lucky I am.
Today, however, I remember.


edit:
Food for thought...

a minute
or a day
of life with you
might be just
what's needed
to nourish
a hungry soul.

I have packages to wrap with miles to go before they sleep...

blah... yuck... blah... yuck.

Why, oh why did I not go with simple gift cards?
Answer: Because I really do love to find very
special gifts for friends and family. I usually find
gifts all year long and stash them away for birthdays
and holidays.

So, what am I bitchin' about? The last step of wrapping,
packing and shipping the goodies to the intended
recipients. I've got everything needed except energy.

And, I feel yucky. Achy in my head and neck and chest.
I need hot soup and a massage.

Oh, well. Back to bed and a book. And a phone call later.
I'll work on it all again tomorrow.

Christmas...

Is it over yet?

UPDATE: We're on our way to Winter and for some that means

*********************** SNOW ***********************

UPDATE: Time to go back to VOTE before 11 pm THURSDAY.


____Submit your entry before 10 pm Wednesday.____


crunch squeak. crunch squeak. Boots.
frozen layer, icing on
the snow cake. Sparkle.


Looking outside from
the inside keeping warm by
the fire is lovely.

don't make your angels
in the snow at the bottom
of the hill. SLEDS! ow.

"you can't make me stay
where I don't want to be," said
the snowflake melting.

wonder of wonders...

falling

careful
of that last
step it's a doozy

in love

Pondering....... poster boy

I love it when my customers/friends are happy.

plus, the free advertising for the Pondering....... store doesn't hurt.
Thank you, Scott.

Carpenter Poets...

Poetry is life. Life is poetry.












I found this at one of the permanent fixtures
on my blog roll: Sippican Cottage. Another life artist.

Art is in all of us. It makes life beautiful.
Explore your life. Find your beauty and celebrate.

Click either photo to read about Carpenter Poets.

Ah-choo haiku...

UPDATE: Vote for your favorite haiku before midnight Thursday.

The topic for the weekly Haiku Challenge at Sparrow's is:

********************* HEALTH *******************

Submit your entry by 10 pm tonight and remember,
the winner picks a name from AnySoldier to receive
a deluxe care package.





on a separate note, go here let's have a cocktail for
some wonderful giving ideas.
h/t Mark.

I should be ashamed...

I should be ashamed
having read so little
of so few poets
and nothing at all
of so many more.
they've spent their lives
writing words just for
the likes of me
and I barely know
but a few.
I should be ashamed
to do what I do like
I'm the only one
who has ever done it
when it's mostly been done
already and better and oftener before.
I should be ashamed
and burn my notebooks and
break my pencils and read
what's already been written and
what's being written now.
But I am reading what's being
written now this minute by me
and some others here and
there when I can and
when I want.
I should be ashamed
of thinking about quitting.
someone somewhere might
someday read what
I wrote yesterday or today
and think about writing
what they have to say
in their own way
and another link gets
added to the chain and
another chapter is added
to the story.
I should be ashamed
for doing so little.
But I'm not.


(after reading some Lawrence Ferlinghetti)

Christmas shopping...

should include a visit to the Pondering....... store.

You remind me of someone else...

Sometimes, I am asked "Where do your poems come from?
How do you do that?"
It can be difficult to explain and often I simply shrug
my shoulders and reply "I dunno. Just happens."

The process can be different each time but, one constant
is that I keep a notebook and pen with me, always.
I never know when the urge to write will appear. Often,
it may only be a word or phrase that catches my attention.
I never know when they might come together in one piece.

It isn't uncommon for something noted days or even
months ago turns out to be a needed title, last line or the
inspiration seed that grows into a complete idea.

For example, the poem I'm posting here...
the title was written as two lines, out of the blue, several
days ago. Last night I was flipping through my notebook,
saw those lines, and started thinking thoughts with words
in them. They were insistent, demanding to be written.
This is what the muse was dictating :

You remind me of someone else...

too much time feeling
bound to do, be, say
aroused rebellion
resulting in not much good
for another batch
of too much time.
lost then found
now is when
not then.
savor self
and spend self
being true
to you.
love always honest
and much
now.

Holiday Haiku...

The topic for this week's
Haiku Challenge at Sparrow's:



~~~~~~~ THINGS YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR ~~~~~~~

Deadline to submit your entry is extended to Thursday 10 pm.
Voting will be Friday.
___________

if you can't be at
my table, you will still have
a place in my heart.
___________

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend...

easy on the eyes...

daytime surface tension
broken becomes night
bouying what is
submerged in day.

Guess.who.is.back...

Go ahead. Guess.
Keep guessing. You're going to be thrilled. As am I, myself.
Thrilled.

Froth. Froth is back!
All is well again in this funny place called the universe.

What? Go click and welcome.

the Pondering....... store

gifts for all occasions...

UPDATE: Haiku Challenge at AllAtwitter...

WAKE UP!

UPDATE: Please take the time to VOTE before 11 pm Thursday.

Sparrow's topic for the Haiku Challenge this week is:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz SLEEP zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Submit your entries before night-night time 10 pm Wednesday.
________

is a hideaway
from another day of why.
interrupted life.

tangled sheets lover
meets. In dreams alone for now.
soon arms wrapped instead.

Bed me gently on
your pillowchest. Heartbeat song
repeats lullaby.

rest well in slumber
tiny babe. What dreams do you
abide? teddy bears?

satin sheets impress
me not the least when empty.
dreaming of your warmth.

Writing contest benefits Project Valor-IT...

700 words or less in an essay, story or poem.
Entry deadline is December 1.
Full details at Uniform Encounters.

Valor-IT is a project of Soldiers Angels.

The writing contest is being organized by
journalist/author Susan Katz Keating, who
also happens to be a major mil-blogger.

Again, deadline for contest entries at Uniform Encounters
is December 1... a mere two weeks from today.

listen to Mama Jean...

and get your adorable selves over to Miss Doxie.
She is a young Atlanta lawyer lady with a talent
for writing laugh-out-loud reports of her life.

Wait. Go pee first. Unless you don't mind sitting
in wet pants or you're already sitting on a bedpan.
ew.
And, don't forget to wash your hands! You don't
want to touch your keyboard with those hands if
you didn't wash. Plus, you will be laughing and
putting your hands on your face and... ew.

So, go pee. Wash your hands. Grab a beverage after
all that because it is a long story. Well worth your time.
Srsly.

Then, come back here and go read 'Great Men You Don't Know'.
That one is written by a lady who calls herself The Anchoress.
Joanie at Primordial Slack linked to the story. (Thanks, Joan.)

This story made me cry. In a good way.
This country is blessed with thousands and thousands of
generous, giving, talented, quiet citizens who do wonderful
things for people every day and do not expect nor want
payment or attention.

Good Americans. Good people. Volunteers.
We still have many good reasons to be very proud
of the people who make up the majority of this country.
The American Spirit lives in them.
As it should in all of us and, I know it does in all of you.

Let both of these stories linked here lift your heart.

But, first, go pee. And wash your hands!

the Pondering....... store

Reminders and FYIs...

A while back, Sparrow kindly let us know that Kohl's
will ship free to any APO/FPO address.

There is another place that will ship select items for
free to military bases... Hickory Farms.

Just a thought, since the holidays are rapidly approaching
and many of you will be sending packages to friends
and loved ones who are deployed.

Haiku salute to our veterans...

UPDATE: Cast your vote before 11 pm Thursday.

The topic for the Haiku Challenge at Sparrow's is:

*********** HONORING OUR MILITARY ***********

Remember, the prize is a deluxe care package from
AnySoldier and goes to one of our own serving in harm's way.

The deadline for all submissions is 10 pm Wednesday.

photo snatched from All Atwitter.

too soon for the moon...

Wandered the beach very late afternoon,
wanting to see the moon rise.
While waiting for that, studied the rest
and composed and poeticized.














Wind frothed the breakers, square-danced
with the gulls. Candy clouds punctuated
the sky. Not a glimpse of a glimmer of
lunar peculiar jiggled the night swath
descending. A shrug and a slump then
turned course westward, resigned to a
glitterless eve.













Moon face smiled, "You could have seen
the moon but you gave up too soon. I'll be
back in December but will you remember?"

Code blue (wake me when it's over)...

for a long time
I stopped.
flat disappeared.
and when you
are not
there is nowhere
to go.
so you stay
where you're not
and never wake up.
'til a day comes
that jars you
and the wounds
start to bleed.
then you get up
and walk
through the door
into daylight
and you see that
the road to salvation
is waiting
right where it's ever been the whole time
that you thought
you were not.


blue skies
smilin' at me
nothin' but
blue skies
do I see.


if I were
any happier
I'd have to
wear a bib.

still bloomin' in the South...

Even though we don't get a riot of leaf color
in the Fall, it isn't a bad deal that we have
flowers and sunshine nine months out of twelve.

VOTING UPDATE: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly haiku...

UPDATE: VOTE for the best before 11 pm Thursday!

So much can be said about this week's topic for
Sparrow's Haiku Challenge:

______________ POLITICS _____________

Put forth your own pith no later than 10 pm Wednesday.
___________


blah. blah. blah. Really?
You don't say. blah. blah. blah. blah.
blah. oops, sorry. blah.

Say please...

We, you and I,
along with them,
will never, possibly sometime,
cautiously once in a while
SCREAM hesitatingly while
requesting not quite boldly
but softer than a whisper...
love me, dammit.

Wisdom from the ages...

h/t Texas Ghostrider

In case you missed the first announcement...

The on-line shop I've been talking about
for months is up, working and open for business.

The Pondering....... store.

Please go browse. I'm proud of what's there so far.
If you have questions or suggestions, leave them in
comments here or send me an email.

Many thanks to Berry and Mick and rsm (serving in A'stan)
and Mark and That Dude and Sparrow and Blaez and
HoosierBoy and CarteachO and Freddie and Big Dick
for linking to the Pondering....... store on their blogs.
I'd appreciate a mention and/or a link from anyone
in the 'sphere.

I have a permanent link at the top of my sidebar.
Click on the photo and it will take you to the store.

I just looked at my butt...

in the bathroom mirror.
holy shit.

I'm towing my own U-Haul trailer back there.

TIME TO VOTE: Drawn to Haiku...

The topic for this week's Haiku Challenge at Allatwitter is:

_________________ ATTRACTION _______________

UPDATE: VOTING is Thursday 'til 11 pm.

Magnets' plus/minus
ends attract not same but the
opposite of ends.

You're there and I'm here.
Still, there is a pull between
us from far away.

it's like the fly on
the flypaper. that's me on
you, just hangin' 'round.

October 27...

saturated in emotion
love hate
grief anger.

colors words
spoken written
sung heard
whispered screamed
breathed.

I hate today.

I miss you, Mom.

the Pondering....... store

...is open for business.



















...is open for business.














...is open for business.

Sometimes an 'oops' turns out OK...

the Pondering....... store is almost ready.
I think.

I hope.

Blog Award and Meme...

The gracious and generous Sparrow has awarded me
with this 'Over The Top' blog award which also comes
with a thirty-five question meme:

Where is your cell phone? bedroom.
Your hair? short.
Your mother? deceased.
Your father? deceased.
Your favorite food? seafood.
Your dream last night? dunno.
Your favorite drink? margarita.
Your dream/goal? business.
What room are you in? middle.
Your hobby? reading.
Your fear? failure.
Where do you want to be in 6 years? home.
Where were you last night? here.
Something that you aren't? flat-chested.
Muffins? chocolate.
Wish list item? travel.
Where did you grow up? Ohio.
Last thing you did? phone.
What are you wearing? wife-beater.
Your TV? non-cable.
Your pets? Sparky.
Friends? wonderful.
Your life? challenging.
Your mood? happy.
Missing someone? yes.
Vehicle? Blazer.
Something you're not wearing? hat.
Your favorite store? Barnes&Noble.
Your favorite color? all.
When was the last time you laughed? tonight.
Last time you cried? last week.
Your best friend? several.
One place that I go to over and over? post office.
One person who emails me regularly? Berry.
Favorite place to eat? Snack Jack's.

Now, I'm supposed to pass this on to
six other bloggers. Crikey. Where do I start?
Mick, HoosierBoy, Dick, Mark, Lille Diane, Tammi.

VOTING UPDATE: Haiku... Time...

UPDATE: Eleven to choose from! VOTE by 11 pm Thursday.

Is there ever enough... TIME ...

that's the topic for Sparrow's Haiku Challenge this week.

Entries need to be in by 10 p.m. Wednesday.

A Deluxe Care Package from Sparrow, in the name of the winner,
goes to a member of our military serving in harm's way.

Don't waste TIME... get to writing.
_________

I want to scream 'stop' !
It's going too fast, too fast.
Lessons learned slowly.

if we put our time
together, will we have twice
the time for us, love?

Coming soon to a website near you...

Fall color in Ohio...

My best friends in Florida just got back
from visiting their home town of Burton, Ohio.
(No, the scarecrow is not one of them, silly.)

Perfect timing for seeing the beautiful fall colors.















Damn, I miss this.

Shelter animal abuse...

Walking Man is sending out a call for help.

He has the links and the video and the email info.

Go read and be enraged.

VOTING UPDATE: Haiku dreams...

Once again the lovely Sparrow has come up with
an enchanting topic for this week's Haiku Challenge:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DREAMS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's time to VOTE for your favorite by 11 pm Thursday.

~~~~~

dreams disappear when
morning breaks, leaving me to
wonder what's hiding.

in dreams we see what
may not be or re-live what
once was. Is it truth?

mem'ries, hopes and fears
are mingled in the mist of
sleep. Wake me softly.

dream a little dream.
does it follow in daylight
or sleep with the moon?

Lunch at 7-11... (re-post for Teresa)

A sweet friend of mine asked that I link to this
story in my archives. It's from July 2006.

Lunch at 7-11...

enjoy!


p.s. please excuse the excessive use of ellipses.
I didn't feel like editing tonight.

For my newer readers...

It's gonna be a busy weekend, mostly with non-fun
stuff that everyone has to take care of. But, I don't
want to ignore this place so I thought I'd do a series
of re-posts from my archives.

It all deals with my late husband, our marriage and his suicide.
(Just a heads up in case you wanna pass.)
It really isn't totally negative and the comments are beautiful.

It starts here: Wondering...
Then, Guess who...
and, It's all about...
Part 2.
Part 3.
Part 4.
Guess who again... (not the same as the first Guess who...)
Part 5.
Epilogue.

I wouldn't exactly call it entertaining but, it might
qualify as educational for some.

May you all have a wonderful weekend.

UPDATE: Memories in haiku...

The topic for Sparrow's weekly Haiku Challenge:

____________ GRANDFATHER____________

UPDATE: Please VOTE for your favorite by 11 pm Thursday.

As always, the prize is a deluxe care package, sent in
the winner's name, to one of our military serving in
harm's way. You can choose from the list at AnySoldier.com
or submit the name of someone you know.
____
One was gone before
my time. The other lives in
my mem'ry always.

He was a drinker
and a bricklayer. Played bass
in a Polka band.

Landed on Ellis
Island a year before his
family could follow.

I heard many tales
of his drunken temper. All
I saw was gentle.

He smiled while I fed
him mashed potatoes and peas
in the hospital.

Photo and poem...

Morning's pink mist nightgown
lifts slowly,
uncovering the beauty
of the coming day.


photo courtesy of Berry Connell.

Deciphering humanity one man at a time...

___________ ( . ) ( . ) ___

_ ( .) ( .) _____

_______________ (. ) (. )

______ ( ' ) ( ' ) _______

__ G( . ) ( . )F ___

Army Ranger, Corporal Ben Kopp...

Saved six of his own and 75 strangers.


h/t That Dude

Appetizer to dessert...

and so,
the tongue that
talks to me
in words red-wine sweet
also makes
love to me
tasting all of my sweet heat.

UPDATE: Hellacious haiku...

UPDATE UPDATE: VOTING has been extended until noon Friday.

Sparrow's topic for this week's Haiku Challenge is:

_________________ HELL ________________

UPDATE: We have until 11 pm Thursday to VOTE for the favorite.
(whatever you do, do not try to vote for me. go to Sparrow's
to find out why. Such a sweetie she is.)

and, remember... the prize is a Deluxe Care Package
sent to one of our soldiers in harm's way. The soldiers'
names are found through AnySoldier.com
____________

hell is here when you
are not. I am tortured in
your absence. Come back.

we make our own. Hell
be known even in sunlight.
Sprouts from seeds of lies.

No heaven without
hell. No rose without its thorns.
No life without death.

Bless me Father for
I have sinned. Will confession
save my soul again?

Mea culpa all
you wanta. Confession might
forgive. Not forget.

Don't be too quick to
judge others' tribulations.
It's almost your turn.

I don't want to know
what Hell is like. I've got dibs
on Purgatory.

When you get there, call
me so I'll know what to pack.
Might need to shop first.

Hell would be being
made to listen to disco
all day, every day.

Sippican Cottage...

I don't remember how I came across his blog.
It doesn't matter.

He is writing a story, perhaps a book, called
'Some Enchanted Place'.
Please click on the link and go read. I promise
you will be among the enchanted.
He's already posted five parts as I post this so
you have a bit of catching up to do.

Jayzus, this man is good.

Not to mention... he also makes furniture.
Beautiful furniture.

Go read. Go look.

and, speaking of even more talent...

Make sure you take time to read at Lt. Mike's blog
Rescuing Providence. He's already had a book published.
But, guess what? It's going to be made into a MOVIE!

oh, yeah. I be hangin' wit de big boyz.

Brain disengaged...

transmission slipped.
threads stripped.
lids flipped.
well is dry.
no fish to fry.
out of tune.
crazy loon.
cork screwed.
jammed not jellied.
stifled.
snuffed.
and more than miffed.

Notice how comfortable we are together?...

Probably because we had good sex.

Ha! *snort*

Oh. Wait. That wasn't you?




ya'll have a good weekend and love the one you're with.

UPDATE: Haiku for the new season...

Summer is over. Haiku continues.

The topic for this week's Haiku Challenge is:

******************* FALL ******************

UPDATE: VOTE! PLEASE. VOTE! PLEASE. VOTE!


My favorite time
to be alive. Crisp breezes.
Brilliant colored leaves.

pumpkin pyramids.
scarecrows in Sunday finest.
woodsmoke spices air.

Orange harvest moon.
Marshmallows crisp and melting.
Spicey cider brew.

as in...

breathe without
living, touch
without feeling.
Life without love.

Me and Julio down by the schoolyard...

Well, not exactly. I don't know any Julios.
And, there was for sure no Julio in my high school
graduating class of 140 in 1969 small town Ohio.

Perhaps I should begin at the beginning.

I caught a flight out of Daytona at 6am last Thursday.
Layover in Atlanta, then Detroit, finally landing in
Toledo where I picked up the rental car and asked
for basic directions heading to my first destination.
So far, so good until I discovered what else I forgot
to pack for the trip... make-up and my phone charger.
AND my camera. dammit.
Already had to buy a book at Daytona's airport so I'd
have something to read for seven hours since I left the
book I planned on bringing on my bed at home.

I blame my brain-farts of forgetfulness on the fact that
I did not sleep Wednesday night. Too excited and afraid
I'd oversleep and miss the plane.
Didn't have time to shop Thursday because I was meeting
an old friend for a long-awaited visit after too many years.
That visit was more than lovely.

Then Friday I met with Boneman, in person, for the first
time ever. He drove up from Indiana. Wow!
We had breakfast, talked, shopped, talked, had dinner,
talked... and talked some more. And, we laughed. A lot.
I love meeting blog friends. They are the best.
We're already planning another meeting. We said good-bye,
sadly, Saturday morning and I headed to my next destination.

I was aiming for Rocky River (it rubs elbows with the west
side of Cleveland) and my best galfriend from high school,
Becky. You may remember her as the goose-chaser. Yes, you do.

Since I have a serious aversion to interstate roads, I plotted
a route on scenic two-lane roads for the entire three-hour
trip to Rocky River. Most of that trip was on Route 6, which
follows the edge of Lake Erie. Beautiful. Ah, yes, I was home.

OK, I got lost on the way... because there was road blockage
and I got detoured back up to I-90 and around. Took the exit
as directed by the orange detour signs and ended up just a
wee bit farther east than needed.
But, because of the miracle of cell phones, all ended well
and I made it to Becky's in one piece and it was still daylight.
Actually, it was noon, so it damn well should have been daylight.

So, more visiting and then Becky and I headed to Ravenna.
We got lost in Ravenna. Looking for another galfriend's house
so we could pick her up and go roaming around the
countryside and visit old stomping grounds. I think
we finally found Janet's house about 3 pm.
Reunion dinner and party was scheduled to begin at 6 pm.

Are you feeling the sense of hectic over-planning here?

Well, we made the tour, complete with driving around
the high school and meeting one of the school board
members and chatting with him for over an hour.
Tossed our names in the hat for the Alumni Association
they are putting together. Then...
we visited with the folks who live in Becky's childhood
home. More good times and reminiscing.

Hauled ass back to Janet's, changed clothes and still
made it to the reunion by 6. We girls are good.

The reunion party was wonderful even though there
were only about fifty in attendance. Several classmates
are dead so they were excused.
The others should be ashamed. They missed a great time.
We closed the place at 1 am and continued the party
at Janet's until 5:30. Oh yeah. Drinking and talking go
well together, don't you think?

Next morning was breakfast (late) and driving Becky
back to Rocky River. A bit more visiting and then I
headed to Findlay to do the family visiting.
Got lost again. Rescued by cell phones again.
Spent the night in Findlay and headed for the Toledo
airport for the return flight early Monday morning.

Got lost in Toledo.
This time it was a very nice young man working in a
convenience store who got me back to where I needed
to be in order to get the car to the airport and me checked
in with Delta. Still had time for lunch before boarding.

Since I didn't have my camera, the only photo from the
entire weekend is one that Boneman took of us Friday.











I'm hoping some of my classmates will share
some that they took. But, those may not be publishable.

Since returning to Florida, I've spent copious hours on
the net looking at houses for sale in Ohio.
I go through this every time I visit there.
Maybe this time is the real time.

UPDATE: Haiku in sight...

Sparrow's topic for this week's Haiku Challenge is:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ VISION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATE: Please VOTE before 11 pm Thursday for your favorite.

~~~

She was a vision
in his eyes. Beauty, sweetness
personified. True?

Back and blue...

I hated to see it end.

I'm pooped.
It was wonderful.

I need some zzzzzzzzzzz.
G'night my lovelies.
More soon...

Going away for a few days...

Heading north with great anticipation.
Cooler weather and wonderful companions.
Some details will never be revealed. heh.


One of my favorite bloggers and a dear friend
recently arrived in A'stan for a tour of duty.
He was finally able to put up a few posts.
Go read 'When the Smoke Clears' and let him
know his home team is in full support mode.


I expect ya'll to behave while I'm gone.

UPDATE: Fall-ing in Haiku with you...

This week's topic for the Haiku Challenge
at All Atwitter, hosted by the lovely Sparrow, is:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ FALL ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I must have blinked and missed summer this year.

UPDATE: VOTING is until 11 pm Thursday.

Reverie...

do you dream
at night and
all day long
do you hear
my voice
does it make
you want.

Prayer and good wishes request...

VMan's beautiful lady, Key Monroe, just experienced
a horrible medical emergency.
He says she is recovering well but, I would ask that you
visit and offer prayers and good wishes as a little
added insurance... because you folks are the best,
as are Kim and Key.

Question for my readers...

How many of you would like me to
add the 'Followers' thingy to my sidebar?

UPDATE: Thank you for your input.
The new gizmo/gadget is on the right >>>>
below my profile link.

UPDATE: Growing Old haiku...

I'm not sure I want to participate in the haiku challenge
at Sparrow's this week. Do you know what she picked
for a topic?
Really, do you know? 'cause I forgot.
Lemme go look again. Oh, yeah...

--------------------- GROWING OLD ----------------------

UPDATE: Wake up and go vote before 11 pm, please.


not old. please. not old.
mature and more sensual.
wise and young at heart.
----
Gracefully aging.
Loving life more than ever.
Relaxed in myself.

Freak magnet...

"Do you come here often?"

"Not after tonight."

FYI: shipping to military (APO/FPO) destinations...

Thanks to the brilliant, charming and generous
Sparrow at All Atwitter, I found out that KOHL'S
department stores will ship orders to any military
address APO/FPO.
The shipping price is based on the dollar amount
of the order to be shipped. For example, if your
order totals $100, the shipping you pay is $10.95.
Not bad at all.

I know a lot of my readers are military supporters
so I wanted to spread this info as far as possible.
Perhaps it will inspire others to send some goodies
to even more of our military currently serving in harm's way.

And, if you're not sure about what might be needed, one
of the best sites to check out is AnySoldier.com

Clear as mud...

you would think
I don't
but I do.
just like you.
although,
there are times when,
you know.
yes, I know you know.
it's like that everywhere
of course.
some things never change,
not really, except
on those rare occasions
when.
but that's no one's fault
either.
it just is.
so simple, really, if
you just think about it.
life is strange and we're
very lucky.
not like the others
who just don't get it
at all.

UPDATE: Salt water Haiku...

The topic for this week's Haiku Challenge is:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OCEAN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATE: VOTE VOTE VOTE before 11 pm, please.

Remember, Sparrow sends a Deluxe Care Package
in the winner's name to a member of our military
serving in harm's way.
~~~

How many critters
swim in the ocean and where
do all of them pee?
~
buoyed by the waves
meditation therapy
for soul and body.
~
condense something so
enormous down to a mere
three-line haiku? tears.

Sense-less...

we know it only
when it's gone,
out of reach and lost.
Love.
Sanity.
Comfort.
Pleasure.
Time.
alas,
how much we
miss
while we
hold it in our hands.

Think again...

rasslin' with
the black dog.
surprised
and wonder why?
no one tells all
to anyone.
not you, not I.

Good-night, sweetheart haiku...

It's that time again. Don your thinking cap.

The topic for Sparrow's Haiku Challenge is:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz_SLEEP_zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

UPDATE: Go back to VOTE for your favorite before 11pm Thursday.

...
slow down. slow motion.
cloud pillows under my head.
just about midnight.
...
on those nights when it
evades me, I woo it like
an old lover gone.
...
Sandman, sprinkle sweet
dreams in my drowsy eyes. Make
my slumber divine.
...
Waketh me not if
thou knowest what is goodest
for thou, alarm clock!

Pimpin' a friend...

'cause that's what friends do, right?

Go here to get the info for ordering Mark's book.
Poetry and prose from a master.

(only $9.00 including postage)

Paint by number...

regulations
maintain stations.
stay in line
stay blind.
outside boxes
life is noxious.
Or so they want us to agree.
guardian leaders
groupy greeters.
know what's best
for all us rest.
follow quiet
make no riot.
life is simple
then you're dead.
Choir chanting one-part harmony.

I can't think of a good title for this post...

The topic for this week's Haiku Challenge at Sparrow's is:

.......................... PRESSURE! ...................


VOTING UPDATE: Vote before 11 pm Thursday.

Remember that the winner gets to choose a
member of our military, serving in harm's way,
to receive a Deluxe Care Package from AnySoldier.
(Courtesy of the lovely Sparrow.)

...Final exam day... Another lay-off...
Sexual tension...Tea kettle whistles...
Wet, crying babies... Heartbreak repeated...
Gymnasium grunts... Ambulance sirens...
Insufficient funds... Needle on empty...
Almost orgasm... Some good, some not so...
Steam under the hood.

Help yourself to a five-syllable line or two.
My brain is refusing to count to seven today.

8:43 pm, Finally...

Dreams untended, hearts
unmended, quiver to come
to life. Realize.

Remember when...

you took me to the airport and I asked you
to leave so you wouldn't see me cry?
That was one of the dumbest things
I've ever done.
I'm sorry.

Where did she go?...

this is me
so long ago
I dare not
count the time.













Twelve years ago today, Michael killed himself.
I'm not angry any more.
No one else should be either.
Be glad I didn't lose my smile forever.

Be glad there are people in my life who do not
hesitate to let me know they love me.
Be glad that I can let those people know that I
love them back.
Be glad that I still believe my life is worth living.

I look forward to the next breath and the next day.
However many of those there will be, I will be glad
to have lived them all.

Newsflash - Kim Crawford gives birth! ...

Buy a book. Velociman is outta booze.
If you've read his blog, you'll have an idea
how good the book must be.
He has a teaser page in the post.

UPDATE: Commit yourself...

The topic for Sparrow's Haiku Challenge at All Atwitter:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~COMMITMENT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATE: You have until 11 PM Thursday to VOTE for your favorite.

There will be no fail.
Un-do. Re-do. Carry on.
Life is to be lived.

Clogged, Stalled, Hampered...

(^ My current status in three words ^)

Major effort does not always produce positive results
in our first attempts. Is that normal?
Or am I dumber than normal? Too blonde?

Criminycrackshit.

Flea Market = No Go.
In five weeks I took in $62. Rent paid = almost 5x that.
I removed all my products from the Flea-O Market-O.
Fine. On to...

1. Trying to create the finishing touches for the on-line store.
Unfortunately, still learning the tricks of the new camera to
produce clear, readable photos. Making progress, but... when?
Soon, I hope. (Thank you, Berry, for continuing to help.)

2. Getting information from as many small local arts/crafts shows
as I can find. (Dozens)
Whothefuckaretheykidding??
For 1 or 2-day events, the entry fees are outrageous.
More money than I feel comfortable investing on another gamble.
I know, I know. Risk is unavoidable in business.
But, I believe a better effort in developing the on-line store makes
more sense. At least for now.

And, of course, daily life must be dealt with...

Last week, the clothes dryer died.
The drum seemed to be jammed.
In the garage, in the heat, it took quite a while for me to
figure out how to get it apart. Then, when I did, there is a
squirrel corpse wedged where it should not be.
Bloating. Messy. *gag*
I still can't get the dryer to run so I've had to make trips to the
public laundromat.
(I know I'm whining here but, this was not in my plan.)

Thennnnnnnnnnnn... there's been so much rain and
I have been so terribly neglectful that my yard looks like,
not just a jungle but, an overgrown jungle. Yeah, that bad.
The only lawnmower I have is one of those push-reel types.
It is completely worthless, especially now.
So, I swallowed my pride and asked to borrow a mower from a
neighbor. He brought it over late last night.
As in, too dark to mow.
I mowed less than half the yard this morning because
I have to mow every spot over and over again. I think I'm going
to owe this neighbor a new mower blade by the time I'm done.
Took a break for lunch, to cool off and to run a couple of errands.
Now, I can't get the mower to start again, it's getting ready to rain
again and the only neighbors at home are decrepit females.
The mower-owner doesn't usually get home from his business
before 7 or 8 in the evening. Crap.

If there was a brick wall close by, I'd bang my head against it.
Repeatedly.

Since I have probably succeeded in either boring you or irritating
you, I'm going to suggest that you read a few other bloggers with
much more valid reasons for ranting than I have blathered about here.

Actually, the topic they are all addressing, pisses me off, too.
Since I am more than lame when it comes to politics, you would
do much better to read VMan, Dick and Joanie.

edit: Click on Joanie first, then you'll know what I'm talking
about. VMan and Dick have done more posting, so you'll
need to scroll down a bit at their places. sorry.
I'm too lazy to link correctly right now.

but...

you said
love
always
forever.

you said
no one
else
ever.

rumor
has it that
you
lied.

Let's start the weekend with a chuckle...

...but don't forget, voting is still going on at Sparrow's.

*UPDATE* Marriage...

more a state of mind
and commitment from the soul
than a legal bond.

* You have until 11 PM FRIDAY to VOTE for your favorite haiku. *

The topic is MARRIAGE and the deadline has been extended to
Thursday 9 AM because she is out of town for a few days.

Still, hurry on over there and get your entry in the contest.

Will be done...

if there
is one
I will
find it.

if there
is none
I will
make it.

a way
to
you.

Vampire 06 is home...

He completed his tour in Afghanistan.
Time for a big Welcome Home!

This quote makes me nod my head and smile...

"And those who were seen dancing were thought
to be insane by those who could not hear the music."

Friedrich Nietzsche

*UPDATE* Our time is now...

The topic for the the Haiku Challenge at All Atwitter is:

************************ TIME ***********************

TIME TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BY 10 pm TONIGHT.


I don't want to know
how much might remain. I live
and love each breath now.

*

Time is on no one's
side. It exists whether you
do or not. Enjoy!

Plagiarism..

A very hot topic for any writer or wannabe.

Jane, over at , "How Publishing Really Works"
is devoting a whole day and a multitude of links
to information on the topic that sends chills up
the spines of all writers.

Jane is in the UK and her blog has been on my
sidebar for a long time. Always reading time well spent.

stop. dribbling. on. my. blog.

What you're looking for is not here. Get it??

After more than four years and 500+ posts, I get
a bad case of the creeps when I see which web searches
end up here most often. And which posts they find.

I posted about the horrible day my dog died.
I cannot imagine the disappointment of the freaks who
are looking for "m@m and b@ys". Almost all of those
sickos are from other countries. Almost all.

The top draw, however, is the post I wrote last November.
It was about a turtle, for shitssake! There are a large
variety of search words that land them here. Like:
"skinny p@nis", "dangling p@nis", "pencil in p@nis"
and on and on.
There is no pr0n here, dammit!
Classy erotica, at times, but NO pr0n!

Now, I'm curious...
what are some of the stranger web search words that
you folks have noticed landing on your blogs? Do tell.

Leaf me alone...

This week's topic for the Haiku Challenge at All Atwitter is

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TREES~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATE: VOTE for your favorite before 11 pm Thursday.


the leaves applaud and
whisper "Encore!" as the breeze
rushes among them.

Blue is on the move...

Old Blue has volunteered for a second deployment
to Afghanistan.

He has also started a new blog to record his tour.
Afghan Quest is replacing Bill and Bob's.

Also, please take a moment to read Blackfive's
article about Tim Karcher. Tim is a much-loved
and highly respected officer who recently suffered
devastating injuries in an explosion on his THIRD
tour in Iraq.

You can read updates on Tim's progress from his
wife by going to Caring Bridge.

The earth is still spinning...

and it's keeping me dizzy.

I don't think the flea market will be my new home.
Time for Plan B. or, B 1/2. Maybe Plan C.

I know I keep saying I hope to have the new blog
with the on-line store completed soon. Shit happens.
Mostly my stupid shit. Still working on it in fits and
starts. Lots of fits.

Maybe progress will be made after the weekend is
done kicking my butt.
I shall return.

Bane are you watching?...

Bane grandspawn #2 has arrived.

Maiden gave birth to a healthy boy June 30!

the Haiku Lady is home...

Sparrow has returned from a partial world tour
and the Haiku Challenge is again.

You know I'm happy.

UPDATE: Remember to VOTE for your favorite by 11 pm Thursday.

The topic for this week: the Fourth of July.

The Haiku form is three lines of poetry; first line has
five syllables, second line has seven syllables, and
the third line has five syllables.

Deadline to submit your entry is 10 pm Wednesday.

Check out the prize Sparrow is sending for this week's winner.

Let's try this one...

oh say, can you see
where we've been and where we are
now? Happy with that?

or,

praise the lord and pass
the ammunition. We can
do that here. Or not.

maybe,

Have we forgotten
what the fireworks stand for?
Bombs bursting in air.

A new voice among us...

A wonderful poetess and so very, very young.
She calls her blog Remergence.

Welcome her to the 'sphere and then thank
Walking Man for pointing us her way.

Weekend #3 not a good finish...

I'm beginning to think that my time spent at the flea
market (we won't mention the money spent) is
going to be more of an education in networking,
marketing and public interests rather than earning
much in the way of dollars.
Not a bad thing exactly but, it was at least supposed
to bring in enough to pay the rent there.

I'm getting mixed reviews from other vendors.
Not about my products but about how well they will
be received by the typical clientele coming through
the market. All the vendors like my products.
Potential buyers are very complimentary.
Just not buying much at all. But, all the vendors are
complaining about the lack of money changing hands.
All the vendors say I picked the worst season to start
a business there. Summers are always slow and this one
is especially sucky. Well... thanksahelluvalot.

Most say if I can hang on until September, business
will pick up considerably. Really?
One or two have said I should add cheap chotchke to
draw interest. One other specifically said I will not see
enough people here who will appreciate what I have.

My biggest argument is that I do NOT want to sell
anything other than my own work. Period.
I do not want to compete with the other vendors who
mostly sell inexpensive doo-dads and gee-gaws.
(most, not all.)
More than one has suggested approaching places like
Starbucks and Hallmark stores. Those are now on my list.

One vendor is opening a store on the Boardwalk on the beach
with a Hawaiian/tropical theme. She likes what I have but
said if I can come up with ideas that go with the theme of
her new store, she will sell my products there.
I have two ideas on the drawing board.

There are a few of you reading who have experience working
for yourselves. My hat is off to you. Seriously.
There is no way to know about all the details and time
involved in starting a business until you dive in yourself.

I am not giving up. I am learning as I go. Sometimes, I am
overwhelmed with information and opinion.
I will figure this out if it kills me. (please don't kill me.)

I've started the process with PayPal. Waiting on their
confirmation of my banking info.

Recently posted some test photos at theponderingstore.
Go take a look, please, and let me know if they show the
products clearly. I'm still not sure how the final set-up
will be done.

Have I mentioned how much I appreciate all of you and
your encouragement, ideas (and orders)? No?
Damn me.
I do appreciate, very much. And I thank you.