I am drinkin’ in the wispy clouded sky today
yesterday I painted one
in soothing shades of blue
fretting all the while
trying too hard to match the photo
when I should have let it flow
paint on paper
livin’ in the moment
makin’ a watercolor sky
no more fretting
for I’m filled up to the brim
after drinkin’ in
the wispy clouded sky today
August 31, 2012
That cat is at it again
I swear she is the one that’s going to push me right over the edge
You know
The edge between sorta sane and completely off your rocker
I’ve been balance beaming along it for months now
She’s still mad about the dog
That sweet pup we brought home eight months ago
My goodness can she hold a grudge
She’s tried everything she can think of to express her displeasure
She’s growled, hissed, and scratched his cold, black, puppy nose with her menacing front claws
She tried a starvation diet too
I thwarted that one by opening a can of soft food that was too tantalizing for her to resist
She’s “gone” on the dirty laundry
…and more recently the bedroom floor
I don’t have time to deal with her antics and clean up her messes
But clean I do
Washing machine set on “sanitize” to neutralize that awful smell
Today I tried a new one
‘Cause I’m barely holding on
I mixed a potion of pleasing scent to spray upon the clean again bedroom carpet
The side of the box said 4 oz. water and 18 drops of lavender oil
I think I counted 21
Hope it deters her
Hope it gets her back in her box for “business”
After the potion mixing was done
I squeezed one more drop onto my index finger
And dabbed a drop of lavender oil behind my ears
It was chemo unhook day
That one’s tougher than tough
When the completed infusion hits hardest
I hugged my husband goodbye
Before carline at school
He said, “Mmmmmm, you smell nice.”
I smiled and replied, “It’s lavender.”
Drat that cat
Do I have to give her the credit?!
~ Janean
August 30, 2012
today I am thankful for sunglasses
that shield my tired eyes
from prying ones
the tears I didn’t want to cry
fell anyway
from my weary, tired eyes
I’ve found sunglasses work best
if you can conjure up a little smile
to go with them
then no one stops to wonder
why your eyelids only open to half mast
‘cause they are fallin’ for your smile
the smile that doesn’t quite reach
your UV glass protected eyes
August 30, 2012
Sleep well tonight
Have you seen the moon?
It’s crazy cool tonight
August 28, 2012
”I’m creating. Even with one thing after another coming at me. Yesterday was a doozy but I didn’t let it stop me. I kept creating.” ~Janean Baird
Imagine my surprise to find myself quoted by a friend. It’s happened a few times now, each time it makes me grin and feel a little more like a “real” writer. I’m not sure when I’ll lose the quote marks. For I’m still getting used to saying aloud, “I am an artist and a writer.” I am, you know. Both. ~ Janean
August 28, 2012
This morning, as Blue and I stepped onto the backyard deck, into the brisk 4:30am air, my breath caught at the brightness of the morning stars against the dark of night. An oft repeated Van Gogh quote came to mind, “…the sight of stars makes me dream.” Yes. Me too. Then, my still sleepy eyes looked up, opened a little wider, and I said aloud, “Orion’s back.” The Hunter. The one constellation I know. It’s those three diagonal stars that glisten from his belt. I’d know them anywhere. Even shining low in the eastern sky, surprising me on an early August morning. ~ Janean
August 28, 2012
Last night the littlest boy fell asleep in the biggest bed. The one worthy of a king. His parents let him sleep. They’d had enough of elbows in the nose at night from that (not so) little monkey in the middle. In a new move they tiptoed down the hall to his room and tucked into their old bed. The one sized for a queen. The two of them slept soundly there beneath a camouflage comforter, well guarded by a tank stuck upon the wall. That cat curled up down by their feet and settled in for the night. She didn’t ask any questions, quite used to the musical beds game and nighttime wanderings at her house. Everyone slept soundly without bad dreams or waking up too early. The littlest boy is still sleeping. His parents have already been up for hours, thankful for a good night’s sleep all around.
August 26, 2012
it’s raining today
oh, how we need it
the dirt is cracked
the grass is brown
scorched earth
and withering crops
all around
it’s raining today
oh, how we need it
souls parched
from a long journey
through the desert
without respite
or the nourishing balm
of rain
it’s raining today
oh, how we need it
for even the deepest roots
thirst in times of drought
questioning
withdrawing
lashing out
forgetting
that tangled together
they are tougher
to break apart
by even the mightiest
of storm
realizing it’s better
if they hold tight
to one another
through this long desert walk
it’s raining today
oh, how we need it
August 26, 2012
This morning, as I walked my big dog, Blue around the block, I thought to myself, “If I were wearing a red jacket with a hood right now, it’d look to passersby like Little Red Riding Hood walkin’ The Big Bad Wolf.” My grin was quick and no laugh escaped to be carried on the wind. Besides, looks can be deceiving…though I do own a red hooded rain coat. ~ Janean
August 25, 2012
I woke up at 3:00. Got up at 3:30. Walked Blue under a starlight sky. Streetlights dimly glow. May tuck back in, or rest on the couch for a bit, now that it’s 4:30a.m. Just couldn’t sleep anymore. Seems too soon to make the coffee. Even Blue plopped for some extra shut eye. Smart dog. My turn now too. ~ Janean
August 25, 2012
Turquoise Tangles 