Home
would have been
a taste of home
upon waking
I know what I am about to do
the anticipation makes my mouth water
no coffee today
no herbal tea
made one mug at a time
today is a spice tea day
my mom’s recipe
a taste of home
the one I grew up in
the little house
at the end of the dead end street
the one with the kitchen so small
it was like an afterthought
oh, but the meals my mother made there
I smile at the memories
spice tea was special
not for everyday
for company
like when she hosted cards
the only outing with friends she went to each month
sometimes they’d come to our house
the living room would be filled with women
sitting at card tables in folding chairs
talking, laughing, snacking and even smoking
and no one smoked at our house
except my grandfather
the few times a year they visited
usually we went to them
spice tea became a Christmas traditon
mom would make it early
we’d drink it as we opened presents
ladled into Christmas mugs
one after the other
until the giant saucepan was empty
it is made for winter days and snow days
gloomy gray days
for the scent of cinnamon and cloves
makes you smile
even before the sugary citrus flavored tea
passes by your lips
I’ve burned my tongue more than once
rushing to take the first sip
oh, how I love it
today is one of those days
I didn’t make it on Christmas this year
I usually do
it’s early morning on New Year’s Eve day instead
the spice tea is on the stove
my first mug is at my elbow
almost time for the second
it’s as good as I remember mom making it
my sister too
a taste of home
soul food
comfort in a mug
memories too
© 2011 Turquoise Tangles
December 21, 2011
Today is the last day of school for my children before Christmas Break begins.
That means there are 6,000 things to think of and try to do before they are home and out of school before Christmas.
Life has been a whirlwind lately, of this, that, and the other, and how I wish I had one more day before their school break.
As it is, I am helping set up the food in 6th grade at 11:40.
My oldest son volunteered us to bring fudge, which my husband and I made together last night before bed.
At 1:00 I am helping in 3rd grade, having prepped an animal snowflake craft for 27 students a few nights ago.
In between now (8:50 a.m.) and 11:40 when I am due at school I am going to eat breakfast, get cleaned up, go to Target, the bank, the grocery store, make one or two more stops and then come home before leaving for school between 11:00 and 11:15.
I will be so ready to be HOME at 3:00 when the school day is done.
My oldest son has a shopping date with his grandparents.
Then church tonight.
I have no idea what’s for supper.
I ruined supper last night, literally pouring it down the drain on accident.
The colander lid wasn’t locked onto the saucepan and all the spaghetti noodles slid from the pan into the sink and down the garbage disposal too fast to grab any back and serve ‘em.
So, instead of spaghetti for supper, my youngest son had a plate of reheated pancakes, my oldest son had two hot dogs and a slice of garlic bread, my husband had an apple turnover and glass of milk and I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and cheez-its.
*sigh*
I am thankful for food to eat and Plan B, that saved the day, once again.
This is why I haven’t been tumblin’ much.
Life is busy, in a good way, and I haven’t had time to daydream, the source of poetry.
At least mine.
I need time to gaze at sunrises and sunsets.
Time to listen to the clock tick with nothing pressing that needs to be done NOW!
Those quiet moments in the days ahead aren’t likely, but I’ll do the best I can to find them and savor them when they happen.
There is lots of Energetic Christmas Is Coming Boy Commotion in my future.
Lookin’ forward to it.
Merry Christmas to you…just in case I’m not back before December 25, 2011.
Love,
Janean
I can’t make you
I can’t make you
I wish I could
you’re bigger than me
I can’t stop you
you won’t listen
I won’t beg
do what you have to do
the door closes
I cry then
my eyes are dry now
no longer tired
I wonder
when you will come home
knowing that you will
I won’t call
you know the way
when you’re ready
come home
even though
I can’t make you
© 2011 Turquoise Tangles
I walked alone
I walked alone last night
along the festive streets
families migrated downtown
to see the live window vignettes
with a holiday theme
the crescent moon was shining
the streetlights were brighter
a white horse ambled by
pulling a carriage
something special
out of the usual
I wish my family had joined me
at the art walk downtown
where I went to see my friends
for quick conversations
shared smiles and hugs
and to see their art
glad I went
for a bit
as I drove home
alone
Elvis was crooning
“Blue Christmas”
from the radio
I got misty eyed
a lump in my throat
my head already hurt
maybe it ached
from unshed tears
accumulating
behind my eyes
I didn’t test that theory
and held ‘em back
a little longer
headin’ home
for rest
in the night
December 2, 2011 was F1RST FR1DAY in downtown Bloomington. How I love, and look forward to goin’ downtown on the F1RST FR1DAY of every month. Even if I go alone, I don’t feel lonely. The studios and galleries, and the artists within, are very welcoming and always glad to see you. Even if you’re just admiring, and not buying, their wonderful and varied works of art. ~ Janean
© Turquoise Tangles
December 1, 2011
Today’s the day.
My fortieth birthday.
Glad you’re finally here.
I’m baking a cake to celebrate.
It’s goin’ in the oven soon.
We’ll eat it after supper for dessert.
Taking my boys to school.
Lunch with my mom and sister in law.
We’re The December Birthday Girls.
Goin’ to Red Lobster.
Seeing a friend about some cookies.
They will be the Art Club snack.
Settin’ up for Club.
Makin’ art, with a roomful of energetic children.
My sons included.
Then Home.
For the rest of the night.
It’s going to be A Good Day.
How can it not be?
Family, Friends, Art, Cookies, Cake and Home.
Sounds like The Perfect Day to me.
I’m plannin’ to ROCK forty…
it is The New Thirty after all.
Love,
Janean
No More Freak Outs…Three Phone Calls Later
Passages to Womanhood
Passages to Womanhood
It’s a girl!
First bra.
First period.
First kiss.
First love.
First time.
Get married.
Buy a house.
Have a baby.
Buy a van.
Buy a bigger house.
Have baby #2.
Hysterectomy.
Host Thanksgiving.
That’s as far as I’ve gotten.
In the Passages to Womanhood.
More milestones await.
In the years ahead.
No hurry.
I am a woman.
© 2011 Turquoise Tangles
Turquoise Tangles 