I have a big sweet puppy dog as a foot warmer.
We just came in from a thirty minute walk on a gray, rain spittin’ day.
There is another hour before it’s time to pick up the children from school.
I may rest my eyes for just a bit…
Or write, while the puppy is still, and my house is too…
Quiet, except for the ticking if the clock and tapping of the keys.
I am thankful for warm toes and this great big baby canine, napping at my feet.
house
it was a Zebra Socks kind of day here
kind of wild at times, though not exotic
I was thankful for their warmth
in the melting snow drizzle
their whimsy made me grin
as I moved about the house
in my zebra stockinged feet
and remembered
the zebra skin
yes, from A Real Zebra
that hung on the wall
next to my bed
during my teen years
brought home from Africa
during my aunt’s Peace Corps years
all that, from a pair of socks
fashioned from black and white fibers
I’m sleepin’ in them too
it’s time for Zebra Dreams
goodnight
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
today is the day
today is the day
that chemo starts again
not for me
for him
I am writing about burnt toast
and brightly colored socks
because it’s easier
to be chatty
about breakfast
and strands of cotton
than the unknown force
that six months of chemo
will be in my husband’s body
we all feel the apprehension
inside this house
we go together
at 12:30 p.m.
today is the day
Ugh.
© Turquoise Tangles
because I do
I say, “I love you” with the clothes I clean
I say, “I love you” with the groceries I buy
I say, “I love you” with the food I prepare
I hear you say it too
when you say, “Thank you”
I say, “I love you” when you seem blue
I say, “I love you” before I leave the house
I murmur, “I love you” as we fall asleep at night
sometimes you say, “I love you too”
I hear you say it
in other ways
I probably say it too much
just know
I do
© 2011 Turquoise Tangles
Turquoise Tangles 