I smiled quietly this morning
standing in a window lined hallway
seven stories up
savoring the sun shining in
turned toward North
(I guess)
since Chicago skyline
is on the horizon
I’d stepped out of the hospital room
to call my sister
left a message for her
with my voice breaking
and a few tears falling
at the end
January 22, 2013
Loyola hospital
Chicago suburbs
northern Illinois
smiling as I type this
from a hospital cafe
jazz is on the speakers
conversation murmurs
there is ice on the fountain
as seen out the window
on my right
but it’s still pumping water
life
in this moment
January 14, 2013
Loyola
Chicago, IL
I’m cryin’ as I write this
I feel like such a mess
wearin’ my cowgirl boots for courage
first time I’ve worn ‘em here
yet it’s the only fittin’ thing to do
I wanna tromp across the pasture
where the horses used to graze
and stand still in the barnyard
where we curried, combed and praised
those two horses of my childhood
Santas, short and stubborn
Copper, tall and true
how I loved them
and the time we spent
atop their steady backs
followin’ the trail you set
ridin’ double
or walkin’ side by side
trottin’ was for sometimes
gallopin’ hardly never
I’m cryin’ as I write this
nothin’ weak in that
you’ve always led by example
some lessons are harder than others
oh, how we both know
I’m writin’ heart thoughts that seem random
but go together ‘cause they do
got my boots and denim on
just like you
written Thursday, November 8, 2012
as I rode the southbound train from Normal to Alton, Illinois
the first leg of the trip
I have a hanky in my pocket
I’m leakin’ all kinds of tears
my heart, oh how it’s hurtin’
some solace waits for me there
my parents went south yesterday
the highway called their name
my cousin always lives there
next door to Grrr
who got me on this train
for grandpa’s birthday is the reason
number 97 is nearly here
I’m arrivin’ one day early
today’s the day I could come
“Happy last day of 96!”
I brought the last jar of alien goo
they’re really, “Green Tomato Pickles”
but either way, I made ‘em just for you
written Thursday, November 8, 2012
as I rode the southbound train from Normal to Alton, Illinois
the first leg of the trip
“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” ~ Dorothy, “The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
OR, in my case, “I have a feeling we’re not in Illinois anymore.” (And I can’t even address the comment to my big, sweet pup, Blue, because he IS in Illinois…without us.) ~ Janean
October 20, 2012
woke up at 4:00a.m. Illinois Time
no dog to walk today though
so I read for an hour
a page turner
light on mystery
long on romance
before tucking back in bed
‘til 7:30a.m. Eastern Time
mmmmm felt luxurious
to fall back asleep
thankful to be on vacation
October 20, 2012
It’s a day made for burrowing.
Brisk and damp outdoors.
Made for wearing fuzzy slippers indoors.
It’s August 13, 2012
…and only 62 degrees fahrenheit in Central Illinois.
Fall is in the air.
Hallelujah!
~ Janean
I served bacon and eggs to my family for supper tonight because we are out of most everything and I have yet to make it to the grocery store.
It’s Fair Week you know…
First it was gettin’ the projects done
Then it was gettin’ them judged
Now, finally it’s just goin’ to the fair for fun
And we’re goin’ quite often
We’ve been there four days in a row
With two more to go
And don’t you worry…
We’re goin’ those days too
Temps are in the 90’s
Middle mostly
With central Illinois humidity
And not a rain cloud in sight
That’s why I shouted from the kitchen, as I dished up eggs for supper, “I’m doing the best I can!”
For the 4-H motto is
“To Make The Best Better”
~ Janean
August 3, 2012
my sister texted me this morning
a note about her oldest son being back home in Arizona, from his two month visit home to Illinois, where he stayed and played with his grandma and papa, aunts, uncles and cousins too, over summer break
she wrote, “Kids were elated to have him home. It felt great to all be under one roof again.”
I replied:
All is well
As it should be
The missing piece of your heart puzzle back in place
I’m so glad
For all of you
Hugs and love
she replied, “That is exactly the way I felt to… Kinda off all summer and just felt complete. It was so fun watching all three kids walk inside the house together with smiles.”
then she added, “I love u so much Janean.”
making my heart squeeze and my throat close and my eyes water because Arizona feels really far away today.
August 3, 2012
Turquoise Tangles 