I am toast
and not the pretty golden brown
evenly buttered kind
I’m stuck in the toaster
charred beyond recognition
crumbling burned black toast
evidently when my day starts at 4:30a.m.
by 6-something in the evening I am done
kaput
not worth much
by almost 7:30p.m. I am toast
actually those crumbs in the bottom if the toaster
I may be in bed before the children tonight
unless I fall asleep on the backyard chaise
where I have the dogs leash under a leg
to hold it in place
and I am stretched out fairly flat
my eye lids at half mast
there are dishes
clean ones to unload
pots and pans to do by hand
laundry to fold
more to move around
from one machine to another
but something’s burning
smoldering
crumbling
beyond done
crumble
crumble
ick
charred to bits
toast
life
Spring is moving along at warp speed.
Everything is blooming ASAP!
These Bradford Pear trees usually bloom mid-April.
Yet, here they are, mid-March!
I can’t quite believe it.
I’m loving the balmy temperatures.
It’s been in the 70’s and low 80’s with no humidity.
What’s not to like?!
No need for a jacket or heavier cold weather gear.
I’ve even ditched shoes and socks for sandals and bare feet.
Most shocking is my choice of attire…
Hopefully I didn’t scare too many neighbors while sporting shorts and a tank top on Sunday afternoon.
In my defense, it was hot.
Yes, Spring is moving along at warp speed.
Summer will be here before we know it.
Perhaps in May, instead of June.
Time will tell.
However, there really isn’t any need to rush.
the beauty of outside
is the walls hold in
the sound of the TV
and once the dog
stopped woofing
I could hear the quiet
of the night
no stars shine
a bit overcast
50% chance of rain
isn’t there always?
it either will
or it won’t
simple as that
regardless
this is the view
looking up
if you stretch out flat
atop the wooden deck
while the woofing dog
doesn’t ask questions
just lies down beside me
then shhhhhh’s too
I love being outside
even in the dark
of night
it was a be-a-u-ti-ful day today
amazingly so
we can’t quite believe the unseasonably warm,
lack of bone chilling wind,
sunshine not rain,
daffodil bloom filled days
it is only mid March
and it feels like May
amazing, remarkable, wonderful
and I’m sure not complaining
I spent the afternoon outdoors
visiting with a friend
she is also my husband’s sister
bonus
the dogs were there too
hers and mine
they ran free
no leashes needed at the farm
we lay in the grass
sat up some too
walked when needed
sometimes in sun
sometimes in shade
always under the blue sky above
with white puffy clouds
the happy kind
and air warm enough
we were just in shirt sleeves
everyone is going to sleep well tonight
yes, it was a be-a-u-ti-ful day
missing
one 14K gold ring with a natural pear shaped emerald and the tiniest chip of diamond
AND one pair of not too big, round natural emerald post earrings, set in 14K gold
If found somewhere in my house reward is a great big grin, super tight hug and kiss.
I didn’t know they were missing until St. Patrick’s Day rolled around.
My emeralds, from over twenty years ago, are part of my wearing o’the green tradition.
Wherever they are it is quite likely a ninety-nine cent shamrock pin is with them.
I specified natural emeralds because it matters.
The natural stones are flawed you see, with cracks and clouds and imperfections.
Simulated stones are more vivid in hue and clear as can be.
Laboratory perfection.
Which isn’t for me.
I don’t mean to sound like a queen, as I declare, “My emeralds are missing!”
Alas, they are though.
Later I shall be rummaging and turning my bedroom drawers upside down looking for them.
It’s a wearing o’the green tradition after all.
my heart socks from yesterday
are on inside out this morning
sometimes life feels like that
when your heart is closer to the surface
and everything hurts a little more
because you’re feeling
turned inside out too
I hate feeling like that
but on the flip side
that’s where the poetry comes from
for we experience the world differently
than those turned right side out
and feel compelled
to put those feelings into words
so much more
Love is so much more
than Valentine’s flowers
chocolate too
maybe even dinner
Love is for everyday
not just one red heart day
shown in many different ways
if you’re lucky
and take the time
to notice
Love is a precious gift
given freely
with no strings attached
or hoops to jump through
to receive it
Love is life
for life is richer
with love in it
Moonshine over the front yard
As the sun was rising over the back
6:50am
On a Saturday
In early February
In central Illinois
My home
Since always
Sunrise over the backyard at 6:50am.
On a Saturday.
Been up since 5:00.
I am A Dog Mom now.
He woofed.
My feet hit the floor to let him out.
You know.
To go.
Stayed up.
Might as well.
Morning is here.
Loving the coffee.
And the Puppy & Me time.
He’s A Good Dog.
My Blue.
Just as well I didn’t know
That it was only ten degrees
Until AFTER our 20 minute morning walk
He’s ready for a nap now
Smart Boy that he is
Of course it’s as my other boys are waking up
The two smaller ones
And the big one
The sun is rising higher
The sky is brighter
Saturday has Officially Begun
too much of a gentleman
he’s too much of a gentleman
to put the blame on me
it wasn’t the woofing of the dog
coughing of son number one
or morning grumbles of son number two
that awoke him this morn
from his workin’ mids (3-11)
just unhooked from chemo slumber
it was me
rummaging in the closet for clothes
that jolted him awake
but when I gave him multiple choice
the dog?
youngest son?
he just quietly said, “No”
not elaborating
as he ate a pop tart for breakfast
and took some medicine
before tucking back in
to sleep a little longer
later it dawned on me
but he was too much of a gentleman
to say so
Turquoise Tangles 