sons

April 6, 2013

sustenance

My hair is a rats next of tangles from that wicked wind.
I’m am so wrung out and weary I’m leaning against the wall as I stand and type.
Will take more Tylenol next, find something hot and filling for supper, and look forward to the soothing water of a hot bath later tonight.
Much later.
Sometime after the dog is walked for the last time and both boys are tucked into their beds.
Later.
Hopefully within the next three hours.
Hope.
A sustaining emotion.
The ultimate Soul Food.

April 6, 2013

March 11, 2013

dog walk thoughts

I walked Blue through the park this morning early, our favorite route, while a cold rain fell. As my peacock adorned rain boots hit the wet sidewalk, after we made it through and were headed on toward home, these words rang in my head in a steady rhythm:
“Grit, Steel, Grace and Love
that’s what Janean Baird is made of.”

Of course it should read, “Janean Marie Thompson Baird” but that’s too long and ruins the word flow.

I’m going to wake up the boys next and plan on unplugging as best I can to make art today, for that is the soothing balm my aching and weary soul needs most.

March 11, 2013

February 23, 2013 Image

I’m wool gathering in the kitchen
warming my hands
on a ginormous mug o’joe
leaning on the counter
dishwasher sloshing
running humming
boys watching Clone Wars
now nearly through
snow covers the ground
February air has snap
inside is warm
my kitchen spot the best
for quiet contemplation
coffee drinkin’ daydreams
blue sky is emerging
from behind a wall o’clouds
wool gathering
thinking
not just a barnyard pursuit
baa
brrrr
ya sheared me a l’il close
not yet anyway
shearing is for Spring
after winter wind abates
real wool gathering time isn’t here
not quite yet

February 23, 2013

February 15, 2013 Image

I made this valentine for my family yesterday. Chocolate kind. Inside and out. In the heart shaped pans my Grandma Thompson gave me, well over 20 years ago. Funny thing is, even though they’ve been mine for that long, I still think of them as hers, and think of her, with a smile, each time I use them. Happy Day After Chocolate Day! Yes, my two sweet boys had hunks o’chocolate cake for breakfast. Why not?! I count it as a pastry, along the lines o’donuts and cinnamon rolls. Plus, it’s a half day of school (Parent’s Day) and we’re going out to eat for lunch.
~ Janean

February 15, 2013

January 26, 2013

closer to home

I’m going home today. HOME! Wish it meant my husband was sprung from the hospital near Chicago, but he’s not. I’m going home to my two boys, ages 12 and 9, and that striped cat. My sweet pup, Blue, who I miss too, comes home on Monday from the canine resort. Home to central Illinois where the land is flat and fertile, though the fields lie fallow, and the bare trees of winter show off their curvy bones. Oh. Home.

January 26, 2013

December 1, 2011

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

November 26, 2011

crazy dreams

I dreamt crazy dreams last night

of things I don’t want to happen

not for a long time

anyway

yet in my dreams it felt so real

losing you

too soon

and being strong

through it all

lest I embarrass you

from Heaven

but it hurt so much

felt 

so real

shaking hands at the visitation

crying at the funeral

with our children beside me

missing you too

I was so relieved

to realize

it was just a dream

and you are still here

to love in person

when I awoke

from another night

of crazy dreams

© 2011 Turquoise Tangles