I’m standing with one foot on the ledge between the kitchen sinks, and one foot on the adjacent kitchen counter, twisting a hook into the window moulding to hang a birthday treasure. My youngest boy just says, “Hi, Mom” as he ducks into the half bath off the kitchen. Blasé. No big deal. Curiosity not piqued at all. Even though, for the record, I am not often found counter climbing. In other news, both of my feet are back on ground now, even if my heart is soaring a bit, as I daydream and smile at the blue crescent moon made of glass now dangling over my head. On sunny days the faceted clear crystals will add colorful rainbows to my kitchen walls. I can hardly wait! Until then, I’ll smile at la lune and dream about the kind of moments that happen just once in a blue moon. Smiling crooked crescents are my favorite moon phase, other than half, three quarter and ginormous full. I sort of love them all!

December 8, 2013

My youngest son slept in this morning. Sweet ten year old boy needed those extra zzzzz’s. The sound of his door creaking open from the top floor drifted down to where I stood in the kitchen. I smiled in anticipation even before I heard his joyful exclamation, “IT’S SNOWING!!!!!” He spied those tiny white flakes through the big picture window. I met him in the front door hallway. He hugged me. We stand nearly eye to eye. A few hours later, on the phone with my father, he told me my mother met the snowy morning in much the same way. Joy is all around us, especially in the simple things, those quiet moments, like a prolonged good morning hug that says, “I love you” without the actual words. Snowflakes are no longer dancing on the wind. My youngest boy has been window gazing periodically, still hopeful for a blizzard and no school snow days. Patience. Winter is just begun.

December 8, 2013

dog talk

My dog isn’t spoiled at all. I just told him, “We aren’t going outside to see your friend Jake right now. I’m making soup.” Jake is the new puppy on the street, part collie and super cute. In lieu of getting his way Blue is wild woofing and pacing between the front window and me in the kitchen, hoping I’ll change my mind. Maybe. After my soup. It’s chicken soup with lime time.

June 2, 2013

my day thus far

A l’il excitement walkin’ the dog this morning. Started off the same as usual, on the literal bright side, with sunshine, blue sky, glints o’glittering light upon the melting snow. Next thing I know, Blue’s hand-me-down pinch collar fell off as I walked him through the park. Second day in a row. Yesterday I heard the, “clunk” as that silver metal collar hit the ground with the leash attached and I grabbed ahold of his regular collar ninja FAST. Today we both heard the clunk and that too smart for his own good pup took off at an all out run! He headed for the fence line, darted to a grove of pine trees, while I ran the other way, snow boots makin’ tracks, and shouted to that racin’ dog, “BLUE! Come and get me. Good boy.” I wanted him to stay in my line o’sight. I kept on running, and called out, to keep him in the park, and away from the road. The road scares me. He has no sense. Crazy dog wants to chase cars. Blue got close enough I could catch him, it’s a game he sorta loves. Me? Not so much! Grabbed that collar, clipped the leash and caught my breath as we walked on toward home. I’m a long distance walker. Walking I can do. Running has never been my thing. (Insert a visible shudder as I flashback to high school P.E. and that mandatory run ‘round the track.) Home now. Thankful. Breakfast, coffee and art making is next for me. Gotta have the art made, framed and delivered between 5-7pm tonight ‘cause the “What’s So Good About Good Friday?” Art Show is tomorrow. Ah. Art. That always makes me smile. Quiet content kind. Even when I’m runnin’, literally and figuratively, on not much sleep ‘cause the wee hours of the night are calmest for art making in this house with busy on Spring Break boys, a wild woofing pup, and cat that sleeps atop me at night. That’s my day thus far, and a snapshot of what’s ahead. Saw the sun comin’ up from my bedroom window and said, “Good morning.” Needed that calm and peaceful moment to face what was comin’ next.

March 28, 2013

snow boots…again

I awoke and looked out the window. That is something I usually do. Today I needed to verify that I’d be back in my snow boots to walk Blue. Sure enough. We got enough snow overnight to nearly cover the grass. That big ol’ dog and I set out on our usual path, sorta mosey-walkin’-strollin’-tuggin’ as we circle ‘round the block and through the park. Blue had fun snow walkin’, with his nose poked through the white stuff, to sniff all o’er the ground. I’m not sure if there is more snow on the way… I’ll just watch out the window to get my answer. Just wanted to let you know the latest in Bloomington, Illinois Weather…’cause if it’s not one thing, it’s another. Hope you have a great Sunday, Palm Sunday at that!

March 24, 2013

“looks can be deceiving”
I walked through the park
with my big sweet pup
midday, as we often do
the sky is quite lovely
a gorgeous shade o’blue
the clouds are puffy white
and daydream-like
from the window
things look balmy
but that March wind
blows in great big gusts
hits you hard
and knocks you back
it’s still Lion Time in Illinois
even today
on the first day of Spring
brrrrrr
I’m downright cold
still feelin’ chilled
even back inside
within the warmth
and comfort
of home

March 20, 2013

a l’il luck

in this moment
I’m all kinds o’weepy
still wearing my fleece pajamas
with peacock adorned rain boots
(of course)
I don’t care about societal rules
pajamas smajamas, I’m not nude
just leaving the grocery store
where I bought a shamrock plant
figured I could use a l’il luck
hoping for the good kind
years ago, more than 20
my mom gave me shamrocks
for my college dorm room
that’d be four of them
‘cause a green thumb is not my gift
I’d forgotten all about ‘em
until they recently caught my eye
plant after plant
set along a deep window edge
waiting to catch sunlight
I mentioned them aloud
walking down the window lined hall
following the kind woman
one of many helping me through
she casually replied
“They are mine.”
Shamrocks
for luck
‘tis their month you know
March and all
with the fun of St. Patrick’s Day
less than a week away
soon

March 11, 2013

window view

playing in the snow
children laughing
snowballs flying
smiles shining too
looks normal
from the outside
only the inside knows
the truth
for reality
is anything but normal
life is never boring
if it is
it’s your own damn fault
we have your drama
real life kind
eyebrow raising
jaw dropping
gray hair causing too
but from the outside
if you are looking
from your window view
the drama doesn’t show
it’s skillfully hidden
behind brave faces
and eyes filled with secrets
heart kind
that never tell

February 23, 2013