Flash 55-TGIF

Snow fell unannounced. Cars moving slowly down the highway, I sipped my coffee as the back wheels started to wiggle, a dance uninvited. My coffee flew through the air and my car spun into a ditch, a tractor trailer waving good morning as it rushed by. Do I really need to be at this meeting?

For more flash --see the g-man!

Happiness

"People are being called upon to adapt in ways that they have not in decades. Things are hard. It is okay to be upset and it is necessary to grieve. That's the first thing I say. We have to honor anxiety. The phrase "You are feeling sorry for yourself' is not in my vocabulary. I believe the finest works of art are born out of the deepest suffering. We can teach ourselves skills that will make us happier in life. Savor it. No matter how bad you believe your past was, you did learn how to skip. There was a day when you discovered your shadow and how to ride a bike. We have a choice about what we remember--past and present."

Annharriet Buck from her "How to Be Happy Lecture" and excerpted from "The Guru in a Pantsuit" by Marie Brenner Departures Magazine

Reya from the blog According to the Cosmology of Reya aka the Gold Puppy has been writing about identity, questioning herself and the direction of our country. I believe Ms. Buck's lecture, part of the program known as the Inner Door at the Golden Spa, is a starting point for what ails. I believe we all can learn from asking the same questions and listening to each other. Thanks Reya.

Finally, thanks again Annharriet Buck! Wise words and the closest I will probably ever get to the programs offered at the Golden Door. Ohmmm.

Theme Thursday-An Impression

Signore Mimo works the Piazza Del Campo in Siena Italy. He strolls about looking for an unsuspecting tourist. Ah, yes he sees his next victim.

Signore Mimo takes his water pistol and shoots it into the sky. Drops land  directly on this gentleman's head. Confusion and perhaps, dismay at what might be falling given the sunny skies is evident. He keeps on walking while the crowd laughs.

Signore Mimo works the crowd as the poor tourist walks in the opposite direction.

I felt the impression that I was his next victim. Heart thumping, I was ready to get the shot. Alas, Signore Mimo prefers unsuspecting prey and sauntered off, his job done for the day. Ciao Bella!

For more impressions--take a look here!

Monday Morning Wake Up Call--Up and At 'Em!

For me the key to staying motivated in my work year in and year out, is to reinvent myself. By reinvent, I mean force myself to do things I never do or think about how I do them and to never, ever stop learning.

I came across this bit of advice and have tacked it above my phone as a reminder to be present and to embrace change.

If you have been sitting, stand.
If you have been standing, sit.
If you have been traveling, stay home.
If you have been home, travel.
If you have been teaching, learn.
If you have been learning, teach.
If you have been talking, listen.
If you have been listening, talk.

Annharriet Buck

Here's to a great week!

Flash 55-Books

“No more than five”, the librarian said, scanning her card. She runs home, the leaves scurrying along side, thinking about the books left behind. New places, words and faces all within her reach, five books at a time. Climbing the stairs, her shoulder aches under the weight. She hears the pages whispering in her ear.

Flash Fiction--a story in 55 words---for more see the g-man!

Theme Thursday-Bread

loaves
warm
bastone
semolina
french
italian
whole
grain
wheat
rye
challah
sour
dough
raisin
no

my jeans don't fit....

For sustenance without the calories--go here!

Oldest Puppy in the World

Yeah, I'm still here...I walk down the driveway each night and I look left then right to see if my friends are walking down the block...nothing but these young pups ---Mason and Peaches are gone--Fiona goes back and forth between her two homes so I only see her every once and a while. Trixie is older than me. She can't walk so good so when I see her I am nice to her. All the other dogs can walk by my house and I just nod--no need to really get involved, cause I am old. Not when it comes to my owners,though--I will jump for food and do all things they have come to expect of me but when it comes to meeting youngsters, well I just don't see the need. They understand it. It's cool. I am collecting my social security. I am the senior citizen on the block.

A Dream

How has Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.inspired me? Two words-courage and vision.

For more information and inspiration go here.

One World

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.  Margaret Mead




Tonight I watched 60 Minutes and listened as Byron Pitts interviewed volunteer doctors regarding the conditions under which they are working. The term used, "Civil War medicine", terrified me. With limited supplies including rubbing alcohol to sterilize instruments and no electricity, the doctors have had to resort to the use of hand saws to remove limbs of those injured. As Dr. Paul Farmer a volunteer doctor walked Byron Pitts to the location where bodies were being disposed of because of concern for public health, he noted while horrifying, it was necessary for people to see for themselves the horror and therefore, understand the need to assist in any way possible.
I chose the YouTube video above because like the 60 Minutes interview, it not only shows the faces of the people devastated by this earthquake but also gives one a sense of their strength, their joy and their belief in what is possible.

I have used Margaret Mead's quote a number of times here. Given what my fellow bloggers have written, I am convinced she was absolutely right about the power of a group people to make change. Distinct viewpoints all engaging their readers in thought and the need for action.  Read on:

Keeping it in Perspective

Help!

In Honor of Molly Hightower   (see sidebar)

From Texas to Turkey to Haiti

Happy Sabbath

Call to Action?

Maybe February...

Prayers for the People of Haiti

Conscious Friday: Yele Haiti

For My People

Bloggers Unite for Haiti

Relief Work in Haiti

One more take from 60 Minutes...A US soldier sent on her first deployment witnessed her parents homeland for the first time. She took solace in the fact that she could speak to the people and they could understand that help was on  its way. Their response was that they were proud of her and that she was doing a good job.

Mr. Jackson this one's for you

Theme Thursday-Surface

is it below
or above
hard to tell

when the wall seems
too tall
to scale

the waves crashing
noise
thinking
nowhere to turn
listen
a chime sings
with the wind
feel
the rock
climb

aspens whispering

sunrise awakens
swim to shore
sand and salt
cleanses

heart beats
new beginnings
await

Theme Thursday-Polka Dots

One dot...



Two dots...



Three dots...



so many dots, so little time....

Tag

I received a lovely Christmas present from Yvonne, she tagged me on her blog, The Organic Writer--I am at once honoured and aghast ---to be recognized as a writer, how thrilling, something I have aspired to but never really felt worthy of...I have read many a book, taken many a class and even minored in creative writing while in college many years ago. It has always been there and one of the reasons I began blogging this past year. Perhaps, the only resolution I was faithful to in 2009. It is a journey. I begin slowly and find my way. It is my hope that I continue without distraction or fear to be willing to call myself, a writer.


1) What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have? My blog post regarding my word for 2010-Realize. A novella for a creative writing class based on Kandinsky's Composition Paintings
2) Write poetry? Free form, haiku
3) Angsty poetry? No--if its angsty it goes into the shredder
4) Favorite genre of writing? Fiction
5) Most annoying character you've ever created? Myself when I took a class on writing memoirs...
6) Best plot you've ever created? a short story based upon an imaginary friend
7) Coolest plot twist you've ever created? based a story on a painting and the new world it inspired
8) How often do you get writers block? Every day--journaling helps but making time to write a story that I can lost in has been difficult in the last five years--here's to making that a priority.
9) Write fan fiction? I must confess, I had to Google this...the answer is no.
10) Do you type or write by hand? Used to write ideas by hand but now everything is typed and on a computer.
11) Do you save everything you write? Stories, writing assignments --yes. Journals--I am in the process of reviewing and shredding.
12) Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it? Yes---Immediacy always is powerful in a story's telling but I believe while the emotion of the moment one writes about may dampen, the wisdom that comes with years can add to a story.
13) What's your favorite thing you've ever written? A series of stories based on traveling.
14) What's everyone else's favorite story you've written? Remains to be seen...
15) Ever written romance or angsty teen drama? No, but I wish I had come up with the idea behind "Twilight."
16) What's your favorite setting for your characters? Somewhere foreign.
17) How many writing projects are you working on right now? Blogging with intention and working on my photography is keeping me busy right now.
18) Have you ever won an award for your writing?  Yes.
19) What are your five favorite words? Perhaps, rendezvous,vehemence, evanescent, fire
20) What character have you created that is most like yourself?  Ava
21) Where do you get your ideas for your characters? Conversations overheard, news, photos,dreams
22) Do you ever write based on your dreams? Yes--plot line and dialogue guaranteed.
23) Do you favor happy endings? Only if the story is better for it.
24) Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write? I  majored in English with minors in Creative Writing and Art History. It took me years to be able to read and write without analysis and critical thinking taking control. When I journal I write as it comes but when I blog or write for others' eyes I triple check spelling and punctuation. I am appalled when I find one of my posts with a typo. It's something that I am working on...
25) Does music help you write? It can inspire. I use it to remove blocks.
26) Quote something you've written. Whatever pops in your head. I was about 6 years old. I stood waiting for the light to change to green at the intersection of Main and Pier feeling the sun on my face and wanting nothing more to be running with the rest of the kids. A lull in the traffic and the warmth of the newly sprung sun pulled me into the crosswalk. I was making my way across when I heard the squeal of tires and horns.
I made it to the other side, my heart pounding, his voice whispering in my ear, '"There you go, go. Don't be walkin' against the light agin, darlin'. "
I whispered, "Thank you" and ran the rest of the way home hoping that my mother wouldn't find out.
One night, my mother and father were fighting. As I buried my head further into the pillow, I heard his voice rising above the yelling, "So what have you been up to and where are you going?"
"Who is that?" I asked, sitting up and looking about my room.
"It is me, McTavish", he said, as if I should know.



Thank you Yvonne for lighting a fire that at once inspires and leads the way. When it comes to light and inspiration, I tag Brian  because I expect to read one his novels soon and Alicia who is working on photos and words fearlessly. Here's to a New Year that surprises and inspires us all!

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Yeah, it is that time again---back to work! I have to remember while re-entry can be tough, laughter and the love of a good man makes everything possible.



Anybody annoys me---ma-i-na-ku-ma-na!!

A New Year...One Word...Realize

On this day of your life, dear friend, I believe God wants you to know...
...that you are valued more than you know, by more people than you think.
It might be good to get in touch today with your true worth.
It is much higher than you often give it credit for being --
and now is a perfect time to know, and to gently assert, that fact.
This is not about arrogance and it is not about over confidence.
It is about a simple, dignified Knowing.
You will not have to think but a second to understand precisely why you received this message today.
--Neale Donald Walsch

I treasure this time of year. I take time to hear the voice that cannot be heard above the noise of have tos, shoulds,did nots and failures, perceived or actual.

Many years ago, a dear friend of mine told me that no matter who you are--mother, father, sister,brother, wife or husband,  one must always have a place in their being that is exclusive and sacred to the individual ...this to me is "a simple,dignified Knowing." 

My resolution for this year is to take that knowing and act upon it.

To realize
I must
be conscious
of a plan
understand
goals
think
of process
do
what makes me happy
envision
tomorrow
fancy
the impossible
achieve
my due
acknowledge
blessings
live