Monday Morning Wake Up Call- Remember..Yes We Can!

Now more than ever we need to put aside our differences and work together---cross the room and grab a hand--yes, we can...

Flash 55-New Ride,New Me

Nothing better
Flying down a hill
Coaster brakes
Straining
Tires sqealing
That was then
This is now
Or Tomorrow
My new ride
Will be waiting
24 speeds
Color of root beer
Fat tires
Waiting to fly
Humming a song
I jump on
Pedal
Pedal
Wind blowing
Through my mind
Bringing me back
Moving me forward

It is that time again--this week flew by without the help of my new bicycle! Pictures coming soon. Until then, if you can write it in 55 words--tell the g-man! Happy Flash Fiction Friday!

Theme Thursday-Sign

Cowgirl Cafe Santa Fe New Mexico

Life ain't about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.

I took this Theme Thursday prompt "Sign" as a sign that I need to get back to Santa Fe soon, not just for the amazing frozen margueritas and ribs at the Cowgirl Cafe but also for a reunion with good friends, the air, the mountains and the feel of red dust on my skin. Time to pull out the hiking boots--
For more signs of the times--Check out Theme Thursday

Perspective

Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.
Ryunosuke Satoro

Magpie Tales-A penny for your thoughts

Repairs
are many
in this old house
a wall
warped doors
a hall
tin ceilings
squeaky stairs
paint's peeling
creaky floors
much more
plaster and lathe
need a new bath
questions abound
12 or 10 penny?
When?
How many?
Where's the hammer?
Have we any
18 penny?
He asks
I stammer
Don't know.


Mr. Jackson believes one can never have too many nails and the photo prompt for this week's Magpie Tales is actually a photo of nails used to make boxes and are most likely 8d --the 'd' stands for denarious or a Roman coin which looked liked an English penny and the system that was used to define not only the cost of 100 nails but also the correct length of nail. Who knew? Mr. Jackson did and here's a site which explains it so much better than I can! 

For more tales about nails---go here! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

A few blessings to you and yours..

May you always have work for your hands to do.

May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

 
May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten.
 
 
May God give you for every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.

Monday Morning Wakeup Call-The Ides of March

Not certain where to insert the " Et tu Brute? but who cares! Let's just bask in the retro moment--Have a great week!

Committed

Once I find a writer, who is able to capture my imagination, I feel compelled to read their next book.So despite the reviews, which I typically ignore anyhow, I read Elizabeth Gilbert's "Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage". The genesis for the book came to be when Ms. Gilbert's fiance, Felipe, Brazilian born and an Australian citizen was escorted away at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by Immigration officers as she watched. Felipe was the man we read about in her memoir, Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia. The man she allowed herself to love after travelling continents trying to understand why she could not love. It was an amazing story and journey.

With Felipe's deportation and the realization that the only way they could continue their life together was to get married, this latest book discusses the trials and history of marriage. Gilbert sums up her trepidation by opening her discussion of the issue with a Polish adage "Before going to war, say one prayer. Before going to sea, say two prayers. Before getting married, say three." stating that she intends to pray all year. With this she begins to weave the story of their journey to marriage with a remarkable dissertation of the history and the cultural aspects of marriage.

Having gone through a difficult divorce and recently married, I was saddened but not confused by her fear and outright dislike for the institution of marriage. So as I read, I gave her kudos for excellent research, writing and finally, applauded her marriage to Felipe. This book was a journey that was perhaps, more personal than the one in which we came to know her. With her research, she revealed elements of herself, that we didn't see in the last book. She is a magnificent writer and storyteller. I look forward to reading more now that she is released from "I do."

Additional Elizabeth Gilbert reading:

Stern Men: A Novel

Pilgrims

The Last American Man

K.I.S.S.

The lentil soup is simmering, the house has been cleaned, errands done and the wild winds of March are here. Rain is pounding on the windows and the wind is howling. Nothing left to do but think of places I've been, places I want to go and play with the new templates on Blogger. Couldn't resist. It is like having a new box of crayons and a clean pad of paper. It is about new beginnings and new adventures. After a few attempts, I have decided to keep it simple....stupid or silly--no matter, just a few changes, listening to the wind with a focus on what's next.

Let me know what you think!

Flash 55-No More Popsicle Toes

Sixty degrees
Snow melting
Sky blue
Endless possibilities
Ever changing
Energizing
One day changes
Everything
Spring is near
Songs to be sung
Sap runs
Limbs loosen
See me run
Happy and carefree
Like a child
Whisper of
Summer breezes
Warm
Salty
Sandy
Toes wiggling
Waves tickling
All is possible
If you believe
Spring has
Sprung.

If you can write it 55 words--join Flash Friday and tell the g-man!

btw, the weather this weekend says rain, wind and lots of it--spring is roaring into town! Have a great weekend!

Theme Thursday-Hats

When it comes to buying a hat, size does matter. Found this contraption in an antique western wear store in Taos, New Mexico.
It was used to measure cowboys' and yes, cowgirls' heads for custom made hats. Turns out that I am a 7 1/4 --a large head for a cowgirl, I was told.

Something tells me that Georgia had a large head too and didn't much care. I am going to get me a hat just like Georgia's when I move to New Mexico with my darlin' Mr. Jackson.

It is that time again--Theme Thursday is here and it is about hats--take a look and try one on here!

Magpie Tales-Ganesha

She sat at the entrance of the Agra Cantt station waiting for the passengers to enter into the sun, her carvings surrounding her on a piece of silk. Birds, leopards, tigers and one elephant resting on a stone; they spoke reminding her to smile with her eyes.

The sound of the train whistle and feet made her heart beat faster as she heard the travelers walking her way.

"Oh look, they are so beautiful," one woman said as her husband continued walking the Taj Mahal in the distance and the reason for their journey. He looked over his shoulder, tired and wanting a shower, he walked back to where his wife was standing. Dropping his pack on the silk, he scattered the carvings and asked his wife, "What one do you want?" She looked at him and at his wife, eyes blazing, picking up the elephant and said in perfect english, "1,000 rupees each."  His wife chose two, a leopard and a tiger and  handed her the money before he could speak. She smiled and smoothed the silk as they walked away, knowing that her children would eat and hearing the words of Ganesha as she placed the elephant back on his stone, the sun setting against the spires of the Taj Mahal.

Just another Magpie Tale---read and create more stories here!


Given my love of the Southwest, I must say I was troubled by that fact that I could not identify this little guy. As a collector of fetishes and kachinas, I make it a point to understand the essence of the creation and firmly believe this knowledge is an homage to the hands that create the work and the culture in which it exists. Looking through my books, all I could think of was that he was waiting to be held and understood. Namaste.

Theme Thursday-Green

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive.”

Eleanora Duse

Ahhh, the smell of grass on the first warm day of spring--let it be soon!

It is Theme Thursday and today is an ode to green.

Check it out!

Open

"Even if it's not your ideal life, you can always choose it. No matter what your life is, choosing it changes everything."
Andre Agassi

I spent my early twenties watching tennis. Evert, Conners, McEnroe and Borg were my introduction to a game that I came to love. The discipline, excitement and the sheer drama of each player and their resulting matches made certain that I planned my 4th of July and Labor Day weekends around Wimbledon and the US Open. Despite my best efforts, my ability to play the game was limited largely due to this unknown skill called eye-hand coordination. Alas, I grew up before Title IX and never really grasped the idea of hitting a ball with a bat or a ball with anything for that matter though I tried. So I watched the game and the battles all the while witnessing these amazing athletes along with this upstart Agassi as he showed up to play wearing something other than white at Wimbledon and looking like Bonjovi with a tennis racket. Too quickly, they all faded away and I was left to watch how Agassi fought to stay in the game. Suddenly he had my attention.

So it was not only because of the love of tennis that I picked up Andre Agassi's book, "Open: An Autobiography", but because of his determination and his willingness to go to battle in spite of the odds and the better athletes in his path. I watched him as he reinvented himself through training and sheer resolve win.

But wait, this is not only a story about an athlete but also about a man trying to find himself. A journey. The ability to realize one's potential in spite of the day to day responsibilities, excel and find happiness. Sound familiar?

Magpie Tales-A Mother's Love

"I just want to make her legacy live on and make it live through me." Johannie Rochette

tonight is yours

the world awaits
my work done
I am here
watching
you
glide
jump
and fly
know cheri
the kiss
sent skyward
sparkles
on my cheek
like a star
my pride
and joy
lifting you
up
I feel
the weight slip
from your shoulders
to your hands
a bronze medal
resting there
as you smile
a ribbon
connecting
my heart
to yours
well done

This is week 3 of a wonderful blog designed to get writers writing and keep the muse alive!

For more information about Magpie Tales fly here!

Thank you Willow!