Magpie Tales-Sotto Voce

voices whisper

in my dreams

some long gone

some just gone 

but none forgotten

cause me to smile

 and laugh

trying to catch up

 on the latest news

I awake

tears running

down my cheeks

then I remember

and smile

happy

C.M. Jackson 2011

 

This is a magpie tale--fly on over here for more!

Magpie Tales-Magic

As I climbed into the back seat of my grandmother's 1963 chevy, she whispered, "The munchkins live in the fields among the lettuce, tomatoes and corn. Keep an eye out for them." I pressed my face against the window as she drove past field after field trying to spy just one munchkin. I was always disappointed as the car turned into the driveway signaling the end of the ride.

Twenty-five years later on my wedding day as the rays of the sun begin to reach over the storm clouds, I look out the window and hear my grandmother's voice, "Don't worry, they've sprinkled gold dust on the path, the sun will come out and your future is bright."


Tis just another magpie tale---for more, step this way!

Flash Friday-"It's a Great Day for America!"

Time flies when

You are having fun

Don’t know if that’s true

But it certainly helps

If you get to see

Craig Ferguson

A Scotsman

Now proud American

Make it to Carnegie Hall

Telling stories

Acting silly

Be forewarned

Practice, practice

Is how one gets there

But with comedy it does help

If one swears.

C.M. Jackson 2010

Yep, you've made it to Friday and if you can say it in 55 words, you MUST go tell the g-man. Happy weekend all!

Flash 55-Full Moon

The man in the moon spoke to me two days ago. “McTavish is that you? I whispered. With a wink, he said “You are not lost. Whatever you wish can be found so long as you are willing to believe.” I smiled, humming happy birthday as he played hide and seek in the night sky.

Have a story to tell? Tell it in 55 words and see the g-man! Happy Flash Friday!

Theme Thursday-Bicycle

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” Albert Einstein

A bicycle memory--Edgartown Martha's Vineyard.

Patti, my best friend way before there was BFF, her two children, Paul and Amanda and my nephews, Chris and Justin decide to take on the bike path. This is how it looked---Patti on her skinny tired 10-speed with Amanda on the back, Chris the oldest of the young people, rolling his eyes because he could only ride 1 mile ahead, Justin itching to go fast, Paul wanting to ride the big boy bike because Chris and Justin were but not really knowing how and Aunt (said Ont not Ant) Cheryl at the rear on her mountain bike. This is how it sounded---Patti took off riding serenely and bravely with Amanda in a bike seat calling Chris to follow. Chris taking off like Lance Armstrong at the last leg of the Tour de France, Justin immediately following hoping to draft on his brother's speed , Paul not really understanding the need to pedal continually but giving it his best shot and finally, Aunt Cheryl,  pedaling smelling the sweet breeze that only the pine and salt of the vineyard can create. It was all good until I saw a group of cyclists on the horizon pedaling towards us, I stood up on my pedals and yelled, "Justin! Right!" About this time, Paul became disenchanted with the idea of moving his bike forward and began dragging one leg, pushing his bike along one foot on a pedal. I moved behind him and gave him the only words of encouragement that made sense, "Pedal, Pedal, Pedal!" Meanwhile the pelaton was approaching, I looked up and yelled, "Justin! Your other right! Chris coming close to the point that he knew he would have to stop began the call that has been heard throughout the entire east coast, "AUNT CHERYL!!!"  The pelaton swerved around Justin as he smiled listening to a song only he heard and Amanda waved as they went by. I yelled to Chris, "Next Two!" With that Justin and Paul pedaled ahead with new resolve as my dear friend pedaled along with a squirming toddler on the back of her bike. We made it to the beach "no harm,no foul" looking forward to that glass of wine only FIVE hours away knowing that the ride back would be a new adventure.


Today, I ride my new bike hearing my nephews and niece yell, "Pedal, Pedal, Pedal!' with the following as background music.


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Today is Thursday and the theme is Bicycle--pedal, pedal, pedal on over here!

Theme Thursday-Summer

Summer means vacation. When my nephews were in elementary school I always planned an adventure during the summer with my friend and her two children, my honorary niece and nephew.

Summer means "Let's go to the beach!" One year we visited one of my favorite places, Martha's Vineyard. We packed my friend's van with four bikes, food and the endless gear four kids require for a week's stay at the beach. We survived the trip up 95 from New Jersey with frequent stops at the MickeyD's. The ferry ride was a big hit. My nephews were a bit concerned that there was no boardwalk or games awaiting them but once there, quickly fell under the spell of the Vineyard. We stayed at a lovely place in Edgartown, rode bikes and visited the beach every day. In the evening, we walked about town after dinner to the book store and ice cream parlor. The first night there, the three boys travelled the narrow sidewalk at the speed of light from our lodgings to town with ice cream and adventure on their minds. My dear friend, appalled, as they barrelled through crowds, causing people to step aside and at times, off the sidewalk, corralled them--ages ~10, 6 and 6 into a single file and began the march that would become our nightly walk-left, left... one two three! It was controlled and for the most part, blissful chaos from thereon in.



Summer means riding bikes. Our treks began as so- my friend riding with my two year old niece, her daughter, on the back of her bike, my oldest nephew, his brother and my friend's son with me in the rear. The two younger boys had varying degrees of cycling ability--younger nephew rode very well but didn't fully understand the need to stay on the right side of the path and honorary nephew wanted a 'big' bike like younger nephew so was learning to navigate and trying to understand why he had to pedal so much. Luckily, the Vineyard has a great system of bike paths so vehicular traffic was never an issue. So it would begin--my friend would start off , followed and quickly passed by my older nephew who had strict instructions not to exceed more than a half mile lead, his younger brother pedaling gleefully albeit on the wrong side of the path and honorary nephew sometimes pedaling with me following yelling, "Right! Right! The other right! to younger nephew and "Pedal, Pedal, Pedal!" to honorary nephew.



I am pleased to report, we made the trip, without injury or injuring other cyclists. A good time was had by all.



Finally, summer means popsicles and the potential for an 'all girl getaway' since the boys were now too old to hang out with us. Hence, this popsicle moment in Chicago with my honorary niece after a day of sightseeing and shopping at American Girl. A whirlwind of a weekend filled with great sights, museums, food, tea with our favorite American Girl and no boys! Priceless.

4th of July weekend is just around the corner--time flies...enjoy the summer!