Making rounds

I enter and you’re slumped forward, napping

The Golf Channel blaring

I press mute and you jostle

“It’s okay,” I state.

“Call my son, he wants to talk to you.”

 

The next room CNN is tuned into hearings

“He’s a racist, “ the daughter proclaims

“It’s not good” the milky-eyed lady replies

“Her pressures are bad,” the daughter states.

 

You are in the back room of large apartment

Fox News clicked off as I enter

Frank gets up, “It’s time for my walk.”

“Do you have your phone?” she calls

You’re happy to see me

“I have my list.”

 

You’re asleep on the couch.

It is difficult to rouse you

TCM’s on, a black and white movie

“Who’s that actress?” I ask

“I forget but she’s really good,” you say

 

European soccer on the big screen

She wanders around, wearing a coat and holding her purse

“She’s eating a lot, but doesn’t remember. She may have diabetes,” I state.

“Thanks for taking care of my mom.”

 

Now I’m in your room.

A game show is on but no one is watching

You fell and broke your hip

You wanted to go shopping.

Now in bed and your family is here

I turn off the TV

 

I submitted this to Unknown Writers contest–Denver Women’s Press Club -2017

I never studied poetry, but several years ago I was in a transition. I was working, but wandering. When I wandered I jotted down thoughts of what I saw on my journey. The critique of my poetry was information I didn’t know what to do with. I haven’t written my wandering thoughts since. But I still make rounds, seeing patients. Each person’s life is a snapshot, I was privileged to witness.

In this time of pandemic and the elderly at home, these moments still happen. But life is more precious and smaller now.

Take care of our elders. They are our history. Be kind. Don’t take them for granted. Love.

 

Happy National Limerick Day

This is my contribution to National Limerick Day.

Falling Behind 

I’m falling behind in my life,

The piles of stuff cause me much strife,

Overwhelm kicks in,

Oh, where to begin?

This is what happens at mid-life.

 

Enjoy the day and Do Something.

my father’s memory

you were with me, but somewhere else

you listened intently but soon forgot

you told me your story

it helped you remember who you were

talk of the Navy brought up young adult angst

this memory embedded needed release

opportunities given saved your life, in turn it brought forth mine

you smiled and the hard times faded

your eyes twinkled, you gave me a wink

you are still you

My dad died a few months ago.

I miss the strength and wisdom he gave our family.

Here’s to remembering.

In Memoriam.

I quit my job and went to Italy

I haven’t blogged in a while.

I’ve been pre-occupied for most of 2014…with deciding how and when to quit my job.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this.

But I did it…and I am free of the insurmountable amount of stress I was experiencing.

Six years ago I started to make plans to go to Italy.  Here’s the proof.

Quitting my job and planning for Italy all happened in six weeks.

Over the past year, I kept reading about fear, taking chances, freeing oneself from obstacles, being true to yourself, being closer to God, being more spiritual, and living the life you want. Reading the stories and tributes brought tears to my eyes. I knew I needed to make a change but felt stuck.

With the support of my dear husband, Bob, I was able to move forward.  My journey is told in what moved me in the pictures below.

The beauty art and loving God.

The trails.

The pathways

The stairwells

The doors

The windows and clean laundry

The ride

The ride on cobblestone streets.

Locks of love.

The beauty of nature from my window.

If you are reading this and you’re stuck in your life: keep the faith, read, learn about yourself, pray, meditate, connect with colleagues and friends, and listen to life stories.

Fear

Foreboding thoughts as I near the scale

Energetic efforts of yesterday brings hope

Angst fills me, the line creeps higher

Rue the day I hit fifty, its been a standstill since then, Argh!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This was written for the Trifecta weekend challenge, which was to write exactly 33 words on FEAR and I made an acronym into a poem.  I have struggled with many fears my whole life. I have yet to overcome the fear of the scale.

Click on the tricycle to direct you to the Trifecta Blog website.

http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com

Related articles

• Fear (crowarrowinc.wordpress.com)
• Fears :trifextra #90 (infosponge000.wordpress.com)

Summer’s End

Virginia Views has inspired me as a cocooned writer.

She posted to write down the first ten words that come to mind and three of the words would be the post title.  I decided to use the words for my post.

My theme was Summer. The end of the summer filled my head and heart this past weekend. I had ten glorious days away from work that were exhilarating. I felt like myself again.

Mothering

Mess

Soul

Ashes

Fin (The End)

Perfection

Music

Create

Escape

Path

The trail sloped into the bright, hot day

A new path to begin

Escape routes of the past served well at the time

Messes made and cleared

Mothering to perfection no longer necessary

Ashes released into a butterfly

Life of music celebrated

Soul searched

Time  to create new

Fin

Related articles

• Where did Summer go? Prompt (neverendingstorydepository.wordpress.com)
• Summer Delight – Maxis (silhouettetrends.com)
• The Appeal of Irish Music (windupwire.wordpress.com)

Evolution of a blogger

I am responding to Virginia Views inquiring what is our evolution as bloggers.

Why did you start your blog?  

I started this blog after reaching age 50 years of age.  Reaching a half century of my life: childhood, school, college,  marriage, raising children, grad school, working, keeping a home; it’s all hard work: rewarding and exhausting. It’s a culmination and a relief. You exist. You made a life. You matter. You made a difference.

Is that still why you blog?

The passion comes and goes with this blog. I also have a food blog, writing and cooking my adventures in making recipes I’ve never attempted before. The material is a little easier to come by.

Has your site gone in a different direction than you’d planned?

Yes for both blogs. I try to complain less and reflect more in this blog. The writing waxes and wanes with inspriation.

The food blog is more an personal adventure than a group challenge . It is extremely difficult to get the cooking club members together due to family obligations, travel and schedules. But I keep plugging along.

Thanks Donna for your inspiration to write today.

We must remember to enjoy the ride. It’s all good.

Eggs

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!”

Annie called out to Eddie.

Have your way.

Push the rest of us off.

Don’t be mean.

Easter is for everyone.

Not just for you!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This was written for the Trifecta weekend challenge, which was to write exactly 33 words including an idiom somewhere within.

Click on the tricycle to direct you to the Trifecta Blog website.

http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com

Speechless

When I speak her name I cannot speak

Many feelings

Daughter

Nurse

Woman

Who should speak?

Love at core

Life passing

Eternity  near

Cherished memories

Time has come

Speechless

Loving hug, kind thought, voice breaking, tears come

Bring it in

Sing to her

Ave Maria

You are Mine

Irish Blessing

Love you, Mom

‘Til we meet again

Liebster Blog Award

Virginia Views was so kind to nominate The Fearless Cooking Club for the Liebster Blog Award.

She requested that we answer the following questions for her chosen bloggers

1)    If you could go anywhere in the world and stay for a month, where would you choose to go?

Australia because our son just moved there. Second choice would be Europe because I have never been there.

2)    What is your hobby?

Baking.

3)    What was your childhood dream?

To be a singer and a nurse. The nurse won out.

4)    What was the best gift you ever received?

A Christmas ornament, a fishing reel and a marriage proposal as one gift December 1985.

5)    What is your favorite movie?

Something’s Gotta Give, Wizard of Oz and Pride and Prejudice. If these movies are on TV I stop everything to watch them.

6)    Who is the person who inspired you the most?

I have been inspired by strong women: my three aunts – my father’s sisters and my nursing instructors. My aunts were all different- one never married but was the matriarch of the family; one married, had a family had a strong faith and I am her spitting image; and one had a professional career when it was rare for women to have one, married late in life and is the wise sage of the family.

My nursing instructors showed me how to be a caring person, be a strong woman leader and to face your fears.

7)    What is your favorite dessert?

Pure dark chocolate with orange square.

8)    What is your favorite quote?

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion it has taken place.” George Bernard Shaw

This quote ends all my email messages at work. Work email is where messages can be promoted to help a project move forward, but also be misinterpreted and cause rifts in team building. I pride myself in speaking the truth and keeping communication lines open.

9)    What do you do for relaxation?

Take a bubble bath.

10) What is your favorite remembered scent/smell from childhood?

Snickerdoodles baking

11) If you could be a character in a book, who would you choose to be?

This is tough because I really enjoy biographies of real people. Probably Julia Child because her life was so interesting. She serve in WWII where she met her husband Paul, she traveled the world, she learned to cook when women didn’t become chefs, and she was a late bloomer.

Thanks again for the nomination in the month of giving thanks 🙂