Lead Me Out of Here

February 15, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Cold and greythese Winter days,I search for a sign,a line that leadsbeyond this dismay. For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: vanishing or leading lines.

Oh, Those Eyes

February 13, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Love abounds with four-footeds around Those eyes that watchour every move,speak volumes (For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge: eyes.)

V.J.’s Challenge #83: Product placement

February 10, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Product Placement Unintentional My shampoo is soft,sensitive with rose petals –his is fortified,extra fresh – blind purchases,both conditioned. A tanka inspired in the shower. Too much I say! Products invadingmy creativity. Hope you have fun with this one. To participate, create a post, link back here or leave a link in the comments. Respond however […]

In a Whisper, All Changes

February 9, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

I didn’t dare to even whisper it. I shifted the computer screen to Ric’s line of vision, and left it there, open for him to comment. Or not. You see, we’d applied to adopt two dogs – Havanese crosses, ages two and ten months – and been turned down by the rescue agency, as I […]

Landscapes

February 5, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

The path before me titillates –beckoning hues, rolling hills –I set my lens on discovery. My heart belongs to this land –lush landscapes, and dynamic seasons –here I’ll stay till shadows succumb to night. (For Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week challenge: landscape.)

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #82: whisper

February 3, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

I’m right behind you! The voice is whisper-scratchy, low and menacing. I can see you! I whisper back, giving my voice a threatening tone. The teacher strikes continue here and I am filling in for working parents. Granddaughter #1 and I are playing a game in which we think of normal sentences that are scary […]

Don’t Mind Her, She’s a Regular.

February 2, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

So lost in conversation, my friend and I didn’t notice the time. The other patrons in the restaurant had long gone and the owners were cleaning up, ready to close. “Oh my goodness!” my friend said, gathering her coat and purse. “I guess they want us to leave.” We continued our conversation out the door […]

Hello Sunshine!

January 31, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Hunt for Joy Challenge this week is: sit in the sunshine. The sun is always shining when little ones are about.

Pick Me Up Reds

January 29, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Winter’s whites fadeturn to drab greyand I search for signsto brighten, lightenred to make by day. For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: something red.

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #81: regulars

January 27, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

The sound of oversized boots dragging across wooden floors announced that it was 2:40 p.m. Shuffles, as we called her, would arrive each day, walk to the back of the store where the cash desk was situated, touch three things, and then turn around and slump on to her next stop. She had a mop […]

Imagine

If we could lift understandingto indigenous teachingsexpand our loveto earth, sky, and seaMake personal gain tabooand Ancients a weigh point If we could witness the mountainsslow floating across the skyand touch the dolphin’s soulanxiously swimmingwhere tuna are netted Would we cower at our insignificanceor move forward, learning to acceptthat all of life is deeply woveninto […]

Dear Child

I know a little girl,whose hair in ringletsfalls, unkempt from lackof brushing; who standswhen she should be sitting;who laughs with defiance whenchallenged, her dark eyes gleamingwith mischief; who holds her chin uphigh and stamps her feet, arms foldedin protest when she does not get her way. I see that little girl,have watched her play,with a […]

Re-de-fine-d

Ask me how I’m doingand I’ll say “fine”, notbecause I’m actually fine,but because “fine” is the onlysocially acceptable response. If I said that I have been lyinghere, for three hours now,willing my body to move,that would elicit unsolicitedadvice and tarnish my “fine”. I’d berate myself for breakingmy promise not to moan,knowing that complainingprovokes a compulsive […]