The Poetry Bus Gets Fleeced!

TFE is driving the bus! He gave us some really intriguing pictures, with the stipulation that our poem had to be 14 lines long, and I thought I was writing a poem for the second picture. But when I came up for air my effort had nothing whatsoever to do with a couple of boys, a donkey and a dog. So I decided that it matched, vaguely, the prompt regarding the Van Morrison song. Here are our instructions:

“Plan B, Van Morrison has a song, 'You Don't Pull No Punches But You Don't Push The River' [go here to hear the song – it’s worth your while in my opinion]. In it he mentions 'The Veedon Fleece' I don't know what the feck that might be so write about whatever the Veedon Fleece may be to you and then whittle it down to FOURTEEN lines”

Like TFE I mostly prefer free verse for my own poetry, but I couldn’t resist the pull of the sonnet given the 14 line restriction. So, here you go, my take on the Veedon Fleece (which apparently was someone’s name, but I’m ignoring this & believing that it’s about finding something you’re searching for). After you read mine then go check out the other offerings here.

The Veedon Fleece

I want to help you drive the day away

To sink into your lonely shepherd’s mind

And find that corner tucked behind the gray

Where what I am, and what you are, unwind

The sheep are safe, locked in behind the gate

And I am here to draw you to the moon

Its waning light is bright enough to skate

Through fields and fens to find our midnight boon

Just wait my love until I loose your soul

It waits right there to be set free, unchained

It wings away just like a thought made whole

Unfettered by the care of this day’s pain

I watch the moon until it fills the sky

We watch the moon together, you and I

Thankful Thursday

It’s that time again – let’s be thankful!

• This is TMI, but I’m thankful that no one can see the bra/underwear combo I’ve got on today. Woohee – it’s the clash of the color families. At least they’re clean, & I’d like to say that I was extra careful driving in today (to save the paramedics), but in truth I just drove as I usually did.
• I’m thankful that in my dream last night my mother seemed to be handling her incarceration in the federal pen rather well. My uncle Bill was there too. I don’t know what they did – but I suspect it has something to do with the Brookford Mafia (this is an inside joke) and I want to know where my share of the dirty money is!
• I’m thankful that work has been busier than usual, but not overwhelmingly so. Contrary to popular opinion I like to be busy. So there.
• I’m thankful that despite the fact that I was burning up this morning I did actually put at least a light raincoat on before leaving for work. I’ll probably appreciate it when I leave work this evening. It’s such a struggle for me to visualize being cold later when I’m hot now.
• I’m thankful for Greg at Greg’s General Store for hosting the Thankful Thursday posts. He’s moving on from the blogging world (he wants to have a REAL life – imagine that!). We’ll miss him, but I understand the need to disconnect from this electronic age. Not that I plan to do it myself anytime soon :)

That’s it for today – what are YOU thankful for?

P.S. I would be open to hosting the Thankful Thursday meme if other folks want to participate. Just let me know!

Tattered

Tattered

A flag flutters

in the breeze -

its tattered edges

no better kept

than my

ragged soul.

I could preach

about respect,

but that’s the

conundrum, isn’t it?

What do I know

about reverence?

And so I look away

instead of inside.

Let’s just keep

stirring the pieces

in the box so that

we never have to see

the unbroken picture.

This is a Magpie and a One Shot Wednesday. Please go to those sites to read other excellent writers!

Monday Miscellany

I wasn’t going to do Miscellany today, but there’s just so much to talk about.

• Like how my Weight Watchers Ravioli kind of smells like the microwave does after you accidentally nuke metal (or is that just me?), or like my tooth does after it’s drilled. Should I be concerned? I’m eating it anyway.
• Like how I wish I had brought my camera into the office so I could take a picture of the giant mountain of peas on top of the ravioli – I’m not very good at eyeballing portion sizes so I just dumped the whole thing on there. Eh – we all need extra peas every now & then, right? We won’t discuss how the container they were in had measurement markings on the side so I should have known how many peas I had.
• Like how Annie Parsons is going to Haiti & you can download some of her songs to help pay her way (she leaves Friday, so hurry!). She is such a good singer/songwriter.
• Like how I got to wondering about the fact that my gynecologist told me a couple of years ago that I would need to stop taking birth control for a period of time so they could do some blood test for menopause. But if I don’t have any symptoms because the birth control masks it why would I want to stop just to see? Does that make sense? And why am I thinking about it now?
• Like how last night when I went to turn my computer off I started looking for the timesheet program so I could clock out. Clock out from the weekend. I guess that’s about right!
• Like how I was complaining about our rain (I know – I’m such a whiner!) until I read Karie’s blog post about how we need rain for spring. So I’ll shut up now.

That’s probably all you can stand anyay, isn’t it?

A Ramble Through a Fen, Take 2

Last April Dr. M & I visited a local fen* & vowed that we would go back every month to see all the changes each season brings. Well, yesterday we finally returned. I guess we missed out on the every month thing, didn't we? Yesterday was sunny and sort of approaching warmth, but once we got on the trail it was really breezy & I discovered that 43 degrees in the shade feels very different that 43 degrees in the sun. But it was nice to do a little bit of outdoor walking. Would you like to join us?

The entrance looks very inviting, doesn't it?

As we approached the walk I decided to read the signs.

Hmm - this seems somewhat ominous. But we press on.

OK, yes, there is some flooding. But it only went over the top of my boots, so we decided to persevere.

 And quickly saw evidence of the beavers' handiwork.

Ah, here is where we believe the culprits live!

But I found the watery milieu beautiful in its on way.

But then we encountered an obstacle that could have perhaps been overcome by hip waders (or excellent balance on slippery boards).

So we turned back and paid attention to the ice that was still a thin layer on the water. Dr. M said it felt like being inside a chilled margarita glass. Hmm - I wonder how he knows what the inside of a margarita glass feels like?

As we left we decided that this year we really will go back again every month. Really! So keep your eye out for a March post.

*Fen: n. A fen is a type of wetland fed by surface water, or groundwater, or both. Fens are characterised by their water chemistry, which is neutral or alkaline. Fens are different from bogs, which are acidic, fed primarily by rainwater (ombrotrophic) and often dominated by Sphagnum mosses.[1] [From Wikipedia]

2011 Project 365 – Week Eight

This week the star of the show is that old devil moon. Although I don’t know what’s so devilish about it – I think it’s lovely :)

Sunday, February 13^th      

Finches! We’ve been so fascinated by the other birds this winter that we haven’t posted many pictures of our finches.

Look! It’s NON-indignant penguins! We are finally thawing out here in the middle of Ohio.

Signs of life – yay!

Monday, February 14^th  

Here is the State of the Bug. Can you tell where I am? I had a dental appointment at 7:00 a.m. on Valentine’s Day. But since I didn’t have any cavities or other traumas I considered it a good thing.

Well hallelujah, the Tax Time Pig has put on a new outfit. There are hearts on the “dress” but otherwise I’m not exactly sure what’s going on here. Heh.

Tuesday, February 15^th

My sweetie brought me flowers, candy and a card for Valentine’s Day. Of course, we didn’t get a picture of the flowers until the next day – gorgeous! 

Here’s our weekly squirrel. 

While Dr. M was photographing squirrels & flowers, I was taking a picture of the goose deterrent at work. I think it’s hilarious when I see the guard headed out in the morning to put Mr. Coyote in a strategic place to scare the geese off.

Wednesday, February 16^th

Dr. M took this picture of some horses he sees every day. The one horse is saying to the other horse, “See, it’s that crazy guy with a camera again!”

Our first moon picture of the week.

And here’s one later that night – you can tell it’s not quite full.

Thursday, February 17^th     

As I was leaving for work we had this great sunrise. This is how I can tell the days are getting longer – usually I leave in the dark & the sunrise is behind me so I never see it. Dr. M was taking these pictures as I drove away.

Birds!

My flowers are still pretty…

I had lunch with an octogenarian friend. She’s a wonderful liberal (a Rachel Maddow fanatic) and I enjoy hearing her take on the world. We can talk religion & politics without worrying about getting annoyed with each other.

I had the Chicken Pesto Pizza – I only ate half of this plateful. I love it when I get to pay for lunch one day & eat for two days - & it was just as tasty on Friday.

Friday, February 18^th

Dr. M took this rather artsy picture of some geese on the move.

He had a late meeting & on his way home he called & said, “Put your shoes on – I have something to show you!” So when he pulled into the driveway I ran out to the car – I felt like a teenager on a date. He took me to our local park where we could see the full moon in all its glory. I took this picture of the moon over the water (water – not ice!).

Saturday, February 19^th

Dr. M has been trying to remember how to adjust the camera settings to get a good picture of the moon. This morning he was successful! Here’s his 6:48 a.m shot.

And here’s the one from one minute later – I love how the outlines of the trees are just visible (click on the picture to make it larger).

Bonus: tonight's slightly waning moon!

Manual settings: ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/400

P.S. Happy birthday Jenrod! You know who you are :)

Go to Sara’s blog here to see the blogs of all the other Project 365 participants.

The Poetry Bus Gets Mean

120 Socks is driving this week & doing a fine job I must say. I hope I didn't leave the bus in too big of a mess. She gave us the choice of three prompts & I chose this one: I knew a woman who... You can read the other prompts here. But go here to check out all the riders this week.

Here's mine - yet another blast from my past. This one isn't quite so pleasant though.


I knew a woman who
wore bigotry like
a diamond ring that
she would hold out
to watch my reaction.

My eyes are
more of a window
to my soul
than most –
no secrets here
in these not
really baby browns.

That’s how I
know that
although
our skin was
the same color
and I wasn’t a
jewcatholicimmigrantgay
woman
she hated me
too.

Except for
that horror
in my not
really baby browns –

She loved that.

Thankful Thursday

Do ya feel thankful today, punk? OK, that was lame. I’m not really very Dirty Harryesque. Sorry!

• Well, of course I’m thankful for the love of my life. He did very well this Valentine’s Day – card, flowers, candy. Sigh.
• I know I already mentioned this on my Monday Miscellany post, but I got a clean bill of dental health on Monday. I was very relieved to not need anything extra done to my teeth this time. And yes, I will mention this again on my P365 post on Saturday.
•  Today was ridiculously warm – 60! It was so nice to go out at lunch without a coat.
•  I’m thankful that the Tax Time Pig is finally wearing a new outfit (come back Saturday to check it out).
•  I’m so glad that I’ve handed over the Poetry Bus keys to 120 Socks.
• Dr. M & I switched sides of the bed – I know! Call out the media! As we’ve gotten older we have developed coordinating aches & pains so that switching sides of the bed is more comfortable for both of us. Sweet!

OK, that’s enough. What are you thankful for? After you tell me, go to Greg’s blog to see what other folks are grateful for.

Michael Dodd

"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

                                                       Matthew 5:13, The Message Bible

Michael Dodd

When I was in

seminary I knew a

theologian in training

who always looked

at me, bemused.

I was a new species,

unable to talk

about God

without laughing.

Self conscious,

I thought of myself

as marshmallow fluff.

But now, I like to

think that I was

a salty presence,

just bringing out

the God-flavor

of joy to a

somber world.

This is a Magpie and a One Shot Wednesday poem. Please go to those links to check out other stories!

Monday Miscellany

Here we are back at Monday again – how did that happen? Here’s some miscellany, since I’m not up for much more at this point in the week.

• The other night I had a nightmare. I dreamed that Dr. M was planning to plant carrots in our garden. I hate carrots. My dad then informed me that carrots do well in raised beds, which is what we have. I did NOT need to know that.

• Yesterday I went to get groceries just wearing the blazer I had worn to church! No coat! No hat! No gloves! Today is extra breezy, but still relatively warm (in the 40s).

• I guess I sort of knew that the Grammys were on last night, but we were watching a show about American Indian removal instead. Such is the life in a historian’s home :) It was a pretty good show.

• This morning I went to the dentist. They think my teeth are great – no problems today. It’s because I finally started flossing regularly in my 30s – otherwise I’m quite cavity prone. I still get them, but not nearly as often. So, the PSA of today is FLOSS!

• Because it’s so breezy I sometimes had to actually use two hands while driving in to work. I fully expected to see Winnie the Pooh & Piglet flying by at some point.

I hope everyone is having a fabulous week. I’m planning to enjoy this (relatively) warmer weather!

Weekly Wordzzle

It’s Wordzzle time! You know, these are a lot of fun to do, and as you can tell, the stories don’t really have to be all that good (although Ardent & Raven write excellent­ stories). I think it’s just a good mental exercise. So, go read the other stories here, and then write your own stories & link up!

Words for the mini: closet, camera, cheese, flagrant, music

In flagrant disregard for her parents’ terror that she might come out of the closet, Sheryl decided to just pour on the cheese. Grinning into the camera she listened to the music and waited for her cue. Hearing the first strains of Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” she launched into song.

Words for the 10-word challenge: sweetness, soap opera, leather jacket, matches, corn, pregnant, operation, mustache, crib, earrings

Sweetness O’Toole adjusted the collar of her leather jacket and wondered how long she’d be able to zip it. She still couldn’t believe she was pregnant. Her life was a soap opera, that was for sure. She always did fall for a man with a mustache. He was just so pretty, and he had given her the most beautiful sapphire earrings (“Ah, ma petit, this blue matches your eyes exactly…”). What a corn ball. Didn’t he know that his redneck accent didn’t sound the least bit French?

She’d thought about getting the “operation.” But here she was shopping for a crib. And where was Mr. Mustache? Probably back in Little Rock by now. Good riddance!