Friday, December 31, 2010

Flash Friday 55: Learning to FLY



I'm a Flybaby now
or at least,
going to try
Nothing to lose
except for piles
piles
piles
clutter of a life
depressed
inert, but now
old habits for new
attempting to reverse
the chicken and the egg
worth a try,
as they say
even baby steps
get you somewhere
eventually
And I've got time

It's Flash Friday 55 over at g-man's Mr. KnowItAll. Put your link in the comments and join the party.

P.S I'm talking about Flylady. She promises to help you get your house and hence your life into order. I'm a procrastinating piler, and have reached critical mass. One more of anything and it will all fall down.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Magpie - Remnants

I still have one,
tucked away with
socks
to remember
the victory
I gathered them
all
of
them
the scraps of our love
and put them in
a shoebox
notes you'd left
under my windshield wiper
or my inbox
little yellow reminders
of the time
you cared
snippets of
the wax and wane
of tangled lives
no longer able
to pretend it
wasn't
over
burned them all,
with the shirt which still
held your scent hidden
up in flames, like our
too hot too fast love
I left the ashes
and then
I bought myself
the gloves,
a celebration of letting
it all go.
Now
all that's left
is ashes of memories
and one, lonely glove.

This is a magpie tale.


Monday, December 27, 2010

Saturday Centus: Family Drama Part IX


Not really eager to talk to her idiot ex-husband, Kat instead studied the Rube Goldberg style devices in the nearby window display as she considered her options. She probably wasn't getting Russ's help. Her split-at-the-first-sign-of-trouble little sister wasn't coming back any time soon. And she couldn't leave that body in the freezer forever. The white-bearded fat man rolled through the church doors over and over again. The machine was stuck. “Something isn't doing its part right.” And that's when it dawned on her. Not wasting any time, she hurried away to set her plan in motion, feeling more hopeful than she had since this whole family drama started.

I think you know the drill by now, so just a quick review.  Prompt in bold italic.  100 words.  Jenny.  I'm trying to string them all together, and Jenny's trying to stump me.  C'mon, four weeks in a row of "holiday" style prompts?

Need to catch up?  Put Family Drama in my search gadget to get them all.  Only need last week?  It's here.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

At the End of the Day

And
so it's
over. Gifts
given, received,
families returning
home, left-overs stashed,
memories made, hugs shared
Celebration is over, but the greatest
gift remains

Sunday 160 is hosted by Monkey Man.  Head over there if you'd like to join us.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6



Photo wikipedia


 

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

To Fly

Trapped here
in a decaying body,
my soul longs
for the freedom
to fly

Take me up,
to the very top
from there,
I'll fly
Slicing through
the crystal air
face chapped
with the whirling
wind's caress
My feet, barely
touching earth
my arms stretched out
in gratitude
And when I land,
take me up,
take me up,
again

Alas, that's a
distant melody
of memories
playing in
my hopeful heart
maybe, one day
someday.

It's One-Shot Wednesday, a day early because of Christmas. If you've hesitated to write poetry, head on over there and join the supportive community of poets of all levels.

P.S.  I miss skiing.  A lot.  But with my fused wrist I'm not allowed to. Sigh.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Sunday 160: Peace


Cherished
Traditions, kept
Year to year
Antique ornaments
passed down,
unpacked with care
whispering love
memories
to my hurried heart
peace on earth
for this short while

It's Sunday 160, and my first time playing along.  Go see Monkey Man if you want to join.  You only get 160 characters, even harder than a 55, or a Centus.  What can I say, I like to be challenged ;-)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Saturday Centus: Family Drama Part VIII


Tired, frustrated, and if she was honest with herself, scared, Kat closed the garage and took one more look at the freezer with the body stashed. Good, it still looks a mess in there, he'll be safe. He wasn't going anywhere. But she was: Retail therapy. To forget her current predicament for a while in the crowds of Christmas shoppers cramming the mall seemed like a great idea.
Passing through the food court she was startled by a familiar voice, “What was he thinking? OMG! Elves are soooo 2009!”  Wait. Couldn't be. Could it? Turning around she saw him. What in the on earth was he doing here?

Saturday Centus again. You know the drill: 100 words around the prompt (not included in the count) and in bold italics above. Link up at Jenny's at Off on My Tangent if you want to join. I'm adding an extra twist: connecting all the short stories into one story, told 100 words at a time. And I think Jenny's out to get me...these prompts have been really challenging...

For the previous parts, go here.  

Friday, December 17, 2010

Flash Friday 55: Down the Drain


I wish I could wash
you out,
forget it
finally
Not be haunted by
what-ifs
regrets
you would go
down
the 
drain, 
in
a gentle trickle,
like the soap suds
puddled at my feet

Because moments
sneak up on my resolve
hushly whispering
to my heart
if only...
reminding me
of what was
long-ago lost.


It's Flash Friday 55.  Head over to g-man and put your link in the comments if you want to join us.


Thursday, December 16, 2010

What's Your Love Language?

Have you heard of the concept of The Five Love Languages? This book by Gary Chapman was first published in 1992 and is now available in 38 languages, while continuing to be in the top 100 on Amazon. I've found that understanding these differences between us has really improved my relationships, not just with The Engineer, but also my kids and my friends.

The basic concept is that although most of us use each of the languages some of the time, we all have one that is dominant. Learning what language your loved one speaks truly improves communication. The five languages are: touch, words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, and giving gifts.

Let's start with mine, touch. I'm a hugger, I love having my hair played with (the little girls I used to baby-sit enjoyed “styling” it), I like to hold hands, cuddle while watching a movie, and of course, ahem (Jenny says PG) spouse type loving. If you're my friend, I'll hug you every time I see you. If you're my son, I'll mess with your hair, give you a great back rub, or snuggle with you when I put you to bed. If you want to give me a gift, I'd love a gift certificate for a massage ;-)

The Engineer speaks acts of service. Are you moving? He'll be there, with his trailer, his mad packing skills and will pretty much run the show if you like. The sweet little widowed grandmas at church get their sprinkler systems winterized for free. He'll grab his compressor, the converted air tank, put it all in his trailer and take care of that for you.  I've NEVER mowed a lawn, or had to pay to have my oil changed. Even though this so isn't my language, I've learned that the simple things like making his coffee, or packing his lunch, or even laying out his clothes makes a huge difference for him. I try to have dinner ready when he gets home, and fix his plate for him. He'll turn around and serve me by do the dishes afterwards. And then we cuddle on the couch and watch that movie.

If you're a “words of affirmation” you feel loved when someone encourages you, or praises you for something you've done. Of course you need to HEAR “I love you” because changing your tires, though it's that other person's “acts of service” to you, doesn't say it “loudly” enough. You like to hear “thank-you” and “that was a completely wonderful meal” or “you're so good at that!” whatever that may be.

My Jake needs “quality time” so going out for coffee with Mom is a favorite activity. We chat and sip and laugh. He likes to help The Engineer with projects, because that's what his dad will be doing, and Jake wants to be with him. He's always asking for a sleep-over so that he and his friends can hang out for a long time.

Everyone loves getting gifts, but do you know that someone who seems to always pick the right thing to give you, even though you'd never thought of it? I bet that person's language is gifts. This is my sis. “Oh, well, I was just at Hobby Lobby and I know you like sunflowers, and it was on clearance, so here!” No occasion needed, just a hug in her language. She pays attention to people, and somehow manages to be completely creative in her choices. Not to mention generous. From me?  You get a gift card.

If you learn your loved ones' languages, and do your best to speak them, I truly think your relationships can only improve. Then imagine that they are doing that very same thing, trying to speak in yours. We all have our differences, and they say opposites attract, but opposites also have trouble understanding each other some of the time. Making the effort to communicate effectively is a gift to you both.

What's your language? 

It's Alphabe-Thursday again, brought to you by the letter L.  Link up at Jenny's if you want to play!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Where's the Line to See Jesus?

Received a link to this today. Happy Birthday, Jesus.


Personal News

This post is not about me practicing writing. It's just a news bulletin, to let you know where I am in life right now.
Back in July, my hip started hurting and it's gotten progressively worse over time. I gave in and saw a hip specialist who x-rayed and MRI'd me. And promptly passed me off to an even more special specialist. I finally got to meet with him yesterday. it's not happy news at all.  My labrum is torn alright, but it's because of the severe arthritis in that joint.  He can't fix the labrum because the ball in the socket joint is not aligned correctly. And even if he could, it would probably just tear again since he can't fix the arthritis.  And even if he could fix it, and the arthritis, and the arthritis didn't return, there's still the huge risk of getting RSD.  Read about Complex Regional Pain Syndrome here.

if you're interested in learning more.  This condition is what I already have in my right wrist which I shattered in 2000, fused in 2006, and still hurts like crazy.  Every day.

Needless to say, I'm completely floored by this news.  He said the only fix is a hip replacement.  But even then, the risk of RSD is so high that it might not be worth it.  At least not at this time.
So where does that leave me?  In hideous pain.  For a long time.
Thanks for listening,
Tina

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Saturday Centus: Family Drama Part VII


Dragging the body to the freezer proved a lot more work than she'd anticipated. Three steps, rest. Three steps, rest. Elaine had always liked her men tall, muscular, and fit. Why couldn't she have killed some wimpy hundred pound weakling? 
Ok, what would she have Annie do, if she was writing this instead of living it? That was a tough one. The last line she'd written in her current manuscript was, “An involuntary gasp of shock escaped my lips when I opened the shoebox and saw the pointy-toed shoes.” Her heroine had a shoe thing...probably wouldn't wanted to get dirty...so no help there. Where the expletive was Russ? She was going to make him pay for this.


It's Saturday Centus, and I'm linking all my entries together for the sheer challenge of it. Go here for last week, and for the links to the previous weeks. If you feel like playing along, head on over to Jenny's for the full rules of how to use the prompt (in bold italics above) in your own story. Then check out the other varied takes on the crazy prompts she gives us. Never a dull moment in this meme!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Flash Friday 55: Marry Go Round

Back again
we always end up here
despite promises,
desperate vows
we always end up here
you say,
but don't do
It's a merry-go-round
spinning, spinning,
sometimes fast enough
I can pretend not to see
but at times, so subtly
slowing down,
I don't notice
until we stop
getting off
right where we started.

It's Flash Friday 55!  Go see g-man and put your link in his comments if you want to play.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Pause

We rush and fuss
fret and plan
pushing to get through,
what should be
savored

It's not about
all those tasks we do
the musts and shoulds
over which we've
labored

In all the hustle
We miss the message
A world was changed
by the King of Kings.
The greatest gift:
Reconciliation, now
enabled.

If you haven't seen the flashmob food court Halleluiah Chorus, please take five minutes to savor this beautiful celebration of the birth of the King.  Then head on over to One-Shot Wednesday for more poetry from a variety of writers.  Write your own and link up!



Saturday, December 4, 2010

Saturday Centus #31: Family Drama, Part VI



It was mid-morning by the time Kat gave up waiting for Russ's call. She couldn't afford more delay, so with renewed determination she studied the dead body.

I guess I'll have to hide you in the garage. If there's room.”

It was a little less creepy dealing with the situation while talking aloud.

This might be harder than I thought. Look at all this crap!”

Then it dawned on her. Moving the bin of tangled up holiday lights, Kat lifted the lid of the ancient chest freezer. More crap. But moveable crap.
It wasn't long before the space was ready and waiting for the victim.



It's Saturday Centus.  By now you know the drill, 100 words, don't mess with the prompt (in bold italic), link up at Jenny's.  I'm challenging myself to connect all my stories, regardless of the prompt.  So go check out the other stories, and add yours to the linky.


Previous parts:
Part I-IV
Part V