Seven Word Sunday

Flamboyance of flamingos is not casual conversation.   

Six Word Saturday* Revisited

Ragged restart to rebuilding regular routines. 

*I didn't create but did participate, hope to kick-start a welcome habit. :-) 

Update Status

What hasn't been said in nearly a month:

1. My daughter had knee surgery nearly a month ago. She's frustrated with . . . well, most everything really. Doing my part to keep her spirits up takes nearly everything I have.

2. I failed to commemorate my mom's birthday mostly due to being caught up with concern and care for daughter. It was the 26th of May. She would have been 78. I miss her--still.

3. My bike broke. Thanks to that and other factors I haven't pedaled at all (well, except for gym bikes--sparingly) at all this spring season. I have no doubt not riding is impacting my psyche.

4. I participated in a free web series designed to get my sketchbook mojo ticking. I'm trying to commit to sketching every day.

5. Remember the letter writing month project? I continue to receive lovely letters from members of that group initiative.

6. In addition to re-dedicating myself to sketching and writing (creative endeavors in general), I am also re-dedicating myself to health (I won't say weight loss, though that is the ultimate desired result) goals.

7. I dreamt that I went to a party. I was in a party dress. I woke up in sweats. (Literally and otherwise) ;-)

8. My skin has been on a tear. Atopic dermatitis. Frustrating. Painful. Annoying. Nearly healed--not nearly fast enough.

9. I miss this space/community. I want/need to make the time and effort to write (and visit others) more often.

Go HERE for MORE Blog Reads! 

 

A Week's Worth

A Pop of Color from a neighbor's yard! 

Gargoyle may not have lead to evacuation and city's notice. 

A lunchtime stroll in nearby, "funeral park" as my daughter calls them. 

The morning moon is in this shot. 

Late season (surprise) snow. 

Time change = sun on the way home. 

The first pet, Pete celebrated his 12th birthday! 

                                                             

MORE MORE MORE!!! 

Photo Memory

sun not quite up, moon not quite down. (da moon)

A year ago today (the 6th) it was Monday. A year ago today (the 6th) I posted this, a photo of an ominous looking tree set in my neighborhood.  The tree featured front and center, has since been cut down. There is an ominous blank space where the tree once stood.

I am pleased to have snapped a picture of that tree on that morning and several beyond. Until it was gone.

Take a trip around blogland

And Oh, By The Way

My son spends a good amount of time in schools.  He's employed by a theater as a teaching artist, going into schools to guide high schools students in preparation for various monologue competitions and festivals. The idea that he may encounter anyone with a lethal weapon, let alone a mass shooter is horrifying.

The idea that any of the overworked, much stressed, educators that he encounters would be further burdened with the responsibility of carrying, securing, with the possibility of having to defend the class is beyond horrifying.

In the vernacular, "I can't even with these people . . . "

More to Enjoy! 

Snippet

A Neighbor's Tree 

A dream:  anxiety rising to the point of overflowing, looking for the milk. It isn't in any of the usual places so I began looking in some rather unusual places. Finally relief and then, immediate confusion. Why is there a gallon of milk in a dresser drawer? 

And then I am awake. 

Are you watching the Olympics? Loving it? Not? Somewhere in between? 

More Microblog Offerings

In My Head

This song (not particularly this version) has been roaming about my head for days now. The days have not been particularly lovely but it has been pleasant to hope, feel, think they would be. 

CLICK FOR MORE! 

Maybe Someday

                                                    . . . . . . . we can add, peacefully.

CLICK FOR MORE! 

Color Me This

She spoke with an accent. I don't have an ear for that kind of thing, so I do not know the origin of her speech, only that it is different from my own. So much about her is different. That is, in part, the pull of the attraction. At least on my side. I do not know if she feels the pull in the way I do, that too, may be a difference between us. 

Thus is a beginning that has niggled my brain for days and days and days. I haven't been able to get too far beyond this beginning. But I hope that with the warmer (most days, last Thursday and Friday not-with-standing) weather, longer daylight hours, high hopes of evening bike rides, and the settlement of some worries will help dis-lodge the story (any story) the twists just beyond my grasp..

In the meantime, here we go barreling toward the end of May where many thoughts turn toward summer days and fun times. As much as I have always loved summer, I yearn to slow the pace toward those months, toward savoring the flavors of May (and Spring) and the stories these days have in store to tell.

Welcome to this May Day. Color it as you will.

ENJOY MORE MMB! 

  

Basically

 Everybody Loves the Sunshine 1

 Looks like Spring, Feels Like Autumn

 I covet a neighbor's groundcover

 Everbody Loves the Sunshine 2 

No match for our wind, our rain

MICRO MONDAY 

That Day in September

Do you remember? That day, that crisp, bright day last September? You were wearing that Carolina blue sweatshirt as if you were daring the sky to out blue that shirt. I recall asking why you were wearing such a heavy shirt, it wasn't that cold. Your reply was something like, loving it so and feeling so grand in it. 

Do you remember that crisp, bright day last September? You were in the park feeding the ducks, or geese, or whatever the hell those birds were. As you are now aware, I am no fan of birds, but on that day, I faced my fear to be closer to you for you were intent on feeding those birds. Enticed by the pellets in your hand, entranced by the swell of your heart; we laugh about it now, my desire to be one of those birds that day. 

Do you remember what we talked about that crisp, bright day last September while you were enticing birds to eat pellets from your hand? Do you remember the ease of the conversational flow? How we seemed to predict what the other would say? Do you remember saying in the midst of all the words, those three words? 

Do you remember me saying them back? 

Do you remember running out of pellets, the birds skittering off to find another benefactor, the day growing cooler, the companionable silence sitting between us on that bench? Do you remember offering me that Carolina blue sweatshirt to wear for the short walk to my apartment, entranced by the sight of me pulling it over my head?

Do you remember talking about that crisp, bright day last September many weeks later, remembering it fondly as the day when . . . 

                                                   

MORE MORE MORE! 

 

 

This and That

We had snow last week. Not like other places, but enough. 

I hope the snow is over, but this is the Midwest, anything is possible

The madness that is March (i.e. college basketball) is in full swing. 

And I have no idea who is where. Well, except for UConn. 

(UConn women, I am sure you knew that.) 

Why do people reach out, start a dialog and then just stop? 

Click here for tidbits about the name Deborah. 

According to family lore my name was nearly Clementine. 

Ryerson, Morse, Beidler, Ryder, Dvorak, Suder, and Skinner are the names of the elementary schools I attended.  

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Step To It

4,886

4,886

4,886

4,886 multiplied by three total 14,658. 

Which is the total number of steps taken on the Sunday. 

I joined a new group and the outing (stroll near one of the north side beaches) was my first event. The goal is to manage at least two such events a month. Of course, there must be other such events on my own. The idea is that joining the group will help motivate movement outside of the group events. 

Beginning. Again. 

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You've Got Mail

sprout pencils

Happy New Day!  Here we are smack dab in the middle of a new month, the first month of a brand new year and I am not feeling the newness; I am not feeling optimism usually associated with a new year (particularly when coupled with a new administration); I am not feeling UP. 

Maybe because the cold hasn't fully left my body. My right eye is phlegmy and sensitive. However, it is responding positively to treatment. For that, I am grateful. 

Still, it is a new year, a new administration, a new drive to speak up, stand up, be present, and a re-commitment to that which brings me joy and hopefully comfort to others; writing letters.   A colleague of my son's was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I shared the Girls Love Mail program with him as a way to support others as well as his colleague. 

Happy New Day! for I am taking on this year, one day at a time; treating, acting, addressing, art-ing, writing, sharing, caring . . as the day presents, unfolds. 

Happy Birthday to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. May his wisdom, words, and strength embolden us all to live out loud. 

Click here for more Monday MicroBlogs! 

Still Life

The last couple of weeks have been full of a mish-mosh of events, emotions, and more. While there are many things to say, I find myself devoid of fitting syntax to relate any of those things except this: wherever there is a project to be done, there is Buttah offering his sage advice and guidance.

#MicroBlogMonday-click for more! 

The Threes of Me (2016)

A "getting to know you list: in sets of three: 

Three names I go by: 

1. Deborah 

2. Ma 

3. Miss Debbie 

Three jobs I have had in my life: 

1. Medical Biller 

2. Bookkeeper / Office Administrator 

3. Recruiter 

Three places I have lived: 

1. Franklin Blvd.  

2. Parnell Ave

3. Ridgeway Ave

Three Favorite* Drinks (author's note: not necessarily in this order.): 

1. Banana Basil Milkshake

2. Pineapple, Blueberry, Banana Smoothie

3. Martini (vodka w/habanero stuffed olives) 

Three TV shows that I watch (in real time) : 

1. Scandal

2. How To Get Away With Murder 

3. American Ninja Warrior 

Three TV shows that I watch (OnDemand)  : 

1, Rosemary and Thyme 
2. A Chef's Life
3. Black-ish

Three Places I have Been: 

1. Las Vegas, NV 

2. Dyer, IN  

3. Houston, TX  

Three people who e-mail/FB me regularly: 

1.Danielle 

2. Addie 

3. Rose

Three of my favorite* restaurants: 

1.Nando's Peri Peri 

2. Kinderhook Tap  

3. Melting Pot 

Three sets of 3 things I hate: 

1. criminal acts, injustice, speeders 

2. beets, black eye peas, okra 

3. losing things, wasteful acts, inadequate coverage of women's sports 

Three of my favorite cars (that I've owned): 

1. Toyota Camry

2. Dodge Lancer

3. Oldsmobile Delta 88 

Three favorite* websites: 

1. Elixher 

2. Mail Me Some Art 

3. Longreads

*I am not a fan of favorite anything;.using the term under duress and / or for the sake of efficiency.

Tell me 3 things about you (from the above list or random). 

click image for more Monday MicroBlogs. :-) 

Second Monday in March

A co-worker asked what I was doing for St. Patrick's Day. I replied, it is Thursday. I'll be doing what I do most every Thursday. No big whoop. I just hope the weather stays more like spring rather than deciding to deliver a winter blast.

Bigger than St. Patrick's Day (in my opinion) for the up-coming week, is our state's primary.  Election day is Tuesday and if last Friday is any indication, it shall be a bumpy ride. The weather may keep most folks off the street. Hopefully, most folks voted early.

The best aspect of this week (and the advent of Daylight Saving Time) is that Spring is officially around the corner; sunshine, blue skies, fields of blooms. May the Sun shine warm upon all our faces.

#MicroBlogMonday
click the link for more Monday Musings 

Soon-Ah, Very Soon

Simple things, some lovely simple things.

#SixWordSaturday

Fun Day

Pete may or may not have been having fun. Buttah, though seemed 

to be enjoying himself. 

Feeling more like Pete these days. 

#MicroblogMonday~ go check 'em out.