Inspired by Ada

Ada Limon - the 24th poet laureate of the United States. About — ADA LIMÓN (adalimon.net)

I have not read much of her poetry. My prompt today centers about her poem, "Before."It's lovely!

And so I write without stopping, fifteen minutes and share with you my "wild writing."

Here I go..................

1.

Before I married Dave I was lonely and hanging with men who did not respect me.

Thank goodness I only hung with them, uncommitted.

Before I connected with this wonderful and gentle man I was seeking friends in low places.

My self esteem was not what it should have been.

2.

Before I moved to this home in Texas we lived in N. Mexico and Idaho.

Those homes no longer belong to me, to us.

I wish this home did not belong to us. We are worried.

The evidence is that the foundation is not on compacted soil.

Dave has been saying this repeatedly for the past 1 1/2 years.

I didn't want to believe him.

3.

Before I purchased this home we were living in a townhome.

That home no longer belongs to us.

I have made excellent decisions in real estate and then several mistakes. This was a mistake.

I have made money in real estate and lost money.

4.

Before we go to court regarding the condition of this home we are hoping the person who installed it incorrectly will buy it back. 

Before the lawyers handle the case we are hoping one or two letters will cause the installer to rethink his decision and buy the home from us.

Before this task develops further we are quite certain that we will be moving.

Before I take the installer of this manufactured home to court I am now praying for a miracle.

5.

Before I reread this rant I must tell you that this is not a poem. This is a collage of feelings and frustrations, simple words, and an image.

Before I post this I must tell you that I believe writing heals and writing helps to see clearer and writing is freeing and all can write. I am rattling, writing wild. It helps me express what is going on inside caused by what is happening on the outside.

Before my fifteen minutes concludes I wish I could write one small tanka. I shall quickly type the five lines with the middle line being a pivot.

as cracks appear and

the skirting separates

a home on sinking sand

worries become magnified

evidence is building

Thanks for listening!

Appealing Art to Guide Me!

 

                  She trumpets, She surrounds with joy, She is my kind of gal. 

Now I need a bit of guidance, dear Lord and Angel-Muse:

I love this type of artwork. I love the whimsicalness, the brightness, the story being told, the lines taking me off the page. I am art illiterate, but I do know that this appeals to me. 

What shall I do with all my shouldas? Should I write? Should I paint? Should I begin my weaving with a loom that has been shelved for years?

I will complete the bookmobile and I will successfully give away books to children. Will that take all my days, my energy? 

I will play the fiddle and progress slowly with my continued lessons.

I will always play the piano, for my own enjoyment and therapy.

I will study my Bible, acquaint myself with my angels that somedays are quite whimsical and humorous, challenging me to sort it out, Joan and be thankful, very thankful for increasingly good health and the possibilities of many joyous moments.

Thank-you, Jesus!

Amen!

On the Beach!

 

Joan and Ava in Port Aransas, Texas December 16, 2022

This is one of those "life is good" photos, days, weeks and, as you well know.....

the best things in life are free.

This has been my birthday week and I chose to venture in our travel trailer to celebrate. We spent three nights at Inks Lake State Park near Marble Falls, TX and then traveled most of Wednesday to this little haven on the Gulf of Mexico. It's not quite an island, but more of a peninsula. However, we cross from Aransas Pass to Port Aransas on a ferry and it feels like we could be marooned.

Shopping is non existent for me. I already have and wear my Port Aransas visor and jacket. We ate out last night our island special meal. Of course there was another special meal in Marble Falls on my birthday eve with Daughter Brynna and Sarah and Nina.

Yesterday was sunny and we spent several hours on the beach where Ava was extra frisky in the surf.

Today is cloudy and our activities are still unknown. I have ridden my bike once, the Huffy beach bike that requires pedaling. It felt great even though I was passed by several on electric bikes. 

As Christmas approaches, we will return to Kerrville and tackle the sewer problem, a major problem and negotiate with the builder regarding our double wide home on Madrona Rd. a perplexing but solvable real estate challenge.

                                                      

Ramblings While Writing

 

I have been involved with several writing courses that illuminate poetry as prompts, as jumping off points for journaling wordplay. I really enjoy using poetry as prompts and have been writing numerous essays that incorporate poetry phrases. I like to think of it as poetry therapy which I think it is!

Laurie Wagner's class is one example of utilizing poetry. We are to write without any critical judgment, just “keep the pen on the paper,” Laurie says. I have mentioned this in an earlier blog.

Today's prompt was from Ellen Bass’ “Cold,” short prose poem, very understandable. 

Specifically, Laurie pulled out “every frailty, every pain could be an opening….”

but I really liked Bass’ final line, “How can I remember this when I’m old and need so much?”

https://www.ellenbass.com/

And now to ramble:

Wow! That line spoke to me with quite a jolt. Just yesterday I was commiserating how much I don’t

recall from my previous lives. You know, like my life married to Previous Spouse. I actually

verbalized to my current husband that I can’t recall Previous Spouse ever saying, “I love you.”

Of course he did??? I wondered what it sounded like. I can’t even remember his voice,

let alone those specific words.

We forget. And do I “need so much?” 

I am quite sure I need to be nudged when saying inconsiderate thoughts. 

I am quite sure I should be nudged when thoughts emerge through my verbalizations that should be

kept to myself. 

But as the “getting older” becomes the reality I really try to not need so much. 

I just need affirmation that I am not alone in feeling useless. 

I just need affirmation that I will not allow myself to indulge in loneliness. 

I just need to know that I can be forgiven for my frailties.

And so I muddle through another day, another month, another few months with ideas exploding in my head to do this, jump into this, spread your wings here…..and there…..and take off on a new adventure.

I put on the brakes and just write about it. Writing helps me sort out the inconsistencies in my life and in my actions and definitely in my accomplishments. 

Stick with

what makes you love to get up in the mornings, 

what makes you passionate, 

what creates exhilaration in your days, your months and your years. 

* * * * *

Pursue your goals gently, Joan. They may not be as unreachable as you think. 

You know that old saying, “If you can dream it, you can do it!”  

First Friday Muses

It's the first Friday in December, I am going to post the first Friday of each month a reflection, some thoughts and sharings.

A decision was made for me with my approval! My memoir writing class at Dietert Senior Center has moved to Tuesdays in March instead of Thursdays. That allows me to join the Bible Study Fellowship group that meets locally here in Kerrville, TX.  on Thursday mornings.I have applied to the local group and sent my resignation letter to the online zoom leader with whom I have been studying.

The online BSF ladies group of 70+ in age has not been my comfort zone. I seldom, if ever, joined in the discussion, but perched in front of the computer and allowed my face to be in a square on zoomland. Sometimes, not always, I had my lessons completed.

My relationship with BSF goes back to the 1960's when my little children attended with me. Yes, that is a long time ago. Then we moved, and moved again and I dropped out and returned in 2015. Again I dropped out because I kept falling asleep during the evening lecture as I was teaching full time in Idaho.

I am looking forward to being a part of BSF here in Kerrville where I will meet Christian women and enjoy the togetherness meeting in person allows. It just wasn't cozy in those zoom squares and non participation is not my norm. I know the motivation to complete the weekly lessons will be greater when I am meeting in real time.

Moving to reflection #2. My hubby and I are tired of driving for holiday dinners to my daughter's home in Austin. We enjoy immensely being there, eating their delicious foods, sharing dog language with each animal present and just relaxing. However, I think it is my turn to host. This Christmas our home is open for all who would like to share the holiday meal and time together. And so the invites are going out to children in Texas and maybe a few others in the area. Put a spiral cut ham in the oven and concoct a few side dishes.....what's so hard about that? 

Come over and have some Christmas wassail with us. 

Wild Writing

 

"Bear with me, I want to tell you something about" why I consistently sign up for writing classes online. It's for exactly what I am experiencing now. I am typing, letting my fingers dance emotionally across the keyboard. There should be music in the background, but my cd just ended. Set the timer for 15 minutes and take off ......

This is a new class for me - 27 Wilder Days and Wild Writing. I have been observing Laurie Wagner operate her writing classes online now for several years. She believes in just letting the pen flow, never allowing it to leave the paper. Writing Courses Online, Online Writing Course, Laurie Wagner (27powers.org) This is my first class with her, watching a video daily, $27 for 27 days.

She reads a poem and then uses “jump off lines” to prompt the writer. I like to do exactly that process. Read a poem once, twice and then pick a line or two and begin writing. I used this process for warm-ups in the memoir class I taught at the senior center. 

Today Laurie read a poem by Paul Hostovsky, Coconut, and the first line above is a quote from that poem. Here is a link to the poem: Coconut by Paul Hostovsky - Your Daily Poem

As I wrote, I rattled on about my day and specifically about the vintage bookmobile that is in the finishing stages. It is Charter #155351 with Little Free Library. I will keep you informed as to how to follow me on their app and also where I will be parked and giving away children’s books.

However, between now and Christmas I hope to sell at the Heart of the Hills Farmers Market my wooden crafts and lighted wine bottles to support the purchasing of books and trailer travels. My top priority is book gathering and giving, so the craft making will be limited. I am enjoying the wooden trees and angels. Perhaps that process can be transposed to creating other products after Christmas.

Blessings to you this Thanksgiving weekend,

joan

 

Life Coach Needed!

 

I wonder if everyone has projects on the shelves, in the drawer, plastic tubs in closets......you get the picture, right?

Is it possible to start something new and not finishing (or even starting) the previous impulse.

So what would a life coach say? 

Convinced that I am a scanner, a multi potentiate, a seeker of all things and master of none, I need a life coach. 

Life coach

noun

• 1.a person who counsels and encourages clients on matters having to do with careers or personal challenges.

Personal challenges - aaaahhhhh yes, that is what I have given myself as I start something new, caress the possibility of being a reknown ______________. It's not going to happen. I flitter and flub, set aside and move on to the next "challenge" or is it the next "gotta try this before I die" project.

And so I begin listing the interests around my house that would take time, months, years of instruction to learn. I can go room by room and tell you what is sitting, waiting for me to dive in.....here we go.....

......no special order as I shuffle through the house......

1. weaving looms and bag of threads

2. wine bottles galore to be painted and lights for the insides

3. craft paints in a myriad of colors for my online video library from Painting of the Month

4. more painting to-dos with numerous paint-by-number kits

5. Peace Corps book to finish

6. Native American flute collection to play

7. embroidery of vintage trailers for pillow casings

8. dulcimers to sell

9. dehydrator to use for ??? (never used)

10. Ninja blender for smoothies (never used)

11. jazz books beside the piano to begin studying that genre

12. fiddle to practice for weekly lesson

That's enuf! I am exhausted just listing my interests. I am setting it all aside except for the fiddle and the piano and perhaps, the book which needs hatching! It's percolating as I type with chapters written.

I have a new vision, a new plan, a new project and it is the most worthwhile project I could imagine.

I am pumped up and ready to literally "roll out the driveway."

I believe that a separate blog will be opened for this new venture.

Stay tuned!

Epictetus and Seeking

Epictetus - Greek Stoic philosopher (c. 50–c. 138)

Seeking that tranquil way of life is difficult for me. I consistently sign up, enroll, add another experience to my life.....consistently and without shame.

I am trying to calm down, to breathe before I commit, to spend 

part of each day in pure relaxation with a book and my feet up.

Sometimes I do just that.....and the day is going, going, gone, and my feet are still up!

For example, I want to sign up for the following:

Home - Carla Sonheim Presents

I am curious as to the possibilities because it is a totally foreign genre to me. Like I don't even paint except following a video, step 1, step 2, step 3....turn off the computer, and then rerun. 

What makes me think I can do this?

And so I shall ponder a bit more and see what develops as I overreact to online classes. In the meantime I want to promote Epictetus. What an amazing philosopher from so very long ago. Makes me turn to Ecclesiates in the Bible.

Dandelion Discourse

Inspired by Anne Schneider's Alphabet Soup, I have written the following short poem. Yesterday at memoir class I used Anne's poem as a prompt. The ladies wrote stunning short poems and how I wish I had copies of each to reread.

This came about during our seven minute write and then I rewrote it this morning. I am sharing it with my Story Circle poetry group as a submission for October. 

Dandelion Discourse

Taraxacum Officinalis, Greek

Scientific Name for Dandelion

Means disorder, remedy

i eat dandelion greens, no,

i don’t but

i’d like to try and capture

the blowball

from the dandy 

spit them off the end of my

tongue as the fuzziness

makes words

stumble upon each other

spitting with pphhtt and thutt 

my tongue pushes the tickles 

out about, then sucking through

the stems, hollow as a straw 

we kids pieced them together-

worn as necklaces

never sipping anything through them.

10/14/2022

Memoir Class at Dietert Senior Center

 

Today was the first of five memoir writing classes I am facilitating at Dietert Senior Center, Kerrville, Texas. I taught my first memoir class there last spring 2022.

The five-week structure is perfect for implementing Story Circle Network's curriculum, "Older Women's Legacy Circle Memoirs: Piecing Together The Patterns of Our Lives." The commitment of five weeks is pleasing for me, not too long, not too short. I am absolutely thrilled with the seven ladies who are taking the class this fall term 2022

We write at the ninety minute meeting and I also send them home with an assignment. I follow the assignment with an email and additional prompts/explanation.

One of my favorite activities is the chair poem which I learned in AWA, Amherst Writers and Artists.  One poem is placed on the chairs each week, read aloud and then prompts utilizing the poem are given. We write for approximately ten minutes and share our writing as desired. No one is ever called upon to read what they have written. Sharing is always optional!

Today I used George Ella Lyon's "Where I'm From" as the chair poem. I love this poem and I love the results that emerge from the writers, beautiful words and poetry evolve as they did today.

Where I'm From, a poem by George Ella Lyon, writer and teacher

Check out her marvelous website. I just signed up for her e-letter. You will be hearing more from me about Ms. Lyon.......and about the memoir class. I am going to be learning how to be a better writer just by listening to these seven participants!

I'm Back!

I did not intend to be absent from blogging for this month of September. 

I did not intend to take a break from writing.

I did not intend to not document this past month filled with new and old, tiredness and renewed strength.

However, I did and now I am back! I feel recharged!

I am returning to this diary of sorts that I thoroughly enjoy writing.

And so we are safe and sound in our home, pledging to not be absent from this Kerrville Kastle for such a length of time - four months is too long. Maybe two months is just right for next summer.

All is becoming normal again. Just today I planted mums in the greenhouse and turned the sprinkling system on again. The rv is still being unpacked - never to be filled again with so much extraneous stuff.

Book club has been attended and the fiddle is being practiced. 

I have made a commitment to myself to further my Bible study with Bible Study Fellowship.

I have signed up for a class on transitions and poetry with my journal facilitating group. I have yet to commit monetarily to the poetry therapy training that I plan to begin.

Yesterday I attended a writer's conference at the library and am becoming energized to finish my Peace Corps book. It has been on the back burner now for a year. No one is going to complete this memoir of sorts.  

Which reminds me! I hope the memoir class at the Dietert Senior Center "makes." Classes will begin October 6th as scheduled.

And then there is the weekend coming up when we have reservations made to attend a Vintage Trailer Rally located about two hours away. The 1956 Jewel will be our camper for the weekend. 

Yes, I am back and life is burgeoning with possibilities. Transitioning into another year of retirement.

And I plan to "just be" for part of this year - not always "doing" but experiencing "being!"

Living to relax,

joan  💖