1.
as repotted houseplants
adjust to roots transplanted
renewed life … maybe
my roots need
regrounding
2.
temptation tiptoes
as i acquiesce
perhaps in another life
results were found
to be rather pleasant
3.
maybe just maybe
in that other life
an oracle spoke….
did i follow and became
one pleasant bloom?
I just finished reading Anne Tyler's book, "A Spool of Blue Thread." It held my interest. Below is a quick summary of the book, cut/pasted from goodreads.com.
"It was a beautiful, breezy, yellow-and-green afternoon." This is the way Abby Whitshank always begins the story of how she fell in love with Red that day in July 1959. The whole family--their two daughters and two sons, their grandchildren, even their faithful old dog--is on the porch, listening contentedly as Abby tells the tale they have heard so many times before. And yet this gathering is different too: Abby and Red are growing older, and decisions must be made about how best to look after them, and the fate of the house so lovingly built by Red's father. Brimming with the luminous insight, humor, and compassion that are Anne Tyler's hallmarks, this capacious novel takes us across three generations of the Whitshanks, their shared stories and long-held secrets, all the unguarded and richly lived moments that combine to define who and what they are as a family."
This just might be an interesting selection for our senior center bookclub that resumes in September. I have months to decide and during this interim there will be many more books I shall consider.
I have recently been selecting books from the online library Axis 360 through our Kerrville public library. I peruse the offerings as one would peruse shelves in the brick and mortar building. Sometimes I read about a book that is new and place myself on the reserve waiting list. All this is online. Then I am notified when it is available for download. I like reading on my ipad or small laptop, but also have a Kindle I could be using.
I have many many books to read that I have purchased through Thriftbooks. I am trying to wean myself from ordering any more books. Next winter I am going to take each book and either read it or give it away - hopefully read it and then give it away. Of course there are books that will be permanently shelved - reference books for poetry writing and journaling and other interests.
Just yesterday I started delving into my weaving bags to see what has been collected - a small loom and yes, several books. I also found a video that had never been unwrapped. I think this summer I shall begin the new hobby of weaving. At one point in time I really was intrigued but did nothing about it except order the books and a couple looms. Have you ever done that? It's rather like putting the horse before the cart - acquiring the tools before I try any of it out. Perhaps this is going down another rabbit hole.
Off to peruse my online library for a new download.
Yes, yet another bird-chirping wide-expanse-of-the-sky-day here on my Madrona deck. I shall miss this grandiose view! It is truly a God-given, God-driven opportunity to greet Him each morning looking over the canyon of treetops and musing as perceived matchbox cars traverse on Highway #16.
I am ready to finish the packing and move into 100 Should Bee simply because it "should be" our new and final home here in Texas. This new house is mortgaged to the max since our home here on Madrona has not sold. We are contemplating renting it and must talk with the realtor this week.
I love to think of the possibilities in our new smaller home on a beautiful landscaped lot. It is very close to the Guadalupe River and kayaking could be my new frontier of entertainment.
I contemplate the possibilities of creating a social and committed life to God in Hunt, Texas. We have visited the church there and are pleased with the reception and the Presence of the Almighty. There is a garden club (not sure) and a school (would love to substitute) and a country store with live music some weekends.
Cleaning will be prioritized tasks the remainder of this month - the movers come June lst. I hope to be very ready. In the meantime there is one more closet to peruse and pack.
Blessings to count:
1) The occupants of the Should Bee house are leaving three days earlier than originally told.
2) There is a local yard man that hopefully will tend our half acrea.
It's time to catch-up, get remotivated and put the pen to paper. It has been nearly one month since I have caught you up regarding my whereabouts.
We were spending a long weekend in Halletsville, Texas at a marvelous fiddle contest, the likes of which I have never experienced. The fiddles were played with such vim and vigor strings were flying across the stage. Several of the contestants were professionals, such as fiddlers with Asleep at the Wheel and in Lyle Lovett's band. I am sure there were more impressive connections that I missed or was oblivious to since I do not follow the fiddlers' circuit.
I became ill the evening before we left and was prone the whole trip back to Kerrville. Then David got sick and had the wherewithal to test for Covid. We had it! For two weeks we stayed home and coughed our way to the finish line. Our strength was sapped. Fortunately we had started packing in April so the impending move was not affected by our inabilities to do much of anything.
We are almost packed and our move to Should Bee Drive is June lst.
In the meantime we are spending this Mother's Day weekend at a dulcimer festival in Glen Rose, Texas. I attended this festival many years ago. My wish came true yesterday. Jen came to our rv and took ALL the dulcimers, music, rhythm instruments, drums and paraphernalia for the raffle table. The monies pay the performers and their housing for the festival. This festival is totally free for all who attend. It has been in existence for many many years.
I contributed two Blue Lion dulcimers (chromatic fretboard and bass), one McSpadden baritone, one original unusual dulcimer made in 1977 (Marietta, Ohio), and one psaltery. All the dulcimers were in excellent shape and their tone is absolutely awesome. I believe the older instruments have aged and the woods resonate with charm and tenacity.
And so I am going to lurk around the raffle tables, observe the comments and interest in these specific dulcimers. I will keep you posted regarding the results.
I hear you asking why I didn't sell the instruments that range in price from $650 to $800+ each. I am not sure there is that much interest in these specialized instruments - their values less than the original listed prices. Primarily the joy in being able to donate and support this program far outweighs a few hundred dollars in my pocket.
Off to listen to folks jammin' and performin' .....
?why bother
to believe
the skeletal trees
will leaf
again
?why bother
to believe
a buried bulb
will display
its promised vermilion
?why bother
to believe
the treveling tension
transforms into a
necessary process
.as you seek
delve desire demand
the logical explanation
heightens your
understanding
?she asks
why bother
to believe
perspicacious
she is not
Joanconnor
04/21/2023
aligning in Lamentations
alphabetically
acrostically 22 letters.
believing in no
coincidences
characters
depict
each verse
evolves as i
endeavor to
finalize my
God-seeking
Hebrews homework
joanconnor
04/19/2023
Truly I am desiring to enlarge my gratefulness!
This is the day, another day, that the Lord has made!
I am grateful, thankful, appreciative and almost awestruck at the possibilities of one's life.
Random thoughts composing a post that travels from fingertips connected to my spirit.
And so I type spontaneously and share transparently, seeking words that make common sense.
It is I, only one person, one simple-minded Seeker that yearns to be a disciple, waffling in direction.
I muddle and attempt to maintain a focus of freedom and fellowship.
Understanding seems to lately come from reading the Bible.
I am far from ashamed of placing my hopes and future in The Word.
Elation would describe these newfound joys.
Today's quote from the grateful living site:
From our first breath to our last, awe moves us to deepen our relations with the wonders of life and to marvel at the vast mysteries that are part of our fleeting time here, guided by this most human of emotions. |
DACHER KELTNER |
it is not what it appears
to be all peaceful inside
myself, the home
tension builds within as
expenses are monitored
resources depleted
to buy another home.
to move again
unintended, disrupting
discouraging
.
except
this next house
the keeper home
it’s best to be last.
my faith doesn’t waver
most of the time
i focus on what God has
done for me instead of
what i have not done for Him.
and so it is not as it appears
ever, never
for me and probably for you
i try to overcome
stress
wrong decisions
spontaneous choices
i wonder how i missed
God’s nudge…………
Now, try writing a short poem (or a few, if you’re inspired) that follows the beats of a classic joke. Emphasize the interplay between the form of the poem – such as the line breaks – and the punchline.
Don't know if this is what is expected but I had fun - what a great way to start a great day!
1)
knock knock
why ask who’s
there is not
going to be
a punchline….
i’ve installed a
video
doorbell
2)
the pun scores as
words topple through
verbal coincidences
* * *
my music nudges
Handel
with
care!
joanconnor
04/13/2023
I am currently participating in NaPoWriMo for the month of April. NaPoWriMo
I try to participate every day but have missed a few days along the way. I hope to play "catch-up."
Yesterday's Prompt #10 was to write a sea chanty. As I peruse what a sea chanty is I discover that it should tell a story. So Ahoy Mate - here is my attempt:
Bought a kayak to float the river
Ahoy mate ahoy
Bought an inflatable kayak to float the river
Ahoy mate ahoy
Bought an inflatable kayak to take the dog to float the river
Ahoy mate ahoy
Used the kayak one time to float one lake
Ahoy mate ahoy
Used the kayak dog invited one time to float one lake
Ahoy mate ahoy
Used the kayak sans dog one time to float one lake
Ahoy mate ahoy
Bought a home near the Guadalupe to float the river
Ahoy mate ahoy
Beside the home near the Guadalupe rests an orange kayak to float the river
Ahoy mate ahoy
Asked the homeowner near the Guadalupe to leave the orange kayak to float the river
Ahoy mate ahoy
Now there are two kayaks to float the river
Ahoy mate ahoy
Now there are two kayaks to share to float the river
Ahoy mate ahoy
Now I shall invite friends to share to float the river
Ahoy mate ahoy
joanconnor
04/11/2023
It was a wonderful worshipping experience and the music, the sermon, the physical church was beautiful and we plan to return. My desire to be a part of a community is unfolding. Thank-you, Jesus!
To celebrate His Resurrection, His Salvation and His Loving Kindness in All situations I give you the following poem. I am currently, this month of April, celebrating poetry by participating in NaPoWriMo. This poem was written in response to a prompt that required twenty steps. I never made it past the first step seeking a metaphor.
Metaphorically Mesmerized
I went down a rabbit hole looking for a metaphor
and never found my way out, I shout
Hallelujah.
The number one item on prompt’s #8 list
I tackled with vengeance, trusting
it wouldn’t take long, then found
The Song.
I listened on YouTube to variations in verse
searching for the buried metaphors
I decided to immerse
myself in Hallelujah, its connotations,
variations, Cohen’s lyrics and voice as
hours passed, still down there
loving every upload, every interpretation
I finally threw in the towel, woke up
this morning ….singing Hallelujah!!
04/09/2023
And for your listening pleasure:
Andrea Bocelli - Hallelujah (Live at Teatro Regio di Parma) - YouTube
An Easter Hallelujah - Cassandra Star with background video - YouTube
I once created a Peppermint Patty dollhouse, all pink with pink furniture. I was an adult mother of five. Crazy stuff! We entertain ourselve...
