Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Observations and Musings
The man stands there, looking out at the world.
His face, isn't especially striking,
But there is something there
That draws your eye.
Perhaps the weariness
The sadness at all he's seen
One thing after the other over the years,
But also the gleam of hope
Because he's seen good things happen, too.
Pentecost again.
Reminding us that the Spirit is with us
Always
Strange that we need reminding
But that's the way we Christians tend to be
Forgetful of the important things
Some of us too full of ourselves,
Others too busy judging everyone else,
And some of us just plodding along doing the best
We can.
Good sermon today,
Telling us it isn't that WE need the words or the actions
To show others how God is,
But rather that we need to shut up
And let God speak through us,
Showing others by doing
The right thing,
The kind thing,
The difficult thing,
The thing requiring discomfort,
And love,
And forgiveness.
Even if that means
We have to forgive ourselves.
We have a new doorbell. It doesn't ring in the house, it rings our phones. We can see who's there no matter WHERE we are, and we can take their picture. It senses motion, too, so it can do that whether they ring the bell or not. Kinda freaky, and it goes off sometimes when the neighbor's dog comes cruising by, or the feral cat from down the street...
We got the sensitivity adjusted, now it just sees people who come up to the house. Except the UPS man runs too fast for it to catch him...
I think I may need a lingerie intervention. I bought two more Panache bras this week. I already have SEVERAL. They are all different styles, though, only one or two types do I have more than one color of...
And in spite of the cost, my husband does NOT seem to mind...
The June bugs (who are always early, it's still MAY, for God's sake!) are out there bopping into my window and buzzing on the sill, dive-bombing the driveway light, and generally being a poorly guided nuisance.
As the weather fronts battle it out in the atmosphere, my sinuses battle with whatever it is that they kick up and spread into the air. The last few days have been just awful in terms of congestion, itchy eyes, and sinus headaches. I am beginning to think Spring really sucks!
Trying to fight off "Con Brain." Planning and packing lists running amok in my head! I am sure I will take more clothes than I will wear,but at least I'll be prepared for almost ANYTHING!!
Also, deciding how much of my over-the-counter medications to bring along is an interesting problem. I don't take anything that is prescribed for me these days, but I do take aspirin, antihistamine, and Muscinex almost daily right now...
Whatever I did to deserve these hot flashes, I'm SORRY already! Please make them STOP!! I am getting tired of feeling like I'm about to sweat through my clothes for no apparent reason, and sometimes burning up like that makes me feel a bit dizzy, too. It's so very distracting, AND I can't seem to go an entire night without waking up sweltering at least once. I can 't do hormone replacement because of my blood pressure, so that remedy is out. Think I'm gonna try sleeping in a tub of ice.
Things you hear in the library: "Batman vs Superman? A local kid with fancy hardware versus an alien with superpowers."
Perhaps it should trouble me that I talk back to a talking toy? Whenever my "Thunderbird 2" that Matt bought me says "This is Thunderbird 2, mission complete, I'm on my way home." I always answer "Thanks for the warning, Virgil."
It's cold outside, and cloudy, and threatening rain. I have decided to be lazy and curl up with a cup of something and something to read.
Why do I always start yawning and feeling worn out when I have things I want to do?
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Further Lenten Ruminations
2/28/16
This was written on my tablet during the sermon, right after Mother Susan almost mentioned the Holy Ghost in a scripture where it was not, in fact, mentioned. We all had a tiny giggle about it.
O Holy Spirit,
Who even in this
Solemn Season
Of Lent
Does still make
Thy Presence known
With bubbling laughter
And with joy.
So words are just images
for something far too large
to tame or make subject
to our inadequate imaginations.
All things in us that are good,
or useful
or in any way noble
are gifts of that joyful Spirit
Who moves where it will,
and blows joy and gifts of
understanding, mercy,
patience, and love
Into our very souls
If we will but receive them
To do the good works
The Spirit may inspire
Does give our very hearts
Strength.
They heal us, they give us
Yet more strength
To do yet more good
In this world.
2/29/16
Leap Day-
Leap of faith
Leap only after looking
Leap ahead,
Leapin' Lizards!
Didn't much want to muse on poetry this weekend, or today, really.
There is a story about the day I was born that they used to tell me, so I'd like to record it.
Better a few days late than never.
On the day I was born, my Mom had a regular appointment with her obstetrician. Since it was in the afternoon, my sister (13 at the time) went with her to help navigate. (Mom, we used to joke, could get lost in the back yard.) While at the appointment, the doctor informed her that she was in the very early stages of labor, and given that she was 36 (old to be having babies in those days), he wanted to take her to the hospital ASAP.
So, here's my 13 year old sister in the waiting room, having to get hold of Pop (no cell phones then) and have him come get them and take Mom to the hospital and her home. (Nobody under 18 allowed in Maternity waiting areas in those days.) Then, of course, Pop had to go back to the hospital. I don't know how they worked it out, perhaps our neighbor picked Pop up at work and took him to meet them at the doctor's office, and then took my sister home, I really don't know.
Must've been an interesting day for my family.
Evidently, I got stuck, and the doctor had to use forceps to get me out - I wasn't born until after 10 pm that night. Poor Mom. Both of us came through all right, though.
Ha! I've been an inconvenience to my family from the very beginning!
The very air holds magic, mystery, foreboding-
It is ripe with the tension of the coming storm.
Soon the lightning rips apart the sky
And the thunder roars at us
Like Doom itself
But quite often, this sound and fury
Doesn't mean much.
Not even much rain.
For all the portents
In the air.
3/1/16
And again, a blank page
The reading I was to do
Was not something I wanted
Today.
Today is hustle and bustle
Even though it's Tuesday -
Not Monday.
Still running all over
Too much to do
And never enough time.
Lots done,
But not everything
Never everything
The list looms
Eternally incomplete
3/2/16
More hurry and hope I got everything needful done. Last week was a blessing- a week out of time to do with as I wished - pretty much.
This week is back to obligations and schedules and wondering how on earth I ever
Had room in my head
For abstract thoughts
For images and dreams
When this all too concrete world
It seems
Is SO much with me.
A flash, a blink, caught in the corner of my eye
A flicker, and rumble,
And light tears apart the sky.
All's dry until
I get closer to home,
And then I notice the wet pavement
The occasional drop on the windshield
The calling cards of an early Spring storm.
3/6/16
On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, I did not manage to get any writing done. I was off on the 3rd, we had a concert to attend that evening, so I took my comp day for Saturday, worked ALL DAY Friday to have enough hours, and then on Saturday, worked from 1 to 5, after having spent the better part of the morning cleaning the house. We had friends over, and so, there was no time to sit and write.
This day,
The wind blew
It blew clouds and
Shadows
All over town.
No rain or storms for us
Not today.
Just lost of wind
Loud,
Mournful,
Anguished, even.
Tugging at every
Loose item in the neighborhood.
Wanting our attention
Trying to tell us something.
Achy and weary
In every joint
But happy.
Worked hard
Got a lot done.
Ate well, but healthily.
There is work of the mind
To be done.
A story to tell
A story to share
But not yet.
It is still in the process
Of becoming.
Much planning,
Polishing,
And hoping
Yet to be done.
And my cozy bed
Looks far too tempting
On this night
When the wind
Continues to howl
Like a predator
On the prowl.
This was written on my tablet during the sermon, right after Mother Susan almost mentioned the Holy Ghost in a scripture where it was not, in fact, mentioned. We all had a tiny giggle about it.
O Holy Spirit,
Who even in this
Solemn Season
Of Lent
Does still make
Thy Presence known
With bubbling laughter
And with joy.
So words are just images
for something far too large
to tame or make subject
to our inadequate imaginations.
All things in us that are good,
or useful
or in any way noble
are gifts of that joyful Spirit
Who moves where it will,
and blows joy and gifts of
understanding, mercy,
patience, and love
Into our very souls
If we will but receive them
To do the good works
The Spirit may inspire
Does give our very hearts
Strength.
They heal us, they give us
Yet more strength
To do yet more good
In this world.
2/29/16
Leap Day-
Leap of faith
Leap only after looking
Leap ahead,
Leapin' Lizards!
Didn't much want to muse on poetry this weekend, or today, really.
There is a story about the day I was born that they used to tell me, so I'd like to record it.
Better a few days late than never.
On the day I was born, my Mom had a regular appointment with her obstetrician. Since it was in the afternoon, my sister (13 at the time) went with her to help navigate. (Mom, we used to joke, could get lost in the back yard.) While at the appointment, the doctor informed her that she was in the very early stages of labor, and given that she was 36 (old to be having babies in those days), he wanted to take her to the hospital ASAP.
So, here's my 13 year old sister in the waiting room, having to get hold of Pop (no cell phones then) and have him come get them and take Mom to the hospital and her home. (Nobody under 18 allowed in Maternity waiting areas in those days.) Then, of course, Pop had to go back to the hospital. I don't know how they worked it out, perhaps our neighbor picked Pop up at work and took him to meet them at the doctor's office, and then took my sister home, I really don't know.
Must've been an interesting day for my family.
Evidently, I got stuck, and the doctor had to use forceps to get me out - I wasn't born until after 10 pm that night. Poor Mom. Both of us came through all right, though.
Ha! I've been an inconvenience to my family from the very beginning!
The very air holds magic, mystery, foreboding-
It is ripe with the tension of the coming storm.
Soon the lightning rips apart the sky
And the thunder roars at us
Like Doom itself
But quite often, this sound and fury
Doesn't mean much.
Not even much rain.
For all the portents
In the air.
3/1/16
And again, a blank page
The reading I was to do
Was not something I wanted
Today.
Today is hustle and bustle
Even though it's Tuesday -
Not Monday.
Still running all over
Too much to do
And never enough time.
Lots done,
But not everything
Never everything
The list looms
Eternally incomplete
3/2/16
More hurry and hope I got everything needful done. Last week was a blessing- a week out of time to do with as I wished - pretty much.
This week is back to obligations and schedules and wondering how on earth I ever
Had room in my head
For abstract thoughts
For images and dreams
When this all too concrete world
It seems
Is SO much with me.
A flash, a blink, caught in the corner of my eye
A flicker, and rumble,
And light tears apart the sky.
All's dry until
I get closer to home,
And then I notice the wet pavement
The occasional drop on the windshield
The calling cards of an early Spring storm.
3/6/16
On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, I did not manage to get any writing done. I was off on the 3rd, we had a concert to attend that evening, so I took my comp day for Saturday, worked ALL DAY Friday to have enough hours, and then on Saturday, worked from 1 to 5, after having spent the better part of the morning cleaning the house. We had friends over, and so, there was no time to sit and write.
This day,
The wind blew
It blew clouds and
Shadows
All over town.
No rain or storms for us
Not today.
Just lost of wind
Loud,
Mournful,
Anguished, even.
Tugging at every
Loose item in the neighborhood.
Wanting our attention
Trying to tell us something.
Achy and weary
In every joint
But happy.
Worked hard
Got a lot done.
Ate well, but healthily.
There is work of the mind
To be done.
A story to tell
A story to share
But not yet.
It is still in the process
Of becoming.
Much planning,
Polishing,
And hoping
Yet to be done.
And my cozy bed
Looks far too tempting
On this night
When the wind
Continues to howl
Like a predator
On the prowl.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
The Week That Just Was
This week just passed was certainly not typical. First of all, we got a new water heater, BEFORE the old one died, for once! We had it installed on Tuesday. Nice to have REALLY hot water again, and the gas bill should also be lower...
As soon as possible, we will be getting the doors reinstalled on the "mechanical closet".
The install went well. We were happy. That was Tuesday.
Wednesday, the weather got ugly, and there were tornadoes in Moore again. Only little ones this time, and all on the other side of town again. The worst damage seems to have been done by 80 mph straight line winds. We had no damage, but unknown to us, during the night, the wind blew out the pilot light on the water heater.
Matt was faced with a very cold shower Thursday morning. He went out, thinking to relight the pilot light, but found the catch pan full of water, and water dripping down the water heater. Seems a joint in the newly installed pipe had leaked. So, back comes the plumber and gets it all fixed up.
Friday the city inspector came, and ok'ed the install, as long as we get the doors back up asap. (Since we are in the process of getting the drywall in the garage restored, we got a pass.) It won't be too much longer before we get the doors back up.
The weekend was actually pleasant. Hard work all day Saturday, but pleasant. Beautiful weather, and we got BOTH yards completely cleaned up and ready for Spring.
The front yard.
The herb garden out back. Still lots of oregano, some sage, parsley, lavender, mint, and thyme. And garlic chives. Garlic chives are in BOTH herb gardens.
Even the front porch furniture got a wash.
Today I did laundry, and read, and goofed off a lot. We caught up with our Bosch binge watching, and now Matt is watching Falling Skies. Tomorrow is another Monday, and I hope this week is less eventful than the last week was!
This coming week is also Holy Week, which means a Friday evening service for us. So grateful the Parish Choir does the Holy Saturday service. That one's a real marathon. I am hoping to get some more stories recorded this week, and some more storm prep done, so I won't feel so insecure if the weather turns on us again. Mainly scanning documents to my Survivor Drive, getting the first aid kit up to date, and cleaning out the closet a bit more. Time for the seasonal clothing swap outs anyway, and time to purge some stuff that's way too big now.
So here's to the darling days of Spring
When warm winds blow,
and all the birds sing.
When storm clouds billow
And wind chimes ring.
We pray the days will all be calm
With pleasant airs
And sweet scents of balm
To ease our cares
Like one of David's psalms.
As soon as possible, we will be getting the doors reinstalled on the "mechanical closet".
The install went well. We were happy. That was Tuesday.
Wednesday, the weather got ugly, and there were tornadoes in Moore again. Only little ones this time, and all on the other side of town again. The worst damage seems to have been done by 80 mph straight line winds. We had no damage, but unknown to us, during the night, the wind blew out the pilot light on the water heater.
Matt was faced with a very cold shower Thursday morning. He went out, thinking to relight the pilot light, but found the catch pan full of water, and water dripping down the water heater. Seems a joint in the newly installed pipe had leaked. So, back comes the plumber and gets it all fixed up.
Friday the city inspector came, and ok'ed the install, as long as we get the doors back up asap. (Since we are in the process of getting the drywall in the garage restored, we got a pass.) It won't be too much longer before we get the doors back up.
The weekend was actually pleasant. Hard work all day Saturday, but pleasant. Beautiful weather, and we got BOTH yards completely cleaned up and ready for Spring.
Today I did laundry, and read, and goofed off a lot. We caught up with our Bosch binge watching, and now Matt is watching Falling Skies. Tomorrow is another Monday, and I hope this week is less eventful than the last week was!
This coming week is also Holy Week, which means a Friday evening service for us. So grateful the Parish Choir does the Holy Saturday service. That one's a real marathon. I am hoping to get some more stories recorded this week, and some more storm prep done, so I won't feel so insecure if the weather turns on us again. Mainly scanning documents to my Survivor Drive, getting the first aid kit up to date, and cleaning out the closet a bit more. Time for the seasonal clothing swap outs anyway, and time to purge some stuff that's way too big now.
So here's to the darling days of Spring
When warm winds blow,
and all the birds sing.
When storm clouds billow
And wind chimes ring.
We pray the days will all be calm
With pleasant airs
And sweet scents of balm
To ease our cares
Like one of David's psalms.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Poetry Experiments
Hiding.
C.K. Armistead
June 5, 2013
Behind the smile
Can you see the tears?
Beyond the wiles
I have used all these years.
Be a lady, be charming
Smile, always smile
Deep thoughts are alarming
And seldom in style.
But the thoughts are there
Drawing me to ponder
The truth of the face I wear
And luring me with wonder.
I am a lady, I am charming
I do smile, and gladly
My thoughts are not alarming
Nor do they pass sadly.
I can see now that there
Is more to everyone
Than the faces we wear
So easily undone.
We all wear a mask
To hide truths that we fear
When the better task
Would be to show the tears.
Oklahoma Spring
C.K. Armistead June5, 2013
When the sun is shining
And the air is sweet
The sky is the most beautiful
And life feels complete.
Then the clouds will gather
And the thunder will be heard
And we all will wonder
If tornadoes will appear.
You learn right quick
On this prairie plain
What's really important
And what's just a game.
Houses can be rebuilt
Lost things replaced
Good neighbors and friends
Are better than gold.
It's not the beauty of this place
That makes us want to stay
Not the low cost of living
We don't think of it that way.
The reason we're still here
Has more to do with love
With grit and perseverance
And faith in God above.
Even those who don't believe
Are welcome in this place
For we love our neighbors
Regardless of race or creed.
And when the storms are over
We come out and set to work
Rebuilding lives and memories
Glad to see each other well.
C.K. Armistead
June 5, 2013
Behind the smile
Can you see the tears?
Beyond the wiles
I have used all these years.
Be a lady, be charming
Smile, always smile
Deep thoughts are alarming
And seldom in style.
But the thoughts are there
Drawing me to ponder
The truth of the face I wear
And luring me with wonder.
I am a lady, I am charming
I do smile, and gladly
My thoughts are not alarming
Nor do they pass sadly.
I can see now that there
Is more to everyone
Than the faces we wear
So easily undone.
We all wear a mask
To hide truths that we fear
When the better task
Would be to show the tears.
Oklahoma Spring
C.K. Armistead June5, 2013
When the sun is shining
And the air is sweet
The sky is the most beautiful
And life feels complete.
Then the clouds will gather
And the thunder will be heard
And we all will wonder
If tornadoes will appear.
You learn right quick
On this prairie plain
What's really important
And what's just a game.
Houses can be rebuilt
Lost things replaced
Good neighbors and friends
Are better than gold.
It's not the beauty of this place
That makes us want to stay
Not the low cost of living
We don't think of it that way.
The reason we're still here
Has more to do with love
With grit and perseverance
And faith in God above.
Even those who don't believe
Are welcome in this place
For we love our neighbors
Regardless of race or creed.
And when the storms are over
We come out and set to work
Rebuilding lives and memories
Glad to see each other well.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Random Compositions Written Today
Today's Poem
C.K. Armistead, 5/6/13
(For Matthew, obviously.)
Don't you dare leave me
You have to stay
Don't you dare grieve me
My heart dies that way.
Why did you scare me?
You know I love you.
Why try to dare me
To put up with you?
You know I'm staying
I've been here so long
You know I'm not playing
I'm trying to be strong.
You've been beside me
Through loss and pain
Been there to guide me
Back through the rain.
We can't change it now
The way has been set
We made our vows
We've never broken them yet.
You must survive, Love,
Even if I do not,
You are the prize, Love
That my poor heart bought.
Time Traces
C.K. Armistead 5/6/13
Time is but a whisper,
A phantom on the wind.
You think it runs forever
But your share of it will end.
In youth it moves so slowly,
You think you've got all day.
With age it dawns abrubtly,
You've whiled it all away.
These fingers once so elegant,
Now knotted with age and bent
This jaw once firm and lovely
Now softened, hanging loosely
My eye once sharp and clear
Grows much cloudier every year
My beauty once a truth of me
Now gone with the youth of me.
But time leaves a gift in its wake
If we but look to find it
Experience profound to make
Our memories to bind it.
These hands so many things have done
This jaw set firm too many times
The love that through my years has run
Lost beauty far outshines.
Fickle Spring
C.K. Armistead 5/6/13
Ah, fickle Spring,
Though flowers do bloom
And birds do sing,
Though rabbits do ramble
And squirrels scramble bold,
Yet do you hide your warmth,
And pelt us with cold.
Cold your winds, again frae the North,
Fickle your favors to those on this Earth.
These were written in just the last little while,, as I sat here and stared at the page. Thanks to Michael M. Ornstein, who brought up poetry on Twitter today, and got me in a poetic state of mind.
C.K. Armistead, 5/6/13
(For Matthew, obviously.)
Don't you dare leave me
You have to stay
Don't you dare grieve me
My heart dies that way.
Why did you scare me?
You know I love you.
Why try to dare me
To put up with you?
You know I'm staying
I've been here so long
You know I'm not playing
I'm trying to be strong.
You've been beside me
Through loss and pain
Been there to guide me
Back through the rain.
We can't change it now
The way has been set
We made our vows
We've never broken them yet.
You must survive, Love,
Even if I do not,
You are the prize, Love
That my poor heart bought.
Time Traces
C.K. Armistead 5/6/13
Time is but a whisper,
A phantom on the wind.
You think it runs forever
But your share of it will end.
In youth it moves so slowly,
You think you've got all day.
With age it dawns abrubtly,
You've whiled it all away.
These fingers once so elegant,
Now knotted with age and bent
This jaw once firm and lovely
Now softened, hanging loosely
My eye once sharp and clear
Grows much cloudier every year
My beauty once a truth of me
Now gone with the youth of me.
But time leaves a gift in its wake
If we but look to find it
Experience profound to make
Our memories to bind it.
These hands so many things have done
This jaw set firm too many times
The love that through my years has run
Lost beauty far outshines.
Fickle Spring
C.K. Armistead 5/6/13
Ah, fickle Spring,
Though flowers do bloom
And birds do sing,
Though rabbits do ramble
And squirrels scramble bold,
Yet do you hide your warmth,
And pelt us with cold.
Cold your winds, again frae the North,
Fickle your favors to those on this Earth.
These were written in just the last little while,, as I sat here and stared at the page. Thanks to Michael M. Ornstein, who brought up poetry on Twitter today, and got me in a poetic state of mind.
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