Finding Food #1LinerWednesday

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“Hey, a guy’s gotta’ eat!”

During the time we lived in Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to observe and photograph so many beautiful and interesting animals and insects. During our own Spring here in the US, they are going through the hot, humid season that precedes the rainy months in CR, when things are washed down and made ready for the renewal that comes for them during our cold Winter months. During this hot time the natural fruits and vegetation that many of the animals feed on becomes very sparse. They get really resourceful in order to survive. This Capuchin monkey was using a piece of bark shredded from a cut tree to dig around inside for the termite delicacy he dined on. A lot of work for a small reward. We could learn a lot by looking more closely at this world’s original inahbitants.

Check out Linda’s space for more great #1LinerWednesday posts and enter her badge contest for the next year’s running.

Affirmative, Captain #SoCS

We need to get this straight. I will affirm here and now that I have felt less than inspired in the last week. I’m working on the novel-still…maybe forever..but really loving the progress. It is just not something one can easily do at the end of a work day or week, popping from pragmatic, ordered thinking into fanatstical dreaming reality.

Affirmative, Captain.

I mean I usually can, but lately the world has just felt so…heavy. I affirm I am not a fan of old Man Winter. And I love men in general. Just not sadistsic, self indulgent, harsh and cold troublemaking men. Just why Mother Nature has him in her circle is beyond me. But then, taste in friends is always quite subjective isn’t it? It takes all kinds of people to make a world. If we were all alike we would either be hugely bored or constantly fighting ourselves.

 

I affirm that life is wearying at times, and when I was younger I held older people in the highest regard, seeking their wisdom, understanding and encouragement. For the most part I am exposed to situations in which older people are viewed and treated as outdated, stupid or at best uninformed, and gulity of some heinous crime of destruction that most of them are completely unaware. Perhaps the crime is just being older than 30. I thank God each day my children are not this way.

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When I was in the Christian church growing up, we were taught to always put yourself in others’ shoes, to empathize and express compassion. There was a humbleness in being a child of God. I suppose there has always been a double edged sword aspect to religion..any of them, just as there is duality of spirit within each of us. I just know that I would rather stand quietly alone, with my hand in His, than stand with a mob of angry, accusatory, self righteous finger pointers whose main goal is to be the best, the biggest and the chosen. Since when did being a Christian become a popularity contest?

I affirm that God’s greatest gifts exist all around us, that peace can be found in the tiniest miracle of life, that entertainment is free in Mother Nature if you just take a moment to breathe and to feel her presence. Soul healing does not exist in a book or a prayer. It is in your own hands, the ones given to you in this life. Perhaps we should stop shouting, ”God, save us!”

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Maybe it’s time to whisper, “God help us to save ourselves.” We have to stop making our own messes then blaming everyone else for them,  which includes..

No, honey, the devil did not make you do it. We all have a choice and the light and dark exists in every one of us.

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affirm that when I love someone it is forever, even if you choose to cast me aside. Anyone who has ever found a place in my heart will remain there forever, and my family means more to me than anything. If they hurt, I hurt. When they are in pain, it is mine. When they are happy, my world is perfect. I know no other way.

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I love the friends I have made here, in this magical realm of blogging, where like minds can meet and feel less alone, share ideas and laughs. We all do such a wonderful job of encouraging, lifting one another up and being there. Thank you to any and all who have done this for me. And if you feel like a beer check out Dan’s frozen corner of the world. Now, he has some Winter tales…

I affirm that I am ready for Spring, budding flowers, buzzing insects and balmy breezes. Meanwhile, we can always dream..in fact I must insist that you dream with me, or we might not see her face again!

 

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What do you see when you step outside?

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Thanks to Linda Hill and her #SoCS prompt, ‘affirm’.

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A Good Day/#poetry #photography

Sunshine…

 

On my shoulders…

in my eyes….

 

 

Peering, peeking…

 

 

Quietly sneaking

                                                            across the sky…

 

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Hours pass as, hardly speaking, we pursue our quest

and duly blessed, find the treasure we were

seeking.

 

 

Our souls are quenched as nature flows around, beneath and above…

 

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“Where two or more of you are gathered in my name, there is a church.”

 

 

Cross over the bridge

                                         join the choir

dance with joy

and be baptized.

 

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Passing through the cathedral towers,

thankful for those languid hours

 

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Emancipation, realization, appreciation, purification,

bring salvation.

And a mighty fine dinner at home…

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I hope you enjoyed our day, courtesy of Sweetwater Creek State Park.

Because/Poetry #SoCS

 

September now has passed from view

and Autumn in the mists

of dank and often dreary

days of Winter’s cold and

unsympathetic hand.

 

Suppose we, then, weep not for days in

whose long, languid shadows

we swore at sweat, nor regret

 the changing climes

in these fearful times.

 

Soon the sap will run again like

rushing tides, life’s vein will

pump wildly to keep time

as we sip wine toasts

to new beginnings

and Summer’s play.

 

I shall give you a bloom for every

moment passed in those hot,

sopping days of free fun

that someone does not,

in foolish jest,

suggest

a frigid day

might count them blessed.

 

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Hop over to Dan’s sofa  

and bring along some hot tea. He has been under the weather. We miss you waxing witt-tastically at the bar! Get well soon.

This post brought to you by Linda Hill and her #SoCS prompt. Jump over to her place for more great prompts and join the fun.

Imagine Me #SoCS/#Poetry

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Imagine me

not what you see-

naked, shivering, withered tree

still donning bits of finery.

My skin gone rough and graying

and the ground beneath decaying

where my roots are firmly planted

as my spine grows bent and slanted.

 

Close your eyes…

try to recall,

the kiss of Fall

so sweet he made us blush

and feel the golden rush

of girlish delight!

 

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His nimble hands did thus caress,

so wild, untamed and wreckless

we danced, to light the sky!

‘What need for garments?’,

freedom urged

and thus, unfettered,

body purged

of wrappings,

those trappings

that tame the spirit,

fool the mind,

the eye…

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the passersby shook their heads

and grinned instead of

placing blame,

”Oh what a shame,”

was all they said.

Such loveliness once on the trees

lay now in shreds around their knees.

Brazen beauties!

 

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Remember me,

when thus you see

the gnarled skin-

what lies within

remains the same-

everlasting,

till Spring plants a kiss-

such bliss!

 

Then comes the blush,

yet now the hush

of naked truth

is cold and silent.

 

In Winter’s keep

doth does she sleep

with dancing dreams

of gold and green.

”Sweet May,”

yawns she,

“Imagine me.”

 

 

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Today’s #SoCS post brought to you through The magic of Linda Hill’s blog.

Today’s word prompt was ma. Use it alone or as part of a word manipulation. Extra points for beginning your post with it.

Visit Linda’s place for more great posts and prompts. I hope you join the fun! Happy #Free48 everyone. If you are thirsty, stop in at the bar and strike up a conversation with Dan. He’ll tell you what’s good on the menu and share some humor. Maybe. If you buy him a beer. 😉

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The In Between/#SoCS

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The In Between

 

When first comes shift of Summer’s light,

to softer hues and hazy views,

while midnight’s face grows clear and bright

its eyes aglow, that watching know

a secret.

 

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Thus when with glee and childlike, free

we squeal and squirm like earthy worms

exposed and bare as the naked tree-

unashamed.

 

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Days of warm and golden treasure

turn to crimson fire-the heart’s desire

to swim in Nature’s pleasure

as she fades..

 

To pause the needle on the clay

as it spins a life away

and revel in the vast array

of Autumn’s finery.

 

Noses tingle from the strange mingle

of chill and smoky musk,

the fireflies lighting dusk

like tiny lanterns.

 

Oh stay!

The heart pleads,

as even raking leaves

seems not so much a chore

as child’s play on such a day.

Lean on the handle, close your eyes

and imagine flying on a broom

across the moon!

 

To dissuade the cruel hand

that will paint the ever-land

a barren canvas white and brown.

Nature’s mask of death,

that on the air shall cast its breath

in frozen efigy.

 

Can we stay for just awhile

in the land of grins and giggles,

pumpkins, apples, pies and wriggles?

Let Winter wait in dreams, alone

for it chills me to

the  very bone!

 

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2018

 

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This post brought to you courtesy of Linda Hill and her #Stream of Consciousness Saturday weekly prompt. Visit the link to her blog to meet other great bloggers and catch up on her recent projects!

 

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Dare We Hope? #Photography

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The path to Spring is strewn with Camellia blossoms….

 

While Japanese dancers sway to the music of the wind through the branches overhead…..

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And her Grace sings the Holy Mass while nibbling Communion seeds.

 

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The sun saunters lazily into the evening, winking slyly at the shadows…

 

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where scarlet ladies flaunt their charms and weave magic spells.

 

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Sweet magnolia begins her sultry dance into Summer,

and I hold my breath, lest the bitter Ice Queen become jealous

and rise from her slumber for an encore performance, snuffing out

the freshness of my heart’s delight at such a sight-

my garden’s path strewn with Springtime kisses.

Cheryl KP

Copyright 2018