Monthly Archives: August 2023

Surveyor (Bird Watcher)

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Sometimes we forget that we, too, are being surveyed. 

For Pic and a Word Challenge #245

Free Link to View or Download My Retablos Book

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Forgottenman just informed me that although I uploaded my entire Retablos book to my Webpage in February, that I didn’t ever do a blog giving the link! If you would like to either download it or view it for free, here is the Link: https://judydykstrabrown.com/retablos/

You can also find the link at the top of my Webpage just before “Why Grieflessons?”

Most of these retablos are still available to purchase. I must say I love to create but I’m terrible at marketing.  Thanks, Forgottenman!!

Please note that although several of the photos are very small, you can increase their size on the downloaded version.

Plumeria for FOTD Aug 28, 2023

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For Cee’s FOTD

For the Sunday Whirl Wordle 617

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True Confessions

Drag your dreams to paper.
Slam them on the page.
Let loose your bones of worry.
Release your screams of rage.

With all your senses humming,
drive away each care
by sharing it with all the world.
Be truthful if you dare.

Nonsensical or rational,
each fresh fear that you share
will drive your worries all away,
so tell us if you dare,

what secrets you have left to tell.
Run every dread fear by us.
If you need an audience
take a chance and try us!

For Wordle 617 the words are: nonsensical drive left humming fresh loose bones slam run paper dream drag

Wildflowers: FOTD Aug 27, 2023

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This photo was taken in October on the way to Tapalpa. The flowers may not be as profuse this year because of the lack of rain. Perhaps I’ll go see!

For Cee’s FOTD

Hummingbird, for RDP

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For RDP: Hum

Ode to Avolition

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Image by Kenny Zhang on Unsplash.

 

Ode to Avolition

Those lacking in expedition
are victims of avolition.
Opposite of blind ambition,
slingshot with no ammunition,
no task brought to its fruition.

Old stories with no new edition,
goals lacking ample nutrition
sink into utter perdition,
prompting purpose’s sedition,
birthing lethargy’s tradition.

What prompted this poem written at 4 a.m.this morning?  This Skype conversation with Forgottenman.  I woke up at 1 a.m. after 4 hours sleep.  He was still awake, thus a three hour conversation that included these lines:

Judy: Are you ever playing your guitar?
Forgottenman,03:19 AM
No. Still haven’t replaced the broken string.
Judy: 03:19 AM
Do you have a set of strings or need to buy them?
Forgottenman, 03:20 AM
I have 2 sets of new strings. Just … I don’t know.
03:21 AM
Judy: You don’t know where they are or don’t know why you don’t restring it?
Forgottenman, 03:22 AM

The new strings are right there. I just can’t. I might be this. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avolition

Avolition, as a symptom of various forms of psychopathology, is the decrease in the ability to initiate and persist in self-directed purposeful activities.[1] Such activities that appear to be neglected usually include routine activities, including hobbies, going to work and/or school, and most notably, engaging in social activities. A person experiencing avolition may stay at home for long periods of time, rather than seeking out work or peer relations.

Thanks for the prompt, Forgottenman, unintentional as it was. Couldn’t fall asleep until I practiced the opposite of avolition, resulting in this poem.

And, why not just link with dVerse Poets??? HI, Guys. Missed the live reading, but…just a case of avolition!!!

And here is the regular link to dVerse Poets.

Silk Floss Tree, FOTD Aug 26, 2023

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Silk Floss Tree

This tree popped up in the arroyo a block from my house a couple of years ago.  It is right next to the street, so I see it every time I leave my house. It produces huge pods full of kapok. 

For Cee’s FOTD

Crazy Socks

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Sock

Click on these gaudy socks to see them in more glorious detail!!!!!

Crazy Socks

Don’t feel that you must explain
a choice in socks that seems inane.
Sunflowers or checks or plaid
or other patterns in which you gad
should be nobody’s choice but yours.
Black socks are gloomy. White socks bores.
If you would please from top to toe,
choose the socks that make you glow.

Sox that glitter, clash or shock
better propel you ’round the block.
Those who balance on fashion’s fence
may well question your fashion sense
if you wear socks with chickens on them.
But go ahead and buy and don them.
You’ll start the day in mood more spritely
if you dress your feet more brightly!!!

 

 

For the Wednesday Prompts Weekly Challenge: Socks

“Change of Tune” for Stream of Consciousness Saturday

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This is a blog I made 8 years ago but it seems so appropriate that I’m repeating it for the Stream of Consciousness prompt “Tune.” Click on the blue links to hear the song that goes with each day’s activity. Have fun.

Change of Tune

IMG_0814

 

“I” Tunes (My week in song)

(Click on underlined link to hear the song that goes with my activity.)

Tuesday: I met old friends Jim and Ellen (who moved away a year ago) at Adelita’s for ribs and a year’s worth of talk.

Wednesday: I finally met up with the Mac computer repair guy who comes from Guadalajara to pick up sick Macs for repair.  I have my fingers crossed  that they’ll be able to save the Mac Air I spilled a full Coke on.  Later, I made it to my “Not Yet Dead Poets” meeting.

Thursday: It was a “gas” when my stove broke and I couldn’t get the pilot light clicker to go off.  The repairman had just been here, but I couldn’t find his number and panicked until eventually it just wore itself out. Still, please don’t use that back left burner.  Now it sets off the clicker on the burner in front of it!!  I certainly hope nothing bad happens.

An additional thrill for the day that many of you made your own was  “The Thing“ that appeared on my garden wall.

Friday: I met my friends Betty, Liz and Larry at Viva Mexico for one of their enchiladas and a naughty tiramisu and one of their killer margaritas.  Later, I felt . . .

Saturday: It’s been so long since I’ve seen my friend Audrey,  but we spent a few hours at the new quirky cafe named Chillin’ and talked about planning a summer camp for kids in San Juan Cosala and Chapala.

The highlight of the week, of course, was the revelation of just exactly what “The Thing” was.  Laura M. beat out a few close contenders for the prize by naming my newest addition to my home the “Lurkin’ Merkin.”  Go HERE to see “The Thing” post. And  HERE is the tune that goes with it!

And that, my friends, concludes my week in song.  Please hit the links to hear the music.  —Judy

For Stream of Consciousness Saturday: Tune