Christmas Morning Tradition
Every child in the county
will soon approach their Christmas bounty,
transformed from box-shaker and gaper
into a dervish, tearing paper.
Opening tablets, games and dolls,
jumping ropes and basketballs,
until that ultimate stage is reached—
that final Christmas custom breached.
Each child will have the astounding gall
of querying with, “Is that all?”
The prompt today was “bounty.”
Went to buy more poinsettias, which I did. And more ferns. But, couldn’t resist this hibiscus as well. Patti and Marti encouraged me!
https://ceenphotography.com/2016/12/22/flower-of-the-day-december-23-2016-poinsettia/
Voyage
Each day, do you set out once more
on a voyage of discovery—
following a horizon you’ve been told
bends to itself with wonders in between?
Or do you trace a well-worn path,
fitting your feet to yesterday’s footsteps—
unfolding that map of yourself
that ventures deeper with each step?
How old are you now?
Old enough to know
both courses can take you
in the same direction?
The prompt word today was “discover.”
When I went looking for decorations for my doors this year and couldn’t find them, Pasiano and Yolanda reminded me that I’d given them my wreaths last year, although I know I have another one made out of seashells by my sister Betty. Time was short, however, so instead I stuck up these two stockings. The smaller, which sports an angora beard and hair, was knitted by a friend of my sister who bought it and gave it to me when I was seven years old. (62 years ago. It is a wonder the moths have allowed it to survive.) The larger one was given to me by my friend Liz forty years ago.
This lovely bloomed just in time to greet my friends who are visiting for Christmas:
Not quite fully opened today. Either it was at its prime yesterday, or the sun hasn’t hit it fully yet. Looks like a filly skirt!
See Cee’s unusual poinsettia HERE.
Old Friends
Peruse my stars or read my palm.
Your predictions raise no qualm
for sleep has spread its soothing balm,
and now my world is blesséd calm.
The dogs are stirring and at my door.
They have been fed, but they want more.
For their restlessness, I am the shore.
I am their center and their core.
My world once shaken is calming down.
I have no need to scour the town,
for though the planet may fuss and frown,
my world surrounds me like a velvet gown.
My friends are resting upstairs and near.
They have no reason to stir or fear,
for in my heart I hold them dear
and bless those bonds that brought them here.
Now I hear each leave her bed,
choosing company instead.
They brew their coffee but must be fed,
so from the pillow, I raise my head.
My pain diminished since my fall,
I move more easily down the hall
as camaraderie sounds its call,
and I go to join them all.
The prompt today is “calm.”
I bought this cane with a built-in flashlight for my sister when I thought she was going to have knee surgery. Little did I think that I’d be the one using it! (Her surgery was cancelled.)
Over-enthusiastic
My enthusiasm’s quickly fading
as my energy’s abating.
Took a fall this morning, so
I’m getting around mighty slow.
My knee is wrecked, I cannot bend it.
An Ace bandage I’ve found can’t mend it.
My wrist is swollen out an inch.
(Being a klutz is not a cinch.)
I hope I’m better by and by,
but I can’t bear to touch my thigh.
I didn’t see the vacuum cord
there on the floor, and then, oh Lord,
since I was rushing, I took a fall
and now I cannot run at all.
When it comes to walking, I’m a gimp.
I lurch and stumble, sway and limp.
The only thing I’m grateful for
is how it happened and nothing more.
Two nights I’ve slaved and worked ’til four,
then gone to bed happy but sore.
I’ve painted, cleaned and stowed away
so I’d be ready for this day.
And although I’d had no warning
I’d take a tumble late this morning,
my work’s all done. I’ve trimmed the tree,
and the last thing put away IS ME!
The prompt today was enthusiasm.
A little over a year ago, I wrote this post about an unfortunate fortune told me by a stranger. Because I have so much left to do today before company arrives tomorrow, workmen here now, more coming tonight and a trip to Costco in Guadalajara to accomplish before that, I’m going to link to my former post and perhaps write one later tonight, after I finish painting. Here is the link: https://judydykstrabrown.com/2015/12/10/flight-of-fortune/
I had forgotten writing it so perhaps even if you regularly read my blog, it will seem fresh to you, as well. Merry Xmas–coming up fast. So excited to see my friends tomorrow who will fly in from Wyoming and California.
The prompt word today was “fortune.”
Senora! I’ve found more lights! It looks promising. I knew I had many more strands, but these look unfamiliar.
So I pulled them out of the bag and untangled them, and when I plugged them in? Out of seven strands, only one worked! I mined the errant strands for a few replacement bulbs and tossed them into the trash. Planned obsolescence?
Poor Timing
Whoever wrote this prompt today cannot have all the facts
If he thinks merely by wanting to, I can just relax!
Relaxing’s fine for those who have all their “to do’s” done,
but until the last one’s checked off, it’s not yet time for fun.
It’s true that life is not all work. There’s wisdom in each word.
But to rest prematurely is clearly just absurd.
I’ll paint the window frame and then put up Christmas lights.
Then unpack nacimientos–those Mexican delights.
I’ll hide the suitcase of old clothes I’ve been meaning to sell,
then close the guest room closet–best described as hoarding Hell!
Clothes of every era. Clothes of every size.
If you are into “retro,” you’d find it quite the prize.
Then hang up all the pictures and replace all the art
that’s been consigned to the upstairs since my remodel’s start.
We’ve wiped and swept and blown and washed ’til all the dust is gone,
but now must put away the stuff all the dust was on!
Two days from now, houseguests arrive. ‘Til then my life is taxing,
It’s when they finally get here that I’ll have time for relaxing!
The prompt today is “relax.”
