Category Archives: Creative Writing

The Grand Solar Minimum … in Arizona – and Clem.

Oh Clem. I’m still mourning him.

I originally created him with only a little mouth and two little rock eyes.

My husband insisted he at least have arms.

Here he was at his best – happy!   I mean, after all, it was his birthday!  (Snowday?)

I woke this morning with trepidation, was Clem still around???

He was, but, the weight of the snow had laden his arms, and he looked a lot less happy.

Clem had seen some shit.

I arrive home tonight and … Rest in Pieces dear Clem.

All joking aside (and, I’m really not joking about the loss of my inanimate snowman, you know me by now) is that this snowfall was bonkers.

It all started on Wednesday when snow (Blizzard) was expected.

You all know also by now that I have a fear of my drive and beating the storm was top priority for me and arriving home beforehand.

I received messages from my (should have been a meteorologist) husband, predicting (once again true) the weather.

I left work early.

Woke the next day in the dark, and peered out the window – and … WOW!  Yes!  A snow day!

Texted my bosses, who already had a heads-up.  Nope, to the nopety nope, I would not be navigating ‘the pass’.

My first photos sucked.  But, then daylight arrived and I went for a little walk.  I realize I sound like Darth Vader (it was SO very cold), but also please listen for the crunching of snow, because, that’s what I had forgotten the sound of!!!!  Fresh snow, fresh footprints – complete and utter white out!!!

I felt like a kid!

A SNOW DAY!

Butters enjoyed it too – she was frisky. (This, the dog who would not go outside in the rain a couple years ago to pee.  (Thank Gawd that’s changed.)

So it was on!  Bring it!

Hubby was home, fire was stoked and Butters happy.

Here’s some more pics of the rare day.

 

OH! SO glad I planted when I did. (Insert sarcasm here)  But, it was a beautiful day.

I say that, but honestly, after a walk and many photos – it was just very white, wet and repetitive and I couldn’t stop thinking about how behind I was at work.

I went in early today – and navigated ice and ‘previous tire tracks’ (which is a thing) and totally appreciated the beauty of our area.  The mountains were majestic – and I would love to show you them, but, I kept two hands on the wheel!

When it’s in the 120’s I’ll look back on this post and appreciate how cold my fingers were whilst scraping my car’s windshield.  I’ll appreciate putting a jacket on – and I’ll look back on this beauty in awe!

Russian Doll Tangent

Just to tie things up in a bow for those of you who didn’t notice – the enlightened versions went in the same direction (Notice the karma scarf and her outfit).

Before:

After:

He has the ‘Karma Scarf’ on and she has her enlightened ‘I had a drink thrown on me’ outfit on.

The other two versions of her are passing her by going backwards out of the tunnel, whilst, they are going in.  Together.

 

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Promises

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Ashes fell on me

Creped skin

Regrets

Promises each day of a new beginning

My abused temple

Modified

Sacrificed

Ignored …

The quandary of Facebook

Ok.  I’ll admit it.  I’m ‘one of them.’

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I’m the diary chick.

SO not a ‘status’ chick.  “I am currently writing a blog.” <POST> nah.

But, in my defense, I’m also VERY selective with my ‘friends.’  And I quote that because I see people with hundreds upon HUNDREDS of friends and I just don’t get it?

Facebook is not LinkedIn … Facebook, I thought, was a personal web page of sorts that you communicated from to your favorite friends and family?

I have under 100 ‘friends.’

I share too much.

I have also found myself deleting posts after posts because I feel inadequate or unable to be ‘real’ even with my selected friends.

Why?

Insecurities obviously … But, also, because THEIR lives SEEM so freaking amazing.  I feel I fall short when I am honest.

And if you’re going with the above cartoon, then WHY is a photo of food not acceptable????

Tangent.

If we’re keeping it to ‘status’ only, then, what I’m eating is perfectly appropriate.  Right?

I enjoy such features as IM.  Instant messaging friends from all over the planet – for FREE!

No phone bill.

No stamps. (Although, I DO miss hand written letters.)

Off Tangent.

I have decided Facebook users fall into the following categories:

*The fantasy poster* – You ONLY hear good from them and their lives sound like they have a unicorn in their backyard and rainbows and confetti in their front yard – and you will NEVER live up to their marriage/relationship/mothering/fathering skills.

(Problem I have with these friends is that I actually judge myself – compare myself TO them.)

*The sometimes poster*  – They really only remember Facebook when they’re NOT living their lives – because they’re real, and maybe they’ll share something fun with you.  But, who know’s what’s going on in between.

*The work poster* – They’re busy, but want to advocate their occupation.  You’ll get glimpses of their lives IF they decide it merits sharing and the post is innocuous – but mostly, it’s about work.

*The semi-honest poster* – Shares when they’re sad or happy – when their kids/partner/selves are sick or tired – but will stop at anything embarrassing.

*The Stalker* – They’re your friend, and occasionally will ‘like’ a post, but mostly just hangs back and reads everyone’s statuses and won’t share a damn thing.

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* The over sharer (me) – will purge EVERYTHING without thought and regret it later.  Usually will delete.

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Thing is – I’m a writer!!!! I AM!  I was published by 10.  Have never stopped wanting to share.  And this is why my friend list is short.  And this is why I keep diminishing it – because I don’t WANT to stop being honest.  I don’t WANT to have to edit myself.

MY Facebook IS my personal page.  And anyone invited should seriously consider it an honor (tongue in cheek) because I just don’t trust many people.

I’ll be purging all over the place AND deleting – because that IS what I do.

God forbid I actually get a book published – would be pretty hard to delete. 😉

Um, and by the way … Check THIS out.  After hitting review:

 

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What I was even going to originally write about on Sunday was Stefan Kiesbye.

But then I felt bad – like I’d cornered him. (My issues, no reality there.)

He is my favorite author.

AND, a friend on Facebook.

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Yes, I had even deleted my innocuous Valentines post to my friends and family.

Funny thing is – I got a message from Rainer on Valentine’s Day – and I remembered asking him to get Stefan’s autograph for me at a book fair in Europe.

ANYWAY! If you haven’t read these – you really should …

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The Staked Plains – (when I got an ARC I FLIPPED out!)

And – my favorite ….
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Bottom line I guess … I want to be real.  I don’t want to delete a moment.  I want to share EVERYTHING with you.  Was watching a movie today (can’t remember which – I got Netflixbewitched) and one of the quotes went something like … I can’t remember.  But it was important.  And hey, mid-forties, cut me a break.  Maybe THAT’S why I share everything?  Because a year from now, Facebook is going to remind me I have a memory.

Penelope

Her absence is ubiquitous.

In her home,

at the park.

in our lives.

Her love is infinite.

We still feel it.

Countries away!

Her strength is unlike anything I can be.

And she’s unafraid to say –

I’m missing you.

I’m missing home.

I’m tired of dreary.

And in that honesty –

I find myself.

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