Searching for Bliss

A few days ago I wrote the following. Originally it was going to be a "regular" chapter in my memoir but as I typed, the words felt more like a poem to me. It was one of those special moments when the words just flowed. (If this isn't poetry, please forgive me. It's my very first one.)

Untitled


I strolled along the pavement,
the sound of quiet surrounding me
like a quilt. The stillness was deafening
until I heard the engine of a prop plane
flying overhead. Stopping and shading my eyes,
I squint and watch it putter across
the powder blue sky.
Memories flooded my soul,
immediately tugging my mouth
into a wide grin.

The next day I walk the
same path. A distant cardinal chirps,
most likely believing it's already spring.
Why shouldn't he?
These past few days have been nothing
but glorious.
Only the calendar page declares
it's just early February.
I turn, looking for his brilliant crimson color
among the vast bare branches
but my eyes cannot find him.

I notice the sky is full of "airplane smoke,"
those cloud-like wispy lines also
carry memories for the child within me.
I close my eyes, and for a moment
I'm standing motionless in my front yard again.
I stare up, marveling at the sight above,
taking it all in and thinking as profoundly as
a five-year-old possibly can.

Blinking, I become aware of
my present surroundings and
begin my journey
back home.
Tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow
I'll think back and
reminisce once more.
Sentimental journeys.
Always bittersweet.

©2012 Becky Povich

Maxine and More

Gotta love Maxine!

She tells it like it is!

I think I need to learn how to have a martini every now and then!



In September of 2010, my blog friend TK Richardson and I got together and started "Comment Like Crazy," a weekly blog feature. We had the best of intentions but I don't think either one of us got very far with it. I know I didn't! (You can read all about it HERE)

I'm not announcing any new attempt at this, just the fact that this weekend, February 18 and 19, I will spend LOTS of time reading and commenting on as many blogs as I can. We all have important and/or entertaining things to say, and pictures to post, and they deserve as much attention as they can get! I can't promise a long and drawn out comment, but I'll do my best!☺  

** Speaking of comments, I'm sure you've all noticed by now the horrendous new verification baloney that Blogger has us doing! Ridiculous! They don't even give anyone a choice..Therefore, I have elected to do away with my verification feature. I have my Comment Setting scheduled for me to check on, and give the okay to, any comments on posts that are older than seven days. That way I will most likely see any spam or inappropriate comments before they are displayed.**

* I'll also be back on Sunday, with my Nostalgic Sunday post. *

"Isn't it a little embarrassing to live in a country started by people who buckled their hats?" - Maxine

"Those one-shoulder tops are great if you're too lazy to shave both armpits." - Maxine

A Snowy Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yay! We finally had a beautiful snowfall yesterday! So, here's the perfect Valentine, from me to you!

Welcome to my newest follower, Stephen T. McCarthy. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

And now, one of my favorite quotes from Winnie the Pooh.



Piglet: How do you spell love?
Pooh: You don’t spell it, you feel it.

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

Today's Nostalgic Sunday is about my wedding anniversary which was yesterday, the 11th. Below are two photos from that special day in 1983.

Have I mentioned The Ronald is a foot taller than I am??!! That comes in handy when I need something from the top shelf! ☺

Welcome to my newest follower, Chris I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage." ~ Martin Luther



Thursday Night Update

Don't forget my Give-Away ends tomorrow night at 8:00 pm, CST. If you haven't already left a comment on Monday's post, please go check it out.

 * It is now 8:15pm Friday night. I just did Random.org for my give-away, and the winner is........Clarissa Draper!! Congratulations! I'll e-mail you to get your mailing address. Thanks to all who entered!



This Saturday, the 11th, is my wedding anniversary. The Ronald and I will be celebrating 29 YEARS of wedded bliss! Where HAS the time gone? A story I wrote about our happy marriage was accepted and published in "Chicken Soup for the Soul; Love Stories" (2007). The title of it is "Through the Years."

This coming Sunday I plan on having another Nostalgic Sunday post. Last week I didn't get one ready because of the Super Bowl. ☺
 

Two announcements concerning writing:

1) If anyone would like to receive a card or letter from me, just send your mailing address to me via e-mail. I'm having a wonderful time participating in the Month of Letters!

2) This afternoon, in just a short period of time, I wrote over 1,000 WORDS in my memoir! THAT is something to cheer about for me. I usually struggle with just a few words, so today was monumental. I hope I'll keep on going.....

(all courtesy of Clip Art)

* One last thing. I plan to begin replying to your comments by e-mail. That way it's not necessary to check back here to see what's been said. That should save a little time for all of us....and I think we're always looking for ways to do that! *

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” -- Joseph Campbell 

* This 'n That on a Wednesday *

Yesterday was Coffee & Critique day. Every Tuesday morning from 10:00am to 12:00 noon, a few of us local writers get together for....you guessed it: Coffee (or whatever drink of choice) and Critique. We meet in a cafe and most times stay for lunch as well. This is the only critique group I've ever attended, but from hearing about others, I know it is a quality one. We are an "open" group. No requirements or invitations. We do have some Guidelines. You bring something to read if you want, but you aren't required to. No one gives unkind remarks. We're there to give suggestions and advice. I am positive I have become a much better writer since being part of this wonderful group. And you know how we writers are. We love being around each other, talking about writing. We "get" each other. And boy, do we have fun!

I found The Cutest To-Do List at Jenny at The Modest Peacock. She shared it on her blog. Click on the link:  http://themodestpeacock.blogspot.com/2012/01/thought-id-share.html 

I printed one copy at home and took it to Kinkos and made 10 more. (I didn't want to use up all my color ink.) Each page is one day. I've tried making my own To-Do Lists, but they've never worked. This one just fits me. It even reminds me to drink my 8 glasses of water a day...which is something I've never done!

This is what I saw when I looked out my windows this morning!

 We've had barely an inch of snow all winter, which is so different from the last few winters. The two photos with the plant on the window sill were taken from my kitchen. The other one is in my neighbor's front yard.

My alloted blog time is over now, so on to other tasks! Thanks for stopping by and please don't forget my give-away. (See Monday 2/6 blog post)

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." -- Robert Brault (http://www.robertbrault.com/)

* Time for a Give Away! *

It's been WAY too long since I've had a Give-Away. I finally got a few things together and here they are.

 This is a packet of three file folders, still in the package.

 This is a very pretty book mark. The picture doesn't do it justice. It's a very sturdy one, still in its package, too. The colors are hard to describe. I'd say it's brown/burgundy with gold designs, a dark brown tassle, a dab of peach/pink colors, and two little plastic "gems" at the top. The sentiment is:

Dream. Dreams are what make the stars sparkle and the moon shine.

Also, the shabby chic birdie doesn't look as cute as it is, either. It's pale pink and has a glass insert for tea lights.

 These are two hard cover "Tea" books. They're about 5" x 6" and are brand new.

This is the group picture.

All you have to do to win is be a follower and leave a comment. That's it! I'll choose the winner by random.org on Friday night at 8:00pm, CST. Best of luck to everyone, and feel free to mention it on your blog, as well.

* It is now 8:15pm Friday night. I just did Random.org for my give-away, and the winner is........Clarissa Draper!! Congratulations! I'll e-mail you to get your mailing address. Thanks to all who entered!

"A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely." – Pam Brown

* Hodgepodge *

Tonight's Blog Menu: Hodgepodge!

This Week's Happenings

I entered a local art contest, in the photography catagory. I didn't win anything, but below is one of my entries:

I received (still!) some ideal birthday gifts from a dear friend this week. Below is one of them:

Awww...look at the books, growing in the garden. And the sentiment inside the cup.

I'm doing pretty well in the "Month of Letters Challenge."

(courtesy: Clipart)

I'm writing quite a bit: memoir chapters and/or calls for submissions. (This is an old photo. My desk hasn't looked like this in a LONG time. I've now taken over our dining room table...for a while!)

However your week has been, I hope you've managed to enjoy a few simple things; whether it was watching the Sunset, going for a walk, or drinking from a favorite cup!

 Welcome to my newest followers, The Elephant's Child, Jo's This and That, and Karen W. Berner. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

 

 

 

“Some people have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.” -- Abraham H. Maslow