tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13995983439354602532024-03-12T23:59:23.887-04:00More Where That Came From Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-61381616011459027532020-08-13T18:27:00.000-04:002020-08-13T18:27:24.260-04:00Taking a Break<p><b><u><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Taking a Break</span></u></b></p><p>Hello friends. After much consideration, I have decided to take a break from blogging. I haven't yet decided whether it will be a temporary or permanent break. I want to spend more time on other projects, so I am putting my blog on the back burner for now. </p><p>Thank you to those of you who have visited and commented here and on my other blogs from the past. Many of you have become wonderful friends to me as well as readers of what I write. For those who might be interested or who want to stay in touch, I do have a Facebook page which you may follow at this link: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/conniebiltzwriter/">https://www.facebook.com/conniebiltzwriter/</a> </p>Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-75003236575569576012020-06-25T12:04:00.000-04:002020-06-25T12:04:12.673-04:00A Little Life Lesson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xK3mxJjLT8/XvTGYShRKUI/AAAAAAAANqs/sHfSfvBJLygG5uqTvTgd5QdQcpL3vxHQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/milly1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="426" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xK3mxJjLT8/XvTGYShRKUI/AAAAAAAANqs/sHfSfvBJLygG5uqTvTgd5QdQcpL3vxHQACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/milly1.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A Little Life Lesson</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She is an inquisitive girl - not yet two,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">full of energy, curiosity, and zip.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She likes to explore and investigate.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's sweet and smart as a whip.</div>
</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She plays a game outside, stacking plastic pots,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">but her game suddenly comes to a stop,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">when one brave, black ant marches out in front of her,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
then climbs from the bottom of the stack to the top.</div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Ant," she says solemnly, pointing it out to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Ah, yes, I see it," I say to her, as she nods her head.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Giving the tiny creature proper recognition,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
she knows that even the smallest life is important to be led.</div>
</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cl-SkVIj0LM/XvTGpCC46dI/AAAAAAAANq0/_Gz6zjNvHxAOhUDwQk-j6zbHiggKDaajgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/milly2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="352" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cl-SkVIj0LM/XvTGpCC46dI/AAAAAAAANq0/_Gz6zjNvHxAOhUDwQk-j6zbHiggKDaajgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/milly2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bFQL3xVQ9n8/XvTGuuHvppI/AAAAAAAANq4/kZYN2Marc50_glnz9QksTBGaBlkiCMTDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/milly3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="493" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bFQL3xVQ9n8/XvTGuuHvppI/AAAAAAAANq4/kZYN2Marc50_glnz9QksTBGaBlkiCMTDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/milly3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-21900986702080765322020-05-06T13:55:00.001-04:002020-05-06T13:55:22.505-04:00Neighborhood Watch<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="background-color: white;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Neighborhood Watch</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"YAP, YAP, YAP, YAP, YAP!"</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our neighbor's dog</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">is a noisy, little ball of white fluff.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He bounces along</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the length of the chain link fence</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">around his yard,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">as if tossed by the wind.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"YAP, YAP, YAP, YAP, YAP!"</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He barks at all passersby:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">whether cars, kids, squirrels,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> other dogs, or butterflies.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">His owner calls</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> him <i>Atticus</i>.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We call him,<i> That Yappycuss.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Like his namesake, </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">he takes seriously his job to defend.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"YAP, YAP, YAP, YAP, YAP!"</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-88086919945834851332020-04-10T09:24:00.000-04:002020-05-08T10:58:17.379-04:00Hope by Design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Cm_l0L8Ah8/XpBuWFsgBgI/AAAAAAAANp4/c7UZ8hPeAuUcWuwuIOdRtJfR2RhCpwdzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mag3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Cm_l0L8Ah8/XpBuWFsgBgI/AAAAAAAANp4/c7UZ8hPeAuUcWuwuIOdRtJfR2RhCpwdzACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/mag3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>Hope by Design</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Despite endless reports of doom,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the flowers have begun to bloom.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dire warnings flit and fly,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">but look, look--how blue the sky!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The experts say, "No need for panic."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then they say, "It's a pandemic!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Wash your hands. Stay inside.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Home is the place where we should hide."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I envy the flowers in their glory.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In ignorant bliss, they live their story.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The sun, undaunted, returns to shine,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">bringing hope by design.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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<br />Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-17388997514171137932020-02-17T10:57:00.000-05:002020-02-17T11:01:36.238-05:00Seagulls and Crows<div>
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<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4NtJKaX1-M/Xkm15tJexyI/AAAAAAAANpA/hGCz4OPLmlM45TVrGWkWnkIn3r8ISrQqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blackbirds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="493" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4NtJKaX1-M/Xkm15tJexyI/AAAAAAAANpA/hGCz4OPLmlM45TVrGWkWnkIn3r8ISrQqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/blackbirds.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></u>
<u><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seagulls and Crows</span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seagulls swoop down to the waves</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and back up again,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">soaring against a background </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of boundless blue skies,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and celebrating the sea breezes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">with their joyous, rhythmic cries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Crows perch </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">in a palm tree </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">by my window; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">complaining, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">bickering, and gossiping </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">about the people down below.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The crows' voices grate and scrape</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">like rusty hinges </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">on an old screen door.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When given a choice, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">what will you do,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">squabble or soar?</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxSZnLp2xYOqqXpfL5hDEr7S28z4iqBDJbGKyN7O_ZpEYQ15XxWp0Fdc_dUMbAagU3utEkP-Xo09s8tzhvR9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>You can hear the crows at the beginning of this short video.</i></span></div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-39741743942560675502020-01-20T17:29:00.000-05:002020-01-21T08:18:31.269-05:00The Exquisite Scene<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZGbqyA7JYQ/Xib5y2gRuyI/AAAAAAAANoQ/aDbEm2LBaMc5hFVTKFCWaFy6o0RSbFkdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/snow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="493" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZGbqyA7JYQ/Xib5y2gRuyI/AAAAAAAANoQ/aDbEm2LBaMc5hFVTKFCWaFy6o0RSbFkdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/snow1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Exquisite Scene</span></b></u><br />
<u><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It happened while we were sleeping,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">slipping in during the dark of night.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Snow transformed the world outside--made it pristine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Changed the landscape to black and white.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now it's quiet and cold and clean</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">as far as one can see.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Layers of snowflakes muffle each lawn</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and drape the branches of each tree.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Armed with shovels, brooms, and plows,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the first ones out to enjoy it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">can't help but witness the grandeur, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">just before they set out to destroy it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Clearing paths for others to walk.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Plowing roads to make room to drive.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Their clank and clang and clatter and scrape </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">announce that winter has decided to arrive.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Soon the white will turn to gray,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the sparkle will turn to slush,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and the noise of the street will return</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to drown out the peaceful hush.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Take in the glory while you can.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Commit to memory the exquisite scene.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because as quick as snapping two fingers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">we will be back to the mundane routine.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2V29gBQuD-o/Xib56CobW3I/AAAAAAAANoU/xxnKnT-u8dI123c0yZF2_DyXN811bmHWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/snow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="493" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2V29gBQuD-o/Xib56CobW3I/AAAAAAAANoU/xxnKnT-u8dI123c0yZF2_DyXN811bmHWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/snow2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-64975044279219321952019-11-11T13:33:00.000-05:002019-11-11T13:33:43.300-05:00Where the Pixies Play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBLkJLZr6es/XbYgIrQJMtI/AAAAAAAANns/QlxebwunEnUHF0KplU8gIr3GLFF86rnPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1292%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBLkJLZr6es/XbYgIrQJMtI/AAAAAAAANns/QlxebwunEnUHF0KplU8gIr3GLFF86rnPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1292%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u>Where the Pixies Play</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meadow, under a pine, at the edge of the wood,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">right at my feet, the yellow mushroom stood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nothing but an ordinary mushroom by day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">but at night, it's</span> where the pixies play.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fluttering about with the fireflies;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">giggling, whispering, and batting their eyes;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">they play hide and seek among the clover,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">flitting about, under and over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They frolic and dance with the other sprites,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">whiling away the starlit nights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When at last the sun begins to rise,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">they rest their heads and close their eyes,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">but they'll be back </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">when the stars shine,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">on the mushroom, in the meadow, </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">under a pine,</span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">which looks so ordinary during the day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">but at night, it's</span> where the pixies play.</span></div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-75346372320365353452019-09-23T17:32:00.000-04:002019-09-23T17:32:07.991-04:00Grandma's Lap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krnacuUHve0/XYk3uxFjG9I/AAAAAAAANnY/ob65PZQQyVQJOdpXnMGjc-CZ9Y8p3XNQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/71472103_657573158063616_2498517896402042880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="352" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krnacuUHve0/XYk3uxFjG9I/AAAAAAAANnY/ob65PZQQyVQJOdpXnMGjc-CZ9Y8p3XNQACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/71472103_657573158063616_2498517896402042880_n.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Grandma's Lap</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's no better place</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to take a nap</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">than snuggled up</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">on Grandma's lap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She finger sings the spider</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">up the water spout to me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and I sit feeling sleepy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">while sitting on her knee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She softly counts my fingers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and then she counts my toes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A yawn escapes from my mouth,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and my eyes begin to close.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Soon I'm drifting off to sleep</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">with dreams floating in my head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I snooze and sigh with contentment, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when Grandma's lap is my bed.</span></div>
Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-60451581375507525972019-08-25T18:19:00.000-04:002019-08-25T18:20:54.957-04:00Childhood Summer<u><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Childhood Summer</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Picking fat, green peapods</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">from the vines growing at the edge of the garden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sitting on the porch swing in the breezeway</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">with my mom and my cat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shelling peas from their pods,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">scooping them into a stainless steel mixing bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Listening to them ping as they fell,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<i>rat-a-tat-tat</i>."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Childhood summers were so simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Riding our bikes together in packs,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">all around the neighborhood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everyone was your friend--it was as easy as that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Endless games of wiffle ball in the empty field.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me, playing second base--never caught a one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Charlie liked being the pitcher.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His sister, the youngest, always first up to bat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We played hide and seek behind the lilac bushes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mary Aileen really knew how to run!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She'd make it home from anywhere</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">in fifteen seconds flat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We kept busy with jump rope, freeze tag, and hot potato,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">or tossed pebbles into the creek near the train tracks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and counted box cars from the bridge where we sat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those times and places are long gone now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many of the people are gone too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's no longer possible for any of us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to make it home in fifteen seconds flat,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">but if I close my eyes and drift a bit,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I 'm there again jumping rope and hiding in the lilacs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everyone is a friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I just close my eyes--it's as easy as that.</span><br />
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<br />Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-1993737094543809792019-07-07T19:15:00.000-04:002019-07-07T19:17:00.782-04:00Solace of the Sea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkHM7nZuFEk/XSJuFacTh8I/AAAAAAAANms/PGM9vGibapY0QDh9l0h3UcNDOBWLkqj7gCLcBGAs/s1600/9sf-1ccETT6Zs7zn9RuPRg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkHM7nZuFEk/XSJuFacTh8I/AAAAAAAANms/PGM9vGibapY0QDh9l0h3UcNDOBWLkqj7gCLcBGAs/s400/9sf-1ccETT6Zs7zn9RuPRg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Solace of the Sea</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sea sounds bring solace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whispering waves ebb and flow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Waters mirror a scenic serenity,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">while salty breezes blow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Qpqx1dx26c/XSJuTEXSzkI/AAAAAAAANmw/uL85fxFyzBgI3b7waHPHS9pQ9PXB0pbDACLcBGAs/s1600/JUaYcl99QUa1Ou16Kdm-rQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="672" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Qpqx1dx26c/XSJuTEXSzkI/AAAAAAAANmw/uL85fxFyzBgI3b7waHPHS9pQ9PXB0pbDACLcBGAs/s400/JUaYcl99QUa1Ou16Kdm-rQ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sandpipers play relentless tag,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">alternating the chase with escape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gentle whitecaps rise to greet them,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">carving the outline of the cape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UW0TwF88pmk/XSJubDorELI/AAAAAAAANm4/v1LPDEf-9Bk_yENoI9aiO-ZQsXE--UiiwCLcBGAs/s1600/kBzeGje4R26SbUbquHFRmQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UW0TwF88pmk/XSJubDorELI/AAAAAAAANm4/v1LPDEf-9Bk_yENoI9aiO-ZQsXE--UiiwCLcBGAs/s400/kBzeGje4R26SbUbquHFRmQ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seagulls swoop and dive with an echoing cry,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">floating white on the cornflower sky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Troubles forgotten, we lie on the sand</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and watch cotton ball clouds drifting by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>For those wondering, no, I am not currently at the beach. These photos are from a vacation a few years ago. </i></span></div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-5284038673980151312019-06-07T22:21:00.000-04:002019-06-07T22:21:41.290-04:00The Sleeping Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BeQe9NI0MCY/XPsYgtRoGaI/AAAAAAAANmY/q_-XeYTUSIIEyuEQHtj_j4s4C4iMMJr5gCLcBGAs/s1600/Ameliafb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BeQe9NI0MCY/XPsYgtRoGaI/AAAAAAAANmY/q_-XeYTUSIIEyuEQHtj_j4s4C4iMMJr5gCLcBGAs/s400/Ameliafb3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u></b>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Sleeping Baby</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Baby's belly is full.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have already played pattycake,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">read a bedtime story,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and shared a lullaby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She settles into my arms.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The rhythm of the rocking chair soothes us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sleep slowly drifts into the nursery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tiny fingers curl</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">around the edge</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">of a blanket.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Her breath comes, steady and soft.</div>
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Her hair sticks out - wisps of flyaway fluff at her nape.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Snuggled in dainty, white footed pajamas -</div>
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speckled with pink stars and yellow moons,</div>
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she breathes out a sigh of comfort and peace,</div>
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and with gratitude, so do I.</div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-14095377969513906572019-05-14T15:44:00.000-04:002019-05-14T15:44:03.719-04:00Just Deer Being Deer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RBswQN87TY8/XNsW95deVeI/AAAAAAAANls/UCX12yY2ajohVtRzC15a964RUKRQPOT9wCLcBGAs/s1600/deer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RBswQN87TY8/XNsW95deVeI/AAAAAAAANls/UCX12yY2ajohVtRzC15a964RUKRQPOT9wCLcBGAs/s400/deer3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOBSwtk8Tx8/XNsXFTno69I/AAAAAAAANlw/8XfFJ473oAs1NPlWMJDk0AnkaY6KAO--QCLcBGAs/s1600/deer7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="432" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOBSwtk8Tx8/XNsXFTno69I/AAAAAAAANlw/8XfFJ473oAs1NPlWMJDk0AnkaY6KAO--QCLcBGAs/s400/deer7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Just Deer Being Deer</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Their homes, their fields, and their forests</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">were dug up and taken over.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now housing developments and condos sit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">where once maple trees shaded clover.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They are forced to share our shrinking land.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Caught between living spaces--</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">farmers' fields and a few metroparks,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and overwhelmingly "civilized" places.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So they roam in our yards</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and graze our garden plots,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">because there is no room left for them</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">in their dwindling wildlife spots.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Their natural enemies are mostly gone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They have learned to lose their fear</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">of the people whose yards in which they wander.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No one to blame. Just deer being deer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some people don't want to see the deer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All they know is the damage they've done.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They grumble under their breath</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">about getting guns and making venison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I <i>like</i> the deer, though, such graceful creatures,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">with big, soulful, brown eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They have long legs, and expressive faces,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and wear a camouflage disguise.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There must be some solution</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">where wildlife and man both win.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe someday we can fix this mess</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">we've put them (</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>and ourselves)</i> in.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ys3-P3Y-vDY/XNsXfET02pI/AAAAAAAANl8/zquGCV7vClMGS0GUGIOOLLnM2JjjraxHACLcBGAs/s1600/58805599_1276900049133866_745547219540639744_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ys3-P3Y-vDY/XNsXfET02pI/AAAAAAAANl8/zquGCV7vClMGS0GUGIOOLLnM2JjjraxHACLcBGAs/s400/58805599_1276900049133866_745547219540639744_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TahNQPI6aYs/XNsXt_Ei91I/AAAAAAAANmA/XcP9Onxb4v0mXc653CReGXhYWVc-CljkgCLcBGAs/s1600/59373815_692364011224137_4067346617861144576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TahNQPI6aYs/XNsXt_Ei91I/AAAAAAAANmA/XcP9Onxb4v0mXc653CReGXhYWVc-CljkgCLcBGAs/s400/59373815_692364011224137_4067346617861144576_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-86785960761821147362019-04-15T14:54:00.000-04:002019-04-15T14:54:26.806-04:00Magnolia Miracles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYmrjuS2zYI/XLS7iZpW5pI/AAAAAAAANko/QS-exzUenjcyhI6e-1HCyZ1sImfb9qh8gCLcBGAs/s1600/56879383_1023579334502512_5326905430213918720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYmrjuS2zYI/XLS7iZpW5pI/AAAAAAAANko/QS-exzUenjcyhI6e-1HCyZ1sImfb9qh8gCLcBGAs/s400/56879383_1023579334502512_5326905430213918720_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Magnolia Miracles</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like hands clasped in prayer,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">magnolia buds appeared,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">promising the hope of renewal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then the sun broke through </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and the clouds cleared.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prayers were answered</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">as the petals opened wide,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">offering exuberance, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and second chances...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to breathe, seek joy, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and be glorified.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41CoaCU-kl4/XLS7m5fcXdI/AAAAAAAANk0/imEbgKcIVg00mp2p-GYijUmiNKwJk5D0wCEwYBhgL/s1600/56952812_412229146008804_4273488138782900224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41CoaCU-kl4/XLS7m5fcXdI/AAAAAAAANk0/imEbgKcIVg00mp2p-GYijUmiNKwJk5D0wCEwYBhgL/s400/56952812_412229146008804_4273488138782900224_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eGYeddYIlG8/XLTO_r599bI/AAAAAAAANk8/x5mozJyLWRM33TvqgsWa1FAuPTFev828ACLcBGAs/s1600/57338750_2137075666388130_3697358773271134208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="288" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eGYeddYIlG8/XLTO_r599bI/AAAAAAAANk8/x5mozJyLWRM33TvqgsWa1FAuPTFev828ACLcBGAs/s400/57338750_2137075666388130_3697358773271134208_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-btoBco1WPv4/XLTPJb61g6I/AAAAAAAANlA/JwYuzXo-LrM2S0qyp79Ym8rvXTyhqkyMACLcBGAs/s1600/57272166_378903316287411_8174133198846951424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="288" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-btoBco1WPv4/XLTPJb61g6I/AAAAAAAANlA/JwYuzXo-LrM2S0qyp79Ym8rvXTyhqkyMACLcBGAs/s400/57272166_378903316287411_8174133198846951424_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf-Is6QTggk/XLTPPHfp9qI/AAAAAAAANlI/q3OYHJXtnowTFOQEnt7xVZIR-2FapsuawCLcBGAs/s1600/56922742_831586700519658_2840354708562903040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf-Is6QTggk/XLTPPHfp9qI/AAAAAAAANlI/q3OYHJXtnowTFOQEnt7xVZIR-2FapsuawCLcBGAs/s400/56922742_831586700519658_2840354708562903040_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>This magnolia tree is in my new next door neighbor's front yard! In the photo below, you can see the front of my house next door with the yellow forsythia bushes forming a hedge along the side of it.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHlZDZvt6W0/XLTRhiZByzI/AAAAAAAANlY/ITeeR50PfGgXufItoJqti1pTMTpkoZrDQCLcBGAs/s1600/56874352_281177899472538_621375166642913280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHlZDZvt6W0/XLTRhiZByzI/AAAAAAAANlY/ITeeR50PfGgXufItoJqti1pTMTpkoZrDQCLcBGAs/s400/56874352_281177899472538_621375166642913280_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-89812560541010561612019-03-31T15:56:00.000-04:002019-03-31T15:56:04.227-04:00April Fool's Day Hoax<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VjNf213IrM/XKEYDQsx-jI/AAAAAAAANkE/Y-ESpAUAf7I2CavwdSR5eujDCN-m1uyaACLcBGAs/s1600/55719479_609029282915885_8236648213071790080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VjNf213IrM/XKEYDQsx-jI/AAAAAAAANkE/Y-ESpAUAf7I2CavwdSR5eujDCN-m1uyaACLcBGAs/s400/55719479_609029282915885_8236648213071790080_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">April Fool's Day Hoax</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Snow has returned</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">in an early April Fool's Day hoax.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Don't we deserve a reprieve?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We ask the TV weatherman. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We plead. We coax.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But the grass and trees </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">that were turning green</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">have become instead</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a cold, soft, white scene.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spring is shy </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">against winter's hold.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This frozen air </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">is getting old! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know the snow </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">will melt before long,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but until then, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">all this white is wrong!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's hope this is </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">winter's last wheezing gasp.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pray the sun breaks through </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">winter's clinging grasp.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I suppose </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will love spring </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">all the more.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When it returns </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">outside my door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like others, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a habit of wanting </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">what I have not,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">instead of being grateful </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">for what I have got.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_UwhulQwQ5o/XKEY7uzJERI/AAAAAAAANkU/GTAx7GBFmeMFzUb4VgaaHPcukbI7MH-2QCLcBGAs/s1600/56474608_2147532375283336_6200855412942569472_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="338" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_UwhulQwQ5o/XKEY7uzJERI/AAAAAAAANkU/GTAx7GBFmeMFzUb4VgaaHPcukbI7MH-2QCLcBGAs/s320/56474608_2147532375283336_6200855412942569472_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-49181903628426077492019-03-11T15:34:00.000-04:002019-03-11T15:34:09.290-04:00Settling In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-adUDg1r-0IU/XIa0pd0HC2I/AAAAAAAANj4/rpdtHlfqwOY7ZycyP6Pzn0-K_OAegEDLwCLcBGAs/s1600/new%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-adUDg1r-0IU/XIa0pd0HC2I/AAAAAAAANj4/rpdtHlfqwOY7ZycyP6Pzn0-K_OAegEDLwCLcBGAs/s320/new%2Bhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Settling In</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Checking out new places,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">arranging and rearranging spaces,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">moving closer to familiar faces,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">we've made the leap to a new home!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Packing, moving, and unpacking each box,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">getting new keys and testing the locks,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">organizing everything from soup spoons to socks,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">we've settled in, quieting the urge to roam.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* * * * *</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Hello friends! Please excuse my long absence from blogging. My husband has retired, and we have moved to a new home in a small city east of Cleveland. We now live nearby to family members and are looking forward to this next chapter in our lives. We still have many boxes to unpack, but we are slowly getting things arranged and settling in. The picture above is of our new home. </i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-50409476543817651872019-02-09T17:31:00.000-05:002019-02-09T17:31:44.012-05:00Meeting Amelia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfIcBlNt5Zc/XF9Rbus9Q7I/AAAAAAAANjE/fnIqgVQTxbof0RdgRWBPj7blBwnuqqtawCLcBGAs/s1600/51496109_2279672712318274_4810896733443719168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfIcBlNt5Zc/XF9Rbus9Q7I/AAAAAAAANjE/fnIqgVQTxbof0RdgRWBPj7blBwnuqqtawCLcBGAs/s320/51496109_2279672712318274_4810896733443719168_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Meeting Amelia</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is such a thrill to meet you,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to see the wonder in your bright eyes,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">like your Daddy's--soft cornflower blue.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tiny wisps of red hair escape the hospital hat,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">striped in white and blue and pink.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a granddaughter...imagine that!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a sacred moment for me, to hold you now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You, cooing and content, wrapped in a blanket like a burrito.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Me, overwhelmed with delight, sighing a whispered, "Wow." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STe4Q6nEeug/XF9RuOgg2RI/AAAAAAAANjM/vBjfH10NTjA6JAwlvCb81i3fF51qlulHACLcBGAs/s1600/51463693_2783470078544220_1362775801417695232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STe4Q6nEeug/XF9RuOgg2RI/AAAAAAAANjM/vBjfH10NTjA6JAwlvCb81i3fF51qlulHACLcBGAs/s320/51463693_2783470078544220_1362775801417695232_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCaxlsZvih0/XF9R_1Vj6hI/AAAAAAAANjU/vSTYERRcjOIvtuMWtpkvXi4m07s4SuEVgCLcBGAs/s1600/51545773_863851360621026_899442108279029760_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="552" height="311" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCaxlsZvih0/XF9R_1Vj6hI/AAAAAAAANjU/vSTYERRcjOIvtuMWtpkvXi4m07s4SuEVgCLcBGAs/s320/51545773_863851360621026_899442108279029760_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pqplagzHn2Q/XF9SjyITWkI/AAAAAAAANjc/lW_J4ZqWS30FrD3zwEOcvzbY2kpaZ93xwCLcBGAs/s1600/51679965_2685586288148174_3155495094933520384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pqplagzHn2Q/XF9SjyITWkI/AAAAAAAANjc/lW_J4ZqWS30FrD3zwEOcvzbY2kpaZ93xwCLcBGAs/s320/51679965_2685586288148174_3155495094933520384_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nrP6eAsNaUs/XF9Svp8p2zI/AAAAAAAANjg/CEWrXHfErNsQVYWw4WU6M85GVvtwe4F1wCLcBGAs/s1600/Amelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nrP6eAsNaUs/XF9Svp8p2zI/AAAAAAAANjg/CEWrXHfErNsQVYWw4WU6M85GVvtwe4F1wCLcBGAs/s320/Amelia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-27511673885169534932019-01-10T11:54:00.000-05:002019-01-10T11:54:33.184-05:00Hide and Seek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wGMJ_A56qZ8/XDdwlR_cwFI/AAAAAAAANi4/SubQ82Eew5Ei_AvCiBVZM4I9UtHlk3HYACLcBGAs/s1600/077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wGMJ_A56qZ8/XDdwlR_cwFI/AAAAAAAANi4/SubQ82Eew5Ei_AvCiBVZM4I9UtHlk3HYACLcBGAs/s400/077.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hide and Seek</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All those years ago, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">with my nose pressed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">against the rough bark </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of our backyard maple tree,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I cupped my hands over closed eyes,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">showing I couldn't see.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I counted out loud, "...48, 49, 50.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here I come, ready, or not!"</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Opening my eyes, turning from the tree,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I saw no one, but I took off running,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">searching each hiding spot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All these years later,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have no hiding space.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Knowing I can't see,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I search for comfort, peace, and grace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Out of control, like a beating drum,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">time keeps counting down.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All I can do is get up each day,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">take off running, and say,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Ready or not, here I come!"</span></div>
Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-72571998878090142602018-12-06T19:58:00.000-05:002018-12-06T19:58:44.181-05:00A Passing Storm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vjWoucepvcc/XAiUwHbEHhI/AAAAAAAANis/AbBM_7aF-XEhPOa5Du46WLFsFNMMk2t6wCLcBGAs/s1600/dark%2Bclouds%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="1036" height="217" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vjWoucepvcc/XAiUwHbEHhI/AAAAAAAANis/AbBM_7aF-XEhPOa5Du46WLFsFNMMk2t6wCLcBGAs/s400/dark%2Bclouds%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u>A Passing Storm</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Clouds: big, dark, and heavy lumbered across the sky---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">a herd of grey elephants, weary from a long trek,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">trumpeting thunder.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Two angry bulls stirred up a skirmish while charging.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Their white tusks clashed and cracked---</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">lightning flashes broke the sky.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The elephants swirled around each other, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">with ears flapping and trunks and tails swinging in the wind.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chaos ruled the herd as the elephants scattered in the confusion.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Some stumbled into the river, splashing and thrashing,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">sending soaking rains down to the earth below.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The herd stampeded away spraying water everywhere</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">until at last the rain stopped, and there was nothing left... </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">but the rumble of their feet in the distance.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">* * * * *</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Can you see the herd of elephants in the bottom part of the clouds in the picture above?</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">This poem was inspired by </span><a href="http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com/2018/11/spark-idea-that-could-lead-to-future.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">a post</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> on Linda's blog. Thanks, Linda!</span></span></span></div>
Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-18754312318274927302018-11-05T14:35:00.000-05:002018-11-05T14:35:29.723-05:00That Pivotal Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOq068tKVaY/W-CZRUaEB3I/AAAAAAAANiY/5-9XWCri0NEas3vFzSyO8NUsU4y0ZNWdwCLcBGAs/s1600/021%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1110" height="291" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOq068tKVaY/W-CZRUaEB3I/AAAAAAAANiY/5-9XWCri0NEas3vFzSyO8NUsU4y0ZNWdwCLcBGAs/s400/021%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That Pivotal Moment</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Red bushes are burning.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sugar maples are ablaze.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cool air invigorates.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ahh, rejuvenation!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Welcome back, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">autumn days.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3G5sr8IKX8/W-CX1-gQJzI/AAAAAAAANiM/Qb00fMhok_wG7fESn35odq4c4D6HrylbACLcBGAs/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3G5sr8IKX8/W-CX1-gQJzI/AAAAAAAANiM/Qb00fMhok_wG7fESn35odq4c4D6HrylbACLcBGAs/s400/022.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spirits are revived.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each step falls lighter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An end and a beginning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">merge into one,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and that pivotal moment</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">couldn't be brighter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-si4alKbPCrQ/W-CaWz6fdRI/AAAAAAAANig/o9DXr7s169UPyiFlyMgj0xzkdPsorEjMQCLcBGAs/s1600/026%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1592" height="238" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-si4alKbPCrQ/W-CaWz6fdRI/AAAAAAAANig/o9DXr7s169UPyiFlyMgj0xzkdPsorEjMQCLcBGAs/s400/026%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-54443301439907219102018-09-26T21:20:00.000-04:002018-09-26T21:20:35.105-04:00The Garden Guardian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8WYb9-ibZSQ/W6wZByav-hI/AAAAAAAANgU/FcD71S3130Addi8pLs7FEnBd3zJtsCCwwCLcBGAs/s1600/39741041_459341557911766_5175185680417947648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="775" height="283" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8WYb9-ibZSQ/W6wZByav-hI/AAAAAAAANgU/FcD71S3130Addi8pLs7FEnBd3zJtsCCwwCLcBGAs/s400/39741041_459341557911766_5175185680417947648_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>The Garden Guardian</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The sunflower sentry stood guard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His demeanor: solemn, alert.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was his job to keep out intruders,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">standing watch, so that no one got hurt.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2fkiwgxWvM/W6wZzq7cRnI/AAAAAAAANgc/0LwbrHWiVlckd1dk82ddDstLQOIHIbrIgCLcBGAs/s1600/39861958_613196515744518_912791497995190272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="809" height="273" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2fkiwgxWvM/W6wZzq7cRnI/AAAAAAAANgc/0LwbrHWiVlckd1dk82ddDstLQOIHIbrIgCLcBGAs/s400/39861958_613196515744518_912791497995190272_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He allowed no twinkle in his eye;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">not a smile, not a grin, not a smirk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sounds easy, but it wasn't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Being serious was hard work.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmWaSAXwJOQ/W6wadeCCfrI/AAAAAAAANgo/FL8cPsMHITotW6V6_M-cuSiw7gzKUYCfgCLcBGAs/s1600/39864466_290988368356691_3699227002440515584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmWaSAXwJOQ/W6wadeCCfrI/AAAAAAAANgo/FL8cPsMHITotW6V6_M-cuSiw7gzKUYCfgCLcBGAs/s400/39864466_290988368356691_3699227002440515584_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He stood tall and proud,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">facing down the sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Firmly rooted, he held his ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He would <i>never </i>run.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lcZ7ajlMqc/W6wa9afDz9I/AAAAAAAANgw/aiO33c7Z1ic1cFX5Qn8T9AsrRfkaRSTfQCLcBGAs/s1600/39742456_229186044430622_33105187010772992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="525" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lcZ7ajlMqc/W6wa9afDz9I/AAAAAAAANgw/aiO33c7Z1ic1cFX5Qn8T9AsrRfkaRSTfQCLcBGAs/s400/39742456_229186044430622_33105187010772992_n.jpg" width="282" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A winged intruder breached the perimeter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The guardian never suspected an invasion from the sky!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All he could do was stand there and take it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The invader went straight for his weak spot--his eye!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BWNuj75y0Q/W6wbhUzF-II/AAAAAAAANg4/d0o_dYP4cdMdNoYa5R6Z_uBqGw0RuU6GwCLcBGAs/s1600/39786247_256061541692891_4331004927766691840_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BWNuj75y0Q/W6wbhUzF-II/AAAAAAAANg4/d0o_dYP4cdMdNoYa5R6Z_uBqGw0RuU6GwCLcBGAs/s400/39786247_256061541692891_4331004927766691840_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The sunflower sentry stiffened,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">trying to keep a straight face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While across his features,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the butterfly danced, tickled, and traced.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQZzyUc8f4E/W6wcym89jdI/AAAAAAAANhU/VQyyGF4NBmAoEwgF4_JaOCeq1F6VAgMjQCLcBGAs/s1600/39674686_456617928166869_5336480149267283968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQZzyUc8f4E/W6wcym89jdI/AAAAAAAANhU/VQyyGF4NBmAoEwgF4_JaOCeq1F6VAgMjQCLcBGAs/s400/39674686_456617928166869_5336480149267283968_n.jpg" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMqFFNl9hv8/W6wc8QB5yjI/AAAAAAAANhY/Kl4GJ3VHbncLqV8xXTcavHmAggcJLhncQCLcBGAs/s1600/39714686_282879598971267_4852211570052169728_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="447" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMqFFNl9hv8/W6wc8QB5yjI/AAAAAAAANhY/Kl4GJ3VHbncLqV8xXTcavHmAggcJLhncQCLcBGAs/s400/39714686_282879598971267_4852211570052169728_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="203" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vqbx_Bh09Q/W6wdSik0THI/AAAAAAAANho/qt8lHmCCsacPSfWGbITt50DdpnMcLBxFACLcBGAs/s1600/39735032_844222945776306_7306104880802824192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vqbx_Bh09Q/W6wdSik0THI/AAAAAAAANho/qt8lHmCCsacPSfWGbITt50DdpnMcLBxFACLcBGAs/s400/39735032_844222945776306_7306104880802824192_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The sunflower squirmed under the tickling torture,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">until at last he could take no more!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He doubled over with roaring laughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He laughed harder than he had ever laughed before.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VgVUEsdZaZA/W6wfsMdwwDI/AAAAAAAANiA/cQ_Z_0aDdaEir0pnFPBQuA41hj7OkPThQCLcBGAs/s1600/41983557_246384379400173_6199963236566040576_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="529" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VgVUEsdZaZA/W6wfsMdwwDI/AAAAAAAANiA/cQ_Z_0aDdaEir0pnFPBQuA41hj7OkPThQCLcBGAs/s400/41983557_246384379400173_6199963236566040576_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="331" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His laugh was so loud it startled the butterfly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">who flew quickly away,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but she circled around </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and returned,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ready again to play.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunflower and butterfly became fast friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and whiled the summer away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunflower</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> decided laughing was good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He's beaming still to this day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNIpDjH1IWA/W6weiTT4NXI/AAAAAAAANh4/6VAXmzFNiPs62FRSvxBlo60RmpiFfHxSwCLcBGAs/s1600/39741041_459341557911766_5175185680417947648_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="462" height="286" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNIpDjH1IWA/W6weiTT4NXI/AAAAAAAANh4/6VAXmzFNiPs62FRSvxBlo60RmpiFfHxSwCLcBGAs/s400/39741041_459341557911766_5175185680417947648_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<br />Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-17165917388558507842018-08-16T17:44:00.000-04:002018-08-16T17:44:27.926-04:00My Little Girl Life<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My Little Girl Life</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My little girl life happened way back when,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when I was eight or nine, or maybe ten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can remember...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dipping cinnamon graham crackers into milk after school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Riding bikes with my brother and sister - </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">bragging, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Look no hands!" (<i>Weren't we cool?</i>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Being in awe of the stars, sequins in the velvet-sky night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Waking up in the morning to birds singing, welcoming first light.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sleeping on sheets: clothesline-dried, smelling of sun and air.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Drifting into dreams: tired, happy, no troubles to bear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Listening to Dad's stories, told with a grin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He'd get tickled at his own tales before he'd even begin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Picking ripe, red strawberries straight from the patch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eating Mom's cookies - warm from the oven, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">love in each batch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Husking corn, snapping beans, and shelling peas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Running barefoot in the yard, steering clear of bees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Making homemade churned ice cream, waiting for it to freeze.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A kiss from Mom, the miracle that healed our skinned knees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Making gum wrapper bracelets and blowing dandelion wishes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sharing chores: setting the table, feeding the dog, and washing dishes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Playing with the neighbors, games like hide-and-go-seek.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Maple tree is home. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Close your eyes. Count to 25, and don't peek!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lining up, hand to hand, calling, "Red rover, red rover."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Making nosegay bouquets from Queen Anne's Lace and clover.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My little girl life happened way back when,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when I was eight or nine, or maybe ten.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Imagine what it would be like to live that life again.</span></div>
<br />Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-72014273407359202392018-07-13T12:16:00.000-04:002018-07-13T12:17:16.856-04:00Sort It Out<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sort It Out</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why do we let our possessions</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">take over and become our obsessions?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Things we acquire,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that we think are a must,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">end up on a shelf</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">collecting dust.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All sorts of gizmos and gadgets,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">we save up our money to buy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Later, we realize we don't need them,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">although they once<i> </i>caught our eye.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Closets and attic are overflowing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Good grief, what a mess!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All this clutter. Too much stuff!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The chaos causes stress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Getting it all sorted and tidy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">is on my bucket list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I must figure out what I <i>really </i>need,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and get rid of what will never be missed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's time to prioritize what</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> we've got.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Decide </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">which things still bring joy,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and dispose of those which do not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who knew letting go</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">could be such a chore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Repeat after me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Less is more. Less is more."</span><br />
<br />Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-24978592917058924842018-06-13T19:55:00.000-04:002018-06-13T19:55:27.344-04:00Summertime Tune<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk0k3KTJtLM/WyGcX3HKSqI/AAAAAAAANf8/GwF2dxytqc0C_y12HWDx4QR0QmvCIRQTQCLcBGAs/s1600/34823281_1724381210941999_2381583769636175872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk0k3KTJtLM/WyGcX3HKSqI/AAAAAAAANf8/GwF2dxytqc0C_y12HWDx4QR0QmvCIRQTQCLcBGAs/s400/34823281_1724381210941999_2381583769636175872_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Summertime Tune</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Singing a summertime tune.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Loving the month of June.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Having some summertime fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With popsicles dripping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">flip-flops flipping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">vacation tripping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and sunset seeking when day is done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With playground slide slipping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">backyard pool dipping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">croquet mallet gripping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and getting soaked with a water gun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a summer read (<i>bodice-ripping</i>),</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">lawn mower grass clipping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">lemonade sipping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and a hot dog on a bun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With jump rope skipping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">flower bouquet snipping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">puppies nipping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and watching the horses run.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With golf ball chipping,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">canoe tipping, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and clotheslined laundry whipping</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">out in the midday sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Singing a summertime tune.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Loving the month of June.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Having some summertime fun.</span></div>
Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-81237525163170766842018-05-23T15:00:00.000-04:002018-05-23T15:00:58.413-04:00Family Portrait<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Family Portrait</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wonder why it is that:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Roger has to sneeze;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Grandpa starts to wheeze;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mary closes her eyes;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The baby screams and cries;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jillian makes a face</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">at Francine (<i>who stole her space!</i>);</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mom's upset </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">because her hair is mussed;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">while Aunt Sally </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">has primped and fussed;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and Randy and Ryan squabble</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">over who sits in the chair with a wobble...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just as the photographer says,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Now everyone look at me, please."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Smile pretty and say, 'Cheese!'"<br />"One, two, three..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SNAP!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then there we are, <i>in all our glory,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">one small piece of our family's story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Preserved so future generations can see</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">just how many nuts are in the family tree.</span></div>
Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399598343935460253.post-75935381515689615812018-05-12T16:10:00.000-04:002018-05-12T16:12:55.324-04:00Lilacs and Love <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7BPTP6IZUQ/WvdDjw6-vOI/AAAAAAAANfg/0ZFdV1-4qxAKs_9fD6g1JeSgSaTIFccxACLcBGAs/s1600/lilacs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1132" height="293" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7BPTP6IZUQ/WvdDjw6-vOI/AAAAAAAANfg/0ZFdV1-4qxAKs_9fD6g1JeSgSaTIFccxACLcBGAs/s320/lilacs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-align: left;"><b><u>Lilacs and Love</u></b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-align: left;">"Nothing says spring like a lilac breeze,"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-align: left;">Mom closed her eyes, smiled, and sighed.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-align: left;">The scent would come drifting in,</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />with curtains billowing and windows wide.<br /><br />My mother gathered them by the armful,<br />bunches of lilac blooms with a fragrance that was heaven sent.<br />She took them to my grandma every Mother's Day,<br />sharing her love, showing her gratitude,<br />knowing how much it meant.<br /><br />She loved lilacs too, my mother did,<br />and she was glad we had plenty to spare.<br />It doubled her joy for them, I think,<br />knowing she was able to share.<br /><br />Grandma would bury her nose in the lilacs,<br />and breathe in the heady scent too.<br />She arranged them carefully in a milk glass vase,<br />and there was one thing I always knew.<br /><br />Grandma loved me, and my mom did too,<br />so fierce and wide and deep.<br />Remembering those lilacs they shared<br />is a memory I'll always keep.<br /><br />Forever the sight of a lilac bush,<br />or the hint of its fragrance in the air,<br />will remind me of those two ladies before me,<br />who had lilacs and love to spare.</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />* * * * *</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">This poem is from the book, <i>Old Broads Waxing Poetic</i>, copyright © 2014 Julie Kemp Pick and Susan Flett Swiderski.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">This poem is a repost. There are several new readers here who haven't seen this, so I am posting it, with apologies to those readers who have followed my blog for a while and remember it. I hope you don't mind a rerun.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gXXVyw7I8aE/WvdG4-hXiNI/AAAAAAAANfs/lyj-06Ge-5s1AL3i9DiJh_GRhPF4VvTEACLcBGAs/s1600/three%2Bgenerations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1137" height="185" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gXXVyw7I8aE/WvdG4-hXiNI/AAAAAAAANfs/lyj-06Ge-5s1AL3i9DiJh_GRhPF4VvTEACLcBGAs/s320/three%2Bgenerations.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Above is a photo from about 35 years ago of my mom on the left, my grandmother in the middle, and me on the right. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> Happy Mother's Day to all! </span></span></div>
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Conniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865193802444007545noreply@blogger.com18