KARMA AND THE TWISTY CONE

Granddaughter Number One With Green Apple Cone!

It has been a whirlwind lately! We spent time with wonderful grandchildren, and with the above Miss Twisty Cone in particular. She was visiting us from the Seattle area.
During the course of the visit, Grandpa would frequently dangle the possibility of getting ice cream from the Twisty Cone. This did not happen, until. . .
We took this grandchild to the airport to head back last evening. As we were checking in we were made aware of a problem with the flight coming in from Atlanta. It was to be delayed for an hour and 3/4, and the connection would not be met. It was a dilemma that was solved by rescheduling the flight to early this morning.
Our Grandchild was not happy! She was ready to go home to her Mom and friends, why did this have to happen, etc. As we were leaving the airport parking lot, I had a epiphany--it was Karma who was delaying us, and Karma wanted us to have a Twisty Cone!
We had a good laugh at this, returned home and feasted on pizza. Then we merrily drove to Twisty Cone, had ice cream (even the dog), and satisfied Karma.
Granddaughter got her flight this morning and arrived in Seattle this afternoon. We will miss her, but all is well! Are you happy now, Karma!

Have a playful week!

Joan

The Sister Connection

I just had to do it--call my little sister! If I don't, I walk around with a feeling rattling around in the back of my brain that tells me I have forgotten something important.

So you make the call and reconnect. Even if it is a short conversation, it's enough to say, "hey, I'm here and I'm thinking about you". It's good to strengthen these family connections. No one knows you as well as a sister. And amazingly they usually like you, regardless!

I like the quote: A sister is a forever friend. I hope that this will always be true!

Here's to all of our sisters--blood relatives and chosen ones! Let us share our love with them!

Love you Sis!

Wasting Time

Where I would like to be!

As I am getting ready for a trip to the Carolina's, I find myself goofing off a little, and getting ready to goof off a lot!

I haven't written anything all week. I have had a little time to be quiet within; I almost fell asleep and napped on Friday!

The only writing related tasks I have spent time on are reviewing books to compare with the new book that I am procrastinating "birthing".

It's not that I don't want to, poetry is hard to get printed! It's just not mainstream enough for most of the world. Now if I only were a rapper--that is certainly a form of poetry--just not mine! Hmmm, now I have to write a rap poem--here it goes!

Get your poetry flowin
Get your booty goin
Do it, do it, do it, uh huh
Move it, groove it, do it, uh huh

No excuses, no duck duck gooses
Let loose those juices, uh huh
I'm talkin to yousez, uh huh
Be the engine, not the cabooses
yo baby

Peace out!

Joan

The "B" Word

My Other Car!

Why is it that women get labeled as bitches when we are successful, driven, competent, talented, upwardly mobile, etc., etc.? Men call us that, and we call other women that "B" word.

Perhaps it is jealousy, or fear that causes the outburst. I have been known to drop the word (silently, or to friends) when I have experienced, well, bitchiness!

I do think there are bitchy men out there as well as women. I'm sure you may agree with this!

I'm thinking that it is time to re-label the word--make it more of a power word than an unflattering one. Lets make a statement. Like Lady Gaga says "I'm a free bitch, baby!"

Here is a poem for the occasion!

The "B" Word

An unkind word, perhaps
Evolving into new meaning
Representing a strong, resistant woman
Confidant and unshakable, someone who
Might make you uncomfortable and resort
To name-calling to stem the underlying
Emotion evoked from the mega-feminine
Persona in control
Causing the word "bitch"
To fall from
Taut lips

Have a wonderful, powerful week!

Ciao!

Joan

Tribute to Aunt Sybil

Sybil

Today they bid a final farewell
To their mother
She was stolen from them
Years before by the mind thief dementia

It took her piece by precious piece
Shuttering her mind, finally
Locking her up
Her body a prison cell

Years passed within this body/cell
Finally death arrived, releasing the
Captive soul, she flew out soaring
Higher and higher, rising like a white dove
Joyfully ascending
To heaven's waiting embrace

Joan Ellen Gage
6/12/2010

Nullifying the Negative

In with the good air out with the bad. Or should it be in with the positive, out with the negative!
The airwaves seem to be shrouded with the negative. Apparently gloom and doom await us! Perhaps it does.

Really, I'm not a Pollyanna. I have my moods and obsess on what is not good, not perfect, not what I want, or what is out of my control. At some point I try to get over it. Eventually, the "issue" becomes less important.

So much of how we view and live our lives is a choice. We can choose to be miserable or we can choose to be happy--or at least not miserable!

There will always be someone who crosses our path that has lived through, or is getting through a tragedy. Listening to this person's story helps us realize how small our problems are.

In order to look at the positive side, we need to count our blessings. This must be done often!
It is so easy to chow down at mealtime and not stop to be thankful for the sustenance on our plates. Even when it is something we don't want to eat.

It is the little acts of gratitude that tell our families and friends that we love them. Let's take a few seconds of our precious time to do this.

So, to all of you out there, thank you for being there!

Spread the love,

Joan

Fanning the Flame of Creativity

A Flame Azalea

I am experiencing a lovely AM, punctuated with rain showers and bird song. I have the luxury of a quiet house--so delightful!
I took myself out to the screened porch to write a little. Yes, I am finally back on that horse, since yesterday. It takes a series of steps to get me there, namely, having some peace and quiet, watching nature, and reading something uplifting for a bit (actually more than one book is key). Then I can usually come up with something that resembles writing!
This is such a lovely way to start the day. Why can't I do this everyday? Yeah, I know--working for a living. I seem to do best when I start this routine in the morning. The brain is more functional then, I believe.
One of my books I am revisiting is The Woman's Book of Creativity, by C. Diane Ealy, Ph.D. Ealy writes about how the creativity process differs with women; apparently, we create holistically, not in linear form, as do men. I can't wait to read the chapter: Quieting the inner you--that is something I can use!
Finding what it takes to turn on your creativity differs from individual to individual. Trial and error may be one way to get there. Certainly centering oneself and tuning in to your heart and soul are keys to starting your process.
This week try to find some quiet time and tune into your thoughts and feelings. Trying to meditate for a bit each day may help, also.
Have a peaceful and thoughtful week!

Joan