Monday's, Eggs and a Sing-along...

It's Monday! *edit: The post should read Mondays, Eggs and a Sing-along OR Monday's Eggs and a Sing-along OR Not Enough Coffee First Thing in the Morning - thank you*

Oh, you think there should be more than just that? OK, it's Monday and I didn't sleep well all weekend!

But, like the weather that just keeps giving us stormy weekends even though I've reminded it that I'm training for a marathon and my long runs just don't happen on the treadmill, Monday comes! Whether or not I've slept well. Whether or not I've accomplished anything on my weekend list of things to do. Whether or not I want it to! You wake up and, bam, it's Monday!

And it doesn't help that it is still grey overhead - and damp! Some sunshine on a Monday would go a long way to having people actually like Mondays! Mondays can be rather clueless, can't they?

And for those who've asked: Yes, I'm still waiting for that e-mail! I think I've broken the re-fresh button on my keyboard! And the saying "Don't put your eggs in one basket" keeps going through my head like a horrific children's round:

Don't put your eggs
All in one basket,
If it's bad news,
You'll blow a gasket!
Your heart will stop
And you'll need a casket!
So, don't put your eggs
All in one basket!

(Yes, I just made that up) Come on - sing it with me :)

Ah, Mondays - what you do to me!!!

Another Rejection Inspires a Poem...

Write - JS Corcoran (2013)

The ticking clock, the blinking cursor,
A rhythmic reminder to
Write, write, write.
A phrase to start, a string of words,
The brain supplies to
Write, write, write.
But fingers still, the page still blank,
And the heart says NO, don't
Write, write, write.
Protect yourself, build a wall,
End this manic, crazed life of
Write, write, write.
You are not ready, you lack the skill,
Rejection hurts when you
Write, write, write.
But the clock ticks, the cursor blinks,
And I was born to
Write, write, write.

~~~

From my March quest last year (About to Jump), I received another rejection late last night. It took me by surprise (since it's been so long) and completely pummelled my recent upbeat outlook on my writing. I think I need to pull out my Rejection Kit.

No pity party in the comment section - instead, you can share how you deal with rejection (be it for writing or whatever). Or, if you're feeling creative, add a stanza to the poem.

Happy Friday!

Weekend Words - Sunday Edition Part 6...

The prompt: Paint, in words, the first day of spring.

A warm, gentle breeze has replaced the bitter wind of winter.

It ruffles the rusty-red feathers of the robin’s breast,

As she scurries to and fro in a nesting frenzy.

It carries the tang of soil, brimming with life.

And moves the white, puffy clouds across a robin-egg blue sky.

The sun, radiating warmth after months of stinginess,

Turns the remaining dingy snow to sticky slush.

And persuades the dormant crocus to awake.

Shoots of brilliant green test the promise;

Splashes of purple and yellow burst forth in joy.

One by one, those that slept arouse.

The lanky tulips and showy daffodils follow the crocus,

Snow fades away and leafy blades turn grass green,

Delicate buds burst through dense wood.

An awakening of color and hope.

Sometimes...And Today...

Sometimes - my mouth engages before my brain.
Sometimes  - my caustic humor does not sit well with others.
Sometimes - I get wound up, like a top;
Overstressed, overwhelmed, over wrought.
Sometimes - my breathing becomes shallow.
Sometimes - my shoulders hunch.
Sometimes - the 'worst-case-scenerio' is my default;
Overstressed, overwhelmed, over wrought.

Today - I will get out of my own way.
Today - I will breathe deeply.
Today - I will move consciously.
Today - I will sit in silence;
Grateful, peaceful, calm.

Namaste!

A Simple Pull...

unraveling...
perfectly constructed,
meticulously crafted,
harmonious!
one tug,
a simple pull,
loosens, frays,
destroys!
tumbling, knotting,
heaped in random chaos,
undone!

Inspiration - A Poem...

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -

over and over announcing your place

in the famly of things.

Mary Oliver

I love poetry, but it's been awhile since I've really indulged. Thanks to my friend Anna - and my friend Donna, whose birthday we celebrated last night - I offer you this poem. I know that I will read it often today and contemplate it's meaning according to me. I think that's what I love most about poetry - the call to me, in my place right now.

Happy Wednesday, People of Blogland :)

Checking in, Guest Blogger and a Poem...

Just a quick catch up - seems like it's been forever since I posted. And thanks to all that left messages - I've read them, I just haven't had time to respond. Thanks for your understanding of my absence :)

Mom's still here - we're having a great time. There will be pictures coming late this week, early next from our adventures! She leaves on Wednesday - which will be very hard, but she does have to go home. I'll be back on Thursday, but...

I have a special treat for you on Wednesday. My good friend, Silver James, will be blogging here on the Journal. My very first guest blogger! She's got two releases this month - I'm sure she'll tell us all about that. And the reason she's blogging on Wednesday is because I think of her as inspiration. Determined and persistant, with an amazing voice and the knowledge of what she wants inspires me everyday (I stalk her on her blog every day). I really hope you'll all tune in on Wednesday for her guest post.

So, I leave you with my latest poem - one I 'wrote' on my long run on Sunday. Yes, I'm running and wondering just how I'm going to manage 21K at the same time as composing a poem. The creative side of me was trying to distract the non-athletic side of me so I could just finish the stupid run and enjoy a relaxing shower. It sort of worked! Hope you like it - think of a military drill sargeant when you read it (that kind of a cadence).

Look at me,

I don't care.

I don't care at all!

Win or lose,

Doesn't matter.

As long as I don't fall!

Brenda's coming,

Cathy, too.

I hope we have a ball!

Run the race,

Then to the pub...

A beer - make it tall!

And yes, I did chant that most of the way home. It's my new mantra until this event is over!

Hope all is well in Blogland - miss you guys :)

Inspiration - Live...

Sometimes I get caught up in what others are doing - how they're doing it - and I have to give myself some self-love and really look and learn the lessons placed before me (see Monday's post). So today I thought it appropriate to share some poems about living that I return to often when I'm forgetting to listen to my gut. When I get caught up in craziness and forget to live -

Work like you don't need the money,

Dance like nobody's watching,

Love like you've never been hurt,

Sing like nobody's listening,

And Live like it's Heaven on Earth.- First line by, Satchel Paige, the rest by Mark Twain

Just for Today -

I will live through the next 12 hours and try not to tackle all of life's problems at once.
I will improve my mind, I will learn something that requires effort and concentration.
I will be agreeable. I will look my best, speak in a well modulated voice, and be courteous and considerate.
I will not find fault with a friend, relative or colleague. I will not try to change or improve anyone but myself.
I will have a programme. I might not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two enemies: hurry and indecision.
I will do a good turn and keep it a secret. If anyone finds out, it will not count.
I will do two things I don't want to do, just for the exercise.
I will believe in myself. I will give my best to the world and feel confident that the world will give it's best to me.- Anon

Life is...
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is bliss, taste it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfil it.

Life is a sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.- Mother Teresa

Do you remember to live your life, People of Blogland? Do you find you get caught up in craziness and end up being 'unauthentic'? Of the three poems, which one speaks to you the most?

Inspiration - Don't Quit...

This is one of my favorite motivational poems - and put to music with inspirational photos, beautiful. I hope you enjoy!




Have a wonderful Wednesday, People of Blogland. And don't you quit!!

A Poem, A Video - and It's Only Monday...

There is nothing in my head,
Nothing in there, but lead.
Heat it up, pour it out my ear,
Still nothing to write, nothing I fear.
The clock beside me - tick, tick, tick,
And this ruddy poem - sick, sick, sick.
Writer's block, could it be?
To YouTube and let us see:



Yes, yes, that's what it is,
And it's my problem, not hers or his.
No one to blame,
No one to shame.
And the answer is simple,
Cute as a dimple.
As shown in that last line,
JUST WRITE, IT'LL BE FINE...

(You can always revise another time)

OK, People of Blogland, that has to be one of the worst poems, ever! I've been 'stuck' on my final version of the synopsis for Jane and Ryan's story and I needed to give myself a kick in the pants. This was my kick in the pants - and also a reminder that my fiction is much better than my poetry!

What's your take on writer's block? Do you believe it exists? Have you ever had to work through it, and if you did, what steps did you take? And didn't you just love the section of film showing the old lady, Maxine, at her computer and the caption "I'm out of bed and made it to the keyboard. What more do you want?"

BIAW and a Poem...

Ode to Dinner - Janet S. Corcoran

I was going to write a poem about dinner last night,
But my brain is tired, and the first line was a fright.
I wanted to pay homage to a succulent meal,
A starter, a main, a dessert so surreal.
But how to describe in rhyming verse,
And keeping in mind it has to be terse -

Baby greens with fried eggplant and celery root,
A soft vinigrette flavored with fruit.
Sweet potato gnocchi in a red pepper sauce,
And velvety ravioli with parmesan tossed.
Chocolate orange cake with strawberry glaze,
Pistachio gelato; the fusion amazed.

So I'll just have to say, in my own special way,
The food was amazing, wonderfully arrayed.
My taste buds rejoiced with the very first bite,
And every bite after was filled with delight.
My tribute is over, and I've managed to rhyme,
I'll leave you with this - the meal was sublime.

Oh. My. God. That was way too hard this morning - and now I'm late getting this post up! Serves me right for trying to write a poem so early in the morning. For a look at how my mornings are usually spent, check out Prairie Chicks Write Romance today - I'm talking about a writer's 'magic hour', the best time for creative output.

And for anyone keeping score - I squeaked out 1004 (wasn't going to bed without getting past the 1000 mark) yesterday. Way below my goal, but I'm now sitting at a total word count for the week of 14,517. Today, hopefully, will be more productive, if I can recover from this poetry business.

Feel free to discuss whatever in the comments - your memories of a great meal, your attempts at poetry, when you function best (creatively speaking), whatever. I'm going to find some more coffee :)

Housework Blues...

Laundry awaits,
Vacuuming, too!
The kitchen's a mess,
So much to do.

I should make a list
Of all that needs done!
Focus on tasks
That aren't any fun.


The paying job, the cleaning,
Just getting dressed!
The thought of it all
Causes me stress!

So instead I'll sit here,
Daydream all day.
Create a new world,
That someday will pay!

Then I'll hire me some help
To do all the chores.
Take that you laundry,
Dishes, dusting, and floors!
Happy Monday, People of Blogland! What's on your "To Do" list today? Do you hate housework as much as I do?

Early Morning

Still
Quiet
Peaceful
Hazy blue sky tinged pink with dawn's first blush
Magestic Maple. Bare, stoic, waiting winter's term
Not a ripple mars water's blue reflecting pink
The lace of fall and winter, white and grey and brown
Tendrils of smoke drift and dance
Peaceful
Quiet
Still

Have a wonderful Tuesday :)

Liquid Addictions...

The morning brew, the pick me up,
Strong and black, and piping hot.
Pour me one in the biggest cup,
Oh, never mind, I'll just drink from the pot.

Tea's my choice for mid-day brew,
A drop of milk in orange pekoe.
Or course, I'll drink the green kind, too,
But not in a tea cup, way too frou frou.

The evening is reserved for other libations,
Wine, red or black, or even a beer.
Should I seek help for my liquid addictions?
Well, maybe. Perhaps next year!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of course, my addictions aren't that bad. I started out with a poem about coffee and it ran away on me. I don't often write poetry - did in high school - but the last year or so I've really gone back to it. I'm no Elizabeth Barrett Browning, but I do enjoy the mental exercise.

Tell me about your liquid addictions. Or your love/hate with poetry. I'll be right back, have to go pour myself a second cup of coffee (tea, if you're here in the afternoon; wine, if your visiting this evening :)