sigh

There's a tree in the forest that a-lights on it's own ~
you can visit at sundown and watch them come on.

There is no music playing but the wind makes a sigh ~
and the sound from the branches - a sweet lullaby.

Oh Auntie Em - it's me again

Short break, right? Well it was long enough for to realize I own this space. Might as well continue having fun. So I've dropped a few priorities, checked my attitude, and made some cookies - life is too short to let this space stay empty.

This is a season of perplexity sometimes. As a kid I could get into the worse battles with siblings. The threat of "Santa Claus is watching you," never phased me. For some reason, on some level,  I figured that was wrong. Why would an old man be watching me? What could I possibly do to get left off of the toy list? Then I would proceed to test the waters every other day. I had help - and two brothers.

It got so bad one year that my Mom decided she was taking a break from Christmas. What? What does that mean exactly? She wasn't going to shop, she wasn't going to bake, she wasn't going to play nice. The tree sat undecorated. The candles remained in the box. The cookie dough(!) remained in the fridge. This was serious. There had to be something we could do. She must have lost that holiday cheer. We didn't quite connect our behavior with her reaction.

I called my Aunt and had a long discussion. Took her all of ten minutes to give me the first clue. If you don't behave Santa is going to drop off sticks and charcoal, come Christmas morning. I immediately had conference with the brothers "Grimm" and we came to the conclusion that sticks and charcoal were passe.  Nevertheless it could happen, Auntie Em said so. She was never wrong.

Chores became joyous occasions(?). Dishes washed after supper and put away were greeted with happy smiles from Mom. Hmm? Maybe this would turn the tide? (What does that mean exactly?) Never mind - moving on. It took less than 24 hours and we had become completely different children. We now fussed over who would vacuum... well only for a minute... then we'd remember Auntie Em's warning: no fussing! We sweated it though. We took nothing for granted. We had respect for each then.

Time has indeed changed us so. I look for them but find sticks and charcoal.  I wonder what I did or if I did anything? But here again, there's no time to take a break. I keep moving on with what I can accomplish. I cannot make anyone like me, and at times that is a great relief. Maybe I did nothing at all... but it's convenient for others to have me think so.

Thanks Auntie Em - like you've always said: Open the door child, and let some fresh air in!

Winter bird - Winter rest

Oh Winter bird where will you rest
The old Oak tree that was your nest
has been cut down and limbs are taken
to heat the home of those forsaken.

But there you are in wooden pail
huddled close and without fail
you will survive this snowy day
and then be on your merry way.

A field of Pines await close by
and you will soon depart and fly
to build and shield you from the rest
of Winter's time inside  your nest.

Dim All the Lights, Baby!

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I spent most of Sunday getting up the nerve to change out a dimmer switch in my living room. Not being an electrical sort of lady - the task appeared, well - scary, at best. But determined to have that really pretty chandelier working, pressed me forward. I hadn't had any luck conning anyone into helping me.(smile) It was do or die.

YouTube was a wealth of knowledge. In fact I was now more frightened but needed that chandelier working for the holiday season. YES, I had plans! This was going to happen. I would be dimming lights by Tuesday - uh, sure.

The chandelier is fine. The dimmer switch was broken or so I thought. Please pause and read that sentence again. On YouTube, this one video spoke of having two separate switches on two different walls. My mind suddenly came to a screeching halt. I have two switches. I have two switches!!! Is it possible that for the last three years the chandelier and the dimmer have actually been working but.... I stopped the video and rushed into the living room. Sure enough, the switch on the opposite wall was in the on position. That meant the switch I had been using to turn the chandelier on and off was not broken. I turned the dimmer switch to the right and hot dang! Lights! Hmm, dc, feeling dim?

To celebrate: Donna Summer - Dim All the Lights

How about a cute water bottle party chandelier?

To do - maybe

It's Saturday morning and my "to do" list is nearly complete. I've decided to decorate some for Christmas. Once the rooms are all nicely dusted, vacuumed or whatever else is needed - a new "to do" list will emerge. There might be minor changes in bows, trailing ribbons, ornaments, or design. I really never know - I let creativity take me down a path. I do know that once the front door decoration goes on - the rest falls in place. So the big question will be - what to put on the front door this year?

But wait! Maybe I'll enjoy the Thanksgiving after glow.
Maybe I'll give the sheaf of wheat on the door another day or so.
Maybe the golds and browns need more space,
before the reds and greens cover the place.

Maybe.

Let's Celebrate the Small Things for Nov. 28, 2014!

This week I'm celebrating:
1 - One of the prettiest Autumns I've ever seen in my neighborhood. (Winter is 24 days away!)
2 - Birthday boots and a sweater. (My god-daughter likes to surprise me.)
3 - A very peaceful Thanksgiving day.

This post is part of VikLit's blog hop, Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is follow the link and put your name on the Mr.Linky list, and then be sure to post every Friday about something you're grateful  for that week.  It can be about writing or family or school or general life.  This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! 

For more information :

Scribblings of an Aspiring Author

Wrapping up the week - cold & cold cuts

Emerson really says it best.

Everything comfy cozy.

                                                                               
















Save some for cold cuts.

I've got just the thing for wrapping up.

The best part?

No airport this week! I'll see it in my dreams.

Turkey Trafficking

Down at the factory the birds are getting laid off one by one. Ray and Charlie are concerned. If they remain employed, then more than likely they'll be some one's dinner by this time tomorrow. But neither wants to give notice and walk away. Turkey's don't make chicken feed - they make serious bucks. Their families are handsomely compensated. Much like a young girl whose family sends her off to wed a strange man - life goes on without them... without her.

Strange post I know. Sometimes my head spins  a line and off I go into a subject. Just thinking about human trafficking and the insanity of it... this thought came along... what if turkey families were aware, and were okay with sending a family member to be the main course for Thanksgiving? After a while it becomes quite natural and normal. I fear human trafficking is running the same course. People giving up a daughter or son for a better life for the family.

Suddenly it dawns on me. Turkeys are not conscious of Thanksgiving. It's just another day for Ray and Charlie. They don't even know they have names. But it's also another day for the traffickers, who know what they're doing. I suppose it would take a certain desperation for me to give up a son or daughter. I think I'll close this out and light a candle for the missing ones.

Tomorrow is Thursday Wrap up - see you then. Thank you for reading!

Gossip or Gobble

Thanksgiving has always been a big holiday for my family. Once my parents passed on things changed. We no longer went "home" but became separate. Three siblings going three different ways. But then two households began disagreeing on life, the universe, and everything... now I'm expected to pick a side. It's nothing new really. It's been a family tradition to disagree for decades about everything, but I've grown especially tired of it all.

I know many families that never seem to have a problem. Their holidays sound glorious and everything is perfect. So when it came time for me to decide if I wanted a perfect holiday or contention, I chose to spend the time at home. No more stressing over what everyone wants. They're certainly not going to stress over what I want,  and what I want is peacefulness. I cannot change them - yet I love each of them, no matter what.

A month ago I bought a turkey and planned to cook it while watching one of the Thanksgiving day parades. I figured by the time the parade was over the turkey would be done. Great plan! Then five days ago both parties called with an invitation. I've flipped this back and forth a thousand times, but in my heart I know staying home is the best decision for me. I haven't celebrated a single holiday with either, when there wasn't the usual gossip. I'm done.

Thursday morning I will proceed with my plans. I think the parade starts at 8:30 a.m., so the bird has to be in the oven just before then. Yep, and maybe some scrabbled egg biscuits, a little coffee, and let the show begin.

A couple of neighbors will be over later and we'll laugh over leftovers. Charles is bringing his coveted broccoli casserole and ice cream (to go with the apple pie I'm planning). Lisa is bringing potato salad and maybe some leftover mac 'n cheese. This is my family. Then - I'll probably listen to each tell the family nightmare from this year's Thanksgiving day... but at least I won't have a sad tale to add. That's peacefulness.

Your turn!
Is there a Thanksgiving celebration where you live?
If so, do you gossip or gobble around the bird? (smile).

a blustery day

It's a blustery day. The sun is playing peek-a-boo with the clouds. A little spot of grey and then, wham(!) a bright spot of yellow, and here comes the sun.

Leaves are swirling, dancing among the trees. Like a sky full of butterflies, they flit, flit, flit, then spiral to the ground, landing ever so softly.

Swaying trees, shaking their limbs toward me, how do you do? Bending low, sending forth a flurry of golden-red leaves to mix with the brown that have already jumped.

A slight chill but then a warm spot of sunshine on my shoulders. A whipping wind slips around me, then suddenly it's gone. I resist the urge to step inside and miss all the fun of this blustery day.

Who's Rafting Now?

Long ago and far away I met a man of interest.
He introduced me to his wife, and later on his mistress.
Now I don't mind a joke or two and surely love to laugh,
But one day he was caught with me inside his private raft.

We sailed along a line of clouds and watched the birds soar by.
The sun did make it's way along, caressed by every sigh.
Until the rain came pouring down, it sending us below.
Forget the raft, forget the man, it's time for me to go.

Birthday cake

My favorite cake! Sunday is my birthday and I'm having my favorite cake. I hope you can tell from the photo it is German Chocolate Cake! I've included history for those who partake of trivia. But for now let's talk about this wonderful, baking-in-the-oven as I type, cake. It's chocolate and that always makes me smile. No I don't have a recipe - this is Duncan Hines ~ signature ~ moist cake. I don't have to have one made from scratch to make me smile.

Oh the aroma is wafting down the hall to my studio. In just a few short minutes I'll remove my special birthday treat to the counter to cool. I've already sampled the icing ~ no problems anticipated. My happy spatula is there by the cooling tray. Charlie the chicken timer will give a holler once it's ready. Toothpicks, oven mitts, and anything else needed is soooo ready!!

This might very well be the last year I count. (Hahaha, you say?) It's a terrific number and one I shall never regret having met. And no - I won't tell you. I was once told, "a woman who will tell you her age will tell you anything." Okay I have no idea what that means - but I'm playing it this way. Oh wait... I hear Charlie ~ right on time. Before I go the trivia is below Charlie. I'm coming Charlie!!! ~"Happy birthday dear Dixie, tomorrow-but-we-can-have- cake-today ~ happy birthday to me...."

Contrary to popular belief, German chocolate cake did not originate in Germany. Its roots can be traced back to 1852 when American Sam German developed a type of dark baking chocolate for the American Baker's Chocolate Company. The brand name of the product, Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate, was named in honor of him.

On June 3, 1957, a recipe for "German's Chocolate Cake" appeared as the "Recipe of the Day" in the Dallas Morning Star.[2] It was created by Mrs. George Clay, a homemaker from 3831 Academy Drive, Dallas, Texas.[2] This recipe used the baking chocolate introduced 105 years prior and became quite popular. General Foods, which owned the Baker's brand at the time, took notice and distributed the cake recipe to other newspapers in the country. Sales of Baker's Chocolate are said to have increased by as much as 73% and the cake would become a national staple. The possessive form (German's) was dropped in subsequent publications, forming the "German Chocolate Cake" identity we know today and giving the false impression of a German origin.[3][4][5]

The recipe still remains popular to this day and has been adopted by baking companies. June 11 is National German Chocolate Cake Day in America.[6] Wikipedia.

YUM!

Celebrate the Small Things - Warmth

Image source

This week I'm celebrating warmth.

1- Warmth - the kind I feel when fellow writers-boggers, crafters-artists, music-movie-buffs, d-i-y-ers, or foodies, come to visit and also choose to leave a comment. They don't have to but isn't it nice when they take a moment to do so? We all know that comments are optional.

2- Warmth - the kind I need in this season of cold weather. I flip a switch and the heat is on. Some are so less     fortunate. Our utility company has a program where I can "share the warmth."

3- Warmth - the kind I admire from people I meet at the stores and shops I visit. That cashier may be having a lousy day. Maybe the man at the dry cleaners just lost a son to cancer. A smile can be the beginning of warmth shared between two people. I'm glad I have the ability to return their smile. :)

This post is part of VikLit's blog hop, Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is follow the link and put your name on the Mr.Linky list, and then be sure to post every Friday about something you're grateful  for that week.  It can be about writing or family or school or general life.  This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! 

VikLit's Scribblings of an Aspiring Author

Linky List (switch over to HTML, insert link at bottom of post. Switch back to compose.)

Wrapping up the week - in 8 seconds!

Hang in there Teddy! We could very well win the 'Oscar of Colds' competition. Indeed! Should the International Press call we'll be here,  all wrapped up! No airport visit again, due to the ongoing cold... the sniffling kind. Going to the airport could be disastrous. Imagine a sneeze while being all wrapped up.

Last night Teddy and I stood out in the driveway watching two huge birds fly over the house. Yes, we are on one of the four flight paths that cross the city. Though we're some distance from the city's uptown area, we do get great views of the large metal beasts. These two birds particularly stood out as they were military planes - those rather plain, olive green colored ones? Even in the night sky we knew they were not commercial in nature. 

It was a frightening site! The two planes were at the same height, approximately 8 seconds apart! That means one is going to land and get the heck out of the way, so the second one can do the same. (What a night to miss being at the airport's public lookout!) Normally the timing between planes is 14 seconds. We can actually stand in the driveway and count off the time (between the planes) like an exact science... it's always 14 seconds between their landings. I can usually see the headlamps of one plane coming over my big field beside the house, while off in the distance I can see another plane coming into view. Not so with the military. They are always a tight knit group - whether two or eight planes - they are lined up across the sky. But I have never seen them so closely timed as last night... 8 seconds! By the way at my house they're less than 1000 feet over my head. 

Teddy and I are all wrapped up with no place to go. Might as well listen to some tunes. 

Olly Murs - All Wrapped Up

Frank Sinatra -Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams

Brad Paisley - Wrapped Around

Teddy's extra credit!
Garth Brooks on the Ellen Show!

See you on Friday for Celebrate the Small Things!!

Indulgence

Acrylic painting is something I really enjoy. Needing to distract myself from feeling under the weather, I chose to share one of my passions with you. For those who are professionals, please don't look too hard - I'm such an amateur. For those who would sing praises - welcome to my indulgence!

This first painting is done on a ten inch wooden sled. The top and bottom runners are not visible because I cut them off when photographing it. (I didn't say I was a photographer.) The friend who wanted this furnished a photo and the tiny sled. She changes up the whole house for the holidays and wanted something to fit in a very small space. This fit the bill. That's the sun behind a snowy cloud filled sky. Her focus was the big tree - and this is the result, named, "A Snowy Day."

The second painting is of a mountain ridge in Alaska. Here again, a friend sent a photo of the state she was born and raised in, and wanted a painting of a favorite location. It's painted on a 6" x 8" canvas. She displays it on a wooden easel in her entertainment center. It looks so cold. If I recall correctly, the place is called Lake Lorraine. I named it "Tranquility in Alaska."

The third and last painting is done on a 16" x 20" canvas. Aptly named, "The Pink Forest, " as that's what my nieces said when they drug me out of bed at the crack of dawn. "Aunt Dixie, you have to come see the pink forest!" They didn't tell me I'd have to climb up the side of a mountain to see it, but I did. I had pencil and a tiny drawing pad and sketched by "snow light." The colors were later guessed at because the mind does not register them permanently. But the girls agreed it was very close - good enough for me.

Well I thank for allowing me to indulge myself and share one of the best things I do. Indulging myself - not the painting - hahaha. So it's back to bed for me. Have a great day!

Her Thorn

It pricked her hand and then she bled
This sullen rose she’d always fed.
No blossoms here in two long years
With only thorns to prompt her tears.

She’d cut it down if she were mad
To stop the times it made her sad.
Yet purposely it served her well
And helped her find a voice to yell.

Then tears did fall and cleansed her thought
Relieving her of what life wrought.
Into a tiny handkerchief
She breathed the air and felt relief.

Her Rose

She walked her dream and looked around
At smallest flowers on the ground
The yellow bees were buzzing by
She spied a rose, and heard it sigh

The tiny drops of dew were clear
And playfully as she came near
The thorns did glistened but obeyed
The hand that once had held the spade

The hand that held a knife to prune
A blossom tender for her room
Did cut the rose, a fragrant scent
She’d not return ‘til this one spent

I have a... uh...uh...(achoo!!!), cold

Cold is a four letter word.  You look miserable.
Thanks Teddy - so do you.

My goodness - what a sneeze - you need to see the vet!
Thanks Charlie, I'll do that right away.

I'll let you use the gazebo if you feel better soon.
Simon, it's my gazebo - MY gazebo! Aaaaacchooo!

I'll be back tomorrow, maybe.

Bill - with special dedication *

It was the fall of the year when you came.
You with the smile and the so simple name.
I was so fond of those cute little eyes.
Love at first sight, we were so mesmerized.

I'd hear you speak and you'd hear me laugh.
Sunshine and joy was the key to our path.

It was the fall of the year when you left.
Life seemed to crawl in my days of bereft.
Days turned to years, yet I still hear you sing.
Fly in the heavens, sweet bird on the wing.

A tiny life:

Bill was a 'rescue bird' I acquired when he was 15 years old. He had always been caged. His wings were fully grown and yet he made no effort to fly, ever. In fact I'm not sure if he ever had flown. I'm not sure if he even knew that he could have flown very far away. He had always been in that cage... in a closet.

When we met we both had yellow hair - his natural - mine dyed. We were drawn to each other like magnets. (It was that way for four beautiful years.) It took three months to get him to come out of that cage. After that he was never caged again. I let him go in and out as he pleased. He would sit on top of his cage and greet me whenever I walked into the bedroom he shared with my two small budgies - Casper and Candy. They were my children. They learned to love Bill and he loved them. They would jump from rooftop to rooftop... each had their own cage of a different color. It looked like Charleston, South Carolina with the area known for its rows of colorful houses.

In time Bill learned to speak complete sentences. It was like talking to a three year old human child. However, the very last word he learned was from my six year old niece. The word was - "sweet." She would say, "sweeeet," and he would answer back, "sweeeet." All of the birds loved "the niece"! So two days later when Bill passed, the hardest thing to do was to tell the niece. She came for the funeral, and then played with Casper and Candy. Ironically I found strength watching her comfort them.

As I travel from blog to blog I am often at a loss of what to say to others who have lost a pet - a family member - a treasure - a tiny life. It takes grieving. It takes time. If that tiny life meant anything - it is worth the grieving to recapture the joy that will return. It will return... because you will realize you were part of something amazing. You were part of their tiny life.

* Special dedication to Janie and Franklin

Celebrate the Small Things for November 14, 2014

Today I'm celebrating four things:

1) Meeting lots of new bloggers through this bloghop!
2) Posting a poem that had a freeing affect on my heart.
    (Titled: "Smiling" - post date 11-12-14)
3) The Blue birds returning for the Fall and Winter seasons.

4) A sweet deal on a roasting pan - $4.99 - from the Goodwill store!
     (Online $189.00)

This post is part of VikLit's blog hop, Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is follow the link and put your name on the Mr.Linky list, and then be sure to post every Friday about something you're grateful  for that week.  It can be about writing or family or school or general life.  This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever!

VikLit - Scribblings of an Aspiring Writer