G is for Gutters

Oh that gutter ~
Makes me stutter.
D-d-dang leaves.
Too many trees!

F is for Frame

< Guide to popular wall arranging.
































Get the wood ~
Make it good!
Put family fame,
In a treasured frame.

E is for Entrance

An entrance of pride
In the front, or on the side?
Turn the lock with your key,
Now at home, are you free?

Sunday break ~ Bart quit ~ Easter/Passover

Teddy and I have had a lot of fun with the A-Z Challenge. One week down, and four more to go. This picture is how Teddy sees "us"... 

Our 'ghost writer' Bart, quit today. We're sad to see him go, but he has a big weekend gig. He's stressed. His parting words, "You A to Z-ers" get Sunday off, but I've got to bust a move around the world. People are counting on me to write cutesy, serious, and happy cards. And then, there's all that candy and stuff! It never ends!"

Bart gave us this very pretty card. It's in the old German style. We think it could be used for Easter or Passover. Isn't it sweet? [Thank you Bart - don't forget my malted 'Robin Eggs.']

Hope you've had a pleasant weekend! See you on Monday for the letter, E.

D is for Dimmer switch

When dimmers talk
They might just balk,
And not reply
Would you cry?

C is for Commode ~ (Celebrate the Small Things)

Is this commode
Your choice abode
Or other place
In private space?

I love this blog hop!


Thank you to our sponsor:

Lexa Cain

Thank you to her co-hosts:

LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Egde

Katie@ TheCyborgMom

Please visit Lexa Cain's blog to join this blog hop. 

What am I celebrating?

1 - Having my first try with the A-Z Challenge.

2 - Being a Minion!!!

3 - Finding complete set of red wicker furniture (couch, two chairs, table), on the side of the road. It's in great shape and will look nice in the yard!!

Everyone have a great celebration day.  Hop forth and celebrate!

B is for Basement

If your basement was a song
Would it let us sing along
Or make us sigh
In sad reply?

A is for Attic

If you had it
In your attic
What would we
See?

A2Z tomorrow/ April Fool's Day / Battle of the Bands music bloghop/ Whew!

Besides doing the A2Z challenge, I'm also a minion, but I don't have my official Badge yet... Ha! this will work for now. Minions are assigned blogs to check on for broken links and stuff. We report to our assigned host. All of mine are looking good!

I'm posting a couple of jokey images for April Fool's Day. Here you go ~

April 1st is also the music bloghop of "Battle of the Bands". We post two battles every month. A2Z does not stop the show! You don't have to join the bloghop to stop by, listen to the two songs I play. Then vote for the one you like. Tomorrow is going to be an April Fool folly!

That's it! For those on the A2Z, best wishes! For my fellow battle of the Band mates, see you tomorrow! For all of you April Fools - change your ways!

News Flash! dcrelief is taking the A2Z challenge! You are kidding? Uh, no.

YES! Between my friend, Arlee Bird and my sidekick, Teddy, I have succumbed to the challenge! I only hope I can remember the alphabet in proper order... now that's a challenge. I figure 26 letters, how bad can it be? When I get to letter "I," try not to tell me I'm an IDIOT!!?!

So our reveal is late... Teddy held my computer hostage!!! Be sure and look for letter, "C" for an explanation. We will attempt to write about household repairs, maintenance, and a lot of bluffing!

On April 6, 2006, Teddy and I began blogging. So we have a nine year anniversary this coming month. For those of you in the challenge, that's the day for letter, "E".... our entrance to blogger.

That's it... (Oh, Teddy, are you sure we can do this? Teddy? Teddy?) Never mind, he's typing something.

No matter where you go ~ there you are ~ might as well celebrate that too ~

I think someone must be painting flowers every night, in my yard! I wake up to such beauty... and it's only just begun... 


I love this blog hop!

We are celebrating those small achievements we've had for our week!  Sharing about health, wealth, writing, family, or school... you name it, and we'll celebrate with you!  We do this by hopping to each other's blogs, offering congratulations. And for those times you need encouragement, this is the best blog hop group ever!!  Consider joining us by adding you name at Lexa Cain's blog site. Click on the badge in the right margin... > 

Thank you to our coordinator ~

Lexa Cain @ Lexa Cain

And the co-hosts that assist her with this bloghop ~

L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge

Katie @ TheCyborgMom

What am I celebrating?  

Three,  free dump truck loads of mulch!

Four friends who showed up to help me spread it around.

A weekend of rest. More mulch is coming on Monday!

 I hope everyone has a fun celebration day! And now ~  the linky vehicle we travel on... 

~ Hop forth and celebrate!

Seriously... out of touch!

Dear Abby:

There's a tree company working in my neighborhood. Their goal is to take out trees, or limbs that interfere with power lines. They're giving away free mulch. Two other neighbors gave my name as someone interested in taking the mulch off their hands. Sweet!

I made arrangements to have them deliver on Saturday. Three dump trucks, fully loaded arrived!!! It was a big surprise, and men were everywhere, unloading these trucks where I asked them to dump the mulch. The supervisor apologized for not having any more, until Monday, the 30th. I told him I'd see him on Monday. Oh why not?

After the trucks left, I knew I'd better assemble the 'troops' to help me spread mulch. As I headed for the door to make the call - my little friend in the neighborhood walked over with... a big bouquet of daffodils in one hand, and a pitch fork in the other.

You know - I love flowers but I was more excited to see he had a garden tool! Help me out here. Does it mean anything serious when a gentleman brings flowers? I really don't know about entanglements... but I know he's got the arms to pitch some mulch!

Later he wanted to take me the local chicken drive through. I know it sounds funny, but they have great food. I had money and was going to pay for our dinners, but he was dead-set against it. By today's standards, am I in trouble now? And if not, do you think it's okay to let him come over and mulch some more?

Seriously... out of touch! (aka Soot)

Like a rolling stone...

"A rolling stone gathers no moss." It's an old proverb, credited to Publilius Syrus, who wrote,  "People who are always moving, with no roots in one place, avoid responsibilities and cares." As such, the proverb is often interpreted as referring to figurative nomads who avoid taking on responsibilities or cultivating or advancing their own knowledge, experience, or culture.

Then again  ~ 

Another interpretation equates the "moss" to "stagnation"; as such the proverb can also refer to those who keep moving as never lacking for fresh ideas or creativity.

So which is it? Always moving - avoiding responsibilities, or always on the move - never lacking fresh ideas?

Today's the big, exciting day to see who has revealed their A2Z Challenge theme. What's your theme??

Sunday comic

Books, Music, Blossoms ~ let's Celebrate!!

I love this blog hop!

We are celebrating those small achievements we've had for our week!  Sharing about health, wealth, writing, family, or school... you name it, and we'll celebrate with you!  We do this by hopping to each other's blogs, offering congratulations. And for those times you need encouragement, this is the best blog hop group ever!! We are empathy, en masse! Consider joining us by adding you name at Lexa Cain's blog site.

We are coordinated and directed by:

Lexa Cain @ Lexa Cain's blog

And two lovely co-hosts assist her:

L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge

Katie @ TheCyBorgMom

What am I celebrating?  

1 - I finished reading The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. That means more time to read that book about 'the masculine journey', by John Eldredge!! (Ooh, baby, this is good!)

2 - I'm listening to an 8 disc set on Understanding the Fundamentals of Music. I'm in awe of people that compose music. They have an interesting perspective.

3 - Better weather to enjoy the yard more. The Japanese Magnolia/Tulip Tree is still not in full bloom, but here's an updated photo. The blooms are half opened, but at least I have the god-daughter's camera to document it. (smile)

I hope everyone has a fun celebration day! And now ~  the linky vehicle we travel on... 

~ Hop forth and celebrate!  

Taking a day ~

all things green

It's all about the green!  

No long silly poem today. 

You'll only see things I saw, and exclaimed, "Hey, that's green!" 

Do you have a favorite thing that's green? 
(Keep your answer clean!)

If you don't like green, what other color/colour would you prefer?

I've posted a sweet song with a great view of Emerald Bay. (smile)

Could it be a pot of gold???

Just for fun or (Saint Paddy's little secret)

It happened to Saint Paddy
Who drove a rusted caddy.
His sister was a cook.
His brother wrote a book.

The book would tell the town
Where Saint Paddy's luck was found.
While his sister fixed a meal
The brother cut a deal.

He would tell the secret story
Of Paddy's one time glory.
A day the sister baked a fish
And how Paddy got his wish.

Paddy wished for lots of luck 
And to own a bright green truck.
While sister cleaned the house
She spied her gambling spouse.

She ran him out the door
Where Saint Paddy chased a boar
The boar charged the hubby
But oh! the tale gets muddy.

The spouse lay there dying
Still he kept right on a-lying
He said he found some pottery
But he'd really won the lottery.

On the last breath he'd relent           
Which left Saint Paddy spent
He cried and looked around
But a fish was all he found.

The fish housed a slip of paper
Brother laughed at his coming caper.
The story would be spread
Now that sister's hubby's dead.

Since the lotto ticket found
In this fish, not weighed a pound
The officials could take the fish
And Saint Paddy lose his wish.

The sister prepped the fish to cook.
Sneaky brother revealed his book.
Paddy alarmed at what be told
Bribed the brother with some gold.

Sister came in from the farm
Saw a rainbow ~ lucky charm?
Brother winked at Paddy's luck
As he drove off in his truck.

The town would love the read
Of the luck and Paddy's lead,
To look for pots of treasure
In a place of merry measure.

Ah, keep looking for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, ya' hear!

As We Are ~

We are strong.
We are beauty.
We glide through the sky,
touching the clouds,
tasting the rain, 
that waits to fall.

We tease the sky.
We sculpt ourselves.
We choose the colors,
of dazzling hues,
from all seasons,
and are born on the wind.

We are glowing.
We are dreaming.
Our tendons sing, 
of a universal design,
a most grand design, 
mythical and elusive.

Loved ~ as we are.

I love this blog hop!

Each Friday, we post what we're celebrating - those small achievements for our week!  It can be about writing, family, school or general life.  Then we hop to other blogs, offering congratulations to other people. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is put your name on the linky list on Lexa Cain's Blog.

Thank you to our co-hosts:

Lexa Cain @ Lexa Cain's Blog         

L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge  

Katie @ The CyBorgMom 

What am I celebrating?

1 ~  My Japanese Magnolia (Tulip) Tree is full of buds. By Monday I'll have big blooms!

2 ~ Yesterday was so pretty, I trimmed back all the bushes in the yard.

3 ~ I'm reading John Eldredge's book, The Way of the Wild Heart. It's about the six stages of a man's life.  If I learn any secrets, don't worry, I'll share them.

Have a fun celebration day! Thank you for hopping over here.  I'll hop over to see you (smile). 

And now ~  the linky vehicle we travel on... hop forth and celebrate!

oh ship of sound

By the shore, in the foam
She stood as she played
Deep notes
Harmony touching the waves ~

A single wing, floating
Stroking each string
Slowly
While waters wash the sand ~

Coming round the coastline, a ship
Soft sounds from her bow
Stirring
Her heart to replay her song ~

a little help... please!

"Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends..."








The on-going saga of my friend who has given up her diet is puzzling. She hadn't lost any weight in over three months, so she gave up her New Year's Diet Resolution? She now claims she has lost 4 pounds!! She says her, "eat a special dessert once a week," is the key to her success. Could that be true? 

The first week she made chocolate cake.
The second week she made coconut pies.

We are now into the third week and there's a dilemma! She can't decide between Pecan pie or hot fudge sundaes? I'm at a loss, because I like both equally well. Maybe... if she tops the pie with vanilla ice cream... slathered in chocolate? You see? I simply cannot help her choose. Would someone help us?

Rain ~ poem and song

The rain will start to fall,
On every day ~ on me.
I know just who to call,
And where I want to be.

I'll call up Mr. Sun,
And tell him I will scream.
I've got to have some fun,
If only in my dream.

So keep on pouring rain.
You can't make me sad.
My dream will keep me sane.
My flowers will be glad.

~ How about a rain song?

Results of the Coconut Cream Pie Marathon

A week ago one of my friends decided she'd had enough of her 2015 New Year's Diet Resolution. You remember. She brought over a chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream, and Hershey's chocolate syrup. (Uh-huh.) 

This week she declared a coconut cream pie marathon. I thought it was just a joke. (Uh-huh.) But when I arrived at her home, there were three pies... three!!! I was so happy to see her two sisters and a couple of co-workers. It was surreal.

Let me be brief. Six women and three coconut cream pies. 

I'm hoping my body will shed the huge amount of coffee I've consumed. As it is, I'm looking at being awake when the 2 a.m. Daylight Savings Time hits.

So what's for this coming week? I thought you'd never ask. Pecan pie - because she got some wonderful pie shells on sale. No, wait! She may do chocolate fudge brownies, with vanilla ice cream. 

I'm pretty sure I have an out of town appointment. If not, I'll make one - somewhere. (Uh-huh.)

Celebrate the small things

I love this blog hop!

Thank you to our co-hosts:

Lexa Cain
LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge
Katie @ The CyBorgMom

Each Friday, we post what we're celebrating - those small achievements for our week!  It can be about writing, family, school or general life.  Then we hop around other blogs, offering congratulations to other people. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is put your name on the linky list on Lexa's Cain's Blog.

What am I celebrating?

1 - My God-daughter gave me two colorful, easy clean blouses to for yard work. Almost time!

2 - An invitation to a coconut cream pie marathon. Yes! (Last week she made chocolate cake.)

3 - A congratulatory letter from the power company: "You are among the most efficient homes in your area for the year." SEE - all of those You Tube DIY videos on insulation, and caulking windows helped! (500 points under the norm of the average home. 200 points under the efficiency level homes.)

4 - Success with my new music blog, and the music blog hop I joined. I've had 16 people vote so far! The current battle closes out Friday at midnight. dcrelief ~ Battle of the Bands 

I hope everyone has a fun celebration day! Thank you for hopping over here.  See you soon, (smile). 

And now ~  the linky vehicle we travel on... hop forth and celebrate!

A place to belong

A place to belong...
'Tis heaven's song

When asked to go
Make sure you know

That in your haste
You leave no waste

And love abides in every space.

She likes, but He likes... part 2 of 2

As promised to some of you, here' s how it ended... at least it seems to have ended.

The sewing machine stands ready  to finish a project that seems to be never-ending. I'm torn between two designs. In the back of my mind, I want to be interrupted. Save me from this "mission impossible," and "oh-no-gotta-get-this-done," attitude. My phone buzzes with an incoming text: "In neighborhood, may I stop by?" The friend I shared cake with is stopping in. I felt a sense of relief... yep that's me, 'dcrelief.' I text back: "Yes!"

Let me list this stuff - I'll never make it through quotation marks and punctuation. I'm just a little blogger. Here' what my friend told me:

He thought I invited him to meet you, as a potential person to date.
He thought you had winked at him several times.
He thought you made the chocolate cake to impress him.
He thought you were playing 'hard to get' by refusing him.
He thought I left the room to give you and he a few minutes alone.
He didn't want to disappoint me, so he asked again, for your phone number. 
That way I'd know, how hard he tried to be polite to my friend.

I gotta tell ya'... I've never laughed so hard in my life! I sat down at the kitchen table, and laughed until the tears fell. Oh, please, let me write all of this down. Go back over everything, 'cause I don't want to miss a thing. Wow!

At first I think she was actually going to accept all of this trash talk. I picked up this list and read it out loud to her. I repeated it as blandly and 'matter of fact' as I could. Just like she did. Probably, just as he did. I barely got through it. No more laughter - I hurt for her.

I handed her the list, "Look at this! You know me! Right? Okay?"

She began to smile. A weak smile. I felt so sorry for her feelings being hurt. I reminded her that he didn't even know I would be there. So, where did he get these expectations "she had of him, to ask me out?" I told her, give him a couple days to think how's he going to get around this, and he'll call. She wants to why I would say this?

Unfortunately I hate getting involved with other people's relationships. Sensing the dance between you two has been interesting, but not a priority for me to interject an opinion. I'm hearing snips and bits but hey, you are both adults. Now, I am involved. You are being blamed because I rejected his advances. Think about that. Look at that last remark:

"That way 'you'd' know how hard 'he' tried to be polite to 'your friend.' " 
Therefore, it's your fault he didn't succeed.
Can you wrap your head around what's he's doing?

Next, he'll be telling you that something must be wrong with me, because I rejected him. 
(Yeah, and then the light came on in her head! He'd already called and started complaining. Poor baby!)

I introduced my friend to some compact discs, discussing "The Narcissistic Personality." We watched a couple, and I couldn't help but shed a tear with her. It's tough when you love people; you're willing to help in any way you can. But you might allow loneliness and desperation to get you involved with those who are predators.

She'll be here for the weekend... maybe Thursday too. It's escapism, but I completely understand. Some times all it takes is a true friend, and a vacation from the environment. I don't want praise. I want my friend to be safe and happy. 

So that's 2 of 2...  now you know. Be safe, people.

The Last Frost ~ Stephen King guest post (Just kidding **)

In the yard yesterday afternoon, I thought I smelled spring. The smell of the warm sun on the driveway - are you sure that was spring? A chipmunk took a quick hip hop across my shoes. Yes! He popped out of his hole and in his zeal to bound to the yard, hit the tops of my shoes. It was amazing. I'm not sure who it surprised more... him or me?

Is it too soon to begin digging? Can I put away the shovel and take out the trusty spade?  In this city one never knows when the old "false spring" will occur. I've watched many years, as things begin to build buds and blooms, were suddenly disrupted or killed by the last frost. "The last frost," has the old Stephen King ring, huh?

Deep in the heart of the south, Miss Lily made the slow walk around the azaleas. Her hands lovingly placed the pine needles around each plant, as she whistled a happy tune. Overhead birds were singing one minute, and then suddenly stopped. Miss Lily didn't take notice at first, humming now, and at the end of the pine needle bundle, she stood back to have a look. Blood! Around every outer circle of needles, flowed blood! What in the world was going own? She began retracing her steps to the first bush. The blood was rising deeper with each plant she passed. She'd regather them and placed them in the wheel barrow, to be returned to the greenhouse. Something was terribly wrong with those pine needles. Such an expense and waste of time, she felt deflated.

She thought to sit for a moment on the new concrete bench her son purchased. Breathing out a sigh, she looked at the sun overhead, and a now dark cloud taking shape over the azaleas. She removed her sunglasses in time to realize it was no dark cloud, but a huge wave of red blood. What was it her Facebook friends were always commenting? Oh, yeah... OMG!!! **

The new owners settled in just as spring was breaking. Such a lovely home with the reddest azaleas they'd ever seen. How could such a beautiful, quiet place sit empty for three years? They were especially impressed by the kindness of their neighbor, who ran the greenhouse. She had dropped off a bundle of pine needles with a business card, stating: "Be sure and mulch the azaleas; they love pine needles. Gives them that healthy red glow." **

She likes, but He likes and the rest is kind of sad...

My good friend really likes a man in her neighborhood. She wants more than a friendship, but he doesn't seem to take the hint. (The hint?) So she called me to stop by and meet him. She wanted my impression of him. I didn't want to go. Something in my gut was saying: don't do it. (Really, don't do it.) But she's my friend, and it (was) important to her.

I took leftover chocolate cake. (Remember, I helped another friend dump her New Year's diet resolution?!) Cake and coffee, some good jokes and the hour was going nicely... he was late. (He or I, one should have stayed at home.) Into the next hour he arrived. A pleasant looking man with beautiful eyes... and when he looked at me I got a very strange feeling.

My friend went to a restroom break, leaving the two of us at her kitchen table. That's when he popped the question. (No, not that one, thank goodness.) He asked if I'd like to go out some time?  No. (Hot seat time.) He's a nice looking man, but dating is not in the cards right now. I am all scheduled out. No. I have male friends I hang out with, but I have goals I'm working on. And truthfully, I don't know that I want to "put up" with a male that close in my life. No. I think most people understand that having a partner means making some level of commitment. (And oh-good-grief, what about my friend? She's like a lovesick puppy.) He's not doing well with my 'no'.

My friend returned to the room and I stood up to leave. She knew I had a couple of tasks to complete. Everything was moving along nicely... me towards the door, with the two of them still sitting there. Then he stands up and asked if he can have my phone number? I looked at my friend and she was crushed. I got mad. I had the impression he might have done it on purpose. I'd already said, no, maybe four times. (I needed a moment to think and catch my breath.) I walked to her door, turned slowly, looked at him and spoke: As I told a few minutes ago - no, no thank you.

This has really been some weekend. I've called her, but she's not answering her phone. He sister says she's upset. (Yeah, I understand that.) 

"March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb."  Happy March!

March winds: Learn to paint the colors of the wind

What do we wish for the Earth? Is it alive or merely something beneath our feet to exploit? Can we learn to love the many places we've never seen, or may never visit? What do we want for ourselves, that we would deny another having? Is there a song you would sing to the Earth? 

I offer this one::

Don't read... this post will lead you to the dark side!

I told you not to read.
Now you're in my feed.
Ha ha ha! He he he.
I will never set you free!

Okay, maybe not. There's a music blog hop I do called, "Battle of the Bands," where I pit two versions of the same song against each other. You are most welcome, and not really under my spell, to go there and play.

You do not have to be a participant in the blog hop to vote!! I often remind myself that I could have just voted and stayed out... but NO! I had to jump in, both feet and now, "I'm hooked on a feeling."

The blog hop runs for six days, so it's not like I'm rushing you or anything. However, this post will disappear soon. You might be disappointed if you miss this. (Or, maybe not, when you see which song I've chosen for 'battle time.')

Only those willing should travel there. (Really, I do understand.) See the little box in the right column... at the very top! Yes, that will take you to my music blog. Have a look, maybe a listen, maybe vote... and if you want to hear more battles... there are eleven other blog-hoppers to endure. But you can stop any time you wish. Or you may stay here, and I'll post something else soon.

Time for my bow!

Celebrate the Small Things

I love this blog hop!

Each Friday, we post what we're celebrating - those small achievements for our week!  It can be about writing, family, school or general life.  Then we hop around other blogs, offering congratulations to other people. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is put your name on the linky list on Lexa's Cain's Blog.


Thank you to our co-hosts:

Lexa Cain @ Lexa Cain's Blog

L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge

Katie @ The CyborgMom

What am I celebrating? 

1- Wednesday I helped a friend officially dump her New Year's diet resolution! We had chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream, and coffee. Helping others is so rewarding, don't you agree?

2- Unexpected fun moments... Thursday's 5-inch snow seven children, ascending to the top of the long, steep hill, where my home sits. Sleds, trash can lids, and one brave soul on a bicycle. (I hope he's going to be okay. I don't think he knew the ditch was there.)

3- I've been "hired" as a Minion to help with the A - Z Blogfest!! 

I love Minions... do you?

I hope everyone has a fun celebration day! (smile).
And now ~  the linky vehicle we travel on... hop forth and celebrate!

On this page

On this page. 
A summer day, long ago. 
How long ago was it? 
Was she even sure? 
No date, just a few initials scattered throughout. 
She might match some names with those initials.
She might.
Then again, she didn't pen them.
Her aunt's handwriting, nearly smudged.
In a book of worn, dog-eared pages.
The leaving of a book to her.
From her aunt.
Written in life, given in death. 
About a summer day, long ago.
On this page.

Winter ~ sights ~ sounds ~ smells

Morning brought a dusting of snow.
How was I to know...
That a powdered-sugar world would be waiting...
     ~     ~     ~
Can you smell snow in the air?
Two days before this dusting I could smell it.
I knew it was on the way.
There are no words to describe it's smell.
The only thing I can tell you is that it smells like 'Christmas.'
Can you smell Christmas?
      ~     ~     ~
I was smelling spring until three days ago.
It smells like fresh dirt.
Clean, wet clothes hanging on a clothesline.
Green shoots of spring onions.
    ~     ~     ~
Does anyone else have these sensations?
Am I the only one who might be nuts?

The Returning

In my yard stand two Butterfly bushes ~
one white, and one purple.

Soon I will trim them back, from three foot limbs to one foot limbs.

Their rapid growth amazes me. Thousands of tiny buds will appear by the end of March.

Flowers, smaller than the head of a match, will pop open.

A fragrance ~ like no other.

I wait for Butterflies to return ~ and they will.