Monday Musings: Memorial Day 2010

Photo courtesy of Google Images

Sacred Sunday: Saturday Centus

Ms. Jenny Matlock, from the blog of the same name, has begun a series of memes called Saturday Centus. The point is to write from a prompt, supplied by Mr. Jenny, and in 100 words (not including prompt) tell a story. The following is what ensued when I attempted this myself. I felt it was perfect for my not so weekly Sacred Sunday theme. Please enjoy. (Prompt is in red)


"May I help you,miss? You look puzzled."


"Mmmm...thank you, I'm just looking for my father. We came in together a moment ago, but he seems to have wandered off."



"I do not think he has wandered off, for you were alone when you entered here."


"No, I'm quite sure he was with me."


"When was the last time you spoke with him or dined at his table?"


"Come to think of it, it has been some time."


"Are you certain it wasn't you that wandered far away?"


"What do you mean?"



"Remember when your path became rocky and unsure? When nightly tears became your lullaby?"


"But how....how do you know that?"



"My dear child, I am He."



I fall to my knees and tearfully pray: "Father! Please forgive me!"

Alphabe-Thursday/Flash Friday 55: The Letter S

The Serpent Sings of Secrets Stashed,
where Sufferings had left all hopes dashed,
where Sanity was Sold for Survival's Sake,
where Sadness, Sorrow remained in its wake.

But Songbird Sings of Spirit's Strength
of Soul's Sojourn of Suitable length,
of Self's Silent Search for Salvation's cure
found in His love - Selfless, Salient and Sure.


In addition to Ms. Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday I am participating in Flash Friday 55. This weekly meme is brought to you by G-Man, over at Mr. Know it All. The object is to write a story or prose in exactly 55 words.

I plan to be back to regular blogging after the holiday weekend. Can't wait to see you all again!

Sensational Haiku Wednesday - Reflections

Eyes are soul's mirror,

Yours reflect hope, desire, need.

Cherishing your love.

(This one is for Mr. Sister as I was not able to be with him on our anniversary yesterday.)

For more haiku hijinks, please visit Jenn

over at...You Know...That Blog?

Next week's theme:  Milestones

Temporarily Closed

Sacred Sunday: i found Jesus

Brian Miller of WaystationOne has agreed, once again, to host a Sacred Sunday post. For more of his work please be sure to visit his blog HERE. Thank you, Brian, for another outstanding contribution. i met Jesus in a monastery in the mountains, across the river from pittsburgh. He was bronze, in the foyer and when the sun shone just right through the doors, His glory would be blinding. if you were looking. in the stairwell he stood, in monk garb, finger raised as if he had some wisdom to impart. one for the road, if you were heading out. down the hall, on the way to the dorms, he hung on a black cross his feet resting on a bleached, macabre skull. rather gothic if you ask me. outside the window of my room, on the brick wall, He was painted in brilliant color, radiance pouring off his head like feathers on a native american indian. at night, i would stroll the grounds, in the garden by where He stood encased in concrete, and watch the hookers ply their trade on the corner. i imagined Him sitting on the park bench, litter fluttering in the breeze created by cars driving by, talking with them, instead of being safe behind the wrought iron fence that kept them out. His hands a lot dirtier than these pristine portrayals. i found Jesus on a mountain in pittsburgh. He is alive and well, and wants to know if you will come out and play.

Temporarily Closed

Flash Friday 55: My Marinade

(Since I am out of town I went lazy and scheduled one of my favorite marinade recipes to post for you to enjoy on this Flash Friday 55. You will note that I do not measure...)

Olive oil

Balsamic vinegar

Lemon juice

Sugar

Crushed garlic cloves

Finely chopped onion

Fresh basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme

A little kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Add as marinade to chicken or beef

Light the coals

Or start the grill

Then grill to perfection

Serve with roasted veggies

A perfectly easy and tasty meal

I am participating in Flash Friday 55. This weekly meme is brought to you by G-Man, over at Mr. Know it All. The object is to write a story or prose in exactly 55 words. Come join us and link your 55 in Mr. Know it All's comment section. See you there!

Alphabe-Thursday: The Letter R

R is for Reverie

In my Reverie...
I take Refuge in the Rapture
of the Rebel's Rapier;
Ransoming Remembrances
for Revelations and Redemption.
Recognizing my Readiness
to Reconcile past with present
He Reasonably Reflects Restraint
Romancing my soul instead;
Repairing the Rift and
Removing the Remnants of Rage
left in the Recesses of my mind...
Thereby allowing Rebirth - the Renewal within Reach.
Relishing the Relationship
I Rush to kneel before my Redeemer
for He is all I Require.

Remarkable, isn't it?

Temporarily Closed

I am leaving on a jet plane today

to spend the next 10 days 

with my parents and my sisters.

Mr. Sister and the little sisters

will hold down the fort

in my absence.

I shall resume blogging upon my return.

I have a few posts scheduled to come out

and may, possibly, have an alphabet post up as well,

but I believe Ms. Jenny will forgive me 

if I am late handing in my assignments!

Brian Miller of WaystationOne

has, again, agreed to guest

host my Sacred Sunday

coming up this weekend.

Be sure to check it out...

he's an amazing poet and writer 

and I am honored 

to have him featured.

Until next time dear friends....

Monday Musings - May 17, 2010

SPECIAL CAMPING EDITION

Dear Mr. Sister,

Thank you for having the tent all set up by our arrival!

An appreciative 5th

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear National Weather Service,

When you predicted isolated thundershowers, I didn't realize you meant that the storm would isolate itself over our campsite...all night long!!!

A formerly trusting 5th

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Tent,

You have served us well for many years. I have always said I could camp in the rain as long as I have a tent to stay dry in. That is why it was terribly disappointing that you picked this particular trip to spring leaks! Do you know how difficult it is to sleep when rain is dripping on your nose and toes? It was worse on Munch's side of the tent....so he and Daisy decided that my air mattress was the place of refuge.

A wet and weary 5th

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Daisy,

For a 1st time camper you did amazingly well! I especially loved the fact that you defended us against moths, dragonflies, flying embers and park rangers. Good job!

Your snuggle buddy,

The Alpha 5th

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Campers one site over,

Seriously...what's with the chopping of wood at 11pm? Don't you know sound is amplified in the dark of night? A little consideration for fellow campers would have been appreciated.

A sleep deprived 5th

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Fish,

Quit stealing my lures!

An exasperated 5th

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Camp Stove and Mini Weber,

Thank you for making easy work of our meals. The marinated chicken, cooked over hot coals, was particularly tasty. And having hot water for morning coffee and cocoa was such a bonus!

A fat and happy 5th

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Despite the nightly rain, we did have an outstanding Saturday in which we were able to get all of our kayaking and fishing in. Please enjoy the following photos.

"You sleep in the wet spot"

"No, you sleep in the wet spot"

"Please take me with you!"

The boys depart on their kayaking adventure

"How about you, Bethany? Can I go with you?"

"Well, if I cannot kayak, I shall defend our turf, 

dutifully awaiting your return."

Mama 5th catching some rays waiting her turn to kayak.

Gotta love the oversize pink sunglasses!

Mr. Sister feeding lures to the rascally fish

Now what's a camping trip without toasted marshmallows?

Everyone has their own technique and preference

Alphabe-Thursday: The Letter Q

Q is for Quest

Quibble if you must..
I have no Quarrel with you!
My Quandary is thus:

Remain rooted in an emotional Quagmire
of Quirky memories

(where like the Quail,
 Quarry to what pain's Quiver holds)

or

With Quill in hand,
begin a Quiet Quest
towards healing.

Maybe it's Quixotic to think
I shall be able to make this Quantum leap.

The first choice leaves me Queasy,
the second Quells my Qualm.

Sensational Haiku Wednesday-Karma

Unfortunately,

"No good deed goes unpunished",

is all too common.

Caring by nature,

When it's her turn to struggle

Where is the comfort?

She'll take her refuge

in the bosom of her Lord,

for He is Truth, Love.

For more haiku hijinks, please visit Jenn

over at...You know? That Blog?

Next week's theme: Ego

Monday Musings-May 10, 2010

Dear Blogging Friends,

Due to circumstances beyond my control, blogging will be sporadic over the next couple of weeks. I will continue to try and post an Alphabe-Thursday post and maybe a haiku or Flash 55 here and there. I am currently preparing for my ACLS recertification, a camping trip, and a 10 day trip back "home" to Kansas. I am worried about my parents and as such, blogging has become difficult until I can see for myself that they are okay. Bare with me and I should be back in full swing by the end of May.

Also, if anyone would care to guest post, just shoot me an email (found in my profile) or reply in the comments section and I will be in touch with you.

Thanks friends and God bless!

Polly, aka The 5th Sister

Flash Friday 55: The Preacher Man

The Preacher Man sings
to a small but captive audience of one.

Her heart stirs in recognition
of the Truth in His Melody.

Undeniably in deeper than she
ever would have allowed herself
had she never heard His song...

She has no choice
but to begin singing in harmony with Him.

Lord, hear my prayer.


I am participating in Flash Friday 55. This weekly meme is brought to you by G-Man, over at Mr. Know it All. The object is to write a story or prose in exactly 55 words. Come join us and link your 55 in Mr. Know it All's comment section. See you there!

Alphabe-Thursday: The Letter P

The Path

Preoccupied with Pain

Poetically Portrayed...

She Patiently Processed

Its Potent Possessive Power
Penetrating the Psyche.

A Perplexing Predicament to Ponder.

Will she fall, as Passive Prey,
to Predatory Patriarchal Patterns of the Past?

Or in Protest

Will she be Prompted to Probe

A Purposeful Path:

One of Prayer, Praising, Peace?

Paradise.

Sensational Haiku Wednesday-Steam

Temperatures rise.

Roiling, boiling...pressure builds.

Released with a scream!

Could this be passion?

Or simply a pot of tea

left on the burner....

You decide.

For more haiku hijinks, please visit Jenn
over at...You Know, That Blog?
Next week's theme: Karma

Tuesday's Truth: Vlog Version

For official rules of the "Oh My Blog" award
please visit Steven Anthony at My Life, My Thoughts.
Steven's other site, Man Dish can be found here.

Oh, and why is it the most unflattering "still" is the one that introduces the video? I think it must be a You Tube conspiracy...

Monday Musings-May 3, 2010

Dear Quail Hollow Championship,

First of all, let me commend you on a marvelous day of golf. Always a surprise finish is in store! Yesterday was no exception. What started as a day in which 3 "old timers" were jockeying for position, a young upstart, barely 21, comes out of nowhere only to break the course record by 2 strokes! My hearty congratulations to Ireland's Rory McIlroy. What fun that was to watch!

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Observer

Second, isn't there anyway to make this event smoke free? Seriously...the cigarette smoke was so thick that it caused my airways to constrict and I'm not even asthmatic! I would think that in this day and age a designated smoking area would be warranted.

Third...what was up with the food? I spent $7.50 for a chicken sandwich that was nothing but a boiled, unseasoned, rubbery piece of meat sandwiched within an over-microwaved bun. I was expecting something pretty outstanding at that price. What a disappointment.

Fourthly...Rickie Fowler. What was up with that day glow orange outfit of yours? From your hat to your shoes and all areas between...you looked like you were out on work release from prison! It was terribly hard on the eyes. It really hurt to look your way, that color so intense. Here's a fashion tip for you: LESS IS MORE, especially with a color such as that.

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Observer

Finally, all in all, this was a mighty fine way to spend the day with my son!

Here's to next year,

A Sunburned 5th

PS  Angel Cabrera...thank you for not yelling at me this year like you did last year. (apparently I was a "distraction" and in his line of vision as he was trying to get out of the bunker on the 16th green).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Neonatal Resuscitation Protocol Recertification Test,

My plan is to defeat you today. Consider this a warning.

Yours until 2012,

A Studious Sis

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Sewing Machine,

Good girl. Job well done. 3 dresses and 5 skirts in less than a week? Outstanding. You have earned a well deserved rest.

Sew happily yours,

Mrs. Sister, seamstress of reknown

One of 3 60's style "sack dresses" in taffeta

A poodle style skirt (one of 5 skirts)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Theater Director,

Please, oh pretty please approve of Bethany's costume ensembles. I do not want to have to do any more sewing or shopping.

Thank you,

A Burnt Out Sister

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Munchie Boy,

Congratulations on getting through your week long end of grade testing! I am proud of you and am sure
you did very well. It will be bittersweet ending this final year of homeschooling. Next year we will begin a new chapter in our lives as you begin middle school at the same charter school Bethany attends. I will miss spending our days together but it is time to cut these apron strings. You will be fine.

Love,

Mama 5th

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And that my friends, was the week that was. I need to go study a little more and shall return with some sort of "truth" for tomorrow's post. Until then...Happy Monday!

Sacred Sunday: Brian Miller

fierce & furious



between us
there is a
quiet intensity
that trancends
words we speak or
comforting caresses,
like a hurricane
stripping away all excess,
your love does not
go quietly
into the night.
it is real
it is painful
at times
and
i cry out
on my knees
or fall on my face.
do not let me forget your
fierce, soothing,
jealous, stretching,
undying
love.
amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today's guest blogger was Brian Miller of WaystationOne.

He is a prolific writer and poet.

If you liked what you read here,

be sure to comment over on his blog.

Thank you Brian, for being my guest today. 

Graceful

Oh, what a vision of beauty and grace!

A woman, out for a run with her black lab.

Two of them just hitting their stride.

That is,

until

Daisy

decided

to 

stop 

dead 

in 

her 

tracks.

Oh I was a beauty all right,

falling flat onto the pavement.

(I hope no one saw)

Daisy...that hurt!

A 48 year old woman should not have to nurse scuffed up knees.

Daisy Update

I posted last Monday that Daisy had to go to the vet. It was a raging bladder infection. She's on antibiotics now and is feeling much better. Thanks for all your concern.