SOL #16 Day 28

This year, I've failed to write every day for this challenge. I just couldn't do it. I ask myself why. I told myself I was busy. I thought I didn't have anything to write about. My writing didn't measure up to what I expected. My writing seemed troubled and I don't show that to the world. So I resisted and didn't post for a few days. I feel guilty. I've read so many superb posts that have encouraged me to continue to try. So here is a post for Day 28.

We spent Easter with some of our family members. Everyone could not be there, we celebrated with those who could and remembered those members who could not attend. Everyone brought food and treats. I made cupcakes that we decorated on Saturday. I found directions on Pintrest to decorate the cupcakes to look like chicks and bunnies. They weren't exactly the same, but the little kids grinned when they say them and the cupcakes tasted great! I also took chocolate bunnies and my standby, potato salad. I took the picture book, Peep and Egg, and it read to the little guys. They sat for the story to be read a couple of times. The day was fun, we made new memories.

In the afternoon our son and his wife headed home so we visited the aunt who lives in the nursing facility. We took her an Easter basket with sugar free chocolates. She said her son brought her an Easter basket and those were the first ever! We sat together and talked about our day with the family, trying to brighten her day. It was difficult to leave. Then we visited a long time friend in the hospital. She and her husband were both surprised to see us. We sat and told stories for two hours. We had such a nice visit remembering how our lives intertwined.

At the end of the day, I could not think of a better way to have spent our day.

SOL #16 Day 24

Some days are filled with distractions.

Some days projects get pushed aside. 

Some days nothing seems to get accomplished. 

Today was not one of those days. 

Today was filled with addressing the checklist of to do items. 

Then checking the box when each task was done. 

It felt good. 

No, it felt awesome! 

SOL #16 Day 22

"Sharing a few treasures...", written by Linda Baie and found here http://bit.ly/1RwA46x inspired me to write about a few treasures of my own.

I have a few pieces that hold a special place in my heart.
This jewelry box was a gift to my Mom from my Dad. He bought it when he was stationed in Korea. I remember she kept the important
papers inside. My brother gave this to me after both our parents passed.

This library table has one edge that was replaced with a plain board, not carved like the front and other side. My Grandfather saved this table for me. It has some connection to the adoption. It is older than I am. I'm sure it has a story.

This doily was given to me by the mother of one of my students. She made it by hand. It is beautifully made. I've never seen another one like it. I always remember her children when I see the doily.










This picture was drawn by our son when he was 9 or 10. He must have loved bugs then. I remember how much he loved dinosaurs before that.

The carved donkey belonged to my Grandpa, pictured with Granny behind the donkey. I remember the donkey sat on his dresser along with a few other pieces that would not be considered collectibles. He kept everything just so.








I keep too many things. I know this because I attend estate auctions. It's an event where things such as these lose their meanings and end up becoming items filling a box to be auctioned to the highest bidder. But that is better than having family members at a standoff because each wants to be the highest bidder and they can't make concessions to give and take and share. They are only things, things that might trigger memories, but the memories of a life are what is important.

SOL #16 Day 21

Keeping the 25 year friendship going finally became too much. When they divorced we felt pulled apart by each one. It felt as though our loyalty was threatened. Relationships were strained. Gatherings meant we had to choose which to invite. Distance occurred because it was the most comfortable place. Outings became one friend with one friend, not including the other. 

Then changing jobs meant our schedules were different, often conflicting. Time spent talking on the phone became difficult. Running in to each other seemed awkward. Even calling felt uncomfortable. 

So we quietly stopped. An empty place in life. Wondering what could have been different. All that we were is gone. 

Making new friends is a challenge. 

SOL #16 Day 20

I tried another fib poem. 

Sun

Wind

Then snow

Flurries fall

On Spring's arrival

A mean trick by Mother Nature!

SOL#16 Day 19

After a cup of coffee, I took my dog, Ellie, outside for some exercise. It was a cool morning and she felt frisky. She galloped across the field and explored the ground.  I walked behind and picked up fallen branches. In a short amount of time my fingers were getting cold and the pile of tree limbs was growing big. All the while she sniffed around. I encouraged her to head back toward the house. She galloped part of the way and caught up with me. I think she enjoyed her time and I got some yard work done. She stayed outside in the fenced in area. I went inside to have another cup of coffee. 

SOL #16 Day 18 Fib

During my research about the Fibonacci sequence, I found the sequence can be used to write poetry. Each number in the sequence is the sum of the previous two numbers. You can begin the sequence with number 0 or 1 and continue by adding 2 numbers together. For example, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ... The sequence sets the number of syllables or words in poetry. Most poems only make it to 6 lines. I thought it might make an interesting slice. Here is my attempt at writing a Fib.

Blue
Birds
Tweeting,
Glistening
On the patio
I can identify each one.