Once Upon A Time...
Labels: childhood , journal entry , memoir
Get Ready, Get Set, Go April!
As many of you know, April is one of my favorite months of the year. One reason is that it is National Poetry Month! I celebrate this by carrying a poem in my pocket, reading poetry, writing poems, going to poetry readings, entering poetry contests, and this year I'm going to do what I've been wishing to do for a few years now. I'm going LIVE! Right here at J-Flamingo Reflections. One poem every day for the month of April. Wow! It will be a challenge, of course, but I'm excited I'm finally up for it. I'm going to plunge in and actually make sure this happens this year. I hope you'll enjoy reading what I have to share this year. Also, my book reviews will be reflecting the poetry books I'll be reading as well. So I hope in some way during the month of April, with my humble attempts, you'll be exposed to poetry! One more thing, I've signed up to read one of my poems in the Talent Show at my church fundraiser this year so this will be one more way to celebrate poetry month. Be sure to vote for which poem that you'd like me to read by leaving a comment! Thanks! *Note-Bullwinkle Cartoon found at: russellheimlich.com
Labels: April , NaPoWriMo , National Poetry Month , poetry
Poetry from My Purse - Finding the Miracle
Here's a poem that I found written in my purse. A while back, I had explained that I would post these from time to time. I did tweet the first few lines as Micropoetry on Twitter recently and I thought it would be nice to include the conclusion. What do you think?
As darkening waters existed over my world
I hoped to find the miracle that could bring me in from drowning
To treasure me, keep me safe
Even if only by listening to me
It unloads my hurt
opens my soul
makes me vulnerable
makes me love
I like the way that feels
Don’t leave my life
Don’t stop calling
No matter what you think
I may say
I’m here for you
The truth remains
through your presence
you brought me joy
and saved me from drowning.
***
Labels: my writing , poetry
In the Meantime...
I've been working on several articles, writing projects and a scrapbook project too. Also, I have a lot going on, as everyone does, in my real life that has had my time so my poor blog has taken a hit from my attention. I have several posts in mind but haven't put them up yet. I'll get to it, eventually. So, just to let you know I'm still around I thought I'd put up a few quotes from the movies my children have been watching lately.
Monsters vs. Aliens:
News reporter: Once again, a UFO has landed in America, the only country UFOs ever seem to land in.
Whatever mad scientist made you, he went all out.- Dr. Cockroach
This place is an X-file, wrapped in a cover up and deep fried as a conspiracy. There will be no contact with the outside and there never will. -General W.R. Monger
I don't want a poster, I want a real kitten, in a real tree. -Susan
Don't think of it as a prison, think of it as a hotel you never leave because it's been locked from the inside. -General W.R. Monger
The President of the United States: Somebody think of something, and think of it fast!
The Incredibles
A simple Thank You would suffice...
Helen: E, it's great to see you, but I gotta tell you, I've got no idea what you're talking about.
Edna: Yes, words are useless! Gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble! Too much of it, darling, too much! That is why I show you my work! That is why you are here!
Mr. Incredible: No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid; I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for... for ten minutes!
Dash: That was the best vacation ever! I love our family.
Rick Dicker: We've frozen all of Syndrome's assets. If he even sneezes, we'll be there with a hanky and a pair of handcuffs.
Elastigirl: Settle down, are you kidding? I'm at the top of my game! I'm right up there with the big dogs! Girls, come on. Leave the saving of the world to the men? I don't think so.
Surf's Up
A winner is someone who doesn't knock me off my surfboard; Tank's definitely not a winner.
Little Penguin
I hope the cameras are rolling because you're gonna want to watch it over and over.
Cody Maverick
My brother was the big egg, I was the little egg.
Cody Maverick
Lani, we're in the shower! Ask me whatever you want.
Cody Maverick
Dude, she's totally into you! She called you crap!
Chicken Joe
Tank needs fuel.
Tank Evans
You know, we've known each other way back since, like... yesterday, I think it was.
Chicken Joe
My reason behind this is because I love to hear the words written in the dialogue. It helps me giggle and dream about being on a writing team for one of these movies. Wouldn't it be fun to write a movie script? I imagine how fun that it would be to sit there with a group of fellow writers and banter out a script! Well, maybe it's not really like that, I don't really know, but I can dream. Plus, I'm starting to gain a small sense of that through Twitter. It's a rich source for the writing, music, Arts and poetic communities. I've met some wonderful minds through the thoughts that these people are sharing there. I enjoy following many people and there is just something about those 140 characters that I love! No more...it just fits with my creative mind, I think. Anyway, it's helped my writing a tremendous amount and I'm crazily writing every chance I get now. For that, "I'm eternally grateful."
Also, if you have a few moments, check out my articles here on Matchbox Twenty Plus to read what I've been doing in the meantime...apart from not keeping up with my blogging.
Don't worry though..."I'll be back!" :D
Labels: journal entry , movie quotes
Teaser Tuesday: The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
Hosted by: MizB of Should be reading
*Anyone can play ~ Find your current read, share a quote from a random page plus do tell what you're reading.
*Remember, you are always welcome to share your teaser in the comments as well.
*For more details be sure to look up how on the links above.
My teaser:
"Something rumbled somewhere deep and near. The tower trembled like a ship run aground, and answered with a low, stone wail. The three travelers cried out, scrambling to keep their feet on the shuddering stairs, but their guide pressed on without faltering or speaking."pg. 154 in The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

Labels: Teaser Tuesdays , weekly bookish meme
Lessons while making Potato Soup and belated New Year's Resolutions
I tend and care for my own children and I'm currently running a small daycare on the side. I have one full time little boy and several part time with Tuesdays and Friday's now being my busiest days. It has been such a learning experience for me in caring for these children but I am actually learning a lot from them!
Another thing I have been doing this year is making an effort to write down my thoughts each day in a creative way using poetry, prose or through a story. I've found that I thoroughly enjoy writing micropoetry. This is often found on Twitter which means you are sharing poetry in 140 characters or less. I love this exercise which has challenged my brain and I feel it is fun!
Recently, a friend has encouraged me to write a novel in prose so this is a goal I've set for 2011 as well.
Another goal is to find a way for myself to get back to formal education. I'm enjoying looking into the opportunities that can be available to me but it will be a lot of hard work. I finally feel that I am ready for this challenge.
Also, I've been making huge efforts to keep my house tidier this year. I think I do better and life runs a bit smoother when I can feel better in my surroundings.
Last year, I did a lot of things and I'm sure that I acheived a lot but I didn't formally write out my goals out or even set them in a post as I did the previous year on this blog. So, I didn't feel I had anything to gauge my success with so in the end I feel I have missed out on that in 2010. This year, I want to see my progress and how much I grow so that's why I decided that it's better now than not at all to set some New Year Resolutions and I thought of all of this, and so much more, while making potato soup today.
Here's a re-cap of my goals this year:
1. Continue to maintain and improve my efforts in dealing with my children and others on a daily basis. Make efforts to connect with them.
2. Write down my thoughts each day using a creative method. i.e., poetry, haiku, short story, prose, essay, etc...
3. Write a novel in prose.
4. Find a way to continue my formal education.
5. Keep my house tidy. Clean and organize too.
6. Read 25 books and write reviews for each.
7. Learn and improve speaking in another language as I'm a bit familiar with Spanish and German but know neither very well.
8. Continue my blogs. Don't re-invent but continue each one to the best of my ability. Let's face it - I like each one too much to give it up entirely. Goal: 2 blog posts per week.
9. Work on staying in touch better with my brothers, sisters and in-laws. Simple acts of kindness through e-mail, letters, facebook, phone calls and blogs. Work on family history projects and see if they'd like to as well.
10. Continue to develop my artistic abilities in papercrafting, scrapbooking, and rubber stamping.
Labels: 2011 , lessons , New Year's resolutions , potato soup
Teaser Tuesday: Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Hosted by: MizB of Should be reading
*Anyone can play ~ Find your current read, share a quote from a random page plus do tell what you're reading.
*Remember, you are always welcome to share your teaser in the comments as well.
*For more details be sure to look up how on the links above.
My teaser:
"So let me get this straight-we're guiding our path based on a matchbook cover?" Gonzo asks.
~Going Bovine by Libba Bray pg. 146
Labels: quote from book , Teaser Tuesdays , weekly bookish meme