Writing about Spring in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 14 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 165 B.E. – Friday, May 30, 2008 about 7:07 PM PDT

Spring in Las Vegas

1

Joy in the morning
Laughter in the afternoon
Wind through stone pine limbs

2

Cool spring days foretell
Sweltering in summer heat
The New Year grows old

That is about all I have to group of spring Haikus. I am not sure how many more I will add to it. The original idea was to write about seven, on Haiku for each day of the week and title each section with a day. However, my muse chose a different topic today. The poem I wrote for today concerned doing housework at 1 AM. Tonight the wind is not blowing and I cannot come up with another Haiku. I will just let that group rest for a while and work on something else.

Writing on Thankful Thursday

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 165 B.E. – Thursday, May 29, 2008 about 6:17 PM PDT

It is Thankful Thursday again. The idea for Thankful Thursday came from a yahoo journal-writing group I joined a few years ago. I am still a member of this group all though I do not post to it much. On Thankful Thursday you journal about ten things you are thankful for either that week or that day. Everyone should find at least ten things a week and give thanks for them. I also have a gratitude journal, but the thankful Thursday posts are different from my gratitude journal entries.

1. I am thankful for the cool days this week because it has not gotten hot enough for the central air to come on.
2. I am thankful for the wind blowing through the stone pine tree because when I look out my living room window the tree appears to be waving at me.
3. I am thankful for my Mother still being in my life. She is 87 years old and still enjoys doing housework.
4. I am thankful for the new Microwave oven, which someone gave to us. I can now make the cake mixes in the cupboard. I can cook anything in a Microwave oven, but it is difficult making cake in a slow cooker.
5. I am thankful for writing.com and the reviews I receive on that site.
6. I am thankful for the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah.
7. I am thankful for aluminum cans that I can collect and sell for "gas money".
8. I am thankful for long lasting light bulbs.
9. I am thankful for the beauty of the midnight sky with all the beautiful sparkling stars.
10. I am thankful for e-mail because it gives me the ability to keep in touch with my brothers.

Focus and Writing

‘Idál (Justice), 12 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, May 28, 2008 about 7:16 PM PDT

In order to write, a writer needs to focus on the subject, the poem, or the story that he or she is working on. My focus has been off lately. I start to write on one subject and move midway through the post to another. This type of writing called free writing and it does have it place. Free writing is best used when brain storming a story or article, before the research begins. Free writing is good to find an approach, but it can be distracting to a reader when I use it in a blog entry.

I am not sure why my focus is off. Perhaps I am approaching my blog entries without considering both the subject and the theme. Perhaps I simply do not know what I want to say. Perhaps I need to be back on my thyroid meds. The problem could be one of those or something else, whatever the problem I am going to have to find a solution or a different approach to writing blog entries.

I tried different daily blog themes, but found that boring. Perhaps instead of having a blog theme for specific days of the week, I could use the themes without having a specific day for each theme. Just have seven, nineteen or thirty themes listed and pick randomly each day. I could also try saying a prayer for assistance before sitting down to write. I will try all of those ideas in the upcoming month and see what works best. I suspect a combination of the ideas is the best choice.

It is Tuesday again

Fidál (Grace), 11 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, May 27, 2008 about sunset PDT

It is Tuesday again, yesterday was the end of a three-day holiday. My entire week is thrown off when I have a three-day holiday that ends on Monday. I have not idea what to write about except the high gas prices, which I cannot complain about today because I have not bought gas yet this week.

I got the trash carried to the curb tonight before driving the car into the driveway. That is one of the great things about spring and summer, it is light enough about 6:00 or 7:00 PM to take the trash out. If I waited until morning, the trash would remain in the garage until Saturday.

I wish everyone joy and happiness, sweet dreams and a bright morning tomorrow.

Memorial Day Reflections

Kamál (Perfection), 10 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 165 B.E. – Monday, May 26, 2008 about 4:13 PM PDT

I stayed home today and caught up on a few things around the house. I did not even get the car out of the garage today. When I was a child, my grandparents would drive all over Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri placing flowers on graves. Of course, that was when gas was between $0.50 and $0.75 a gallon. Now gas is between $3.89 and $4.10 a gallon. A person is lucky to be able to afford gas to go to work, much less driving across country.

Judging from the neighborhood sounds, most of my neighbors stayed home as well. I did not have to work today, so I did work at home. I even stayed up until 11:00 PM or 12 last night. Normally I go to bed between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM. I did not get as much complete as I would have liked, but I did get a lot done.

I have slacked off on my writing recently, but I got back into the swing of it last night and today. I review several pieces of writing on writing.com, now to get back to regular blog entries and completing some rewrites and new pieces. Ever since I started the job, I have been a little slack on writing. I think it has to do with setting up a routine. I need to get a routine going so that I can complete the writing I need to accomplish in a single day.

Writing in Bed

Istijlál (Majesty), 6 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 165 B.E. – Thursday, May 22, 2008 about 2:51 PM PDT

I went to bed early last night and finished a poem about the wind. When I got home from work yesterday, I was tired with a scratchy throat. The scratchy throat was caused by the wind. I am not sure why I was so tired, perhaps it was because I did not eat breakfast yesterday.

I made an entry in my off line journals Writing My Spiritual Journey and my Gratitude Journal. I completed the poem about the wind after I went to bed. I went to bed before sunset, which is unusual for me. I feel better today, but because of going to bed early and falling asleep right after I said my prayers I did not get any blog entries made.

I suppose going to bed before sunset one day a month is all right, but I cannot make a habit of it. Otherwise, I will never get anything completed. One good thing about yesterday was the cooler weather; it reached only about 85 degrees so the central air did not come on at all. Still the wind after three days of record-breaking temperatures did not help my recovery from being sick last Friday or fasting Sunday for lab tests on Monday.

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Editing in Las Vegas

Fidál (Grace), 4 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, May 20, 2008 about sunset PDT

It is the end of a hot and windy day. I am setting in my living room looking at the evening sky. When I walked from work to my car this afternoon, it felt as if I was walking in a blow dryer. I got the same feeling taking the trashcans to the curb this evening.

Tomorrow is trash pick-up day and I just took the trashcans to the curb. As I drug the cans down the driveway, I realized that taking out the trash is similar to editing a story. Any words you take out is like removing clutter from your house. You remove words and images from the story that does not carry the plot and in the same manner, you remove trash and clutter from your house to make it livable.

Triple Digit Temperatures are Here

Kamál (Perfection), 3 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 165 B.E. – Monday, May 19, 2008 about 6:43 PM PDT

Well it is official; we broke the triple digit temperature mark today. I believe the weather person on Channel 3 in Las Vegas said the temperature at McCarran Airport was 108. This is early in the season for temperatures like that; we usually have these temperatures latter in the year. Tomorrow the winds are suppose to pick up, but temperatures will not cool down until Wednesday or Thursday. We are in for the blow dryer effect.

It is days like this that being a writer has its advantages. Instead of working in the triple digits, a writer works in a cool office. In the hot weather, a writer can set at a computer with a glass of iced water, tea or coffee, keeping cool while everyone else is out working under the hot sun. There are disadvantages to working inside all day. One of them is going from a nice and cool office to a hot car. Once you have worked in the cool you do not want to get out in the heat.

An interesting thing about living and working in Las Vegas is the difference between the indoor and the out door temperatures. In many of the mall and restaurants they keep it so cold you have to wear a sweater while you are eating or shopping. Inside a mall the cold penetrates to the marrow of your bones, but when you walk out of the mall the heat sucks the cold right out of you. I do not keep my house that cold.

At home, I follow the recommended temperature guidelines of about 78, 79 or 80 degrees. The air does not come on until the thermostat reaches 85 or something like that. I am going to have to watch the thermostat and see when the air does comes on and goes off. When I am writing I usually have a glass of ice water and a glass of cold juice or soda.

A New Writing Week Begins

Jamál (Beauty), 2 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 165 B.E. – Sunday, May 18, 2008 about 1:35 PM PDT

Sunday, May 18, a new writing week begins. Today is Jamal, the day of beauty, 2 Azamat, the month of Grandeur. Beauty and Grandeur are both attributes of God. One Holy Day occurs this week. That is the Declaration of the Bab on May 23. The celebration of the declaration itself occurs on May 22 about two hours after sunset. I am looking forward to attending the celebration at 8:30 PM. The Baha'i day is a solar day, which begins at sunset and ends at sunset.

I did not attend the Feast of Azamat on Friday, which was a disappointment. However, since I spent Friday evening and most of Saturday with the dry heaves, its probably just as well. I am not sure what I had, probably something going around. Anyway, it ended as quickly as it began twenty-four hours later. I am feeling a lot better today and ready for a new week.

The Declaration of the Bab gives me one subject for this week. Now all I have to do is find six more. I seem to have trouble finding writing subjects lately, maybe it is because I am making entries of an afternoon instead of mornings. I work during the day from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM and I do not get online or on the computer until after I get home.

Triple digit temperatures are coming

Istijlál (Majesty), 18 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Thursday, May 15, 2008 about Sunset PDT

Triple digit temperatures are predicted for Sunday, May 18. These will be the first triple digits of the year. I am and am not looking forward to them. As a writer triple digit temperatures can create some very interesting ideas. However, it also means I am going to have to turn the central air unit on. When the central air goes on then the power bill goes up.

This year not only will the power bill go up, but it will cost more to drive my car to the bank to get the money to pay the bill. Right now we do not have $4.00 per gallon regular unleaded gas. Memorial day week end is coming, I am guessing we will pay $4.00 per gallon by then, if not before. This year I may start paying the power bill on line rather then withdrawing the money and taking it to the Power Company.

5000 Questions Survey - Questions 326 to 350

‘Idál (Justice), 17 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, May 14, 2008 about 6:55 PM PDT

I have not answered any of the questions on the 5000 Questions Survey in a while so today I am going to answer the next twenty-five. Eventually I am going to complete all 5000 Questions because I am curious about the questions and somewhat stubborn. The reason I do twenty-five questions at a time is because twenty-five questions is all I can answer at once.

326. Are you able to have conversations with and become friends with people who are not like you and are interested in different things than you are?

Yes, I like meeting people that make think.

327. Are strangers more beautiful or frightening to you?

It depends on the stranger and the circumstances.

328. What stops you from doing everything you want to do?

Time, money and space to store the results.

329. Can you think of three adjective that do not apply to you at all?

Stupid, silent and unfunny

330. How do you feel about Jeremy Jaynes, who got a nine year prison sentence for spamming people with junk email Jeremy Jaynes?

Only nine years?

331. Do you know who the current premier of China is?

Not at the moment.

If I have not read it on an internet headline then I do not remember it.

332. Are you very active?

I am an active writer and poet.

333. Is there a city that reminds you of the landscape of your brain?

Las Vegas

334. Have you ever loved someone who has loved you back?

Anything is possible

335. Is it really being 'in love with' someone if the other person doesn't love you?

It depends on whether it is "in love" or "in lust"

336. Do you believe that there is someone perfect for everyone or that people just fall in love with who ever they are with at the time?

Perfection takes time and hard work

337. Do you know secret things?

If one person know something then it is a secret.

If two people know the samething it is a headline.

338. Have you ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't have?

I am not sure I have ever fallen in love

339. How do you overcome your fears?

Do whatever I am afraid of dong

340. What can you do better than anyone you know?

Procrastinate

341. Would you benefit from a wilder existence?

It depends on whether I am in the middle of the forest and there is an indoor restroom

342. Does it seem to you like the range of socially acceptable behavior is getting smaller or larger?

Acceptable behavior depends on a person's point of view

343. Have you ever fired a gun?

I do not remember ever firing a gun

344. Are people becoming more afraid of each other?

People have always been afraid of each other, they are just less afraid to show it

345. If you had to choose the percentage of freedom vs. safety what ratio would you decide on (ex: 100% free 0% safe)?

There is not such thing as 100% of either freedom or safety.

Both require responsibility.

346. Does safety stifle you?

Nothing stifles me

347. Who or what needs to be stopped?

Prejudice

348. Are human beings becoming more domesticated?

I doubt it

349. Do you follow the lives of the British Royal Family?

No, I have a better imagination then that

350. How did the death of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II affect you?

I cried

Writing and getting nowhere

Fidál (Grace), 16 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, May 13, 2008 about 6:42 PM PDT

Sometimes it seems like I am writing and getting nowhere. When I got off work today, I got two prescriptions filled, came home and fixed something to eat. I am tired and a think a bit depressed, but I do not know why. True I paid about $3.54 per gallon for the gas and got about a fourth of a tank. The meds cost me a little more then $42, but it could have been worse.

I think I am depressed because I cannot seem to get anything done. It is not that I have not gotten anything written. However, I seem to get less then half of what I want to get written done. I do not like to complain because the more I complain the worse things seem to get. I do not what is wrong; I only know that I am not feeling like myself.

I have another appointment on Monday morning for some lab tests and blood work, so perhaps that will reveal something. In the mean time, I will just keep plugging away and hope I get a little more completed then I have. Perhaps I expect to get more completed in a day.

This is only Tuesday, but I have left the house everyday again. I go to work in the morning, come home and go out again. I think that tomorrow I might be able to stay in the house after I get home, but I do not know for sure. I know I have to go out again on Thursday and then Friday night is the Feast of 'Azamat. Perhaps that is my problem; I did not go to the Feast of Jamal. I will have to explore that in my off line journal.

Writing at the end of the Day

Kamál (Perfection), 15 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Monday, May 12, 2008 about 6:25 PM PDT

It is nearing the end of a long and weary day. I say weary because I had a doctor's appointment at 3:00 PM. I arrived at 2:45 PM and filled out the paper work. Then I waited until the nurse called me into the examining room. Before going to the examining room, she took my weight.

In the examining room, the nurse took my blood pressure and temperature. Then I waited longer to see the doctor. I came away with two prescriptions and an appointment next Monday, May 19 for lab tests. For those I have to fast 12 hours before the test. I scheduled the tests for 8:00 AM Monday morning.

Today I took in the atmosphere of the clinic and the patients waiting to see the doctor. I did not take notes or read anything. I looking around the waiting room and the eximining room. I am not sure yet just what I am going to write about it. I have written several waiting room poems, but I have never written an examining room poem.

The interesting thing about the examining room was the magazine lying on the examine table or would it be called the examine bed. The magazine was a Harper's Bazaar about fall fashions. I am not sure of the year. The important information about the magazine is the topic (Fall Fashions) and this is spring going on summer. I glanced through the magazine and all the models looked like zombies, beautiful emotionless zombies. I think I will use that as the theme or the title of the poem.

Mothers' Day 2008

Jamál (Beauty), 14 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Sunday, May 11, 2008 about 3:53 PM PDT

It is Sunday, May 11, 2008. Mom and I went to lunch today at Terrible's Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. We went to the coffee shop and had the King Cut Prime Rib dinner, with coffee to drink. I like going to this restaurant because it has a nice atmosphere and you cannot hear the slot machines or the noise of gambling. Mom and I do not gamble so it is pleasant to sit where we cannot hear the tinkle of coins or other gambling or perhaps I should say gaming noises.

The price for the meal is reasonable and the food is good. We even brought home some leftovers so tomorrow I can fix the prime rib with some potatoes and veggies. Another reason I like going to this coffee shop when I eat prime rib is the horseradish. They serve both types of horseradish and you do not have to ask for either because both come with the meal.

This is the first time we have eaten prime rib in two years. Last year we did not celebrate either my mother's birthday or Mothers' Day. On her birthday Mom was in the operating room and on Mothers' Day, Mom was still in the hospital. Mom enjoyed herself and she will enjoy the leftover prime rib again tomorrow.

I am still meditating on a poem about the prime rib. Perhaps instead of the prime rib I will write about the horseradish. The regular horseradish brings tears to your eyes when you eat it. That is what horseradish is supposed to do. Mothers' Day this year is one I want to remember, unlike Mothers' Day last year.

I am still going to get Mom the blank book to put her memories in, but we did not stop at a bookstore on the way home. After all, we had the leftovers in the car with us and it is not a good idea for me to stop at a bookstore or a library when I have leftover food in the car. When I go into a bookstore, it is difficult to get me out in less then two or three hours.

Saturday Reflections

Jalál (Glory), 13 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Saturday, May 10, 2008 about 1:34 PM PDT

The week is ending and a new week will soon begin. I am working from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Monday through Friday. I have less time to do things at now then I did before I start the five day a week schedule. I still have the same amount of work to do at home, I just have less time to do it. In addition to the housework, there is the writing work. Therefore, I have decided to set a daily schedule so that I can keep on top of everything that I need to do.

I have been considering making a schedule for some time now. I did not do it because I did not want to make a schedule that I could not stick to. However, with everything I have to do I am going to make one and see what happens. This is not the first daily schedule I have attempted. One thing I know is that I stress when the changes and chances of life interfere with the schedule.

Items on this weeks schedule

1. Work hours outside of home and driving time
2. Prayer and meditation time
3. Writing time and items I have to work on
4. Appointments
5. Social commitments
6. Nap time
7. Housework

That is everything I am putting on the schedule. I have not worked out the times yet, but I will have those completed today. I am going to post my weekly and daily schedule in the Writing My Spiritual Journey Journal, which I use to bring myself to account.

I am Weary

Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Friday, May 9, 2008 about 6:59 PM PDT

I am wear. It is nearing the end of a long day. This is spring and the days will continue to get longer. I would like to go to be, but it is still light outside and I do not have curtains or blinds at my bedroom window. There is no reason why I do not have curtains or blinds at that window.

I do not think the neighbors can see in because of the fence and the oleanders. The oleanders cover most of the window and hide what is going on inside the bedroom. Not that anything every goes on inside my bedroom, except sleep. That is when I can sleep.

I can sit at the computer and type a blog entry. Sometimes I almost fall asleep at the keyboard. However, when I get up to go to bed, I lay awake and listen to the noise that the Metro copter makes. I listen to the neighbor's dog bark, the dog does not bark loud and he or she does not keep me away. I listen to the noise my fridge makes in the night. It is strange the sounds one hears lying awake in the middle of the night.

The house makes strange sounds
in the middle of the night
when everyone is supposed to be asleep.

I can identify and explain all the sounds,
I wish I were a child again
listening to the sounds
and creating mythical creatures
to go with the sounds.

Brain Storming a Mothers' Day Poem

Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Thursday, May 8, 2008 about 7:00 PM PDT

• Mothers' Day is Sunday, May 11, 2008
• My mother is 87 years old
• My mother was born on a farm in Oklahoma
• My mother lived and worked in Las Vegas during World War II
• My mother worked as a food server all her life
• My mother read to us when we were children
• My mother raised us as a single mother after my parents divorced
• My mother writes poetry
• My mother likes to attend poetry readings
• My mother was an only child
• My mother had cousins who lived near her as a child
• My mother enjoys cleaning house
• My mother enjoys washing dishes
• My mother likes to eat out
• My mother gave birth to four children two boys and two girls
• My mother likes to drink coffee
• My mother has eight grandchildren
• My mother has five great grandchildren
• The doctor who delivered my mother did not expect her to survive
• My mother likes roses
• My mother had a dog named Tuffy

All of these are interesting facts about my mother, but none of them say specifically what I want the poem to contain. Mothers' Day is only a few days away, so I am going to have to figure out a poem or decide on something else. Perhaps a blank book so that she can write her memories in it would be best.

Some people still send cards through the U.S. Postal Service

‘Idál (Justice), 10 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, May 7, 2008 about 5:44 PM PDT

My mother received a Mothers' Day card today through snail mail. The card was from my brother and sister-in-law who live here in Las Vegas. Mom enjoyed the card and read it aloud to me. Mom uses a magnifying glass to read cards and letters because sometimes she cannot see the writing or the print.

I think it is wonderful that my brother and his wife sent a card through the postal system. I like to received cards myself that way. I know Mom always enjoys getting cards through the mail. Many people do not send cards through snail mail anymore they use e-mail. I use e-mail myself most of the time.

Many people do not write letters anymore either. There was a time when people wrote letters all the time and sent greeting cards through the mail. I wonder if we got back to writing letters and sending greeting cards through the postal service if the cost of postage would go down; I doubt it. Still it is nice to receive a card through the mail occasionally.

Writing is a thankless job

Fidál (Grace), 9 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, May 6, 2008 about 6:29 PM PDT

Writing is a thankless job, but somebody has to do it. Sometimes it seems I am not getting anywhere. I write and write without ever knowing if someone reads what I write. Then unexpectedlyI receive a comment on something I have written. Someone reads a poem or a story or a blog entry and comments on it.

I get a comment and it gives me a boost. I get a positive or a negative comment and I realize someone is reading what I am writing. A comment encourages me to continue to write. The comments I have received are rare, but that does not matter. The realization that someone read what I wrote and took the time to comment encourages me.

Before I go any further, I want to thank those who have commented on my past writings. Sometimes I am remiss at sending thank you to those who comment. I am not sure why I do not say thank you. This is something I need to explore in my off line journal. Once I have figured out the reason then I can either blog about it or write a poem on the subject. In this entry, I want to admit that I am remiss in saying thank you and apologize to those who have commented and not received a thank you reply.

I will attempt to do better, of course. I am not sure how well I will succeed. Everyone attempts to do better when catching themselves in bad habits. Everyone attempts to do better, but not everyone succeeds. That is part of being human, but we have to continue to try to do better. We have to continue to try because sometimes a person succeeds in changing a bad habit into a good habit. We have to continue to try because that is part of being human.

Mothers' Day Thoughts

Kamál (Perfection), 8 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Monday, May 5, 2008 about 7:08 PM PDT

I am still not sure what I am going to give my mother on Mothers' Day. Today we went to Blue Berry Hill and ate supper. She enjoyed that, she has also mentioned she would like a prime rib dinner. Since Mothers' Day is on Sunday, we will stay home so my siblings can call her. I am going to let them know what time the phone will be free.

This last year has been tough. In 2007, we did not celebrate Mothers' Day at all. In fact, I do not remember what we did on that Sunday, but I know we did not celebrate Mothers' Day. This year I would like to do something, but I have no idea what. I have asked Mom, but she does not have any suggestions. Maybe I will buy her a blank book so she can write about her childhood and youth.

Mom was born in 1921 on a farm in Oklahoma. She and my dad spent part of their early-married life in Las Vegas. Dad served at the Air Force Base at that time. I think Mom would like to write down her memories, so a blank book would be appropriate. Mom wants a copy of a prayer printed in large type so she can memorize it. I will print that out for her. Once I have done that, I need to get her a Mothers' Day card or create one for her.

I need write an inscription in the front of the blank book. Maybe a poem or a quote, then a dedication to her. I could write a thank you note to her as well. I wander how many people remember to thank their mothers on Mothers' Day.

Do You Realize

Jamál (Beauty), 7 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Sunday, May 4, 2008 about 10:05 AM PDT

There is an old saying that goes something like this

If wishes were fishes everyone would eat!

That would be one way to solve the world's hunger crises.

Do you realize that if there were a way to magically turn all the spam in everyone's e-mail boxes into the kind you eat, the entire world would have all the food needed for the next two thousand years. All right, I am cleaning out my e-mail boxes. Dealing with junk e-mail and unwanted advertisements always puts me in a weird mood.

The problem is that I can log in and get more junk e-mail then any other kind. It is getting irritating. I am a writer so I should be able to think of something to do with the junk then just delete it. For a while I wrote found poems using the subject lines, but lets face it most of the subject line are not creative and they are reparative. Any way I cannot find subjects for found poems that I have not all ready covered.

The idea about turning all the junk e-mail into real editable spam came to me this morning while I was deleting junk. It sounds like a good idea, of course like all good ideas there is probably a reason it would caused more problems then it solved. I have not gotten that far in my thinking yet.

I had the dream again

Jalál (Glory), 6 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Saturday, May 3, 2008 about 2:42 PM PDT

I had my reoccurring dream again. The reoccurring elements in this dream are the location and two of the participants, while everything else is different. This is the fifth time in 2008 that I've had the dream.

In the dream, Mom and I are in my Grandparent's house in Blackwell, Oklahoma. The house always looks the same, at least on the inside, as it did when I was a child. Mom and I are visiting my grandparents or we live in the house. My grandparents are never in the dream. The other people in the dream change; they are relatives or friends. Another interesting thing about the dream is we're always indoors. We never leave my grandparents' house. Other people come and go through the doors, but Mom and I always remain in the house. Also the weather outside the house is nice, that is there are no clouds or storms.

Before 2008, I had the dream once or twice a year. This year it has occurred once a month. It doesn't occur the same time each month, but it has come once a month. I think my subconscious is trying to tell me something, but I'm not sure what. If it didn't occur so often I wouldn't think much about it. However, since it's occurring more often I'm looking at the symbols and attempting to figure out what's going on. I don't know why the dream is occurring so often this year. Maybe it has something to do with what's going on in my life.

I'm doing it again

Istiqlál (Independence), 5 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Thursday-Friday, May 1-2, 2008 about 2:47 PM PDT

I am doing it again. I am participating in the Follow the Leader Journaling contest on writing.com. The blog I am using to post my responses and my leading entry is Snow Melt.

Follow the Leader begins on Sunday, May 4, and ends on Saturday, May 24. The date for my leading entry is Tuesday, May 13. I do not have the foggiest notion what I am going to write about yet. I do have some ideas, but have not decided on which one to use.

This round should be even more fun since we also have a discussion forum separate from the journal forum. The only thing posted in the journal forum is the link to the leading entry.

There is a lot happening in my life that I could use as a leading entry, but I will write something a little bit off beat or different from past entries. Between now and the 13th I will look for unusual and offbeat subjects. Things I have not written about or have skipped over in past entries. I have three goals in writing the leading entry and responding to other entries.

1. Learn something new about myself or the creative process
2. Have fun
3. Stretch my abilities
4. To read every response entry posted by the other participants

I think four goals for this contest is enough for now.

I bought coffee filters today

Istijlál (Majesty), 4 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Thursday, May 1, 2008 about 6:58 PM PDT

I ran out of coffee filters for my coffee maker on Tuesday. Wednesday I didn't make coffee because I didn't have cone coffee filters. Thursday I found coffee filters on the top shelf of a kitchen cupboard. They were not the cone filters, but they worked all right. I did not get too many grounds in the coffee. Not that having coffee grounds in my cup is going to stop me from drinking coffee.

I bought four packages of cone filters today. Each package says it has 40 filters in it. That will do me for a while. I bought the four packages because they were four for $5.00. I also bought a large can of coffee. I did not read the size of the can when I picked up the coffee. Lately with the price of gas and everything, I buy the biggest can of coffee for the least amount of money. I usually buy the store brand unless I have coupons for something else.

You would think that since I am a writer I would not run out of coffee or filters, but it happens. It has happened more in the past year then any time earlier. I have learned one thing from this experience. First, never presume I am out of coffee filters before looking in the top shelf of every cupboard in the kitchen. Second, just because the filter was made for a different type of coffee maker does not mean it cannot be used. Third, a few coffee grounds in the bottom of the cup does not hurt anyone.