Thankful Thursdays: February 28, 2013

This morning I was depressed and did not think I had much to be thankful for; however, as the day wore on I realized that I could find several things for my gratitude list.

Today I am thankful for

1. the neighbor who put my trashcan in my garage yesterday after the trash collectors emptied it
2. my car starting when I turned on the ignation
3. someone taking the bed and mattress out of my bedroom and taking it to the dump
4. the brownie I bought at Port of Subs today with my sandwich
5. an online dictionary that I can consult when I am making blog entries
6. leftover coffee heated up in my microwave
7. the nice weather today in Las Vegas
8. the chocolate apple sauce oatmeal I made this morning for breakfast
9. dry milk that I can mix with water to have milk any time I want it
10. a wireless internet connection

Writing Prompts, Blog Themes, and Posting on a Regular Basis

I have difficulty posting on a regular basis, some of my readers already know this. Sometimes I will post several days in a row and then I will stop posting for several day. Part of the problem is finding subjects to discuss in my blogs. The other part of the problem is time and stamina, I get very tired and have to sit down for an afternoon nap. If I do not post before the nap then I will not post that day.

After giving some thought to the problem of posting regularly, I have to decided set the goal to post at least every other day. This means that sometimes, I will need to respond to a prompt, find subject I can discuss, or use a theme. I have come up with seven themes that should work in conjunction with different prompts. This should solve the issue of posting on a regular basis, now all I have to do is manage to write two hundred words on whatever subject or prompt I choose.

These are the themes I have chosen (1) Free Write Sunday, (2) Quote of the Week Monday, (3) Haibun-Haiku Tuesday, (4) Midweek Reflections Wednesday, (5) Thankful Thursday, (6) Poetry form of the Week Friday, and (7) Recyclable Saturday.

Premiere of Women Who Make America

On February 26, MAKERS, in partnership with Simple Facial Skincare and PBS, presents the documentary MAKERS: Women Who Make America. This documentary highlight fifty years of the women's movement. It presents the stories of groundbreakers and trailblazers who have paved the way for generations of women. Check the video below to find out more.

A new writing week in Las Vegas

birds sit on power lines
the flock of blackbirds take off
wind begins blowing

A new writing week begins in Las Vegas. The first haiku of the week written and posted in this blog. Last night's dream posted in my dream journal, which resides in my port on writing.com. I presume this is going to be a good week for writing. I also presume it is going to be a good week for accomplishing other things. I will see how much I accomplish this week.

Do I need a television set?

I am beginning to wonder if I need a television set. I can watch most shows I like online; in addition, I can get news and weather online. The only issue about watch T.V. on line is eating. If I watch my shows online then I cannot eat a meal watching television.

I do not any special childhood memories of watching television while eating a meal. When I was at my grandparents' house, we usually ate in the kitchen rather then the living room. My grandparents' had only one televisions set and it was in the living room. I am not saying we did not eat in the living room once in a while, but if we did it did not make an impression on me.

I can get the same advertisements or similar ads, when I what my shows online so that will have little affect on the decision to get rid of the television. I could cut down my expenses by watching T.V. online. Right now I have a bundle with the Internet, television, and land line for the telephone. Since I use my cell phone for almost everything, it may be more economical for me just to keep the Internet connection and get rid of the television and the telephone.

Thankful Thursday: Haiku Gratitude

white clouds in blue sky
birds greeting the morning sun
a neighbor's dog barks

birds fly to their nests
wind blowing through olive trees
the afternoon sun

sip hot apple juice
watch birds fly across the sky
a neighbor's cat meows

weeds in my front yard
a flock of birds land in weeds
looking for insects

a nightingale sings
a neighbor's oak tree leafing
sparrows building nests

A bird sings in Las Vegas

a bird is singing
serenading charcoal clouds
is there a slight breeze

I must have the happiest bird in Las Vegas nesting in the pine tree in my front yard. The song is sweet and beautiful, so it could be a nightingale. I know it  is not  a sparrow because it does not sound like one. I have only heard this bird and not seen it . I have witnessed several birds flying around the neighborhood and flitting from tree to tree.

The birds I have seen make up about three or four different species. There are sparrows nesting in one of the neighbor's oak trees. I have see a black bird of some time flying around and pigeons. I also see pair of nightingales; at least, I think they are nightingales because they do not look like any of the other birds I see and they resemble pictures of nightingales I have seen.

Ireland is having a Gathering in 2013

It is 2013 and Ireland is having a "Gathering". The island is ablaze with festivals. Click on the video below and listen to Irish comedian Andrew Maxwell overview of 2013's unusual highlights of these events. They've saved you a seat in Ireland, so for more information check out ireland.com.

Poem: Green Monday

The weeds
in my front yard are green
and growing high.


when the gentle morning breeze
caresses them
the weeds sway
and dance to music unheard.

It is Monday and the weeds
are emerald green,
but I know
that soon the weeds will die
then they will turn
a somber brown.

Macaroni and Cheese

On Thursday, I fixed macaroni with carrots, sweet peas, and pasta sauce in the large electric skillet. This morning I mixed cheese with macaroni and heated it in the microwave. I like the taste of macaroni and cheese with vegetables. There is still macaroni and vegetables in the refrigerator, so I think I will add cheese again this afternoon.

macaroni and cheese
bring back sweet childhood memories
grandma fixed it from scratch

Chef Jamie Oliver shares his love for Britain

Top Chef Jamie Oliver loves to explore Britain. He loves its lush countryside, miles of coast line, and its cities. However, its Britain's culture and food that excite him. Click on the video below to hear what Jamie Oliver says about Britain.

Thankful Thursday a Writer's Gratitude list

Today, Thursday, February 14, 2013 I am grateful for...

1. the sunny 64 degree temperatures in Las Vegas because I do not have to wear a heavy coat while I am loading boxes for the storage unit in my car;
2. You Tube videos that make my short work breaks a pleasant experience;
3. the birds that were singing in my pine tree this morning;
4. empty laundry baskets that I can use to put bedlinen and other items in to take to the storage unit;
5. a four door car because it is easy to load and unload;
6. the wind blowing through the olive and oak trees that grow in this neighborhood;
7. that I finished a 300 word flash fiction story for a writing contest on writing.com;
8. the idea for a short short story that got while putting boxes in the storage unit yesterday;
9. the microwave oven I use to heat up leftover coffee;
10. double cornbread made by mixing a can of sweet corn with cornbread mix;

the olive tree waves
encouraging passer-by's
and the dogs they walk

Las Vegas Weather

a slight wind blowing
the sky a beautiful blue
check weather.com

I just checked weather.com. According to their information the wind is calm, the humidity is at 34%, the dew point is 8 degrees, visibility is 10.0 miles, pressure is 30.31 in. and rising, the UV index is 0-low, it is 34 degrees, it feels like 34 degrees, and it is fair.

do I have sunscreen
the UV index is low
am I going out

Looking out my window, I notice that the limbs on the olive  tree across the street are swaying very slightly.  The sun is shining and casting dark shadows on my garage roof. I have not went outside to pick up my morning paper because I ignored the alarm this morning and did not get up until 6:00.

change the alarm time
reset it to 5:00 A.M.
an hour more of sleep

A Cloudy Sunday in Las Vegas

a cloudy Sunday
afternoon the sun peeks out
a chilly wind blows

This afternoon the sun finally peeked from behind the clouds. Almost all day white, grayish, or charcoal gray clouds have covered the beautiful blue sky. In addition, a chilly or cold wind (depending on one’s point of view) has blown. The wind is still blowing and now the sun has passed behind the clouds.

no birds are singing
the neighbor’s dog is silent
quiet afternoon

This morning a bird was singing, I think it was a nightingale because the song did not sound like that of a sparrow. This afternoon, all the birds are silent. I have not heard the neighbor’s dog bark all day, so they must be keeping him in the house. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful. I have not seen any of my neighbors going in and out of their houses all day.

the house is silent
a joyous tranquility
peaceful afternoon

I am getting used to being alone in the house on the weekends. It has taken me a little over two months to feel comfortable being alone. I still listen for Mom especially at night, but I do not get up and go into her bedroom to see if she is all right. I am going to close this now, go into the kitchen to see if I have any more coffee in the carafe.

Free verse Saturday: The Broken Coffee Mug

The favorite coffee mug is broken!

Is there some meaning
to this tragedy?

I tried to place the mug
on a wooden T.V. stand,
missed
and the mug dropped to the floor.

The handle shattered,
but the body
remained intact.

I carried the mug
to the garage
and  carefully
put it in
the blue recyclable bin.

Vertriders in Flow

The Vertriders, who are from Innbruck, are known for their extreme technical mountain biking through high alpine terrain. Click on the video below and watch the Vetriders ride the bikes down treacherous and extremely steep screecovered terrain.

Morning Stiffness in Las Vegas

a cold wind blowing
the shadows of tree limbs dance
birds fly back to nest

This morning, a cold wind is blowing through Las Vegas. My stiff knees ache, I need to lose weight. Exercise would help, but the stiffness and the ache discourage walking. I have pain pills, but I cannot take one of those until I eat.

I boxes and other stuff to load into the car and unload at the storage unit, which is not going to help my osteoarthritis or my strained rotator cuff. I am not sure whether I should take the pain pills before starting the loading and unloading or after I finish. I cannot put off taking the items to the storage unit, so I will have to take those meds sometime today.

pain medication
for the osteoarthritis
use it sparingly

Packing and Storage in Las Vegas

Yesterday, February 6, I went to the doctor and then took several items to the storage facility. By the time I returned home, I was tired so I took a nap. I missed my grief counselling meeting and the Feast of Mulk last night. This morning I am tired and my back hurts.

I lifted a side stand from the car to the transport cart and then into the storage unit, so I think that is why my back hurts today. I have several boxes to pack today, so I think I will take them to the storage unit on Friday and Saturday.

I have to put items in my car which means I can only take the things that fit in the car. When I get ready to take the dining room table and the dresser, I will have to get a truck and some help to load and unload the items. Fortunately, I am not taking a couch or love seat; the ones I have will go out to the curb for the trash or anyone who wants to pick them up.

Tuesday thoughts on coffee, packing, and writing

It is Tuesday and I am already behind. I am moving. I am downsizing. I am feeling rushed. Why am I making a blog entry when I have dresser drawers to empty? Why am I making a blog entry when I have boxes to pack? Why am I making a blog entry when I have stuff  to give away or throw away?

Coffee is the answer. I do not want my coffee to get cold while I am cleaning out dresser drawers or packing boxes. I do not like to throw leftover coffee out, which is the reason I warm coffee up in the microwave. I do not like to drink cold coffee, so I sit down at the computer and compose a blog entry while I am drinking my warmed up leftover coffee.

If I drink coffee while I am packing, the coffee gets cold. I will warm up some apple juice when I go to pack because it does not matter if the apple juice gets cold. I can drink apple juice cold or warm, but this time of year I prefer my coffee hot. If I drink coffee while I write, my coffee does not get cold because I take a sip of coffee every sentence or so.

An Early Spring or not

a gray cloudy sky
all the oak tree limbs tinged green
a sparrow singing

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow so there will be an early spring. Phil did not see his shadow because lives in Punxsutawney, PA. and not Las Vegas, NV. If he were in Las Vegas yesterday, he would have seen his shadow. There were clouds on February 2nd, but they did not hide the sun and prevent shadows.

That being the case, "Will we have an early spring in Las Vegas or the rest of Nevada?" I am not sure. When I picked up the paper this morning, I noticed that the limbs of the neighbors' oak trees and slightly green. The air was damp and a bit chilly, but the birds are singing. This morning it is a sparrow, so that may indicate an early spring or happy bird.

Thoughts on February 1, 2013

Where did January go,
It seemed to melt like the snow
In the warm rays of the morning sun.

February 1, 2013 in Las Vegas the birds are singing. At least, they are in my neighborhood. When I picked up my morning newspaper a bird was singing in my pine tree. I am not sure of the species because I can only identify the songs of sparrow and nightingales. Whatever species it was, it seemed happy that morning had arrived.

It is a bit chilly and there is a slight breeze this morning. The limbs of the olive tree, in the yard across  the street, move randomly. When I looked into the sky, I say the half-moon and no clouds. Perhaps this will be a clear day. I did not watch the news last night or this morning, so I do not know the weather forecast for today.