Time-Out Tuesday: I Need a Day off

I need a day off
to recharge my batteries,
to walk in the park,
to visit my mother's grave,
or to take a staycation.

I need a day away from the house
to sit in the park,
to people watch,
or to go to the mall
for some retail therapy.

Monday Matters: Sunset Thoughts

It is sunset in Las Vegas
and the well of my inspiration is running low.

I listen to the noises of the neighborhood,
to the voices of children playing,
to the voices of adults calling,
to the sound of the neighbor's dog baking,
and I wonder what these noises will inspire
once my well is running full again.

It is sunset in Las Vegas,
the blue sky is fading
and darkening
into night.

I wonder
as I listen to the city's noises
what will happen
before dawn breaks
and a new day begins.

It is sunset in Las Vegas,
the temperature is cooling
from the high seventies
to the middle seventies
and then to what?

Sunday Review: Thoughts on Reviewing

I am a member of writing.com, a wonderful and educational, website for writers. One of the activities I do when I am logged in is review. I review short stories, poems, essays, and articles. When I read a piece, I write my review in a template, which contains three headings: First Thoughts, What I Liked, and Final Thoughts. This is my latest review template, which I change about once every two or three years.

I am in the process of changing my review template now. I am considering the following headings: What I Like, Technical Problems or Typos, and Suggestions. I like this template better then the once I am currently using, but I think it could be better. I am attempting to create a review template that covers the basic aspects of review a finished story or poem. Therefore, I think I need to do a little more research on reviewing.

I am planning to create, at least, two different templates. One template for reviewing poems and one for reviewing other items. My deadline for the final template is May 30, 2014 and I have already did the research for the poetry template, so the only thing left to do on that is decided on the headings and create the template.

Second Thoughts Friday: Thoughts on Writing and Blog Themes

It is Friday, April 25, 2014, I am having second thoughts about composing an entry on today's blog theme. I have attempted for several years (I think I began in 2006 or 2007) to establish daily themes for both my blogs without much success. I used to think the problem stemmed from being a caregiver because between 2007 and 2012 I took care of my mother who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

I do not think the stress of being a caregiver was the problem. My mother died on November 29, 2012 and we buried her in December of 2012. I spent thirteen months, between November of 2012 and December of 2013 in a fog, struggling to pay the electric and cable bill. I came out of the fog on January 1, 2014 and then in February of this year the house finally sold. I moved into a studio apartment in February. I'm still struggling to pay the cable and electric bill, but I can pay the rent.

This morning, I began to write on the theme of the day which was either Fragment Friday or Poetry Form Friday, and realized that I had nothing to say on either subject. I decided to make this Second Thoughts Friday because I could not think of anything else to write about. I am ready to give up the daily theme idea entirely, at least in its present form. What I think I will do is make a list of blog themes that I can use on a daily basis and pick a random theme for each day. I will give this a try for the rest of 2014 and see how that works for me.

Man on a Roller Coaster

Watch the twist and turns. Listen to the scrams of laughter. Watch Ria, at 70 years of age, ride the roller coaster for the first time. Click on the video below and watch the thrill and the fun. Vodafone celebrates people dong things for the first time.

April Winds in Las Vegas: A Haiku

April winds are blowing
Scattering pillion and dust:
Where are April rains?

The Breakup: A Story About Garment Collecting

This intriguing video by H&M is about reducing our carbon footprint by giving new life to old clothes. When you take your old garments into H&M stores, they will be reworn, recycled, or reused. The Garment Collecting Initiative started in the spring of 2013 and since has collected close to 5000 tons of textiles, which is enough fabric to make about 15 million t-shirts. Click on the video below to watch this thought provoking video.

Monday Matters: A poem and Ideas for Poems

Monday afternoon
I purchased a new broom
To sweep my apartment clean

I went shopping this morning for cleaning supplies, specifically a new broom, dustpan, and sponge mop. The first store I stopped at was the 99 Cent Store where I purchased a new broom, dustpan, and a few other items. However, the only type of mops they had were spaghetti mops which I have difficulty using. so I went to the Dollar General where I bought a sponge mop, a spare sponge for the mop, ice cube trays, and dish washing liquid.

Normally, I do not go to more then one grocery store in a day, but today was  special. I needed the mop because the only one in this apartment is a spaghetti mop. In addition, to cleaning supplies I also have an idea for a poem. I think I will call it Ode to my New Sponge Mop. Perhaps I need to get out of the apartment more often because I think my muse is being starved of inspiration.

Fragment Friday: Haunted

Fragments of last night's pain
haunt my mind,
as I as the important question:
What did I eat
to cause this episode?

The pain was so bad that I could not sit at the computer so I logged out and went to bed early. When I lay down I curled in the fetal position because that usually helps when one of these episodes occurs. It helped a little, but not very much. I finally gave up, sit up, opened my prayer book, and said the long healing prayer. That helps because after I finished the prayer I was able to lay down without difficulty.

Fragments of last night's pain
haunt my memory,
now the question arises:
How can I feel so good this morning
when I was in such pain last night?

Join the Coffee Revolution

Café Cuba, India's first Coffee Revolution, is the story of people who dared the create something different. Click on the video below to find out about the stimulating taste of coffee that has the effervescence of fizz. Learn about Coffee 2.0 and liberate your taste by joining the Coffee Revolution.

Morning Weariness

I tossed and turned all night
listening to strange noises
that would wake me with a fright.

I am weary of sleeping on the couch
watching the reflection of headlight
off my apartment walls.

I overslept  and feel rushed,
but I wait patiently for coffee to brew
so I can start my day off right.

Photoshop Live: Charlie and the 3D Egg

Charlie, the chick, is looking for some excitement, looking for something to alleviate the boredom. How does he do this? Click on the video below and watch Charlie create a beautiful egg by using a 3D printer.

Monday Writing Matters: Focus on Accomplishement and Getting out of the House

With the exception of taking the trash to the alley, I have not gotten out of the house since last Tuesday eventing when I attended the Feast of Glory. I did accomplish some stuff, not everything I wanted to accomplish, but I am getting used to that. Staying in my apartment for five days did prove one thing, which is that it does not make any difference in the amount of writing and work I accomplish by remaining home every day instead of going out. The only thing remain home did was lower the amount of gas my car uses, while it increased the amount of electricity I use at home.

writing on Monday
morning a necessity
starts the week off right

I have to focus on necessities and accomplishments today, which means I have to start going back to the gym and my exercise classes. I have to force myself to get out today so that I can go to the gym and the store. I think two  places is enough to go any day of the week with both housework and writing to do at home. I can accomplish a reasonable amount of things at home while still doing two thing out of the house.

it takes time to write
it takes time to do housework
make a to do list

Success Saturday: April 6-12, 2014 An Interesting Week

This has been an interesting, which means a partly stressful, week. I thought I had a problem with short story block when the week begin, but I have solved that issues yesterday when I word a short story about the coming total Lunar eclipse. When I wrote the story I was restricted by the word count, which was 1,000 words or less for the writing.com contest. That particular the daily contest is over, so I can consider rewriting the story and adding things that I could not put in because of the word count restriction.

I also managed to overcome the problem I had on Tuesday and Wednesday about making my word count goal. I have managed to make the word count goal three or four days out of six (I have to check my goals spreadsheet for the exact number).

I had no trouble meeting my review goal this week. I do seem to have an issue reading stories of over 2,000 words, but I expect to solve that problem either today or tomorrow. This weekend there is a review challenge occurring on writing.com, which should solve the issues of reading longer items. I will know by 9:00 pm Pacific Standard Time if that issues is solved by the number of reviews I complete today. If I can complete 15 reviews of short items in one day then I should have no trouble reading stories over 2,000 words.

Thoughtful Thursday: Writing and Gratitude

Today is Thankful Thursday, the day that I attempt to list ten things I am grateful for or to have. I am having a bit of difficulty finding those things and it is not because I have nothing to list. The problem is sitting down and making the list. I start to make the list, my mind goes blank, and the question arises "Am I experiencing Writers' Block or Gratitude Block?"

I am facing a similar issue with stories. I sit down to write a story and, even if I have a prompt, I end up writing a poem. My muse wants to focus on stanza and line rather then plot and character. In addition, it appears that I am facing rewriting block. I am not sure what is causing this problem, maybe it is not getting to the gym or anywhere else since Tuesday evening. On Monday, I sent to the gym, and then on Tuesday, I attended a spiritual gathering.

On Wednesday, I awake to find I was extremely short on an item I need in order to get out of the house. I only have two of those items left, one in my purse and the other in the glove compartment of the car. I do not have enough money to purchase a small package of the items. The only cash I have in the house is laundry money and the money in the bank is already promised. I am at my wits end and I am not sure what to do about it.

I suppose the best thing, under these circumstances, is to start a gratitude list. Therefore, today I am thankful,,,

1. ...that I have enough coffee to last me the rest of the week;

2. ...for the large package of chicken legs I received when I went to Lutheran Social Service because I can fix chicken soup with those and the vegetables I have in the house;

3.  ...that I still have an internet connection and am able to get online;

4.  ...for the beautiful sunshiny day I see when I look out my window.

5.  ...that the electricity is still turned on so that I can fix me something to eat;

6. ...for the six bottles of water I received from Lutheran Social Service when I went on the last Friday of March;

7. ...that I brought two Tupperware© meat keepers with me when I moved from the house because now I have something to store the chicken legs I am not cooking today;

8. ...for the Farmers' Market coupon I received at the beginning of April because now I have something besides canned vegetables to put in my chicken soup;

9. ...that my mood has changed since I woke up this morning because now I have a more positive attitude then I did earlier today;

10. ...for the air conditioner that cools my small apartment down to a comfortable level.

I found ten things to be thankful for, which proves that if I simply sit down and focus on the subject I can overcome whatever type of writers' block I think is afflicting me at the moment.

Tuesday Tasks: Catching Up

Catching up is the only thing I am going to accomplish today. Yesterday, I planned to do the laundry, but that did not happen because I started my day catching up on the stuff I did not accomplish yesterday. I still have to do something with the vegetables I purchased at the Farmers' Market on Monday morning. I will make a salad for lunch to go with the ground chicken I took out of the freezer yesterday.

I thought it would take the meat longer to thaw, but when I checked it this morning it was thawed and ready to cook. I will cut up some of the green onions I purchased and cut those up with the meat. The salad will contain Roman lettuce, green peppers, and radishes; I suppose I will use the salad dress I have in the refrigerator. After lunch, I will continue catching up because I have a lot more to do before I go out this evening.

This morning I wrote two poems and submitted them to contests. One of them is an Earth Day poem about green cities. Earth day is on Tuesday, April 22, so I probably have time to write another poem or story. The other poem is a genealogy about the aunt I was named after. I feel that, even though I am catching up on chores I should have completed last week, it is a good day. This afternoon I am not as stress as this morning, but that may change as the day wears on.

Question: Can a machine connect two strangers over coffee?

Is it possible for a coffee machine to connect stranger from all over the world? The Coffee Connector is ready to make its debut at the Time Warner Center in New York. Click on the video below and find the answer to the question "Can a machine connect two strangers over coffee?"

Short Story Sunday: Rushed

Rushed out of her mind, with a thousand things to do. She removed the broom from the kitchen junk closet and began sweeping the floor. Sweeping the kitchen floor always calmed and helped her focus. Today she needed to focus, not on all the things she had to do, but on one task at a time. Panicking would not accomplish anything and would only leave several chores half completed.

Staring at the small pile of dirt in the center of the kitchen floor, she looked around for the dustpan. Shaking her head, she leaned the broom against the refrigerator and went back to the junk closet. She opened the door, looked in, and then closed the door. Going over to the counter by the sink, she picked put a piece of cardboard and used that as a dustpan. She put the broom and cardboard in the closet before going into the entrance hall to pick up her purse and keys.

As she got in her car, her cellphone rang. She checked the number, and seeing it was her sister, she put the phone back in her purse and let it ring. She just had too much to do to get involved with a long conversations. "I'll call her back later," she whispered as she backed out of the driveway and went to the supermarket. At the supermarket, she turned into the parking lot, found a space close to the entrance and went inside.

As she was pushing the cart toward the deli, her phone ring again. Removing the phone from her purse she checked the number, with a sigh she answered it. "What's up, Sis?"

"I don't have time to..."

Fragment Friday: Spring Fever and Scattered Thoughts

I am still suffering from the bout of spring fever I caught on Tuesday. I recovered from it a little bit yesterday after I paid the rent and went to the gym, but it is back with a vengeance today. The cloud cover seems to have made matters worse and me more depressed.

This afternoon my thoughts are scattered, roaming over several different subjects with no focus. I listen to the noise of happy children or young people playing outside.  I remember my youth when I did not have a care in the world. I remember days of joy when I played and laughed with my friends and siblings. It seems like only yesterday when I played chase or hide-and-seek, but it was decades ago and states away. I smile wistfully remembering those happy carefree days.

I am still suffering from spring fever, my thoughts are scattered, and unfocused. I should have gone to the gym or to the laundromat today, but their is no use shoulding on myself this late in the afternoon. The sun is sitting and I have no desire to go to the laundromat when I know I will return home after dark. I will go on Sunday morning.

Friday afternoon
a cloudy day in Vegas
dreaming of childhood

Thoughtful Thursday: A Change in the Wind

There is a change in the wind
the subtle aroma of spring
accompanied by a wind chill factor.

The oak tree in the court yard
is alive with leaves
it seems like just  yesterday
its branches were bare,
but the wind still feels
like snow.

Sparrows and pigeons congregate
under the oak tree
or on the roof,
waiting
for the change in the wind
that feels like spring.

I can feel
a change in the wind
the approach
of warmer weather
or is it rain
I smell?

Midweek Reflections: Spring Fever and Writing

I feel restless. I want to write, but I don't know what subject I want to write about. My muse is restless and wandering across numerous subjects. I also want to do spring housecleaning, which is unusual because I don't like cleaning house. I don't like sweeping, but I want a new broom so I can sweep my apartment. I don't like mopping, but I want a new mop to mop the floor.

I have a spaghetti in the bathroom that I'm tempted to us and I despise spaghetti mops because they are difficult to use and they don't work as well as a sponge mop (which I also dislike). I'll try the spaghetti mop in the bathroom and see how it does on that floor. If all it does is move the dirt around, I will have to find a different mop to use in the rest of the apartment. Since I live in a studio apartment with ta tile floor, I should be able to use the spaghetti mop without it bothering my back too much.

I caught spring fever,
restless and dissatisfied
it's still cold outside