Monday: A Poem

It's Monday 

The humidity is approximately 26% 

The temperature somewhere between 99 and 105 degrees 

A sweltering day in  Las  Vegas 

I just want to remain indoors  

Listening to the air conditioner's hymn. 

The Last Sunday in June 2016

It's the last Sunday in June 2016 with four days left in the month. I have completed 18 out of the 44 stories I committed to writing this year. If I reach 22 stories in July then I will have finished half the stories. I pray that I will complete four more stories by the end of July. 

The name of the next story is The Empty Chalice which is about a woman on a quest. I think I will open the story with her walking through a forest. That is a good way to begin a story, but I could just as easily begin with her walking through the streets of a modern city where she encounters a space-time portal that takes her to another dimension. Perhaps let the portal open onto a forest or a ruined city on another planet. 

I need to finish story 19 on or before July 1 that way I will only have three stories to worry about in July. I also want to write a poem about the 4th of July, but I'm not sure how to approach it. Do I want to describe a memory from my childhood? I have a lot of memories about celebrating Independence Day with my Grandma and Grandpa Newland in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Actually we very seldom celebrated the 4th in Blackwell. Usually we went to The Lake outside of Blackwell or to Lake Carl Blackwell several miles away in another county. I'll decide before Monday, July 4, what to write about. 

Prompt Me Monday: Summer's Arrival in Las Vegas

Prompt from a blog group on writing.com: We are dealing with Dangerous Heat here in Las Vegas. The National Weather Service has issues an Excessive Heat Warning for Southern Nevada (Las Vegas) northwest Arizona and Southern California until 9:00 PM on Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to get as high as 115 degrees. Write a story about someone dealing with excessively high temperatures. 

Ways to deal with extreme heat: (1) drink plenty of water and juice, (2) cut down on the coffee, (3) fill the bathtub with ice and sit down in it, (4) take a cold shower, (5) wash your head in cold water, and (6) take the dog for a walk in the early morning or late evening, and (6) put chocolate in the freezer so you don't get chocolate on your hands when you eat it. 

I know that isn't a short story or flash fiction about dealing with extreme heat. I might think of a story later today. If I do then I'll write it. This morning I'm just trying to warm up my writing. Even in extreme heat a writer has to warm up before writing a story. 

Monday afternoon in Las Vegas

This afternoon, we went to pick up one of my prescriptions. I intended to pick it up tomorrow, but since Tuesday is laundry day and we needed money for the machines in the laundromat we had to go today. It was warm but hot in the car. When we got to the supermarket, where I pick up my prescription, all the handicapped parking places were taken. I have a handicapped placard, so I can legally park in one of those places. The problem was, that one of the cars taking up a handicapped place was illegally parked (it didn't have a handicapped placard or tag).

As s results, I became a bitch. I'm 69 years old and use a walker because it's difficult for me to walk across a parking lot without getting winded or tired. I have a right to be a bitch when someone is illegally parked in a handicapped only place. It isn't that difficult for a handicapped person or elderly person to get a placard. If a driver or passenger in a card needs a placard then go to the Department of Motor Vehicles and get a piece of paper to take to your doctor. If a driver or passenger does not need one then pick a parking place a little farther away.

It's Monday afternoon in Las Vegas
I'm just cooling down
and transforming
from a bitch
to a fairly rested person,
however, my mood may change again
if I get pissed off.

Monday's Poem: Today I am...

Today I am grateful that
it's Monday
and the temperatures in Las Vegas
is warming up.

Today I am grateful that
the biopsy
was negative.

Today I am grateful that
I'm still able
to write a poem
or a story.

Today I am grateful that
I started
a new short story today
title The Year of the Monkey.

Writing Motivation Monday: Birthday Inspires Writing

On Thursday, December 24, I will be 69 years old. My upcoming birthday has inspired me to review my writing and my life. I looked back over the entries in this blog and realized that I have gotten away from the theme. Writing was the original theme, but in the past couple of years I have gotten away from that focus. Therefore, I have decided to refocus on the theme and compose blog entries on the aspect of writing. I will continue to attempt to make an entry every other day. I will continue to post ads because I think composing ads is an aspect of writing.

Daily Blog Themes
for this blog

Sunday: Sunday Writing Speculations
Monday: Writing Motivation Monday
Tuesday: Tuesday's Writing List
Wednesday: Writing Website Wednesday
Thursday: Thursday's Writing Research Topic
Friday: Poetry Form Friday
Saturday: Writing Success Saturday

Monday a Sad Day: Thoughts on blue Monday

Monday a sad day
when everything looks dark:
blue Monday morning.

Sometimes Mondays are joyful. Sometimes Mondays are sorrowful. Sometimes I don't want to get out of bed. Sometimes I can't wait to get up and enjoy the day. This time of year it's a struggle to look on the bright side because deep dark shadows get in the way. It's these times I have to focus on, prayer, meditation, and the scriptures. Without faith I would be a basket case (sorry about the cliché).

Writing, meditation, faith, and reading the scriptures keeps me focused on the positive aspects of the world. These four things also helps pull me out of the shadow of depression. This time of year depression is more of a threat then any other season. It could be because of the short days. It could be that some of my holiday memories are unhappy ones. It could be almost anything, including loneliness.

There are some weeks when the blues (I think I would rather use brown study) shows up on Sunday evening and last all the way to Tuesday morning. This week it showed up in the evening before I was ready to go to bed. I have to fight this darkness or it will get deeper and deeper. Prayers and scripture readings are lights that shine in the darkness. They scatter the darkness before it can get deeper. Writing my thought also helps me overcome depression.

Cloudy Monday

Beautiful morning
clouds cover the December's sky
Reveals patch of blue.

Monday's Motivation is Writing Through the Depression

It's Monday, August 31, and I am depressed. I was slightly depressed before I ate breakfast, but now I'm falling deeper into the darkness. I know when I'm depress because I always feel guilty, even when I have nothing to feel guilty about. The only ways I know to overcome this miserable emotions is to write and pray (not necessarily in that order).

I'm praying and I'm writing. The feeling keeps hanging on, so I think I may have to get out of the house and walk in the sunshine to overcome it entirely. Normally the feeling isn't this deep so it may be something I ate for breakfast. My breakfast today consisted of bacon sandwiches. Those shouldn't have caused an issue, unless the problem was the bread which is a carbohydrate. I suppose it could be part of the problem, but I can't figure out why it affected me so soon after breakfast.

Writing through the depression
means keeping the fingers moving
across the keyboard.

I don't know what else to do. I don't like to take to my doctor because she will just prescribe another medication. I'm taking enough medication as it is. Maybe the problem is vitamin D. I have to check my supply, I don't think I took my vitamin D tablet yesterday. I'll take one today and I have to check to see if I need any more vitamin D tablets.

Friday Feels Like Monday

It's Friday,
but it feels like Monday
with the shadows of depression
stalking me.

It isn't Funny Friday,
because I can't see the humor
in triple digit temperatures
and sever weather warning.

It's Friday,
I have to pick up a prescription
and go to the bank,
but they both open at 9:00 am
when the temperature raises
to 100 degrees.

It's Friday,
I can't see the laughter
in four 45 air conditioning because
that's what I have
in my car.

It's Friday,
I have to get out in the heat carrying
a bottle of ice water
and driving a car
with all the windows rolled down;
I want a car with real
air conditioning.

Monday Morning Writing Thoughts

It's Monday again!
The beginning of another week of chilly temperatures.
The first  full day of winter.

It's Monday again!
There are nine days left  in 2014.
There are two days left  before I turn 68.
There are three days left until Christmas.
I don't have to buy Christmas presents.
I don't  have to sing Christmas songs.
I don't have decorate my apartment.
I can wish everyone Happy Holidays
because I don't celebrate Christmas.

It's Monday again!
I have to plan my writing week.
I have to post Facebook status updates.
I have to take out the trash.
I have to visit my sister in the hospital.
I have to make my own breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
What else do I have to do?

It's Monday again!
I want to write a free verse poem
about my birthday and the New Year of 2015.

On a Sleepy Monday Morning in October

That title sounds like the beginning of a poem or mystery story, but this morning it is just the title of this entry. I am sleepy. I know that if I log out and attempt to take a nap I will not be about to sleep, therefore, the only thing for me to either continue to write or do housework. I do not want to do any housework because I have rewrites to work on.I also have a flash fiction story to write for a blogging contest on writing.com.

On a sleepy Monday morning in October,
I focus on one thing at a time
the is no multitasking this morning
and no singing depression's song.

That is a good one stanza  poem. That is the third poem I wrote this morning, so I have gotten this sleepy Monday off to a good start. I do not know why I am sleepy, perhaps I need something to eat. Maybe a turkey sandwich or something else.

I will have to get up in a few minutes to walk around so that I do not fall asleep on my keyboard. I cannot give into a nap this morning because I have too much work to do to sit down and sleep. The birds singing outside my open front door are not sleepy. In fact they sound cheerful and wide awake. The birds are so cheerful and happy that they make me smile.

Monday Thoughts on My Word Count Goal

It's after 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time here in Las Vegas. I still have over 500 words to write before I accomplish my 2,000 word writing goal today. I took my pen and paper journal with me when I went to the doctor this morning. I started a poem, I wrote four lines and that's all I got done. Most of the time I spent in the waiting room was occupied with filling out paper work.

The paper work would be easier to fill out if they had computer terminals for the patients to use in the process. At least it would be easier for me, but I'm not sure how many of the other patients would like it. Most of the people in the waiting room were over 50 years old. I know that has nothing to do with being computer literate because I'm 67 years old and I know my way around a computer and the Internet.

After I got out of the doctor's office, I went to Smith's Food and Drug store to pick up a prescription I dropped off on Friday. Anyway, by the time I got the prescription and bought a few items I was getting tired. I noticed when I got home that I couldn't think because I was tired. After I fixed a couple of piece of fish, it was easier for me to think and to write.

I'll accomplish the word count goal before midnight tonight, but being tired did not help my writing. I have to make myself eat something of a morning before going to doctor's appointments (unless the doctor tells me not to because of tests).

A Look at the Writing Week Ahead

I am looking forward to a busy week of writing, household chores, and interacting with humanity. On Monday, February 24, I have an appointment with a specialist at 8:15 am, so I need to check my  tote bag to make sure I have everything I need to take. Among other things, I need to take my pen and paper journal with me in case I have a chance to write while waiting to see the doctor. I also need to pick up a prescription (unless I get a chance to pick it up this afternoon).

On Tuesday, February 25, I have a dental appointment in the afternoon. This is to determine if I need to have my dentures relined. I also suspect I may have other problems. I need to find out what those are and how remedy them. I will take my pen and paper journal with me to t his appointment as well.

On Wednesday, February 26, I have to have the boxes of stuff I'm giving away in front of my apartment by 7:00 am for the truck from Big Brothers and Big Sisters to pick up. Most of the stuff is housewares I brought with me that I don't need or have room to store.  Then on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday, I have to go to the laundromat. I'll take my pen and paper journal with me because I know I'll get a chance to write while I'm waiting for the clothes to wash and dry.

I have a busy week ahead, so I think I'll end this entry, say some prayers, get myself a cup of coffee, and fix myself something to eat. It's going to be a long day because I have so much to do before going to bed or, at least, what I call a bed.

Tuesday Morning Thoughts: There is Something about Mondays

There's something about Mondays
that make writing difficult,
but not impossible.

I didn't make my word count goal yesterday, in fact, I fell short by 848 words. As I look back over the day, I know part or most of the reason was worry. True, I had people in the house all morning and it's difficult to write when you have company.

I also went to the grocery store on Monday afternoon to pick up my LEVOTHROXINE prescription, which was faxed to the doctor over a week ago. I had to call my doctor's office myself yesterday morning to find out  the problem. The office fax it "again" and I picked up the filled prescription in the afternoon.

I'm less worried today
and not as tired,
was weariness
and worry the cause
of writer's block.

Did being off the prescription for six or seven days cause the excess worry and weariness? I know that it caused to be hungrier then normal. I took the pill this morning at 5:10, so now I can fix me something to eat. I also think I'll set the alarm back to 4:00 am, so that I can take the table when the alarm goes off and then be able to eat about 5:00 or 6:00 instead of having to wait  until 6:00 or 7:00 am.

Monday Morning Thoughts on Coffee, Buttermilk, and Bananas

It's Monday morning again! I had difficulty getting up off the couch (all right maybe I need to consider purchasing a real bed). After about five or ten minutes I managed to get up turn off the alarm and take my first medication tablet (I have to take it on an empty stomach).

I finally got up started the coffee brewing and poured myself a glass of buttermilk. I took out the trash, finished or put away the dishes, and poured myself a cup of coffee. I then turned on the computers and started the virus detection scan on one. After that I ate a banana, took my second morning medication (age has its disadvantages), and poured myself another cup of coffee.

I think buttermilk, coffee, and bananas make a good first breakfast. I still have a banana left, so perhaps when I make oatmeal for my second breakfast I'll put a banana in it. I find that having two breakfast of a morning helps me warm up in winter.

December Monday Morning

December begun
with a bit of Sunday fun
morning prayers sung.

Monday morning arrived too early, I am still tired this afternoon. I waited out the morning chill, so now I have to go to the store before sunset. I have to get one or two items, but but they are important items. I cannot wait until my Social Security check hits the bank tomorrow, so I have to spend the cash I was saving for gas. Oh well, that is the way it goes.

Enough gas today
to drive to the store and back
tomorrow fill tank.

Working on my Monday To Do List

I made a good start to the workweek by checking off six things from my Monday To Do List.

1. I took all my morning medications.
2. I checked my Kroger I-Wireless account to find out how many minutes I have on my phone.
3. I checked the Be On for Publishers website for videos to post in this blog.
4. I checked the IZEA website for anything going on there.
5. I checked the Pay Per Post website for any leads.
6. I checked the Social Spark website for any leads or opportunities.

There are several items I still have to check and I have to decide whether to take another pain pill for my knee or wait until lunch or dinner. I pulled something in my knee on Saturday evening. On Sunday, I took a pain pill with my breakfast and another with my dinner. Those two pills help reduce the pain and the swelling in my left knee. I can walk much better today, the problem is getting up out of the chair after I finished writing or checking websites. I think I will have to limit my sessions at the computer to 15 or 20 minutes at a time.

It is not a blue Monday in Las Vegas

mostly cloudy day
sun peeks through a patch of blue
bright clouds reflect light

It is cooler this afternoon then it was last Monday afternoon. All day the clouds have covered the sky. This morning, pools of water stood in my driveway; they were leftovers from Sunday’s thunderstorms.

pools of rainwater
dry slowly on cloudy days
a slight breeze blowing

This morning a breeze blew through the neighbor’s olive and oak trees. The dead limb on the pine tree in my front yard remains attached to the tree. I have to find someone to cut the limb off or cut the tree down. At this point, the only thing I am worried about is finding the money for the next power bill.

humid summer days
remind me of Oklahoma
I prefer a dry heat

It is not a blue Monday in Las Vegas. I am not as depressed as normal. I have eaten a good breakfast and lunch. I have written three Haiku for this entry, all though I am not sure about the third haiku because of the syllable count.

Monday is not blue
all though blue patches shine through
the bright white cloud cover

Quote of the Week Monday: About Spring

The quote for this week is about spring. I know the first day of spring is on March 20, when the sun crosses the celestial equator going northward. However, since it is beginning to feel like spring, at least in Las Vegas, I decided to find an intriguing and thought provoking quote about my favorite time of the year.

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! - Sitting Bull

Found at Brainy Quotes about Spring

wind blows through the oak
pastel leaf bud  on brown limbs
greet the day's first light

When I went out this morning, I need a sweater instead of a heavy coat. The wind was a bit chilly, but not cold. The wind is still blowing this afternoon, I look out my window and watch the weeds in my front yard waving. I watch the birds flying from tree to tree or from the ground to the trees. The birds seem to think it is spring because they are building nests in preparation for laying their eggs and raising their chicks.