Mother Earth

Lemony-green willows branches slow dance to the wind's hushed tune. They are saying, "We are at peace and love our Mother." Listen to the breeze. Pay careful attention to its whispers, for it prophesizes what goodness or malevolence shall come to us. You may always walk on Her, but remember to tread lightly. She will always comfort you no matter where you lay your head. Get to know her as you run your warm-blooded fingers through Her soft, cool blades of grass. Breathe in the air; the sigh from Her bosom when the wind kisses your cheek. Taste the rain; the nourishment she provides us when we thirst. Run through Her rainbows and laugh in the sunlight to give Her your thanks. These many blessings were made for you and your children, so that She may never be alone; to experience happiness with you. Take care of Her precious gifts so that you may be part of Her once again.

Proud of Giving Blood

My father was an inspiration in my decision to give blood to others. I was absolutely floored when he told me that he has given over 20 gallons of his blood throughout his lifetime. I remember seeing how proud he felt on the days he'd arrive home with a new T-shirt in hand and a Band-Aid on his arm. I wanted what he had. No, I didn't want T-shirts.
I wanted to be able to give the gift of giving.

According to The 2007 Nationwide Blood Collection and Utilization Survey Report, blood is needed every two seconds. There have been instances where blood is not available to perform an organ transplant because there isn't enough blood to save that person's life. When that is the case, there's nothing doctors can do. Death is not replaceable. Blood is.

There are 10 pints of blood in the average adult body. Donating requires only one pint of your blood to be taken from you. ONE PINT. You will survive, I promise. Even if you might feel ill while you are in the process of donating blood, you'll get over it in no time. I got over my discomfort in a few minutes. A few sips of Sprite and a nice nurse that told me to keep coughing was all it took to make me feel normal again.

It doesn't take long to give blood. It never takes over an hour. I was only with the American Red Cross for less than thirty minutes. Your tiny amount of time will produce an infinite amount of thanks to someone who was on the brink of death.  

I wholeheartedly agree with that old saying. I believe that life is like a delicate, tiny flower. One wrong footfall, and it could be crushed forever. My goal is to live a long and happy life. It feels good to know that I could possibly give that same goal to someone else. Anyone who gives blood to save a life is doing an incredibly beautiful, selfless act.

Today!

Childhoods are Golden

My son had a slumber party a few nights ago. As I was listening to their giggles, I started to remember all the good times I used to have when I was their age; playing dress-up, imitating Joker and Batman, or trying to make up excuses so my little brother (since he was a boy) couldn't play with us girls.  

Without saying a single word, he doesn't allow me to forget my childhood. I am reminded of how happy I used to be at his age. For that, I'm pretty thankful for the reemerging memories. So when he wants to be with his best friends instead of hanging out with "Mommy", then I'm perfectly content with that. He's just enjoying his childhood.

I'm certain that my little boy will be waving goodbye as he drives off to his new life sooner than I'd like him to. So for now, I am enjoying the sound of his innocent giggling as his friends tell him jokes. The constant popping noise of Nerf Darts against the wall isn't a big deal. I don't even mind that he yells for me  ("MOM!!" )  when he and his best buds need a snack. After all, putting together Legos is such hard work!  

Before he goes to bed, he whispers so low that his best friends won't hear what he truly likes to call me, "I love you, mommy".

I smile, trying not to baby him too much, but I just can't resist the urge to respond, "I love you too, my little man".

He pulls the covers over his head because his face is probably red from embarrassment. The moment is worth more than all the freckles on his face and the hundreds of Lego pieces spread all over his bedroom carpet.

I loved my childhood, but I especially love experiencing his even more.

Lost Songs

I compose music in my head. They are transported onto the keys of my Yamaha YPT-400. Although an old keyboard, I love it. Each note rings as vibrant to me as if was a Bösendorfer grand piano. But that's only because each key I press is a vision that I create in my mind that also comes from the depths of my very soul. They are the keys to my heartache, happiness, and lunacy.

It's been almost a year from today since I sat down to play with the sisters and brothers I've created. They've escaped me because I have not practiced within that time frame. I hope they come out to play soon. I regret that I've forgotten their melodies; their visions. If only I knew how to read them.

If only...

Maybe they'll come back to me in a dream. I'll wake and run straight to my little piano and allow them to breathe once more again. Come what may; the joy of my sunshine or in the darkness of my sadness, all twenty-something songs will come out to play with me again.

Oh, life... why must you always manage to get in the way?

In Another Life

This is a poem I wrote for my father on Father's Day. It's about a father of varied greatness (my dad) who keeps saving his little girl (moi) throughout different lifetimes. It is the quest for unconditional love and never giving up no matter what the cost. And even though he is not part of my blood, he has always been a huge part in my life. Some say blood is thicker than water. If that were totally true, I wouldn't have received the love that I've been given all these years.



In another life you were a regal Lion
You ruled the Savannah with no worry of threat
Until I had to leave the pack to make cubs of my own
For I became a Lioness and we went our separate ways 

I truly believe that you were once a great King
Fighting battles and ruling your realm without fear
Until my wedding day came and you were afraid
To give your Princess away to her Husband

In another life we were hiding in an apartment
You taught me how to see what good was left in this world
Though confined, frightened, and hardly any food to eat
You tried to be happy for my sake
Until the Gestapo broke in and took your little girl

There was a time when you almost saved my life
We rode as far as we could from the Great Fire of Rome
But piercing arrows caught up with our fleeting horses
As everything went icy; we tasted Summerland instead of blood
Holding hands as we lay wounded in a field of asters
We knew we were finally going Home

But every time our souls left us and traveled Home
Stars reunited us and sent us back to Earth
It is our destiny to always end up together it seems
So never fear that we will separate forever
You'll be walking over a different bridge with me

In this lifetime you made a neglected orphan happy
You loved me when no one else took me in
It seems like you keep rescuing me only to find me running away
I know I haven't always been gracious but I always have been
Even in a different lifetime your Daughter will be grateful
And I will love you then, my Father and Hero,
As much as I love you now

Sweet Ass Tarts

My husband made this concoction up one day and we really like it. We didn't know what to name it, so being in a silly mood, we came up with "David's Sweet Ass Tarts" --or more specifically for my friends across the Atlantic-- "Sweet Arse Tarts". Sounds a bit creepy, but they're actually pretty good!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees and set aside:
1 can fruit filling of choice (about 21 oz, 1 lb)
1 box Jiffy Mix pie crust

Mix Together:
1 cup plain, instant oatmeal (dry)
3/4 cup light brown sugar
5 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted


Prepare the Jiffy Mix as instructed on the box.
Roll the dough thinly and cut pieces with a 3 inch round cookie cutter.
Grease muffin tins (I love Baker's Joy non-stick spray); for easy clean-up, use cupcake liners.
Press the Jiffy mix cut-outs into the bottom and sides to make the crusts.
Fill the shells with fruit filling only 3/4 of the way.
Spoon oatmeal mixture onto tops.
Bake for about 15 minutes.

Great with a dallop of Cool Whip on the tops after they're baked.

Enjoy your sweet ass tarts, ya'll!