Tag: poetry

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10 Things of Thankful – March 1

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

purpleangels

Artwork by my niece whose work can be viewed on Instagram: ks_montgomeryartist

It’s that time again to express my 10 Things of Thankful or TTOT.

1. So, I did this for another challenge called The Six Sentence Challenge. I thought it fit in the theme of gratitude. You can hop over to read my actual post on my blog. Today, I wrote about the word “Clear” and I am grateful to have memories to work with to tell my story.  You can read it HERE

2. Gratitude for the gift of second opinions and that this has moved me on the right track with medications.

3. My two nephews who were in accidents and are on the other side. I did a post about Cardinals and I am grateful for the signs of those who have passed. Here’s the LINK…

4. Winning! I won a contest called “First Sentence Challenge” and I received my winning poster yesterday. You can see what it looks like HERE and my winning poem. Yay me!

5. I met a goal in my professional life and it’s going to help me do better.

6. I am almost done with taxes. The price mysteriously increased while I was doing them and I am not having that! So…time to call the tax people.

7. My blog friend, Jacki, who advises about finances. This is a huge interest of mine, since we have changed our lives to be more minimal and it’s really helped. Here’s her WEBSITE and I think it’s awesome! We used her website for a class in a meetup last week.

8. Humor! I turned on NetFlix the other day just to get relief from all the crazy! What a fun time just listening to comedy.

9. Connecting with people. It makes a big difference when we find people we truly connect with. This week I received a message from my friend who I promptly called, because texting was not going to work. I am happy that I chose to do so.

10. April 15th. I am grateful that it’s 45 days after today when that day comes.
Here’s the Blog Hop LINK FOR TTOT Why not take a look?

 

 

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6 Sentences – Clear

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

dolphinsswimmingby

Artwork by my niece may be viewed on Instagram: @ks_montgomeryartist

Clear

Clear as the ocean’s water in Maine, when I felt the cool water and the fish swimming by my legs, knowing a solid foundation, but loving the free feeling of the ocean’s sandy field.
Clear as the day when I decided to spring out on my own, knowing the risks and taking the chance to fall.

Clear as my mother’s blue eyes when she thought I was lost, only to find me poring over a book of patterns in the fabric shop, knowing then that, yes, this was her daughter and she was okay.

Clear as the natural part of life when I can just simply enjoy watching dolphins at play, coming close to the shores in the cool of spring, when horses trotted on the ocean’s sands, knowing the feeling of the breeze.

Clear as the moment when I just knew, beyond anything, that I was ready to be the person I was meant to be and succumbed to the joy of being.

Clearly, I see the ways of life and how they ebb and flow and how fortunate that in all the movements of life; I am still a part of the things that matter.

…..
Rules of the hop:
Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word.
Come back here on Thursday, link your post…
Spread the word and put in a good one to your fellow writers.
PROMPT WORD: CLEAR

Here’s the LINK!

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Cardinals As A Sign of Loved Ones

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

cardinal

Artwork by my niece given to her grandmother. See more works at ks_montgomeryartist on Instagram.

This seems to be the chosen season for many, not all, but many of those who have departed to be either having a birthday or death date. When I come upon certain dates, I look for signs that they may be saying “hello.”

One of the signs often seen are cardinals. Ironically, both of my nephews who passed away were big St. Louis Cardinals baseball fans. Keith, whose birthday is February 28, loved the Cardinals so much that his family wore Albert Pujols shirts for the funeral.

My other nephew has a birthday coming up in March. Michael was fortunate to get to have his picture taken at the Cardinals site in St. Louis. Every year, his mother would make the trek across Iowa to put a flag on his grave. If she could not make it for weather’s sake, there have always been close friends to help her decorate the grave. She is now resting with Michael. When going to the gravesite, it has not been unusual to see a cardinal paying a visit.

When I have gone for walks, I have seen cardinals and always say “hello.” You never know if it might be a sign from someone who has passed on.
I was reading up on this and found out that many times spirits come to visit in winged form. Remember the feather in Forrest Gump? You just never know, do you?

As I was searching online for significant information I came across this POST by Craig McManus I think he has valid points here.

Here are some facts about the cardinal bird. In looking at these, I can see how they would relate to those I have lost. How about you?

Cardinals mate for all their lives.

Cardinals do not migrate, which is why I saw the female hanging out at the pool in winter.

Both the male and female of the couple look out for the well-being of their young.

I wrote two poems about my nephews who both left too soon. They are in my book Heart Sounds, but I will share them here.

Keith

Little baby

Came so early

Such a tiny bit

Then he grew and grew and grew

Such a treasure

Such a joy

Such a talent

Such a boy

Trying and learning

Practicing and succeeding

Putting forth and taking hold

Like a man

Too short

Too, too short

To leave and not be known

Will not be the truth

Always, always alive

To those who love you

…

Michael

A little toy car in his pocket

A rock, a stick, and always dirt

A smile to blast rockets

A tree not unclimbed

A green apple chewed up and spat

A frog, a fish, a cricket knew their boy

Sleepovers many a weekend

Staying up late with music videos

Sharing pickle juice with your sister

Studying to know your knots

Sharing laughter about life itself

Sticking close to your sister

Turn around

Take a bow

Take a test

Take a vow

Try and try

To be the best that you can be

Then…

Then…

Then…

That’s the way the world spins

That’s the way the world ends

Turn around

Take a bow

Take a vow

Try and try

To be the best that you can be

My dearly departed sister, Michael’s mother, holding the cardinal painting received from my niece:

Paula with Cardinal

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10 Things of Thankful – 2nd Week of February

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

It’s that time again to express my 10 Things of Thankful or TTOT

1. So, I did this for another challenge called The Six Sentence Challenge. I thought it fit in the theme of gratitude. You can hop over to read my actual post on my blog. Organ donor, that I am, I am hoping there is something left of me to help somebody else. Right now, I am grateful my organs are serving me well.

My Post (88)

2. Along the same theme, I had a decent report at the doctor this week as far as numbers go. There are some goals, but I like that my doctor listened to me, I mean REALLY listened.

3. I mentioned the 14 Words of Love last time, but I am going to share what I posted that has meant a lot of love backs. It makes me happy when I can do something that sparks thoughts about how to make this world a better place. So here’s the graphic:
My Post (95)

4. Birthday weekend was lovely last weekend with my daughter. She turned 43. We went out to eat a couple of times and spent some good quality time together. I don’t have pictures other than those in my heart.

5. My daughter finished my loom blanket, so now I need to crochet the panels together. I am happy to get it. I will take a picture when it’s completed.

6. Valentine’s Day was sweet to spend with my love. We had a home cooked meal, neither having energy to brave the wild. He’s working long days and we will wait until the weekend to go out.

7. About 3 years ago we were given an ice cream machine and we truly love ice cream about #1 on the favorite things list. I have an awesome recipe which I make using erythritol and stevia since I try to avoid sugar. Here’s the Recipe: Low Carb Dairy Free Ice Cream and I made a batch last night.

8. House Slippers. I was given Uggs for Christmas and they have saved me from falling. That’ a great bit thankful!!

9. Weather has been pleasant and making it easier for me to walk to the mailbox.

10. Convenience Foods. Most of the time I do things from scratch, but lately I have been too busy and I am grateful that there’s about anything you can get in a convenience form.

Those are my 10! How about you?

Would you like to join in? Here’s the LINK to TTOT!!

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10 Things of Thankful – Last Week of January

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

I have decided to participate in the Ten Things of Thankful (TTOT) challenge. Here are my 10 things I am grateful for in the past week:

1. That I am Loved – Every day I am reminded of this and it makes all the difference in the world. I am so blessed with devotion and respect.
2. My Kid – She’s going to be 43 in February, but she’s still my kid and always will be. She is a blessing. It’s great to see what she’s done with her life. She leads well where she lives and she’s devoted to making a difference in other’s lives.
3. People went back to work for the government. Hallelujah!
4. Sticking to my food plan. Some days are better than others, but I am doing so much better. Lost 11.5 pounds since Jan 2. It helps tp have such wonderful support at home. Yay me!
5. Job opportunities for part time at home workers. They are there and I am grateful.
6. Quiet-I have always been one who needs some white noise or melody in the background while working on stuff, but I am getting more used to working without this sound. It came on me one day that I was writing in absolute silence and it worked. I don’t know if my brain is slowing down or catching up, but it’s nice to not have to think about it.
7. Hot herbal teas. I am trying to wean from coffee after mornings, especially on week days. It helps my sleep hygiene. Where did they come up with the term “sleep hygiene?” It sounds like a bath or shower before bed. That helps, too, but I don’t think that’s what they mean. And melatonin. I found a brand that works…not all are alike.
8. Fitness Center-We have one and use it. It helps to have a close place to get some exercise. And the walk there is a nice warm up.
9. Poetry-I participated in a Poetry Germination Workshop this past Sunday and it was great to get together with others with a common love for poetry.
This didn’t come from the workshop, but here is a poem I wrote yesterday. I try to write a small poem every day and work on others in my between times.

On Friday I am participating in a workshop about Sestina poetry. I set it up for my friend and fellow poet Aruna Gurumurthy, who has written several books, but her book Puppet Dolls is all Sestina poetry. You might want to take a look right here: Puppet Dolls

Soft blue, crocheted
Hand and heart into allure, feelings
like a new heart, new souls
enter her domain, cuddling
in the blanket, soft
protecting the skin, pink
cheeks and 10 toes, counting
turn around 3 times to a haze, blue
light in her eyes, looping
leaving, gone
Lisa Tomey

10. Cooking-I have been trying new things in the kitchen. That’s a given for me, as I have always liked cooking, especially trying new things.

Those are my thankfuls for this past week. What are yours? Would you like to participate? Click on this Link