tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18087304456365632632024-03-15T18:11:30.462-07:00Becoming Me-Upside Down
My "TAKE" on life -
daily observations, anecdotes, laughs . . . stories.Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-75280737279347164482023-07-21T10:56:00.001-07:002023-07-21T10:56:55.353-07:00Summer Storm<p>I had been having a particularly good hair day. I had recently gotten my hair cut much shorter. I was tired of the frizz and the effort it took to make it look decent, only to get fed up with it and put it up in a clip almost every single day. Ladies (especially in your 50s), I'm sure you understand the battle. </p><p>I took my good hair and my dogs out in the back field for a walk. </p><p>Off in the distance, the faint sound of thunder drew my attention to the dark storm clouds forming in the west. We normally have an impressive number of thunderstorms during the summer months, but none so far this year. This one looked and sounded pretty far away, and I thought to myself, <i>just like the others, this one will lose steam or change direction. This one will disappoint. </i></p><p>What seemed like a long while later, long after the dogs and I had come inside, the wind began to pick up, and those dark clouds that had been forming off in the distance, were now encroaching. A few raindrops began to fall, and then I noticed that my stack of plastic flower containers (that had been left sitting in the alcove outside the back door) one-by-one began to fly past the kitchen window. With the rain beginning to fall, along with the strong winds, I debated whether or not to chase them down, or wait until the storm was over. </p><p><i>But, who knows how far those things will fly. </i></p><p>Then, I saw one of the patio chair pillows take flight. So, I quickly pulled on my boots and began to chase them all down. I grabbed the pillow first, then went after the containers, which were mostly scattered between my house and the neighbor's, but the wind was playing a game of takeaway, and just as I would go to grab one, the wind would snatch it up and blow it in a different direction. </p><p><i>This has to be comical to watch.</i></p><p>After I finally grabbed them all (so I thought), I turned the corner to go back inside the house. The direction in which our house sits, in addition to the fact that we are surrounded by open fields and farmland (no interference from the trees), it's like living in the middle of a motor speedway for wind. So, when I turned that corner, the wind smacked me so hard it pushed me backwards, sending a few of those containers sailing, once again. As the rain began to come down harder, I decided to let those go, and quickly made my way towards the back door, grabbing the poor, single potted, wind-pounded petunias, along the way. </p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Wind-whipped and wet, I kicked my boots off in the mudway, and happened to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. </span><span style="text-align: center;">I call it a mud<i>way</i>, by the <i>way</i>, </span><span style="text-align: center;">because it's not really big enough to call a room,</span> <span style="text-align: center;">but it is the shoe holding area (muddy, and otherwise), as well as the passage<i>way</i> to the bathroom, outside, or the kitchen, depending on which </span><i style="text-align: center;">way </i><span style="text-align: center;">you go. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Any<i>way,</i> what I saw in the mirror resembled some type of hairy canine who had just been hanging her head outside the window of a stock car, racing down the straightaway at top speed. </span></p><p><i style="text-align: center;">So much for the good hair day. </i></p><p>The storm stuck around for a while. It was slow moving, which would explain why it took so long to arrive, and why it hung around for so long. It was like the party guest who is last to arrive, and late to leave (not that we've been entertaining any parties, lately). And, the wind did not seem to let up. Our grill, which is bolted to the ground with rebar stakes, looked like it could take flight at any moment. It was bolted to the ground, by the way, because a previous storm (several years ago), sent our last grill tumbling across the yard, and was left resembling a disassembled tin man. </p><p>After what seemed like about twenty minutes (or so), the storm finally subsided, and the tin man stayed intact. What was left behind was a beautiful evening, as well as a few more stray planters that were discovered and collected the following day. The storm left behind a little surprise, as well - one tiny piece of paper that could fit in the palm of my hand, swept up from somewhere, lying in the grass, in the same field where I walk the dogs, with some words written on it:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Signals</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>When the light is green you go,</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>When the light is red you stop,</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>But what do you do</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>When the light turns blue</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>With orange and lavender spots?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Shel Silverstein</i></p><p>As for my hair, I will have other good days. Simply can't beat a good summer storm. Nor, a Shel Silverstein poem. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2NbqzlkNgeralS79ooF4rV-fahqN3udmW52X5rFb16eRdlUDtMVzzHSLNkN3-VdJ1Z3IvXBfRgcdwv-zM42121likdBCHXOc991ZQiR2eRzGdGJsEsseSc4S6duO09iEUTvZctpzkwx9oYiMBbkGXUm3grg3J24mI1T4R2aTAyn5W9m6O9LHnX3jqpg/s2946/IMG_7048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2946" data-original-width="2269" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2NbqzlkNgeralS79ooF4rV-fahqN3udmW52X5rFb16eRdlUDtMVzzHSLNkN3-VdJ1Z3IvXBfRgcdwv-zM42121likdBCHXOc991ZQiR2eRzGdGJsEsseSc4S6duO09iEUTvZctpzkwx9oYiMBbkGXUm3grg3J24mI1T4R2aTAyn5W9m6O9LHnX3jqpg/s320/IMG_7048.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-10301079053280862842022-08-16T09:08:00.003-07:002022-08-16T10:07:03.720-07:00TODAY (A Corn Salad)<p><span> </span>Three (or four, or five . . . I lost count) 100-degree days in a row. Even the dogs would begin the u-turn back toward the air-conditioned house, just a few minutes into their normally 10 minute-plus long walks. </p><p>But, today, TODAY . . . </p><p><span> </span>we had a nice, morning rain. It began as a heavy downpour - a parental pounding on the roof, prematurely waking me before the alarm, before settling down into a steady rhythm. It rained for several hours, turning all of the dips and ruts in the country, gravel and dirt road into tiny rivers and ponds. This made driving Logan to school a bit more of an adventure, maneuvering the car this way and that to avoid all of the camouflaged potholes. During the ride back home, I pressed the buttons on the radio, until I found the right one. Something about the rain always makes me go back to my roots, and the desire to listen to classical music. </p><p>On my way home is the local vegetable stand. Every Thursday, I stop by to pick-up my prepaid allotment of farm fresh vegetables and fruits. This has become my favorite kind of shopping. By the time I arrive, the symphony of rain has come to an end, giving way to whimsical, white clouds and an iridescent blue sky. </p><p>The stand is more of a market - roof covered walls, with openings on three sides. And, as I am greeted by the reds and yellows and greens of tomatoes, squash, and peppers; watermelon, cucumbers, and basil, there is an incredible cross-breeze blowing through - a breeze so pleasant that it makes you stop what you are doing, breathe it in, and envelope it, as if it's the best feeling you've experienced in a long, long time. </p><p>After filling my bag with all of the wonderful colors and scents, shapes and textures, I continue down the road toward home. Just before turning into the little hamlet where I live, I pause for a mother deer and her two fawns. They nervously stare for a long moment, before safely tucking themselves back into the tree-line, from where they came. </p><p>Minutes later, the dogs greet me at home with their usual enthusiasm - as if I have been gone for days, not just hours. "Hola, mis perritos! Como estas?" I say to them. I have been brushing up on my Spanish skills, this summer, and trying to put them to practice. The dogs are a forgiving audience. </p><p>I lay my bag full of goodies on the table and, like a child at Halloween, begin to plan and prioritize my loot. It will all get eaten, but the corn, red peppers, onions, and cilantro will be just perfect for a salad to go with the local sausages, thawing out in the fridge. I just love it when a meal comes together, as if the meal chooses me, not the other way around. </p><p>After I finish sorting and organizing, I take the dogs for a walk. With the temperature much more comfortable and pleasant, I would have thought the dogs would be more energetic, but Max, especially, stood, still as a statue, and lifted his nose into the air. It was as if he was taking in the same experience as I did, when I was standing inside the market. "Are you catching a good scent, Max?" I asked (in English - I haven't learned that in Spanish, yet). He seemed to be smiling, and answered with a wag of his tail. I kept the dogs outside a little longer than usual, before going inside to begin cooking the corn. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB8mXVVAiLyKHAhTsfygdzdHnGO7leQt-EU7kgZ6xVZ5Ka6ddr1IjYPMa2ioOXWHO6iLdhPaFdLOS3gzFmtB8l4xIRUFfJcEqBrl90Fgw3Jqw1qpAsnByIJAS4T4gkF4Urwrmp3-WYDy0UYFSp_TbR3dYpNiPX3-MkK1OVy3Ys3dapawjw8C-J2wX/s1766/35323233-7695-47AE-A828-4241743852DB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1766" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB8mXVVAiLyKHAhTsfygdzdHnGO7leQt-EU7kgZ6xVZ5Ka6ddr1IjYPMa2ioOXWHO6iLdhPaFdLOS3gzFmtB8l4xIRUFfJcEqBrl90Fgw3Jqw1qpAsnByIJAS4T4gkF4Urwrmp3-WYDy0UYFSp_TbR3dYpNiPX3-MkK1OVy3Ys3dapawjw8C-J2wX/s320/35323233-7695-47AE-A828-4241743852DB.jpeg" width="261" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-85452295022663651492020-06-30T08:37:00.002-07:002021-03-22T09:14:21.029-07:004th Try is a Charm - Coronavirus Times<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">Current day circumstances require that I plan for a trip to the local market. </span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is no spontaneous "running up to the store" for milk.</span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">And, these days, I never bring my purse with me - </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> just my credit card and driver's license, usually in my back pocket. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">First try, they were closed. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a Friday, and I had forgotten that the family-owned, </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Jewish market closes at 3:00, </span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">in observance of Shabbat. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">Home, I went.</span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tried again on Sunday. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I parked the car, and began to gather my stuff - empty milk bottles (to return), </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> mask, </span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">credit card . . . SHIT! </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I FORGOT MY CREDIT CARD. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">Home, I went, again. </span></div>
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<i style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't have it in me. Not today</i><span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I said to myself. </span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">Try number three happened Monday. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I walked out of the house with my mask (empty milk bottles, still in the car), </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> made it halfway to the car before I realized I had left my credit card behind, AGAIN! </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fortunately, I remembered early, this time. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I retrieved my credit card, and drove to the market. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I parked the car, and began to gather my stuff - empty milk bottles (to return), </span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">credit card, </span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">mask . . . mask . . . mask . . . WHERE is my MASK??!! </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHIT! FUCK. <span style="font-size: large;">REALLY??!! </span></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">After frantically searching around the car, between and underneath the seats, </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> I realized it REALLY wasn't there. And, </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had a moment when I thought, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i> it won't kill me (or anyone else) to not wear my mask this one time. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Shame on me for thinking that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Home, I went. Again. </span></span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I found my mask on the walkway, between the garage and the house, </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> rolled my eyes and scooped it up. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I am NOT dragging this out another day! </i></span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I went back to the market, again. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I parked the car, and began to gather my stuff - empty milk bottles (to return), mask, </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> credit card . . . </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">YES!!! </span> </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can hear the voices of my "twenty-something" kids, but these days it is true - </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I just don't get out enough. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">4th try was a charm, though. </span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">And, at least the drive to and from the market is a pleasurable one. </span></div>
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-51132696797392439462020-01-08T09:54:00.002-08:002021-06-25T07:36:41.823-07:00With Appreciation and Sympathy <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Though the sound of the wind from inside the house made me hesitate,<br />
the morning was calling to us (me, and the dogs).<br />
Winter's playground was looking for a friend.<br />
The sun shined brightly above the snow;<br />
sparkles of light upon the star of the show.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">The beautiful, white landscape, with its lines and its curves, edgeless and never-ending.</div>
The wind, more energizing than biting,<br />
blowing ripples across the water in the nearby pond.<br />
The day, with all of its brightness and beauty, making me feel alive<br />
in the way that one should feel alive - full of energy and awareness,<br />
appreciation and presence. <br />
<br />
And, in another part of the world, the star is burning.<br />Not in the way that sparkles and shines in the warmth of the sunlight on a winter's day,<br />
but in the heat of a life-threatening battle - a flame-scorching, take-no-prisoners, relentless and destructive, heart-wrenching fire.<br />
<br />
Oh, how I wish I could send our blanket of snow your way, to sooth and ease your burns. </div>
Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-26857730982596234402019-11-15T10:54:00.000-08:002019-11-15T10:54:54.344-08:00The Gift of Silence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a beautiful, crisp, Autumn day, though it felt more like winter. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was the first cold spell of the season, so I was bundled up more than usual. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The dogs and I were walking our normal, morning path. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">We like to walk toward the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> back corner of the property, where the wire fence begins, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and a single tree sits. I am not sure what kind of tree, but it is beautifully shaped, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">and has large, almost whimsical looking leaves that, come October, turn a golden shade of yellow. Now, midway into November, the leaves have long since fallen from the tree, exposing its bare branches. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the other side of the fence is a cow pasture that spreads out, over rolling hills, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> toward the horizon. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">On this day, as we were walking, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I noticed some movement in the field, far ahead. And, as my eyes focused in, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw that it was a deer, full-grown, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">running and leaping through the tall grasses, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as if her life depended on it. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were almost at the fence line, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">and her path was a straight line toward us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The dogs had not, yet, noticed, so I stopped, and stood as still as I could. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was sure she would see us and change her direction, but she did not. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seconds later, she, effortlessly, leaped over the cow fence, and flew past us so quickly, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and so silently, that even the dogs were caught off guard. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the dogs let out their delayed responses of barks and growls, I stood there in awe. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I live in a place where I see deer almost daily, </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> but I had never witnessed one so close, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">moving so swiftly. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span>And, the silence of it - wow.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Had my attention been drawn elsewhere, I would not have even noticed she was there. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought to myself, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">whatever happens with the rest of my day, I have this. </i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Nature is awesome. </span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1ktQoGcY3u8twf3TVrRvGq3LMwRxzROmoQ0ejB9LMWdxT7XzWu_Br4wGk5hgp_S4kkuXE8GM2iCGzt7N7Wo0hEMKrjyNOcohjks-clR3sA4EDi2wh0uU3M8vu6xzlC32xZxnkgrsO0w/s1600/IMG_6352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1600" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1ktQoGcY3u8twf3TVrRvGq3LMwRxzROmoQ0ejB9LMWdxT7XzWu_Br4wGk5hgp_S4kkuXE8GM2iCGzt7N7Wo0hEMKrjyNOcohjks-clR3sA4EDi2wh0uU3M8vu6xzlC32xZxnkgrsO0w/s640/IMG_6352.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-11429040257627027212019-10-03T10:04:00.001-07:002019-10-04T06:32:22.846-07:00Falling Leaves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Look up!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">at the </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> falling leaves,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">beautiful colors on a breeze.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Drifting and sailing, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> dancing and floating,</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">gracefully landing . . . with ease.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbLMxPgU3WFh-BqgzYOTocFXUMZg6iWzpw9WrXg0G3e7MJ4Pb2bWB3SaIG1cJQoLYu4F5KOPKv4XyLe-T_orObnR2JWpjKRY1VNq9UZNvvEG_CCUsfz5cQDiz_iIdTZ_8-bgUKTNUZUU/s1600/54207_10200175358213031_845875282_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbLMxPgU3WFh-BqgzYOTocFXUMZg6iWzpw9WrXg0G3e7MJ4Pb2bWB3SaIG1cJQoLYu4F5KOPKv4XyLe-T_orObnR2JWpjKRY1VNq9UZNvvEG_CCUsfz5cQDiz_iIdTZ_8-bgUKTNUZUU/s320/54207_10200175358213031_845875282_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-9698995683636752732019-04-18T06:17:00.000-07:002019-04-18T06:17:00.660-07:00Winter Canvas <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDMFQ6XAvvLNyx5QzlSpPJoWzqAj6adf6Dhiyg56-Yy4yLjusObpBf9aeL2BD2IrpzJJasObPzATtDXJti1Z_6slQ4B1qOBE-bGZz9mI1UZlS5xoKAHGPIsP8c6-xqsLg6aUESzBLek8/s1600/IMG_4940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDMFQ6XAvvLNyx5QzlSpPJoWzqAj6adf6Dhiyg56-Yy4yLjusObpBf9aeL2BD2IrpzJJasObPzATtDXJti1Z_6slQ4B1qOBE-bGZz9mI1UZlS5xoKAHGPIsP8c6-xqsLg6aUESzBLek8/s640/IMG_4940.jpg" width="418" /></a><i style="background-color: white;"></i><br />
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></div>
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stark white, </span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">against the grays, </span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> against the blues; </span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>the curve of the gravel road, </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>the distant mountains, </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> painted with snow; </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>branches - reaching; </i></span><i style="background-color: white;">shadows -</i><i style="background-color: white;">seeking.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-89772032190008069562019-03-28T07:55:00.000-07:002019-04-18T12:54:28.374-07:00Chatter in the Night<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It always happens in the middle of the night.<br />
Charlie noticed it, first, immediately bringing it to my attention by frantically walking all over my face. He is a small dog, but, nonetheless, it is somewhat disconcerting to wake up to.<br />
I tried to ease his fear by putting my hand on his back,<br />
telepathically sending him "calm vibes", but it didn't work. His entire body trembled.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This isn't going to go away</i>, I thought. <i>I am going to have to fix this. </i><br />
<br />
I fumbled around on the nightstand for my glasses, and gracelessly forced myself into a standing position. Now, both dogs were awake. Max, however, was completely unbothered by the annoying disturbance. Any time his people are moving about means the possibility of playtime or outside time - the two things he lives for.<br />
<br />
Leaving the dogs in the bedroom, I began my search on the main level, slowly lurking from room to room. I cautiously listened upstairs, but the noise seemed to be moving further away. I made my way toward the basement. It was definitely coming from down there.<br />
Finally, I found the culprit, and I stared it down.<br />
Or, should I say "stared it up", as I was clearly staring at the ceiling.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>You little SHIT, </i>I thought to myself.<br />
<br />
I went back upstairs and grabbed the stool, from the kitchen. Back into the bedroom, I went to the drawer in the hutch that contained batteries. I could not remember which type this particular problem required, so I gathered a bunch. Tools in hand, in my sock-covered feet, I marched back downstairs. I set my batteries on top of a dusty chair that was conveniently located within reach. I unfolded the (one and a half foot tall) stool, and stepped my (five foot, two and a half inch tall) frame on top. Arms, stretched above, there was still no way I was going to reach that thing.<br />
<br />
<i>Sigh</i>.<br />
<br />
I went back upstairs, and back into the bedroom. I hovered over Mike, willing him to wake up. <i>Clearly, I needed to work on my telepathic skills</i>.<br />
I gave him a little poke, and said (in a pathetic, "I give up" kind of way),<br />
<br />
"I need your help. I can't do this."<br />
<br />
Apparently, he was already aware of the problem. I mean, I don't know how he couldn't have been, but the man can sleep through anything. He slowly stood up, without question.<br />
<br />
"I have a stool, and batteries," I told him.<br />
<br />
"We need a 9 volt," he said.<br />
<br />
<i>9 volt. Of course</i>, I said to myself.<br />
<br />
I went back to the hutch and was able to find one hiding out at the back of the drawer.<br />
Mike, the dogs, and I went down to the basement to take care of the problem.<br />
Five minutes later, we were all back in our beds. The problem had been resolved, Charlie was no longer walking all over my face, and there was<i> silence. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>Until . . . <b> </b><br />
<br />
"You realize," I said, "all of the other ones are going to start chirping, too."<br />
<br />
"Huh?" Mike asked.<br />
<br />
"The smoke alarms. Once one battery dies, they all die," I responded.<br />
<br />
"Yep. Better replace them all, soon," he said.<br />
<br />
"I'll buy more batteries, tomorrow," I said.<br />
<br />
"Okay. Good night. I love you. No more talking," he said.<br />
<br />
"Okay. Good night. I love you, too," I replied. <br />
<br />
And, there was no more chatter, in the night. </div>
Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-25913811899276287262019-03-03T13:13:00.000-08:002019-03-03T13:13:10.759-08:00Hearing the Quiet - Taking a Break from Facebook<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I know, I know, lots of people do it.<br />
And, it's not as if this is some profound statement/action that should be recognized as such.<br />
I have, also, completed my first week of my six week exercise challenge -<br />
20 minutes of power walking, and at least 20 push-ups a day for 6 days, each week,<br />
which is way more impressive than refraining from wasting away hours on a social network site. <br />
<br />
Anxiety is what led me to do it.<br />
<br />
I did not realize how much Facebook was contributing to my anxiety, until I left it.<br />
It has only been a week, and my brain feels so much more. . . <i>quiet. </i><br />
And, when I have a thought worth sharing, I share it with my husband,<br />
or with other tangibles in my life, instead of throwing it out there and seeing where it sticks.<br />
<br />
The thing is, I always felt like I had a healthy relationship with Facebook.<br />
<br />
For me, it was mostly a creative outlet -<br />
a place where I could post my daily photos, and random thoughts about life.<br />
I tried to keep it light and fun, though I would occasionally slip up and let my emotions,<br />
my personal, or my political beliefs get the best of me, which I would usually regret.<br />
For the most part, though, if I enjoyed something, or if I saw humor, or beauty,<br />
if something made me think, or if I saw irony, or if I learned something,<br />
or if there was something I was proud of, I would share it.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed others who used Facebook in the same way. <br />
<br />
But, I increasingly saw lots of posts that made me feel much like I was reading through<br />
my old high school year book. I did not enjoy high school.<br />
There were parts of it, and people whom I enjoyed, but in general, high school made me anxious.<br />
I spent most of my teenage years in it, and yet, very little of it seemed REAL.<br />
Much like how I started to feel about Facebook. <br />
<br />
I am under no illusions.<br />
<br />
I have only been away for a short time, and though I am in no hurry,<br />
I know I will eventually return. Good, bad, or otherwise,<br />
Facebook is the place where people communicate important information and events.<br />
I missed one notification, already. Good thing I know people who are still on Facebook,<br />
with whom my only communication isn't through Facebook.<br />
<br />
If I were on Facebook, today, I would probably post a photo, or a video<br />
of the snow that is gently falling. It is a lazy, Sunday afternoon; even the dogs are napping.<br />
I am doing some writing,<br />
everything is still, and. . . <i>quiet</i>. <br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-5466486009647961992018-09-27T07:55:00.000-07:002018-09-27T07:55:00.666-07:00Unleashed <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't let his expression fool you. He is lucky he is still alive. He is lucky he is so darn cute. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yesterday, just as a fast moving storm was about to unleash upon the earth, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Charlie decided to chase my neighbor's car. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> "Charlie!" I yelled. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> "CHAR-LIE!!!" I yelled, again. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But, he did not listen. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He chased that Subaru, as if it was his last important mission. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tried to chase after him, but I was wearing two-inch wedged flip flops, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and my feet kept falling off the edges of my shoes. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And, suddenly, it was POURING. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I decided to turn back toward the house. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wind was blowing the rain sideways, and into my eyes, which made it difficult to see, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> especially with contact lenses. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tried to cover my eyes with my hands, but there was just SO MUCH RAIN. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My feet began slipping all over my shoes, so I took them off, but it hurt too much to walk on the sharp gravel, even with the buffer of the soft, thick mud. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I made it to the stairs, and as I began to walk up towards the front door, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Charlie blew past me. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He stood at the top, wagging his tail, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> looking at me as if he had just experienced the adventure of a lifetime.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Wasn't that fun? Wasn't that fun? Wasn't that fun? </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Can we go inside, now? Can we go inside, now? </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I'm really wet! I'm really wet!</i><i> </i></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Completely soaked to the bone, hair, dripping wet, feet - covered in mud, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> contact lenses,barely holding on to my eyes, and steam, coming out of my ears, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I opened the front door, where my 9 year-old stepson stood there, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">and said, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">"OH, my GOD!!!" </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not sure if God, or anybody can save that dog, right now, I said to myself. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> "Can you get me some towels?" I asked. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like I said, good thing he's so darn cute. </span><br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-29058814555679268612018-02-01T08:14:00.000-08:002018-02-01T14:26:02.031-08:00The Forgotten Banana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We decided to try a 3-day cleanse. What does that mean?<br />
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A LONG list of groceries, and a LOT of time, organizing and prepping for meals. </div>
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"Why are we doing this?"asked Mike.</div>
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"I'm not sure," I realized. "Oh, YES! It's supposed to reboot our metabolism."<br />
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IT'S JUST 3 DAYS. WE CAN DO THIS!</div>
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<u>Day 1 (Breakfast):</u></div>
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1 egg, 2 egg whites, with sliced cherry tomatoes, basil </div>
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(but, I forgot to buy basil, so I used spinach), and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese</div>
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Coffee, with 2 tablespoons 1% milk, or 1 tablespoon half & half </div>
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1 banana</div>
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"This coffee looks really watery,"said Mike. </div>
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"Hmmm. Maybe it's because it is not our usual coffee (that I did not intend to purchase)," </div>
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I replied. </div>
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"How much half & half am I allowed?"Mike asked.</div>
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"One of these," I said, as I handed him the teeny tiny little spoon.</div>
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Look of disbelief. </div>
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"Did you intend to buy lactose free half & half?" Mike asked, as he showed me the carton.</div>
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"Ummm, no," I responded, unsuccessfully trying not to laugh. </div>
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"For someone who is a creature of habit, this sure is a lot of changes for one day,"said Mike.</div>
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Later that morning . . . </div>
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"OH, shit. He forgot his banana." </div>
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-45386236531505524512017-11-14T10:51:00.000-08:002017-11-14T14:02:48.015-08:00Morning Bus Stop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We stepped outside the back door, where early morning greeted us;<br />
the sounds of nearby hawks, awakened us.<br />
Charlie dove out into the cool air, sniffing his way through the long grasses.<br />
Now, mid-November, most of the Autumn colors have turned into various shades of brown.<br />
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We piled into the car, and drove down the gravel drive, feeling the grit beneath the tires.<br />
Around the corner, we followed the fence line, where the cows in the neighboring field<br />
were enjoying their morning graze.<br />
Just beyond, evergreen trees popped out against the gray clouds.<br />
And, as we drove to the bottom of the hill, two young deer cautiously entered our path,<br />
their mother, not in sight - just behind, or just ahead.<br />
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And, beyond the gravel drive, the grit in the tires, the grazing cows,<br />
beyond the evergreens, the two young deer (and their mom),<br />
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red, flashing lights, on a yellow school bus.<br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-89979239424303009942017-10-19T07:41:00.001-07:002017-10-20T06:42:15.385-07:00Truth or Coincidence? For the Love of Scrambled Eggs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once upon a time, I started feeding Charlie scrambled eggs. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just a few crumbles, in the morning, on top of his regular food. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He used to be patient. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would eat my eggs, first, allowing time for his eggs to cool. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And, he would sit quietly. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As time went on, however, he grew less patient, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">staring at me, at first, with with his wide, chestnut brown eyes, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as if willing me to pour the eggs from the pan; </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">eventually, adding a whimper, or a small grunt, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">progressing into an impatient bark, or two. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Sometimes, I forget about the eggs, cooling in the pan.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Charlie will intentionally position himself directly in front of me, and with several loud, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">demanding barks, let me know that he is no longer messing around. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>This morning, I forgot.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was engaged in a television program, when suddenly, the show paused. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked over to my left, where, two cushions over, sat the remote. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And, next to the remote, sat Charlie, staring at me with those pleading eyes. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coincidence? Probably.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But, somehow, Charlie had pressed the pause button with his paw, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> which reminded me about his eggs, cooling in the pan. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Only Charlie knows the truth, and he knows he loves his eggs. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-65178457660957860932017-10-15T13:39:00.000-07:002019-03-28T13:09:38.690-07:00My New Normal <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We were out of eggs.<br />
<br />
Jack, 21, and Logan, 8, rode their bikes down the lane to pick up some farm fresh eggs and peppers,<br />
and surprised me with some hand-picked flowers, beautifully arranged in a mason jar. Scrambled eggs, with basil (from a local, hydroponic farm), oven roasted peppers, and cinnamon french toast, like the kind I made when the older kids were younger.<br />
<br />
Sunday morning breakfast.<br />
<br />
The sun was trying hard to break through the cloud covered sky, and the temperature was just pleasant enough to open up a few windows,allowing the fresh, country air indoors. After breakfast, the hypnotic breeze drew me outdoors, onto the front porch, where I sat, and watched, and listened.<br />
Tall grasses, blowing, large birds (maybe hawks, or the less popular vultures), soaring; tree shadows, reaching across the land. Butterflies. Monarch butterflies! Dancing, all around.<br />
<br />
This is where I live, now, and I can't believe it's not temporary.<br />
And, I wonder if it will ever get old.<br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-26891143403928676862017-10-13T06:10:00.000-07:002017-10-13T06:10:59.584-07:00New Neighbors: Ignorance is Bliss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are cows in my backyard.<br />
<br />
I can see them from every window, across the back of my house.<br />
Technically, they are not in MY yard, but in the pasture, behind.<br />
And, they are not MY cows, but belong to the farm, just beyond.<br />
<br />
Still, every day, I see them.<br />
<br />
There is comfort in knowing that they are there.<br />
<br />
Tan, and brown - some, with patches of white, they saunter along the field.<br />
Their tails, like tassels, on an old-fashioned shade, swish back and forth;<br />
their ears, twitching, reacting, to the subtle sounds around.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, they lie down in the field, resting from hours of grazing,<br />
almost disappearing into the landscape.<br />
So "chill", these cows.<br />
Whatever their fate, they look healthy, relaxed . . . content.<br />
<br />
Charlie cannot see them.<br />
He is too small, and the windows, too high.<br />
Only from atop the brown chair, in the living room.<br />
<br />
He has, yet, to meet them up close,<br />
and though I would imagine it is only a matter of time before he does,<br />
it is best that he does not.<br />
If he is as relentless with the cows, as he was with the squirrels, back home,<br />
he will yap at those poor cows for HOURS.<br />
<br />
It is a temporary peace. <br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-48306548114371531572017-09-30T16:12:00.004-07:002021-04-22T06:27:55.650-07:00Lost Lane<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I love a good breeze.<br />
Especially, an ocean one.<br />
Though I am far from the ocean,<br />
the breeze from my rural, front porch, this morning, felt AMAZING.<br />
And, the cooler temperatures felt invigorating.<br />
The signs of Autumn are finally here!<br />
<br />
The gift of this beautiful day inspired me to take Charlie for a walk.<br />
He wasn't sure about his new leash and collar<br />
(he jumped when he heard the abrupt "click" of the buckle),<br />
but just as I am sure he will warm up to his new home, he will adjust to his new wardrobe.<br />
<br />
We took a left turn, out of the gravel circle, which leads to a dead end.<br />
I had driven it before, but wanted to experience it by foot.<br />
The sky was a gorgeous, crystal, baby blue,<br />
like the color that once graced the walls of my childhood bedroom.<br />
<br />
Charlie seemed a little nervous on our walk, holding his tail down.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>It's okay, Charlie, this is new to both of us. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Actually, though, as we walked past the line of tall trees,<br />
filled with birds that I could only hear, not see, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and past the lush, green farmland, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
rolling with a healthy crop of (what looked like) soybeans, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
this all felt familiar to me. It reminded me of childhood, and camping,<br />
and horseback riding; of summer camp, and my imagination. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As we approached the end of the street, we came upon a clearing, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
where the bright green distinctly meets the crystal blue. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And, there is a street sign that reads: Lost Lane. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I smirked, as I said aloud, "Do you feel lost, Charlie?" </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Charlie looked at me, but did not respond.<br />
<i>Yea, sometimes that's a tough one to answer. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
We turned around to follow the lane back.<br />
As we entered the gravel drive,<br />
I released Charlie to let him run toward the house.<br />
And, in that moment, watching Charlie run free, I felt energized, inspired,<br />
and in awe of the beauty around me.<br />
<br />
<i>Lost, </i>I thought.<i> I definitely do not feel lost.</i><br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-76549386099378327412017-09-27T17:41:00.004-07:002017-09-28T05:54:15.013-07:00Old and New<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here I sit . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
amongst the familiar tapestry from one house ago, sipping coffee
from a familiar mug; </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> the faint sounds of crickets, outside my window. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">WINDOWS, actually, for there are lots of them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The natural light and landscape fills every room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No need for pictures, framed upon the walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than the chirping of the insects, and the occasional
whir of the air conditioner, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the sounds are<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
silence</i>. Were it not for the memory, the exhaustion, and the tired muscles,
worn down from all of the packing, unpacking, and heavy lifting of stuffed, cardboard
boxes, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
my mind could be tricked into thinking this is some remote vacation
home, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
tucked away, far from the hustle and bustle, and stress. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am surprised how comfortable the silence feels. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I saw our first deer, the other night. Dusk, really. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A
mother and two young ones, but not so young as to show their spots. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slowly
creeping along the back field, their ears perked up with curiosity, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
as they glanced over at the newly lit house that was now filled with life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wonder if
they will now change their evening path, or if they will learn to trust their
new neighbors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each morning, since we arrived, the sunrise has been absolutely glorious. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With no veils upon the windows, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am awakened by beautiful and vibrant shades of orange and red. </div>
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And, from my bed, if I lean forward just a little bit, I can see the fog, </div>
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hovering just above the earth, making everything look magical; mystical. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Charlie seems confused. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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I think he, too, believes we are on vacation. </div>
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But, all of the old smells are here, combined with lots of new ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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And, there is no fence to keep him confined. </div>
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Confined or comforted, I am not sure, </div>
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as he seems to be unsure about what to do
with all of this open, limitless space. </div>
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I am sure he will adjust. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writing. I am writing! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I even tinkered around on the piano,
this morning. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just a few scales and chords. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was thinking about getting rid of
the piano, as it is seldom used, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and seems to crowd the new space. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, maybe,
in this new, inspired setting, it will play music, again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or, will that wear off, after the technology arrives. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right
now, there is no tv or internet to be distracted by. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That will change soon, however. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The technician
is on his way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can see his van leaving trails of dust ,behind, as he drives
up the gravel road. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This place really is beautiful.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h0IAb1fhhFZE34RfT9I-Y30zzhTDprybmZy-Q1_cshGbZqOoJLg3_aCdW79qtzqb1gsprMJLFFI4m89_w8zAt3KdunjD2kluf9SODtNr3-1xnb9_GH5Lo3L-oQTaS-PudbqWHpefcaU/s1600/22008293_10210083915679001_2529370916132720462_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="582" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h0IAb1fhhFZE34RfT9I-Y30zzhTDprybmZy-Q1_cshGbZqOoJLg3_aCdW79qtzqb1gsprMJLFFI4m89_w8zAt3KdunjD2kluf9SODtNr3-1xnb9_GH5Lo3L-oQTaS-PudbqWHpefcaU/s320/22008293_10210083915679001_2529370916132720462_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-14033070778103883852017-07-13T09:01:00.002-07:002019-03-28T13:00:22.600-07:00Avoiding Temptation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We had dinner at one of our regular hangouts. Unfortunately, they serve REALLY good bread, which (during our time of restraint, in an effort to lose weight) we try REALLY hard to avoid. We do this by saying "no" when the server asks if we would like some.<br />
<br />
On this particular evening, we were not asked, and a basket of bread appeared before us. One quick, shared glance, and my fiance' pushed it away.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"We'll pretend it's not there," </i>we said, in hushed voices.<i> </i></div>
<i><br /></i>
About five minutes later, another basket appeared, with barely a sight of the culprit.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Is this a joke?</i></div>
<i><br /></i>
My fiance' pushed it aside, where it hung out with the others. Our meals finally came, and we had successfully avoided both baskets of bread.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Phew!</i></div>
<br />
After our plates were cleared, out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of something. My fiance' noticed it, too. It was being carried upon a tray, as if under a spotlight,<br />
and the music seemed to change, as it glided across the room. We wondered which lucky soul it would land upon, when . . .<br />
<br />
"It's on the house," said our server, as he placed it in front of us, slow motion style.<br />
<br />
Two white and beautiful, perfectly round scoops of vanilla ice-cream,<br />
melting into one warm,<br />
perfectly molded,<br />
soft and gooey serving of . . .<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">BREAD PUDDING</span>. </div>
<br />
I wanted to yell,<b> "TAKE IT BACK! YOU'VE MADE A MISTAKE! TAKE IT BACK!" </b>But, the tempation was more than we could bear. Instead, we picked up our spoons, and with a shared look of surrender and approval . . .<br />
<br />
"We're going in."<br />
<br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-47513192899787033382016-11-02T12:04:00.001-07:002016-11-02T12:08:37.711-07:00Overactive (adj) - excessively active. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The bedroom windows were open, bringing life to the outdoors.<br />
I had been lying awake for hours, it seemed, when I heard a strange noise.<br />
The noise was subtle - a shuffling sound that was moving at a repetitive rate,<br />
getting closer, and closer, until . . .<br />
<br />
<i>It's a jogger</i>, I said to myself. <br />
<br />
I reached across the nightstand for my glasses, and sat up,<br />
bringing focus to the tiny, blue numbers on the cable television box -<i> 5:00</i><br />
<br />
<i>Who on earth jogs at 5 a.m. ???</i><br />
<br />
Then, I thought,<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I have been lying here, awake, for hours - </i><br />
<i> jogging would probably be a much better use of my time. </i><br />
<i>IF I had the motivation. Which, I don't. </i><br />
<i>Think I'll just continue lying here, with hopes that I might fall back to sleep</i><br />
<br />
About ten minutes later, I heard another noise.<br />
Similar to the noise of the jogger, but different.<br />
As the noise got closer, I realized it was someone walking.<br />
<br />
<i>More my pace</i>, I thought, <i>but STILL way too early</i>.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Sleep, sleep - come on, sleep!</i><br />
<br />
More minutes passed, and I heard, yet, another noise.<br />
As it got closer,<br />
it sounded like several walkers, who were, also. . . TALKING.<br />
<br />
<i>THAT'S IT,</i> I thought. <i>It is DEFINITELY WAY too early for TALKING!!!</i><br />
<br />
I rose from my bed, pushed open the screen, and popped my head out the window.<br />
<br />
"KNOCK THAT SHIT OUT!" I said. "PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!"<br />
<br />
Of course, that last part happened in my mind, where most of MY early morning activity happens. <br />
<br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-2908197342299145432016-06-15T06:22:00.001-07:002016-06-15T06:22:05.404-07:00Curb Space<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Don’t let the solid, rectangular piece of steel fool you. The entrance to my house is a revolving door. In the morning, I count the cars to know who is home. Even without visitors, it would appear to the average passerby that we were throwing a small shindig; a gathering, at the very least. Hopefully, my neighbors don’t mind that we take up more than the normal amount of curb space, sometimes spilling over to the other side.</div>
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Recently, we visited an Open House. Beautiful house for sale in the small town of Purcellville, but there was no driveway (just a modest-sized garage), and no curb parking. “We would have to run a shuttle service,” my partner and I remarked. We laughed at the vision of purchasing a golf cart to transfer kids and guests to and from some remote, gravel lot.</div>
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My partner and I included, we make up a family of seven. All but the seven- year-old drives their own car, and even he is dreaming of the day when he can hold his own set of keys. Our house, right now, is practically ideal: 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, a carport with a driveway AND curb parking, although, the driveway is on a steep slope.</div>
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Recently, a neighbor knocked at the door. “Um, your car is rolling down the driveway…” It was my partner’s jeep. Since then, we only park one in the carport; all other vehicles on the curb.</div>
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One morning, the inventory of cars did not add up. After questioning each of the physical bodies in the house (including the seven-year-old), we concluded that there was one unidentifiable car. There is a path that runs along the side of our house that connects to the adjoining neighborhood. Periodically, someone will park in front of our house and use the path as a cut through. This one car, however, began parking there every day, ALL day; always arriving and leaving, unnoticed.</div>
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“We need to do something about that car,” commented my seventeen year old, as he stared at the car with disdain. He is the youngest of the drivers in the house. “He is messing up our parking.”</div>
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He was right. He WAS messing up our parking.</div>
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On a normal day, there is one car parked in the carport, three on one side of the driveway (in front of the house), and one on the other. When the mystery car parks, only two can fit in front of the house, causing overflow to the other side of the street.</div>
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But, he wasn’t doing anything wrong.</div>
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According to the county parking rules, unless he left his car sitting for ten or more days, we could not have it towed. This person returned to his car every day, and though it was strange that he was parking there(visiting Mrs. Robinson, perhaps?), it was not illegal, so there was not much we could do.</div>
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“Unless we put a note on his car,” I suggested.</div>
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Something like . . .</div>
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<span class="markup--strong markup--p-strong" style="font-weight: 700;">To Whom it May Concern:</span></div>
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<span class="markup--strong markup--p-strong" style="font-weight: 700;">We respectfully request that you park at your place of “business”.</span><em class="markup--em markup--p-em" style="font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'salt' 1;"></em><span class="markup--strong markup--p-strong" style="font-weight: 700;">Parking here disrupts the amount of curb space needed for the residents who live here. </span><em class="markup--em markup--p-em" style="font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'salt' 1;">If you continue to park here, we are not responsible for the disappearance of your car.</em></div>
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<span class="markup--strong markup--p-strong" style="font-weight: 700;">Cordially,</span></div>
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<span class="markup--strong markup--p-strong" style="font-weight: 700;">NCS (Neighbors for Curb Space)</span></div>
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Of course, we would omit that last line. Revolving door is okay; doors with bars, not so much.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-67906405198690481382016-06-01T07:16:00.000-07:002016-06-01T17:09:42.164-07:00"Violets are Blue, Rosacea is Red" <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the lovely features of getting older, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> apparently combined with my Scottish and Irish heritage </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">(thank you, Great, Great, Great, Great . . . somebody), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">is that my skin has been breaking out like a teenager's. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a LOVELY name for it: ROSACEA. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why such a lovely sounding word, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> associated with such an annoying condition??? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Rosacea</i> sounds likes <i>Roses</i>, as in . . .</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> "Roses are Red, Violets are Blue..."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">or, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Everything will come out smelling like roses" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">or, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Take time to smell the roses." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, what IS Ros(acea)? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.870588); line-height: 18.2px;">A condition that causes redness and often small, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.870588); line-height: 18.2px;"> red, pus-filled bumps on the face." </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.870588); line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;">"Violets are blue, Rosacea is red" </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.870588); line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;">LOVELY.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.870588); line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;">And, there is no cure.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">One SHOULD, however, stay away from the following </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">(deep breath): </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>red wine (and most alcohol), </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>chocolate, </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>avocados, bananas, and most tropical fruits, </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>the sun, </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>the wind, </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>humidity, </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>extreme heat, </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>extreme cold, </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>caffeine, </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>exercise, </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>spicy food . . . </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><i>STRESS! </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;">WHAT'S LEFT?</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;">I'M STRESSED OUT THINKING ABOUT IT!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2px;">Sigh . . .</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">I suppose I could look at the bright side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;">There is a French proverb, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"No rose </span>withou<span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">t a thorn." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a Chinese proverb, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"A thorn defends the rose, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">harming only those </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">who would steal the blossom." </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />I suppose I could think of myself as a beautiful rose; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> my rosacea, defending me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">HA!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Certainly gives new meaning to the old joke, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Does your face hurt? Cuz it's KILLING ME!" </span></div>
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<br /></div>
Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-81480970206865521162016-02-15T07:00:00.000-08:002016-02-15T07:00:28.057-08:00Buying Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's early morning, and the winter brown earth has been awakened by white. <div>
As I sit, looking through the window of my suburban home, all is still. </div>
<div>
The only movement, that of the softly falling snow. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Quiet, peaceful; serene. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I imagine this scene through the window of a small, rustic cabin - </div>
<div>
no threat of a disturbance from cars, busses; snow plows. </div>
<div>
The only noise, the occasional snap of a broken tree limb.</div>
<div>
Or, the crackle of flames, from a warming fire. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The refrigerator hums, and I quickly come to. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I sit, looking through the window of my suburban home, all is still.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I could stare out at the snow for hours, or for however long time will allow. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-53811874047219430042015-11-19T06:01:00.000-08:002017-06-29T07:22:46.795-07:00Anomaly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Moving.<br />
Going through the motions; collecting. <br />
Memories. <br />
One by one. <br />
Mechanical.<br />
Emotionless.<br />
Just, collecting.<br />
Putting them in bags, in boxes, steel vaults.<br />
Sealing them up with ties, with tape, with locks.<br />
Shipwrecked debris, barely surviving; drifting along. <br />
Staring up into nothing.<br />
Thinking nothing.<br />
Feeling. . .<br />
nothing.<br />
<br />
Until, a strange sight comes into view.<br />
<br />
There, in the corner, above the bedroom window,<br />
where the wall meets the ceiling,<br />
sits . . . a frog. <br />
<br />
<br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-73402505359093157782015-02-11T13:29:00.000-08:002019-03-05T06:34:00.070-08:00Shit, Plop, and Crash - 3 Short Stories<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">SHIT</span></div>
<br />
<br />
Toilets.<br />
<br />
They clog.<br />
<br />
And, when you aren't accustomed to using a particular toilet,<br />
there is no telling the load that it can hold.<br />
I felt like I was in the movie "Along Came Polly", only I wasn't Polly.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was Reuben.</div>
There was no pet ferret to interfere, however, there was a pet rat.<br />
Fortunately, she was caged, and not allowed to run about the house.<br />
<br />
It was pretty early in the relationship,<br />
and I was not prepared to expose myself in such a "girlfriends are human" kind of way.<br />
<br />
FORTUNATELY, I found a plunger.<br />
<br />
UNfortunately, while plunging the toilet, the bowl overfloweth(ed).<br />
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> SHIT.</span><br />
<br />
"Um, Mike?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah?"<br />
<br />
"Do you have any towels that could be used to clean up a, um, mess?"<br />
<br />
"What KIND of a mess?"<br />
<br />
"Um, like a, um . . . "overflowed toilet" mess?"<br />
<br />
"Do you need help?"<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"NO</span>. No. <span style="font-size: large;">NOoooo.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">DEFINITELY</span> not. <span style="font-size: large;">UNDER</span> control. <br />
Soooooo . . .<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">where are the towels???"</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">PLOP</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
Cheesecake.<br />
A very delicate matter.<br />
Especially, when dropped upon the floor.<br />
<br />
We picked one up at the local grocery store.<br />
<br />
Looking through the glass case of mouth-watering(ly) enticing confections,<br />
we chose IT over the others - all chocolate crusted, and drizzled in all of its sweet chocolate(ness). <br />
It made it from the store to the car. Just. Fine.<br />
It made it from the car to my friend's house.<br />
<br />
Just.<br />
<br />
Fine. <br />
<br />
"OOooooo, that looks GOOD," people said.<br />
<br />
"Let me take it out of the box," said I.<br />
<br />
Remember that scene in the episode of FRIENDS,<br />
where Rachael and Chandler are fighting over the cheesecake?<br />
Rachael carries the cheesecake out into the hallway of their apartment building, when she trips, and . . .<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">PLOP.</span></div>
<br />
"OOoohhhhhhhhh," the people sighed.<br />
<br />
Cheesecake <span style="font-size: large;">DOWN</span>.<br />
<br />
I suppose, like the FRIENDS episode,<br />
we could have gotten down on our hands and knees with our forks.<br />
We had brownies for dessert, instead.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">CRASH</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
Two things about red wine:<br />
<br />
1) It stains.<br />
<br />
2) The bottle is made of glass.<br />
<br />
My boyfriend and I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things:<br />
Gatorade, bananas, orange juice, yogurt, salt, and two of my favorite bottles of wine. <br />
<br />
They were on sale.<br />
<br />
We went to the checkout line (15 items or less),<br />
where my boyfriend and I debated whether or not an 8-pack of Gatorade<br />
counted as 1, or 8 items.<br />
<br />
Anyways . . .<br />
<br />
After the checkout person rang up the items and bagged our groceries,<br />
we placed them in the cart, and rolled them out to the curb.<br />
Carefully picking up each bag, and balancing the weight between both arms, we . . .<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">CRASH.</span></div>
<br />
One of the wine bottles dropped STRAIGHT THOUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE BAG. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">REALLY???</span></div>
<br />
Red wine <span style="font-size: large;">ALL OVER THE SIDEWALK. </span><br />
<br />
Red wine ALL OVER<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>my <span style="font-size: large;">WHITE</span> shoes.<br />
<br />
"OOoooohhhhhhh," the people sighed.<br />
<br />
Wine bottle <span style="font-size: large;">DOWN</span>.<br />
<br />
The very nice, non-English speaking cart collector<br />
picked up the neck of the bottle from the ground (the only piece of the bottle that was left),<br />
and motioned for me to go inside to get a new one.<br />
I could understand him well enough to make out the words "should have" and "double bag".<br />
<br />
Yes.<br />
<br />
They should have double-bagged the wine bottles.<br />
Thank you, sweet man, for not making me feel like an idiot.<br />
Of course, he was not aware of the previous toilet and cheesecake incidents.<br />
<br /></div>
Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808730445636563263.post-149811325691077752014-12-31T08:15:00.000-08:002014-12-31T08:16:45.043-08:00It started with a manila file folder . . . <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It started with a manila file folder.</span><br />
<br />
I needed one to store some of my papers.<br />
It was the Saturday morning before Christmas - no sign of garlands strewn about the house,<br />
but several preschool papers, crafts, and gifts from parents, in addition to unread mail<br />
strewn across the kitchen table and countertops. <br />
Most teachers will understand. <span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<br />
"Okay. I need to do something about this," I said to myself. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So, I went in search of a folder.</span><br />
<br />
I had an idea where they were - underneath some papers, piled up on top of my desk.<br />
<br />
In order to get to the folders,<br />
I had to TOUCH the papers,<br />
which caused me to NOTICE the papers,<br />
which caused me to READ the papers,<br />
which THEN caused me to SORT THROUGH the papers . . . <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">ONE-BY-ONE. </span><br />
<br />
I, THEN, decided I needed to sort through all of the OTHER piles of papers,<br />
spread around<br />
all about,<br />
and throughout<br />
my office.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And, somewhere (during this process), </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I noticed the artwork on the walls. </span><br />
<br />
"I should move THIS picture here, and THAT picture there," I thought. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So, I did.</span><br />
<br />
But, I decided I liked it better the OTHER way,<br />
so I moved them back.<br />
<br />
"I should HANG this picture (that had been sitting on my desk, collecting dust for an eternity),"<br />
I thought, too.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But, I need a nail.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And, a hammer. </span><br />
<br />
So, I opened the drawer to get a nail, and discovered the pile of manila file folders.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> HA! </span> Just where I left them.<br />
<br />
So, I pulled out the files, took them into the kitchen,<br />
and began to sort through my school paperwork. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Later on that day . . . </span><br />
<br />
"Why is this hammer lying on the counter?" <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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Leslie Ellen Wynn (Morrissette)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01261942109468047297noreply@blogger.com0