A Day's March Nearer Home

It's almost 7:00 . . . time for our favorite programs from the British Isles. I do so like their sense of humor. All kidding aside. We just got home from Harold Widholm's funeral. It was a beautiful day, bright sunshine in Glendale Area, a tantalizing gentle breeze at a replica of Old North Church in Bostom. Bob Trim faithfully presented the gospel with lots of our favorite verses. Carolyn Widholm played a delightful medley of hymns. Bob Nakka spoke to the living dead to be sure they understood eternity. Saw lots and lots of old friends . . . Gordon and Alice Gooding, Bill and Lois Lee, Gordie, Irene, Tom. Marie and Wendy Woehl, Al and Kathy Wright, Betty Jean and her daughter. If I weren't so tired I could think of more. Maybe tomorrow. I am right now feeling so very, very grateful for my family, my meeting family and how they all seem to put the shoulder to the wheel and comfort, sustain and pray for sustenance. Someone always comes through in time of need.

So little time

Why do we hear people say: "I've so little time." In fact, we even say it ourselves. We do have just as much time as anybody else. It's up to us to use it wisely. The secret? Organize. Prioritize. Focus. Relax and Rest and Rejoice when you have finished a specific task. But which task? The dishes? Making dinner? Getting the mail? Walking Bobbie? No. I mean the fun things we've been putting off until some time later. Right now I want to quilt. But then there are times I want to knit. Other days I have a smocking project that entices me. And then, I really like to sew. On clear days that are not too hot, I like to garden. Of course I'm working on a family cookbook...you know, a collection of our favorites over the years. So what am I doing this cloudy morning? I'm writing this blog that nobody ever reads or yet comments on.

Pantoum...a word exercise

There are many theories about where Pantoum originated. Many say the poetic form came from France. However others say the poem came to France with Victor Hugo. At any rate, I don't think he ever wrote any. Internet explorations yield conflicting messages. So I'll go with my original method, researched by members of the Wayfarers Writers:

Pick a theme. Write ten lines on this theme. Put them all together in this patternn:

1 2 3 4
2 5 4 6
5 7 6 8
7 9 8 10
9 3 10 1

Here are a few of my pantoums Some are good. Some are not so good. Anyway they are my feeble attempts. The exercise keeps me out of the refrigerator.
Dawn
The meadow lark burst forth
With song to greet
The rosy dawn with joy
How glad to hear his feat

With song to greet
Those awakening from slumber
How glad to hear his feat
Warbling his welcome melody

Those awakening from slumber
Atrise refreshed to hear him
Warbling his welcome melody
Until the sun blazes

Arisee refreshed to hear him
Trill over and over the theme
Until the sun blazes
Glorious day begins

Trill over and over the theme
The rosy dawn with joy
Glorious day begins
The meadow lark burst forth

Another attempt:

Water

We know there is the rain in Spain
And rushing gushing meadow brook
Puddles oozing on desert plain
All lakes and ponds flowing forsook

And rushing gushing meadow brook
Puddles oozing on desert plain
All lakes and ponds flowing forsook
Faucets drip again and again

Puddles oozing on desert plain
Rivers wending out to sea
Faucets drip again and again
Ocean currents roll wild and free

Rivers wending out to sea
Undulating waves lap the shore
Ocean currents roll wild and free
Water nurtures life evermore

Undulating waves lap the shore
Puddles oozing on desert plain
Water nurtures life evermore
We know there is the rain in Spain

Another:

Amber

Happy birthday little girl
Eight years old with innocent smile
Balloons and party streamers billow
Sunshine dapples through tall trees

Eight years old with innocent smile
You have joyful laughter in your eyes
Sunshine dapples through tall trees
Piles of rainbow wrapped presents to open

You have joyful laughter in your eyes
There's cotton candy and popcorn balls
Piles of rainbow wrapped presents to open
Water balloons to toss and burst

There's cotton candy and popcorn balls
Snow cones and frosted pink cupcakes
Water balloons to toss an burst
Friends romp and race for goldfish prizes

Snow cones and frosted pink cupcakes
Balloons and party streamers billow
Friends romp and race for goldfish prizes
Happy birthday little girl.

Still another:

Garden

Under mossy rocks earwigs hide
Frugal ants gather winter fare
Small termites chomp away inside
Spiders spin lace webs in the air

Frugal ants gather winter fare
Mosquito bites itch and annoy
Spiders spin lace webs in the air
Good luck crickets chirp loud with joy

Mosquito bites itch and annoy
Grasshoppers spit tobacco juice
Good luck crickets chirp loud with joy
Japanese beetles gnaw leaves loose

Grasshoppers spit tobacco juice
Honey bees buzz flower to hive
Japanese beetles gnaw leaves loose
Hopping fleas prove they are alive

Honey bees buzz flower to hive
Small termites chomp away inside
Hopping fleas prove they arte alive
Under mossy rocks earwigs hide

And this one is my favorite:

Summer Storm

Rumbling thunder roars, then claps
Announcing a needful summer storm
Black clouds sail, then hover
Torrents of rain pelt down

Announcing a needful summer storm
Bright lightening flashes
Torrents of rain pelt down
Upon thirsty loam below

Bright lightening flashes
Across the summer sky
Upon thirsty loam below
Angry lightening splits

Across the summer sky
Dark clouds speed on
Angry lightening splits
With grasses green and glistening

Dark clouds speed on
Black clouds sail then hover
With grasses green and glistening
Rumbling thunder roars, then claps

I've had a lot of fun. Try it, you'll like it!