via Mentor
original photo credit
Mentor
2
Category Archives: Dear Readers
Do You Like Children?
Not everyone does, you know. Some adults think that those little human “beans” should sprout somewhere else, anywhere but in their close proximity.
Yes, children are loud and can irritate and inflame every nerve to the point where anti-inflamatories don’t work.
Children are curious to a fault – “How come?” “Why do I haf-ta?” “What’s that?” Those questions sometimes makes us grown-ups feel stupid because we don’t always have the internet at hand for research.
But I know that children are magic.
They help us remember what our long-ago years were like.
They remind us of that feeling of satisfaction when the “ah-ha!” moments pop out of nowhere land.
They refill our imagination bucket with all kinds of sweet nuggets of creativity.
Three years ago and four grandchildren later, ribbons of creativity, once hidden in my DNA, have sprouted again. Thanks to those growing “beans,” the product of their influence is now available here.
Thank you for taking a look.
Slim to None
I have always been curious so what are the chances I’ll stop now? As my dad used to say, “slim to none.” There are too many things I have yet to learn.
via Unlikely
An abrupt rush to judgment
One thing I’ve learned over the years is to take responsibility for my mistakes. No, it wasn’t a big one, but still. Why was I so head strong that my first thought was, “damn, how could they have made me the wrong molds for my teeth?”
I made the call to the orthodontist’s office.
Receptionist: You need to come in so we can see why they don’t fit and do a rescan.
Me: I know why they don’t fit. You didn’t take into account my new crowns. But the ones before fit fine. I really don’t want to have to come in again. (continuing with more blah, blah, blah)
Receptionist: Can I put you on hold for a minute?
NEW receptionist: So how can I help you?
Me: (repeat, sigh and more blah, blah, blah)
NEW receptionist: We really should see you and we’ll make time for you at your convenience.
Me: (sigh) Today at 11:00?
NEW receptionist: Perfect. We’ll see you then.
Sitting in the orthodontist’s chair and ready for them to rectify their mistake, I became enlightened. I had pulled the packet of invisalign’s from an old box and had plunked the wrong set of invisalign’s in my mouthy mouth.
Me: (looking at the orthodontist’s assistant) So my other two boxes at home are the right ones?
Assistant: Should be.
Me: (thinking of time wasted on both our parts because of my blunder) Crap.
Assistant: (smile) Don’t worry. It’s happened before. If you have any problems once you get home and try them, feel free to email me.
And so I did. But not because I had a problem.
Reminder: Admit mistakes and move one.
Note to self: check future emails for typos.
via Abrupt
The Poser
via Discouraging but Deserving
I like looking at my teach, Mrs. Alexander, at her nice smile and her fancy dress. I keep picturing my mother getting to wear a dress like that someday.
Right before it’s time to go home, Mrs. Alexander starts to teach us a new song called “Home on the Range”.
“Oh give me a home, where the antelope roam and the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard, a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day. How often at night, where the heavens are bright with the light of the glittering stars, have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed if their glory exceeds that of ours. Home, home on the range….”
I like those words. They make me feel almost as good as when I’m riding on ol’ Polo, free and easy like deer and antelope playing together without any bickering.
I like it that she tells us what the words mean, words like “discouraging.” She says that “discouraging” means that you don’t like something much, like something makes you feel uncomfortable, something that spoils your spirit.
So now I can say, that “Home on the Range” is my new favorite song. I can also say that recess today, sure was discouraging. But damn, sticking that pocketknife in Tommy Burn’s bully thigh sure felt good. He’s deserved it for a coon’s age.
Maybe there are a few clouds today after all.
Excerpt of No Hill for a Stepper by C. Dennis-Willingham
image credit
via Song
Aren’t You Too?
I know I am. There is so much I still don’t know and, step by step, I will discovery more.
Set to Square
My Frigidaire’s in disrepair
the water’s leaking everywhere
My husband, well, he’s unaware
He’s napping in his underwear.
I tell myself, “do not despair.”
There must be food I can prepare
something fresh, a peach or pear?
Poor Fridge, it’s had it’s wear and tear
this in common, this we share
But I will act most debonair
when I wake up my sleeping bear
still with stance that’s set to square
and tell him he must fetch our fare
(“yes, now go and do your share”)
then waving just one hand in flair
I’ll sit upon my outdoor chair,
paint my nails with greater care
then catch a snooze mid-air.
– C. Dennis-Willingham ©
painting by Kay Crain
(I love this piece of art)
via Frigid
Score!
A Hint of Peace
Sometimes,
between the wall that divides us,
grows a single rose.
Carolyn Dennis-Willingham 