Writers Inspiration

Air/Earth/Fire/Water Prompt

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https://jimadamsauthordotcom.wordpress.com/2020/07/12/a-spoonful-of-water/

Written for Song Lyric Sunday where the prompt is Air/Earth/Fire/Water.

Four  awesome song choices I enjoyed immensely in my lifetime. I had Collins and Credence on cassettes and then cd. I had Stevens and Lewis originally on 45rpms and then later on cd.

My air choice is Phil Collins , In the Air Tonight

 

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
And I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight? Oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand
I’ve seen your face before, my friend, but I don’t know if you know who I am
Well, I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you’ve been
It’s all been a pack of lies
And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I remember, I remember, don’t worry, how could I ever forget?
It’s the first time, the last time we ever met
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, no, you don’t fool me
Well, the hurt doesn’t show, but the pain still grows
It’s no stranger to you and me
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
And I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Phil Collins
In the Air Tonight lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC
One of the most commonly believed messages behind ‘In the Air Tonight’ is that Phil Collins wrote it about a man who could have saved another man from drowning but chose not to. Collins  actually wrote this song about the anger he felt after divorcing his first wife, Andrea Bertorelli, in 1980 . The lingering tension caused by the divorce led Collins to the title, as these negative feelings were “In The Air,” and affecting not just the couple getting divorced, but the entire family. Collins explains the lyrics, “If you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand,” by saying the drowning is symbolic.
I can relate to the drowning metaphor, my ex-husband brought out similar feelings in me. I had reached a point where I envisioned him choking to death in mind every time he spoke to me. I knew I had to get out of the marriage before I took it to the next level.
 My choice for Earth is Cat Stevens’ Where Do the Children Play.
Well I think it’s fine, building jumbo planes
Or taking a ride on a cosmic train
Switch on summer from a slot machine
Yes, get what you want to if you want
Cause you can get anything
I know we’ve come a long way
We’re changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?
Well you roll on roads over fresh green grass
For your lorry loads pumping petrol gas
And you make them long, and you make them tough
But they just go on and on, and it seems that you can’t get off
Oh, I know we’ve come a long way
We’re changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?
Well you’ve cracked the sky, scrapers fill the air
But will you keep on building higher
‘Til there’s no more room up there?
Will you make us laugh, will you make us cry?
Will you tell us when to live, will you tell us when to die?
I know we’ve come a long way
We’re changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Yusuf Islam, commonly known by his stage name Cat Stevens.
Where Do the Children Play? lyrics © BMG Rights Management
 Where Do the Children Play was written by Cat Stevens in 1970. However in 2017 it was  used for a lyrical message to the United Nations about human trafficking of children.

“Cat Stevens (who also goes by the name Yusuf) was born Steven Georgiou in central London on 21 July 1948 and grew up in Holborn, attending a school in the theater district of Drury Lane. “It was all entertainment, everywhere; I mean, I thought this was natural,” he later told NPR. “But then I realised that there weren’t so many parks around there. And that’s where, when you come to my music, a song like ‘Where Do the Children Play?’, there’s a kind of harking to that issue.”

Stevens is a master of writing melancholic songs – alongside ‘Where Do the Children Play?’ are other classics like ‘Moonshadow’ and ‘Peace Train’ – and his lasting contribution to popular music was recognised with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014. Five years later, he also made it into The Songwriters Hall Of Fame”~ https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/yusuf-cat-stevens-where-do-the-children-play-song/

 

My choice for Fire is Jerry Lee Lewis’s Great Balls of Fire.  According to Wikipedia, “Great Balls of Fire” is a 1957 popular song recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun Records and featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree. It was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer.

 

I remember seeing my father and mother dancing in our living room to this song.

Great Balls Of Fire
Jerry Lee Lewis
You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain
Too much love drives a man insane
You broke my will, but what a thrill
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
I laughed at love ’cause I thought it was funny
You came along and you moved me honey
I’ve changed my mind, this love is fine
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
Kiss me baby, ooh, feels good
Hold me baby
Well, I’ll still love you like a lover should
You’re fine, so kind
Got to tell this world that you’re mine, mine, mine, mine
I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs
I’m real nervous but it sure is fun
Come on baby, you drive me crazy
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
Well kiss me baby, ooh, feels good
Hold me baby
Well, I’ll still love you like a lover should
You’re fine, so kind
Got to tell this world that you’re mine, mine, mine, mine
I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs
I’m real nervous but it sure is fun
Come on baby, you drive me crazy
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jack Hammer / Otis Blackwell
Great Balls Of Fire lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Warner Chappell Music Inc

My choice for Rain is Credence Clearwater Revival’s Have You Ever Seen the Rain.  Awesome song, awesome band.

 

“Have You Ever Seen The Rain”

Someone told me long ago
There’s a calm before the storm
I know, it’s been comin’ for some time
When it’s over, so they say
It’ll rain a sunny day
I know, shinin’ down like waterI want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin’ down on a sunny dayYesterday, and days before
Sun is cold and rain is hard
I know, been that way for all my time
‘Til forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow
I know, it can’t stop, I wonder

I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin’ down on a sunny day

Yeah!

I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin’ down on a sunny day.

Writer(s): Fogerty John Cameron, Green Toby
This song is John Fogerty’s take on the imminent departure of his brother Tom from the band, and the overall tension in the group at a time when they should have been enjoying their success. The line, “I want to know – have you ever seen the rain comin’ down on a sunny day?” refers to Tom leaving while CCR was at its commercial zenith. The flip side of this single, “Hey Tonight,” is John reassuring the band that all would go well despite the adversity.
Music never dies.

Contradictions

/ lyncrain / 2 Comments

Proverbs are interesting and complex things. They appear, on the surface, to be gems of wisdom which have been passed down through the ages.  I don’t know how many times I have nodded my head and accepted without further discussion until someone pointed out to me  that most proverbs have an opposite. It seems so obvious to me now that I can’t believe I didn’t note the contradictions myself. Next time you find yourself nodding along to a proverb, stop and think of its opposite.

Look before you leap.
He who hesitates is lost.

Opposites attract.
Birds of a feather flock together.

Hitch your wagon to a star.
Don’t bite off more that you can chew.

Many hands make light work.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Clothes make the man.

The squeaking wheel gets the grease.
Silence is golden.

Clothes make the man.
You cannot judge a book by its cover.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
Don’t beat your head against a stone wall.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Out of sight, out of mind.

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it.

Two heads are better than one.
Paddle your own canoe.

Haste makes waste.
Time waits for no man.

You’re never too old to learn.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

A word to the wise is sufficient.
Talk is cheap.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
Nice guys finish last.

Strike while the iron is hot

All good things happen for those who wait.

 

letter-c day 51

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Typically I end with my song choice for today but…   Humans are not intended to be caged, we tend not to behave well.  But out of respect I will not take this conversation further because once you put it out there, it never goes away. Instead, let’s talk about these amazing guitar players, BB. King. Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, and Jimmie Vaughn instead of what’s really behind my song choice. I’m sure you’re familiar with the adage Silence is Golden.

“The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone away
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away
You know you done me wrong baby
And you’ll be sorry someday” ~ BB King

BB King recorded his version of the Thrill is Gone in 1969. I was a teenager just beginning to appreciate good music when I discovered BB. When it hit the charts it rose to number 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and became his popular hit of his career. It received a Grammy in 1998. I still love this song.

“I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don’t realize how much I love you”~ Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton’s You Look Wonderful Tonight is my favorite although he’s probably more known for his I Shot the Sheriff. Clapton is ranked 2nd in Rolling Stone’s top guitarist. Here I tend to lean toward Bob Marley’s version more than Clapton’s cover version. I guess it depends if you like reggae straight or with a touch of soft rock.  I remember seeing an interview where Marley said he changed the lyrics from I shot the police to I shot the sheriff to keep the radio stations happy.

“I get a constant busy signal
When I call you on the phone
I get a strong, uneasy feeling
You’re not sitting there alone

I’m having nasty, nasty visions
And baby you’re in every one, yeah
And I’m so afraid I’m gonna find you with
A so-called smoking gun”~ Robert Cray

Robert Cray’s Smoking Gun hit number 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1986. I simply fell in love with how he played the guitar more than the words to the song though there were times I wondered how I would feel if he was holding that smoking gun. 1986 was during the dark days of my first marriage, he accused me constantly of every thing under the sun. Cray performed as an opening act for Clapton in his early days and in his later days  played guitar on a few of Clapton’s releases.  I didn’t agree with the Rolling Stone’s snub for top 100 guitarist.

“Dengue woman
Stay away from me
Dengue woman
Stay away from me
You got your fever and your rash
Over me

That’s why
Everyday you bring me misery
Everyday you give me misery
I think about jumpin’
Jumpin’ in the deep blue see”~ Jimmie Vaughn

Jimmie Vaughn had the pleasure of opening for Jimi Hendrix. My first exposure to him was actually in the movie Blue Brothers 2000 where he played one of the fictional Louisana Gator Boys with BB King. I like his guitar skills, his political inclinations with Ron Paul not so much. Putting his political stupidity aside I still enjoy Dengue Woman. I love the sound of the guitar. Jimmie’s brother Stevie made the Rolling Stone’s list for guitarist before he was killed in a helicopter crash.

My friend Jeanne sent me a picture of a mojito this afternoon in a text. AH, now that sounds perfect for today. Aggravating the pancreas… is a negative, numbing the migraine is a positive. Bonus, if I drink enough I’ll numb all the other aggravation.img_3733

Doesn’t the mint and lime look good together. I love being able to pick fresh mint and adding it to water as well as to mojito’s. I’m so lucky it is growing so profusely in my rail planter.

Cancer Culinary toolkit:

Mint is a digestive aid, and it is antimicrobial as well as being rich in Vitamin c and beta-carotene.

 

Writing Today:

I’ve written a poetic response to a Stream of Consciousness prompt and another poetic response to a paint chip prompt in addition to reworking this poem that I originally wrote in 2017. Three poems today. Yay!

Lyn’s Last Journey
Her name hangs by a string
dangling from her big toe
protruding from a dark box.
Her unfinished obituary
lies on the ancient desk
shrouded in dust.
No one remembers
when she was more than mortal
but her.
Oh, how her howls rushed through
the leaves of time. It was a lonely
journey being her, the social misfit
trapped and helpless facing failure.
She endured days of misery.
Lies, incompetence,
and cruelty were the norm.
in the turbulent times
until that fatal flawed moment.
She never saw her end being
a mere string with a hand gripping
the gloomy box that holds what’s left
of her…Lyn, a figment in her own mind.

Dear Johnny,

Zac finished first yesterday with your name tribute on the hood leading the way.  Zac said Where to begin! Last night was a blast!! Had an awesome battle with Kyle Robinson in the feature, in the end we came home in First! Thank you so much to everyone who helps!  I watched Kim’s video feed of the race last night.

CJ had a lobster sandwich and red hot dogs at a place called a Bite of Maine in Virginia Beach for his 16th birthday dinner. He never had the opportunity to take them from the trap fresh and pop in the steaming pot like you. And those red hot dogs we’re so familiar with in Maine aren’t available here in Jersey either.

Gramma misses you.

Garden update:

I checked the garden out, phew the veggies fared really well. I did have to drain a few of the pots of the excess water but overall things went well. It’s 93 degrees here so it won’t take long to dry things back out but at least everything got a thorough rinsing. Husky 100’s, cucumbers and beans, and the zucchini all looking healthy. The husky 100 plant is almost taller than me. ( the middle circle) Crazy how big it got.

 

 

 

Stream of Consciousness

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The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS July 11/2020

Hello 👋Goodbye ~Beatles

I don’t why you said goodbye when I said hello.

Is it really that bad you need to leave ? It’s not something we can simply bury in the sand and come back to later. Talk to me.

I need to see what is out there not be smothered, to expand my horizons. The glorious blue sky has no boundaries. Just let me find what I am missing.

Twinkled Despair @

Let me soar

before my stars twinkle out

and my lightning bugs

of inspiration vanish.

You know time matters .

Summer is only in its glory

for a limited time

before human reality diminishes us

to a nine-nine work existence

to pay for our elusive dreams.

Thank you Linda Hill for the stream of consciousness activity.

letter-c day 48

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Author Connection:

I started reading Queenie by Candice Carty- Williams today. Very relatable writing style. I typically prefer the classics but this spring I’ve read five contemporary authors. I think every author needs to fine tune their skill set by expanding their minds in directions they don’t normally dwell. My favorite genres are history and biographical and how to. I’ve added mystery and young adult into the mix.

Crocheting:

DSC_0317

 

I’ve begun the first stripe on my sweater. The colors are working well together for me. The lower band is rose and the body is magenta with three thin rose stripes to tie the colors together. I’m liking the way it is coming together in the cotton yarn.

Tonight, was my weekly writing group meeting on zoom so I grabbed turkey noodle soup with carrots and peas out of the freezer for dinner. Sometimes, you just need comfort food and soup is definitely that.

Culinary tool kit”

Adding some more tools to your cancer fighting toolbox.

Cherries are anti-inflammatory and they look really good in the super markets right now.

Chicken has an interesting role because it is a possible metal detoxifer as well as being an anti-oxidant. Organic chicken is an awesome source of niacin and selenium according to Rebecca Katz although recent articles debate the benefit of eating chicken. This is one I would say use personal judgement on because there’s still so many outliers.

My song choice for today is When You Say Nothing at All by Keith Whitley. Yes, there are moments when silence is the best way to decompress which I needed more than anything. The conversations I did have today were enjoyable.  Thanks Marcus and Char, you made today much easier.

Vic and I played cribbage with our usual bantering. Our simple exchanges bring me joy, especially when he gives me one of his mischievous smiles. Macavity and Yeats both gave me the best snuggles ever.

I worked awhile on the vignettes but became frustrated so I decided to work on a poem. It’s still a work in progress and without a title.

Let me fly away like a discarded leaf
faded into a bleak nothingness
where all blissful memories are found
more agonizing than spilled coffee
upon a white linen covered slab.
Let me abandon circumstance so
my mocked happiness is buried
as a consecrated sorrow©

Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson’s Cancer Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-Cancer Food Spotlight: Sour Cherries

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-chicken-consumption-risk-cancer-doctor-stop-eating-chicken-20190909-oxvngveiifdi5j4ekwa3l2xj34-story.html

letter-c day 46

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46 consecutive days of blogging almost a record for me. I made it 90 days one another time. Maybe I’ll surpass my previous record this time.

The weather alerts are blowing up our phones. The sky went from a hazy blue to a very definitive stormy looking one. Yay, no lugging water for my veggies, or dragging the water hose around for the flower gardens. Speaking of flower beds, I posted a couple of years back a picture of my rose bush. I couldn’t believe how much it has grown since then.

They’ve completely covered the fence and grown over to the hostas. They’re very happy with their coffee grounds, chopped banana peels and eggshells every month and corn meal every March and September.

Charlie Daniels passed today. He was 83.  He’s probably most noted for “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” a 1979 song about a fiddling duel between the devil and a whippersnapper named Johnny, Daniels originally called the devil a “son of a bitch,” but changed it to “son of a gun.”  I love how he made a fiddle sound. He was the best, although Alison Krauss and Mark O’Connor tried to outshine him.

Just like there is no other guitar player that can top Jimi Hendrix. I know Chuck Berry, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton all tried but no way.

Just like when it comes to saxophones, no one can top John Coltrane in my opinion. He knows how to make it come alive. My favorites vary but I know what I love. Some say my music taste are eclectic.

 

My music, my reading choices, my hobbies are all signs of a well lived life because they all show how it has evolved continously. For that matter my friend choices are from all different walks of life and ages.

Books I’m currently reading are Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Gile Hilton. It’s a fascinating behind the scenes of the UK and Hitler in the early days. I’m working my way through Ursula Le Guin’s Steering the Craft, Lisa Cron’s Wired for Story and Writing the Life Poetic by Sage Cohen. Churchill I save for nighttime. The writing books I use during the day as stimuli for my writing and editing. My muse needs lots of guidance. Sometimes my rebellious muse needs more than words so I grab my camera which I did over the weekend. This was a shot I captured of a seagull just after it took flight at sunrise.DSC_0183

I’m working on a short story for Esther Chilton’s contest with the line required and this picture as my muse.  I didn’t know what had happened. Not at first. And then I knew.  I’m having fun working on it, which considering all that’s on my plate I need this kind of distraction. I’ll post it when I’m done.

My sweater crochet project has 8 new rows on it. I would have been further but I discovered I dropped several stitches which really changed the alignment of the double crochet clusters. So I had to rip some out. GRRRR

Letter-c  in case your wondering, I’ve got you shoved to the back of my mind. I can’t/ won’t allow more of my time, it’s bad enough you’re stealing my sleep still. I barely sleep as it is and you’re stealing that. One more day of mindless waiting. Though I’m dreading more delays, which I know is probably likely because the doctor will want to wait for the diagnostic tests on August 11th. That makes you happy doesn’t it, letter-c.   I’m going to keep my food battle against you in high gear, so don’t go smirking too much.

 More Culinary tools for fighting cancer

Cashews, yummy. Even better they’re copper rich and have the potential for suprressing tumors.

Cauliflower, we discussed yesterday with cabbage.

Celery is an anti-inflammatory. It’s also great for reducing blood pressure, too!

I have a funny story about celery. Back in school bus driving days , I would take a whole of celery, washed and cut into pieces with me everyday while I drove. I had done this for months consecutively. I complained about feeling light headed so I went to the hospital. The triage nurse couldn’t believe I had driven a school bus to the hospital with my blood pressure so low. Come to find out, you can overdo celery. Don’t eat it excessively, it does reduce your blood pressure. I already had low blood pressure so I compounded the situation.

Nothing exciting on the menu today, using the remainder of the  tuna casserole left-overs Right now I’m thinking about a chunk of sharp cheese and a granny smith apple to tie me over. Trying to keep my stress eating reined in, too!

Birthday approaching

Hard to believe CJ’s going to be 16 on the tenth of this month. CJ, is my second son, Chris’s boy. CJ already towers over me and I’m not short for my age.  Nor is his dad short and CJ is really close to passing him too. The doctor thought CJ would be easily 6 foot 7. He’s got a helluva start.

In my youth, I was 6 foot, now at least according to the last doctor’s appointment I’m 5 foot 10 inches. They lie to you about the golden years on every level. It’s more than getting old… you get creak and groans, you shrink, and your body malfunctions. WTF?????

“youth
it leaves you quick
and it never comes back”
― Emmy Marucci

 

“I was thinking about how people seem to read the bible a lot more as they get older, and then it dawned on me—they’re cramming for their final exam.” ― George Carlin

 

I haven’t taken up reading the bible so I guess I have time yet.

 

 

https://www.statnews.com/2017/05/17/nuts-colon-cancer/https://food.ndtv.com/health/7-

https://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20060519/broccoli-cauliflower-fight-cancer

incredible-benefits-of-celery-in-fighting-the-risk-of-cancer-1651693

 

 

 

 

 

letter-c day 45

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Two days more to go before the initial meeting with the gastric oncologist. This waiting is so frustrating. Time to me feels like pouring the dredges of honey from a bottle. January 8th is when all the crap began. They removed my gallbladder on the 13th. Nothing has been right since.  I’m very aware things take time and COVID-19 has complicated stuff but…cancer works on it’s own schedule not ours.

I couldn’t focus yesterday. I was even sure I would actually get a post for day 44 done but I did. It wasn’t one of my best that’s for sure. Though I did share some beautiful flower pictures from our walk in Lambertville.  The daisies made me smile.

Daisies

When I was young, I used to walk on the Horn of the Moon road in East Montpelier by the Wrightsville Dam picking daisies. I would weave them together and then wear them on my long red hair.  My crown of daisies lifted me from the drudgery. I was my siblings’ parent while our actual parents were in Connecticut running around with their liasons. Yeah, they both had lovers on the side. My father worked nights and my mother days so the timing worked well for their cheating selfs.

My sister used to pluck the petals and ask does he love me, or does he not. I never did. I didn’t want anyone to have that kind of control of my heart. Instead, I wanted to be riding off into battle dressed in armor with a daisy crown.

Poetry:

Apathy and Evil
Under a full moon, the wind ripped silent
that night in the overgrown cemetery.
Headstones cracked and leaned valiant
better than the local constabulary.
The decomposed body lies prominent
exposed, no one cared who did the treachery.
Eyes filled with indifference, so convenient
like everything in this small town sanctuary.

 

The daisies reminded me of the night I snuck to the cemetery for the first time when I was eleven after my siblings were asleep.  The nearest one from my grandfathers camp involved me walking across the Wrightsville Dam  Road and then down Route 12 for about a half mile then up the Bolio Road to the graveyard. I randomly laid daisy crowns on the worn headstones of my family members. That summer the nightly explorations became a favorite thing for me because I used to imagine the person’s life. The stories I would write about them. Writing has always brought me enjoyment.

This poem came about after re-reading my diary stories from my summer jaunts to the cemetery. I had written a story about a constabulary being killed and his body abandoned in the cemetery. No one looked there for his body. It wasn’t discovered until someone had been buried there the following year. He wad so disliked they simply left his body exposed with no investigation to follow.

I did love to wander a lot at night without my parents, or my grandparents ever knowing where I was.  Sleep wasn’t important to me. Maybe that’s why I have such good night vision. When I think back on all the things I did without ever thinking about the danger… I was a fearless child. Sometimes, I wish I had that kind of fearlessness now.

Culinary:

Tuna Casserole on this crazy humid ninety-four degree day.  I’m going to load my casserole with carrots and peas. We’re having a side salad with fresh picked kale, swisschard, and beetgreens with honeydew and cranberries. Yummy!

I wish the thunderstorms would come earlier today and cool things down. I love the energy of a thunderstorms, don’t you?

On Facebook, there’s a Lawrenceville community page and there was a bunch of posts about the firework noise. People need to release some of the tension with all this social distancing but of course some one has to be a downer. I wonder if they want Mother Nature arrested too because the thunder storms we’ve been having since this heat wave began are loud.

I’ll toss a couple more culinary cancer tools for you to know.

Cabbage like the cruciferous veggies, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Kale, Bok Choy, Broccoli and Turnip is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. The key is not over-cooking it so you preserve the sinigrin compound that detoxifies carcinogens and inhibits tumor cell growth.

Cantalope is also anti-inflammatory with tons of Vitamin A.

Cardamon is a digestive aid and anti-inflammatory.  It’s great for digestive issues by simply chewing on cardamon seeds. Bonus you get fresh breath too! Cardamon may also reduce blood pressure, that’s an another added bonus.

Carrots are anti-inflammatory and also have tons of Vitamin A. The beta-carotene that gives carrots their lovely color helps us fight against lung, mouth, throat, stomach, intentinal, bladder,prostrate and breast… cancers. We should be eating carrots every day.

We made an early morning trek to the ocean. I really needed to recharge myself. There’s something about having my toes in the salty water and walking on the sand that refreshes me. I realized last night that’s what I truly needed. I hadn’t been in three months which is very unlike me.

One the ride back,  thought about the beach, people were socially distanced this morning. There was one family of three who arrived just before I was leaving that were doing their best to be in the moment. Dad helped his daughter fly her kite. She may have been three or four years old. Her joyous laughter filled the air. I miss the sound of happiness more than anything.

That leads me to my song choice today. Yeah I am very sentimental and sappy. I won’t deny it. It’s not the boy meets girl and falls in love part of this song that makes me smile as much as the perfect moment. Dancing barefoot on the grass, being together in that perfect moment. In the last two days, I’ve enjoyed perfect moments with Vic. We walked hand in hand on the canal. We sat together looking up at the beautiful Thunder Moon. We got up at 4:30 this morning to do an ocean pilgrimmage. We’ve played cribbage with coffee on the deck and in the kitchen.

 

Isn’t that what living in the moment is really about. letter-c , you have nothing to do with these perfect moments. My moments and dreams are mine always and forever.

 

 

Dear Johnny,

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Your Dad has grayed a lot in the past year since you left us.  Gramma sees the sadness in his eyes all the time with out you. I thought of you a lot yesterday, you loved the fireworks so much.  Your cousin Olyvia and you share that in common.

If you can find a way, let Dad know you’re with him. I think he really needs a sign from you. Gramma and Grandpa wished we could have been there with him. I hate this virus that is forcing us to be socially distanced.

You’re both always on my mind, always in my heart as are Vic, Jacob, Chris, CJ, Amanda, Olyiva, Lael, Braylie, Mikhayla, Caitlyn, Marcia, Debbie, Janine, Sammy and Logan

oops I can’t forget my beloved fur babies. Fluffy, Quasimoto, Purryl, Angel, Yeats, and Macavity.

The biggest regret of my life is that I have not said ‘I love you’ often enough.’

 

https://www.ramsayhealth.co.uk/about/latest-news/cabbage-anti-cancer#:~:text=Hospitals-,Cabbage%20found%20to%20produce%20anti-cancer%20chemicals,could

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279176#:~:text=lower%20blood%20pressure.-,Cancer,and%20other%20types%20of%20cancer.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cardamom-benefits#:~:text=May%20Contain%20Cancer%2DFighting%20Compounds,to%20attack%20tumors%20(%208%20).

Carrots

 

letter-c day 44

/ lyncrain / Leave a comment

 

DSC_0010Do you ever feel stagnant? I opened my computer three times and stared at the scree, today. What could I possibly add to this blog I haven’t already said.

Initally, I read Churchill Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Giles Milton because I was at a loss.. Then I grabbed another coffee, tossed cinnamon rolls in the oven and asked Vic to join me on the deck to play cribbage. It was comfortable the sun hadn’t reached us completely yet.

I came inside and read for awhile longer before trying a second time. I’m not usually at a loss for words but today I was. So I asked Vic if we could for a walk on the canal in Lambertville. We walked a mile. Yeah I know not very far but wearing a mask in ninety degrees does zap your energy fast. We did have water with us and did take water breaks but I still felt overheated.

There were lots of beautiful gardens  along the canal to visually stimulate me. The shasta daisies were my favorite. I took a bunch of different garden images to use later with my poems.

Once we got back to the car, I was surprised how red my face and neck were. I drank another bottle of water once I got home.

culinary:

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I used the left over filling from yesterday’s stuffed zucchini with shredded cabbage, garlic, and scallions. Sprinkled mozzarella cheese on top and sprinkled fresh chopped oregano. Yummy until I had to make the mad dash to the bathroom.  Not sure what exactly set me off. Thankfully, after the imodium handled it well. Just wish the shoulder pain would go away.

Still found myself staring at the computer.  So off again we went for a short ride and I snapped some pictures of the Thunder Moon behind the trees. Looking at the moon I remembered my grandparents waltzing to Fly Me to the Moon on their porch before my Gram became sick and ended up in a wheel chair. There was no mistaking they loved each other.DSC_0038 (2)

I had a  music crush on blue eyes (Frank Sinatra when I was young because I thought his songs always made me people happy. That’s what music is supposed to do isn’t it?  I uwas pretty lucky my grandparents loved music so I was exposed to Frank, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis or as my grandpa called them the rat pack.   He thought the media had nicknamed them right because they were good at scrambling from club to the next to perform. My grandma liked Tony Bennett and Tom Jones too. I remember hearing her sigh when Tom moved those hips.

 

 

“Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On a, Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby, kiss me
Fill my heart with song

And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you
Fill my heart with…”
Bart Howard, was the songwriter for ‘Fly Me to the Moon’. It was done by numerous musicians. My favorites were Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
Hope your 4th of July was everything you needed and more.

letter-c day 43

/ lyncrain / 2 Comments

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I was remembering Vic and my early dating times as I tried to decide upon a plan with the vignettes. Do I want to do ten year time frames with random stories or do I want to group a collection of stories that show my personal growth with happier memories. I’m tired of the bad crap always getting my focus.

This picture appeared in the facebook feed. We had been in Camden, Maine driving when I asked Vic to stop so we could simply enjoy the ocean’s salty smell. We walked around the town a bit enjoying the peacefulness of a small town after the tourists have left for the season. Vic loves snapping pictures which is uncomfortable for me. Usually it’s me behind the lens taking the photograph not being the one before the lens. I feel awkward because pretty and photogenic are things that don’t apply to me.

This photograph surprised me…  he captured the introspective me and the harbor lights beautifully.  Anyway, looking at the photograph Eric Clapton’s song came to mind. Do you remember Wonderful Tonight?

My very first date in person with Vic was at DeMillo’s in Portland, Maine. I didn’t have an extensive wardrobe. Shopping was never something I enjoyed or could afford to do. I decided to wear white dress shorts, a black tank top with a red mesh sweater over the tank to dine. Vic wore an orange and blue polo shirt and khakis. We were comfortably dressed for a summer night. The restaurant was a short drive from the hotel. Our view from the table was perfect as the sun set on the ocean. The candle glowed upon our food as we talked about different things.

I still remember how special he made me feel, opening the door, taking my hand as we walked around for a bit after dinner. These may seem like small things to you but prior to him… no one opened a door for me, or took my hand or even took me to a nice restaurant. It was a perfect first date.

I don’t say or write it as often I should but Vic is a loving kind man. He’s the perfect man for me. I feel wonderful whenever we’re together even when he’s beating me in cribbage. Our time together means so much to me.

We’ve shared many dates since in fancy restaurants and some not so fancy but with good food. He teases me because I tend to want to stay with places that make me feel like I’ve come home. Like this diner near us, its not fancy looking at all. It’s owned by a Turkish family that work well together. The food choices are many and the taste is excellent. But that’s not what keeps me wanting to go again. It’s the way we feel while there… as if we’re part of their family not a customer.  They remember what we like, how it’s prepared which is awesome. The small talk we exchange is genuine prior to ordering and after makes the evening for me.  Not many fancy places make that extra effort.

“It’s late in the evening; she’s wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair
And then she asks me, Do I look all right?
And I say, “Yes, you look wonderful tonight
We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that’s walking around with me
And then she asks me, Do you feel all right?
And I say, “Yes, I feel wonderful tonight”
I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don’t realize how much I love you” ~ Eric Clapton

 

 

culinary

Tonight, we’re having stuffed zucchini since the ac is on. It’s humid as all get outside I don’t like running it but on days like today, it’s a necessary evil. So since we have climate control oven day it is. I wish I could say I picked the zucchini from my garden but soon. I have a buds with fruit behind them. And no more bunny or chipmunk invasions either.

More things for your culinary pharmacy-

Brazil nuts are selenium rich as well as anti-inflammatory which is helpful against colon and prostrate cancer but did you also know they’re helpful for your heart, brain and lowering your blood sugar. That’s a lot for your crunch.

Broccoli is also an anti-inflammatory. It can inhibit breast cancer growth as well as slowing leukemia and melanoma growth.

Buckwheat is another anti-inflammatory. It’s high fiber content helps regulate bowel movements as well speeding up the removal of toxins in our body.

writing:

I edited the short story that transpired from the prompt about an island suddenly appearing. I don’t know if i made it better or worse. 

Dear Johnny,

Last night, Dad shared a picture of Jacob at work with him.  Jacob was making him laugh. I’m glad for your Dad and Jacob that they have each other since you left us. You’re little brother looks so much like you. Except for one thing. He doesn’t hide his smiles like you always did.

I wish you could see Jacob choking the hammer as he nails. He looked more comfortable with the drill than he did the hammer. I wish I had taken pictures of you at that age using a hammer.

Zach has a tribute painted on the hood of both of his cars for you.  It looks so beautiful. Racing this year is crazy. The drivers and crew only at the track. No spectators allowed because of COVID-19. Zach missed a gear yesterday and didn’t finish where he hoped. I’m sure you can imagine the language that transpired.

This poem was reviewed on WDC today and it reminded me of the morning in the restaurant when you ordered my breakfast and then explained how I was wasting the waitress’s time by not knowing exactly how I wanted my food prepared. All that time you spent at the restaurant with Momma paid off. You taught us all.

two fried eggs on corned beef hash
sizzling in the pan
tantalizing my taste buds
with salty cravings
scrambled mess
bliss!

Gramma and Grandpa love you always. We miss you. Maybe when you have a chance could you rattle all the chimes again for me.

“So it’s true, when all is said and done, grief is the price we pay for love.” ― E.A. Bucchianeri

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325000#heart-health

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-broccoli

https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/health-benefits-of-buckwheat/

Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson

 

Short Story Rewrite from the prompt

/ lyncrain / Leave a comment

It began as a little girl’s wish to have a magical place of her own. She prayed fervently every night, but nothing changed. She simply stopped believing in magic. Who needs magical wishes.

Time passed, and now she was lying on her death bed waiting. She knew better than to hope for it to come quickly.

Her granddaughter burst into the room. “Grandma, there’s something you have to see.”

“I’m so tired, child.”

“But Grandma, there’s an island. It wasn’t there yesterday, but it is today. Some people are saying it’s dark magic. How can it be dark with all the beautiful flowers in bloom?.”

“Yes, child.”

“Grandma, please come to the window. I know once you see the magical island, you’ll feel better.”

She wanted to lie here. She felt so tired, her time must be near. Yet, she didn’t want to disappoint her granddaughter. She tugged with her all her might to upright herself. It took a lot for her to stand, but she made it. She grasped the nightstand table top and then the rocker until she finally made it to the window.

The sky didn’t have cloud anywhere to see.. The ocean looked ebony more than blue to her old eyes. She vaguely recalled a sailor’s warning when a sea looks deadly calm. She craned to see the bay.  There was an island with a rocky shoreline with lush green trees and flowers in every color under the rainbow. Were her eyes playing tricks on her?

“Megan, get your father, please.”

“Mom, what’s the matter?”

“Take me out to the island, son.”

“But, Mom, you’re not strong enough.”

“Charles, take me out to the island before its too late.”

Charles and Megan helped her down the stairs and across the yard. She looked like an old porcelain doll in the bright sunlight. They had to pause several times to let her catch her breath before moving on, but eventually, they made it to the pier.

“Hurry, my time is running out.”

He didn’t understand his mother’s urgency.  It had been a very long time since she had been focused on anything, let alone walk. He paddled the boat until they were deep enough to drop the motor down. He watched his mother staring straight ahead, holding Megan’s hand. The wind teased her silver strands free from the bun Megan had created for her Grandma.

“Charles, please bring the boat close enough for me to walk.”

“Give me a minute, Mom, to tie the boat off, and we’ll come with you.”

“No… No, I must go alone.”

Charles and Megan watched Grandma struggle to stand in the gentle waves.  Her frail body was hunched over her cane as she navigated to the shore.

“Dad, why can’t we go with her to help? I’m worried she’ll overdo.”

The sky darkened as they waited in the boat, He became worried. The sea became challenging in a little boat. He needed to get them back home safely. He called out to his mother, but she didn’t answer. He and Megan frantically searched for her.

Grandma was lying beside the mountain laurel. He noted the peaceful expression on her face and knew without checking, she was gone. He gently lifted his mother, surprised how little she weighed. All these years, she was a force to be reckoned with, yet at this moment, a feather weighed more.

He navigated his mom and daughter back to the mainland. The rain fiercely poured as they tied the boat to the pier. They scurried back to the house.

“Megan,  please get dry clothes. I’m going to place Grandma back on her favorite rose comforter until I can reach the coroner.”

Megan didn’t move. She waited patiently for her father to settle Grandma, then she combed her hair back in place before kissing her forehead. “I love you, Grandma.”
Megan glanced out her bedroom window. She screamed, “Dad, the island is gone.”

“What?” He ran outside.It had vanished just as Megan said, the dark sea stretched for miles with no land in sight.

 

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