Changes and Blessings

     January blew in with many changes, surprises and blessings for me. I changed positions at work and am settling into my new role. The shift has been so much easier because I have such a great team.

    I am still testing as much technology as I can for the visually impaired. I have been working with the OrCam for awhile and still marvel at the advancements in technology. I can barely envision what the future holds for those who are blind and visually impaired. Video magnifiers and CCTV's have come a long way in enhancing the lives of those with low vision. 
    
    I use my handheld video magnifier every day and the keychain money reader is wonderful. There are also many great programs for the computer and apps for the smartphone that make navigation and color coordinating much easier.

   Taking advantage of more of the technology available is just one of many changes that came in with the new year.

   I started writing a book last fall and I imagine it will be finished by late spring but that is not the big news.

  Before I get to the big news, here are a few words I would like to share with my son.

For Andrew

What I Learned from a Six-Year Old

I miss the morning banter
   that spilled between coffee
grounds and Lucky Charms.

I remember how you
lined up the marshmallows
     on your spoon

both of us smiling
    because you always
saved the stars for last.

Somewhere after the
   first sip of dark roast
and before we
   slipped out the door,

"Mom, why do trees
get bigger when we get
close enough to touch them
    but the oak tree in the
back yard looks so small when I
play with Brock next door?"

   I told you it had to do with
        scale and perspective.

I watched wisdom spit
   itself through the tiny
gap of six-year old teeth
as you began to draw the world
   in a different alignment.

Tonight as Lucky Charms
  spill from the sky,
I realize you are the one...
who taught me perspective.

© Cheryl Wilcox January 26, 2016


    I have spent quite a bit of time traveling down memory lane reflecting on magic moments with my son.

   My heart is full as that magic is about to begin again. I am going to be a grandma this fall!

   Congratulations to my son and his girl Heather. May this blessing bring you all of the joy, love and happiness your hearts can hold.

Love always
Mom

Happy New Year, Bucket Lists and Dreams on Brick

     Have you ever noticed that life is as unpredictable as Ohio weather? We have had a mild winter so far and I counted every blessing as I watched the snow fall today.

     How many of you have made New Year's resolutions? I thought about dieting, exercising and tackling my bucket list. The older I get the shorter the list gets because I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to give most of them at least one go around. Don't worry, I have a few left. I still want to tackle that mountain in China and meet a friend for tea. This could be the year. I imagine if I think about it long enough, I will find a thing or too to add because if there is one thing about life that starts the moment we are born, is that it changes.

     My New Year's resolution is to live and love with all that I have. Moments are to be cherished and people are to be loved. Sounds simple doesn't it? What I have found is that there are so many things holding people back. Maybe it is past experiences or the fear of getting hurt. Get over the fear because being afraid of it does not stop it from happening so why not grab life for all its worth and live it? Love like you have never loved before. Life is short and...it is an amazing gift.

     Those that know me well know that every day I take a moment and write down a thought, a reflection or a memory and add it to a jar. At the beginning of the New Year I start another jar and empty the contents of the first jar on my desk and spend a couple of hours reading its contents and cherishing memories. It also gives me the opportunity to see the trials I have survived and the blessings I have received. I want to thank each and every one of you for contributing to the contents of the jar. There are memories shared with family and friends and even a stranger or two. My life has been enriched by each of these moments.
   
     Things have changed a lot in my world. I have taken a different position at work and I am still learning what it entails. I have tackled many firsts and some second firsts. Who said the first time happens only once. That is a story for the next blog post.

     I have battled a few vision issues but I have had some humorous moments along the way. Last week I installed some new software so I should be online a bit more.

    Two thousand and fifteen was a tough year, as I had to say good-bye to many whose love and light had an impact on my life. Their gift is their legacy and each will always hold a special place in my heart where the light always shines. Last year was also a year of cherishing old friends and making new ones.

    About 15 months ago I started writing poetry and columns again. It has been a wonderful experience and I have had the pleasure of meeting some great writers, some of whom I have featured in this blog. I will resume the regular Writer's Corner in the next blog post.

    I want to share another Blog with you. It is created and written by a very talented friend of mine. Her words and work inspire many. Take a moment and enjoy. Feel free to send some submissions and comment.

    http://dreamsonbrick.com/

Spread the word

    I am always looking for writing inspiration so if you have any ideas, please send them my way.

   Until the ink spills again wishing you each the happiest of New Year's
 
 

Freedom, Celebrations and the Writer's Corner

      I hope everyone enjoyed the Fourth of July. It is always a busy time for me. My son Andrew begins celebrating his birthday on the 3rd and it always trickles into the 4th. I spent part of the this year's holiday speculating on freedom and what it really means to our nation and to me personally. 

     This year's fireworks were special to me for many reasons as this year, I truly celebrated the freedom of the soul with a little encouragement from a good friend.

     I don't think we do enough celebrating. I think we can all find something to celebrate each day, if we just take a good look. If you are struggling to find something, let me remind you...that you got up this morning. Did you watch the sun rise? Spend time with those you love? Share a laugh or two with another? Have enough to eat? Starting today, I challenge you to celebrate those small miracles...because that is what they are...miracles.

                                                             In My World

      

     I am still writing a bit, working much and living life. I have faced some additional vision challenges that have kept me offline a bit but I have been working on some work arounds and should be back in full force soon. I am still testing some software and magnification devices for the visually impaired. I will share my findings with you as the research continues.

Other Happenings

     I had a great time enjoying time with family at my Aunt Mary's house for the annual cookout. It was a joy seeing those I rarely see and just a fun time of connection and reflection. The food was great and the company even better! I think we should shoot for getting together more often and I will be making suggestions for that. Life is short. 

I leave you with the Writer's Corner...until next time. Blessings!

The Writer's Corner

Featuring Poetess Candy Brown

I have loved poetry since high school. And through the years learned to appreciate how it heals the heart, fills the soul, and brings such joy, by the pure emotion that flows from it.

A banker by day, and mother of a teenage son, three step-children and three step-grandchildren. Candy enjoys spending lunch time setting by the Mississippi river and writing. 

The River (vignette)

by the river

   there are

   no expectations

             

               just passing moments

                       and breezes

                                         unwritten poetry

                                                                         

                                                    a fragile

                                               leaf

                                    floating

                             atop

                       currents

              drifting

    south

~

by the river

                  my spirit stills

                      in serenity

                                                  regardless

                                                                             of what is

                                                                                         or was

eagles wing

               from branches,

                                  and I know

                                           they see me

                                                                    or perhaps ;

               they

                           only see

                                              the river

~

time has not forgotten

                              it's continuance

carving

chiseling

caressing

                every stone

                                 along the way

and I wonder

               what time

                          has hidden...     beneath

                                                                the murky depth;

I wonder

              if time

                    will remember

                           

                                                       me..

~

metaphors whisper

                                     equations

                                              of simpler things

and suddenly

                   I long to dip my feet

                                          in the river

                                  maybe it

                               will

                             whisper

                                      of canoes,

                                               steamers,

                                          barges,

                                           and dreams,,

of places

            it has been,

                                    and places

                                                    it will venture

but the voice

          I hear

                         is

                               the

                                     ever

                                         gentle

                                              lapping

                                                                                      of waves

© Candy Brown, a month ago

painting (Memory Point)

  

Summer's sweet music

is calling me near,

spirit stirs tranquil

in chorus I hear.

Spanish Moss cascade

in gentle repose,

eden-green notes

from the forest glen flows.

Cattail chords sway

on each slender blade,

alaudine breeze drifts

light over the glade.

Murmurs of native tongue

fall on the air,

I savor the moment

quite blissfully there.

Soothing and peaceful

beneath luscious shade,

stroking each air-brushed

ambrosial brocade.

Music surrounds us

within nature's song,

listful and wistful

as life floats along.

Summer's sweet music

serenely displayed,

soul hearkens tenderly

her serenade.

 © Candy Brown, 2 months ago

-------

Love Came

~ Love came

between lungs breath

reaping frolic from dazzling smiles

a capricious gasp

not knowing the height or depth,

but drawing nearer

to its multitudinous thrills

~ Love came

voraciously plucking moonbeams

from the heart of night,

spilling the glowing garland of intoxication

upon each embrace

while the sparkling spheres

of heaven danced radiantly

igniting love's ardor

with each kiss

~ Love came

in moods and moans,

shivers and sighs,

tremulous touch

bearing no resistance

lighting the torch of purpose

within the spirit,

where avenues of loneliness

once existed

~ Love came

when least expected

singing melodious songs

out of tune

and didn't care

grasping imperfections

tossing them away,

oblivious to everything

but passion

© Candy Brown, 5 months ago

-----

The Stallion And The Maid

It's there the earth sifts quietly

and crowds are far away,

she rides the misty trail of dreams

upon her chestnut bay.

Lithe sturdy limbs, he bears her on

no hoof, nor step, are swayed,

through forest glen where light winds blow

the stallion and the maid.

In carefree cadence strong and sure

to unknown paths they yearn,

unfettered by the cloistered world

they care not to return.

And cross the silv'ry winding stream

where greener paths are laid,

they ride with effervescent joy

the stallion and the maid.

© Candy Brown, a year ago

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My interview with friend and published Author

Michelle Anne Noonan Part 1

Q: How old were you when you began writing?

A: I wrote my first poem in Grade 1 about a fish. I continued to write poetry, the earliest stuff I have is done on a typewriter and I think I would have been perhaps 10. I read so much when i was young, i took part in the MS Readathon right throughout primary school and my favourite author was Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl too - oh and Hans Christian Andersen. 

Q: What inspired you to write?

A: I started to take writing seriously in high school, all of my friends loved my poetry and I would write for other people.  I wanted to be a journalist though at that point and was studying to become a classical pianist or actually a conductress. 

Q: What is your first pen?

A: My first pens to speak of are written to the titles of Cyndi Lauper songs, I started a

poetry book in 1987 when i was 14 years old and only put my special writes in there.

Q: What is your favorite piece of work

A:My favourite piece of work is, of course 'Sensual Whispers'. I orginally wrote most of the material in there during my 20s.  Until last year, I had no real desire to publish this material. I actually sent some of these poems in a booklet to said marine whilst he was in Iraq. This was the original reason I wrote it. I was completing a comprehensive writing course at the time and was madly in love with the guy I had met online, who is from New Hampshire and made it through the war, which is a good thing.

Q: Tell me what you would like others to know about you.

A: I am largely misunderstood, very open minded and I need a boyfriend, LMAO. I am secretive as I am a true Scorpio. Hence it was difficult for me to choose writing as a career.  I find it hard to share feelings and in person am very direct.I am not a snob! Despite being told several times now that I speak like I have a plum in my mouth, I am very down to earth and easy going.  For some reason, I get mistaken for all different types of nationalities, the most recent being trans-atlantan! Now I thought that was an airline... 

I am in actual fact so Aussie, it hurts... I rode motorbikes and grew up as a tomboy at heart.
Please stop by Mishy's website to learn more about her life as a poet, author and Australian.

http://mishyanne73.wix.com/mishy

Below you will find a link to her first book,

"Sensual Whispers" 

It is available in paperback and Kindle editions.

http://www.amazon.com/Sensual-Whispers-Michelle-Anne-Noonan/dp/1499013434/ref=la_B00ODI5O9W_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420914892&sr=1-1

Happy Memorial Day, Wishes, Writers and More

                  (image courtesy of happysankranthi2015.net)       

        What we now celebrate as Memorial Day, was originally called Decoration Day. This day is in honor and remembrance of those who lost their life in service for the United States of America. Many towns have claimed to be the birthplace of Memorial Day over the years but President Lyndon B. Johnson, declared Waterloo, NY the official birthplace in May of 1966

     Memorial Day reached official proclamation on May 5th, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

    General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, on the the first Decoration Day. On this day, 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.

Please take a moment to pause, reflect and celebrate these heroes.

________________________________________________________________

In My World

I always enjoy sharing a story or two with you about my adventures but this time I am going to leave it up to your own imagination and interpretation. I have learned (rather slowly, I may add) that there are many items that you should not leave in the same area when you are visually impaired.

List one: Eye drops and breath drops

List two: Air Freshener, Lysol and Hair spray

List 4: Comet, Bartender's Friend and No Salt Salt Substitute.

List 5: Cinnamon, Cayenne  and Crushed Pepper

I don't think I need to say anything else :)

Other Happenings

As many of you already know, I lost my dear friend Barbara Wilcox last month. She is deeply missed by family and friends but her spirit is spotted around so many corners.

I am excited to continue testing so many wonderful visual aids to enhance the lives of those affected by vision loss. I look forward to sharing some of the reviews with you in the near future. 

Blessings

I know that we can all find ourselves struggling through life sometimes but I always find some peace and a gentle reprieve when I take a few moments each day to just reflect on life's blessings. Take a look out the window and breathe nature in. Isn't it a miracle? One of God's greatest!

Take a moment or two to share your blessings with others that may be struggling. It costs nothing to offer a word of encouragement or to send a smile. Drop by and visit a friend, visit someone in a nursing home or share a cup of coffee with a stranger. Your life will be far more blessed than theirs.

I leave you with the Writer's Corner...until next time.

The Writer's Corner

Featuring Ruth Poteet, pseudonym -Reason

I am a retired teacher with a love of poetry. I have three grandchildren who are the loves of my life..13 years, 9 years, and 14 months old. Such a joy to see the interaction between the three which ranges from jealousy to love to competition. My belief and faith in God through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, is the focal point of my life. I have been writing poetry since 1963 but mostly since I retired in 2001.

I am sure you will enjoy Ruth's work as much as I do.

Spider's Purse

Admire her casting, lines of silky floss;
survey as artist drafts her masterpiece.
Enclosing space invisibly across,
then single-handedly, she will increase
the center parts to form unseen valise.
A purse of unsuspected, vicious taint -
its straps in hand, she naps - a wily feint.
Artistic beauty flows which soon will ebb
when tender insects clutter her restraint.
Artiste awakes to wealth within her web.

© Ruth Poteet, 4 years ago

small town graveyard

small town graveyard
in the pauper's field
wild cornflowers 

© Ruth Poteet, 4 years ago

Whole 'Nother Worlds

In other worlds out there, 
kids hide and say a prayer.
Mom needs the mornings to snooze.
This child gets up alone, 
her hunger to postpone;
Dad's only care is his booze.
She must go to the bus 
without making a fuss;
there's no sense gettin' a bruise.

In other worlds out there, 
kids scowl and say a prayer.
"but everyone's got a Rebelle!"
This child grumbles in bed -
taking short breaks instead
from rising to throw a spell.
She picks at the menu 
no matter the venue.
School is where she catches hell.

In other worlds out there, 
kids toil and say a prayer.
Their sponsors relish hard work.
This child shifts to wheelchair 
from his bed to prepare
for days with many-a-jerk.
After being spoon-fed, 
a helmet on his head,
it's school where real trials lurk.
In other worlds out there, 
kids smile and say a prayer.
Dad helps with homework and play.
This youngster rejoices, 
mom cooks his best choices, 
pancakes for breakfast, hooray!
He goes to school filled up, 
and comes home to a pup
who brightens his sunny day

© Ruth Poteet, March 26, 2011

Robes of Righteousness

a kyrielle

Your Master’s righteous cloak is not
a bold retreat from evil’s plot.
In peaceful times and in discord,
You shall know that I am the Lord.

In busyness or when you’re bored,
in argument or in accord,
in health or in a hospice ward --
You shall know that I am the Lord.

Noah, a man, perfect and just,
built the ark displaying his trust
in full view of a mocking horde.
You shall know that I am the Lord.

Daniel, confident, skilled and wise,
kept on praying without disguise,
sentenced by a conniving board.
You shall know that I am the Lord.

Job, upright, blameless, God-fearing,
endured his friends’ steadfast jeering,
the goad to curse God, he ignored.
You shall know that I am the Lord.

These three, Noah, Daniel, and Job,
God, deemed righteousness as their robe.
Thru famine, wild beast, plague, and sword,
You shall know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 14: 12-23

© Ruth Poteet, Septermber 1, 2012

Alex Jordan's World

a roundel

One small part of his world of kitschy things,
Jordan's unique House on a Rock unfurls
a red merry-go-round mid angels’ wings -
one small part of his world.

Chandelier lights, some twenty-thousand, swirl,
while a mechanical orchestra pings.
Two hundred sixty myriad beasts twirl
but nary a single horse rides the rings.

Stand back a little, put your mind awhirl, 
the world's largest indoor carousel brings
one small part of his world.

© Ruth Poteet, August 19, 2013