Stories, Stories, Stories

 SOL #18 (should be #21) See below to find out what the Slice of Life Challenge is all about

Yesterday I was in a small theater all day. Yes, it was a gorgeous day, weather-wise, so I missed most of that. The black chairs, the black stage, the small spotlights--they were in stark contrast to the bright sunshine and the warm breeze that was happening right outside the double doors. However, I got to witness a different kind of beauty.

All day (and the day before, as well) writers were auditioning for the Listen to Your Mother show. We heard nostalgic pieces about mothers. We heard pieces of fierce motherhood--stories about mothers who had to be warriors for their children for a variety of reasons. We even heard a story about recovering from years of harsh treatment from a mother.

                                                                  image by Pixabay

The stories were healing. It was obvious that for the writer--writing the story, along with telling the story to an audience, was therapeutic. It either brought the mother back to life--if only for a moment--or it was a balm that helped alleviate a past pain.

If you're in the St. Louis area and you're free on May 7 (the day before Mother's Day), I suggest you save the date. The show will be at the Grandel Theater, and I think it will be wonderful.

No Hog Dog Today... No Snow Dog

SOL #17 (should be #20) See below to check out what the Slice of Life Challenge is all about

Two blocks from our house is a park. It's big enough to have a football field (along with another space where a second team can practice). There's some playground equipment, a large pavilion, and lots of great smells.

                           image by Pixabay--There was dew on the grass this morning... and it's the

                                                                 first day of spring!

At least that is what Radar is interested in. Some smells are so complex, so fascinating, he would stand for 10 or 15 minutes and sniff (if I allowed him to linger that long). I don't, because sometimes his smelling results in his finding something to eat. Could it be some discarded chicken bones he's crunching on? 

Accck! Gutteral. Loud. As much phlegm as I can muster, I try to verbally persuade him to stop crunching on whatever he's eating as I yank him back from the dead squirrel  half of a left-over stale sandwich daily delicacy.

This morning, it was early enough that Radar's friends were not in their back yard. Usually, as soon as they catch Radar's scent (from several blocks away) they're in their back yard (which butts up against the park). They're ready. Hog Dog (a yellowish dog built more like a hog than a dog) works up a froth as he runs back and forth along the fence line, barking. Snow Dog (an Alaskan Husky) usually lies in wait, and as soon as we get close to his fence, he streaks across his yard and barks.

Too early on a Sunday morning for either of Radar's friends. Bad news for him, good news for my arm (because I have to pull and pull and pull Radar into the middle of the football field and away from the yards... otherwise, he's leaping and twisting like a bucking bronco in a rodeo).

Ahh. Early morning walks...

The Little Things

 SOL #16 (should be #19) See below for info on the Slice of Life Challenge

The sound of rain outside... while you're warm and dry inside. Feeling tired... and being able to curl up on the couch and take a nap. Being hungry... and fixing some eggs and potatoes, topped with a drizzle of raspberry salsa.

                                                                   image by Pixabay

It's the little things that fill up my morning today...

Everything's Comin' Up Green

 SOL #15 (should be #18) See below to check out what the Slice of Life Challenge is

Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. In St. Louis, we have a parade in the Dogtown section of the city. The area is a sea of green (hats, beards, hair, shirts, beads and make-up) and a river of yellow (there is way too much urinating in alleys and side streets).

Apparently beer and whiskey are great breakfast drinks, because when you get there early (early enough to be able to navigate the sidewalks before they get packed with people) the drinking has already begun. 

                                                                  image by Pixabay

Things were different the last couple of years--with Covid--but the parade returned yesterday... the first time since 2019.

Things change. Sometimes the changes are for the better, and sometimes they're for the worse.

Yesterday I celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a shot of Bailey's... and plans to take a trip with a friend sometime in June. We're thinking Tennessee... or Wisconsin... or France... or Maine. Maine's too far, really. I found a place in Tennessee where you can hike with a llama (each hiker has a llama that carries your stuff). Part of the fun is finding out what your llama likes (and dislikes, I imagine). We'll see.

I hope you're seeing good changes around you...

 

I Like 'em Naked and Blonde (Big Feet--a Bonus)

SOL #14 (should be #17) See below if you want to know more about the Slice of Life challenge 

Ode to My Hunka Hunka Burnin’ Love

Oh, your fast, hot breath

Makes me eager and excited

About stepping out

(towards the park).

Your liquid-brown eyes

Let me know I’m desired… wanted… needed.

Your tongue licks my skin with such care

And thoroughness

And so much drool,

I drip after each of our love sessions.

Oh handsome boy,

You’ll always be my best boy…

(until, sadly, you’re gone…

And then I’ll adopt another dog…

But they’ll never take your place)

                                                        This is Radar--my best boy

The Deep End

SOL #13 (should be #15) See below to find out what the Slice of Life challenge is

One of my favorite shows was on tonight. It's winding down--only 6 or 7 more episodes until the series is over--and there was a line that resonated with me.

The character was drunk and sitting in the bottom of an empty community swimming pool with his siblings. From his perspective, he was the screw-up, his brother had it all together, and his sister would have it together if only she stopped putting obstacles in front of herself.

I don't belong in the deep end. I belong in the shallow end.

It made me think of what was the deep end--for me, for other people. It made me think of how many of us are just treading water as we desperately attempt to keep at least our nose above water.

                                                                image by Pixabay