Waiting For My Friend

Waiting patiently with anticipation
to see your face, your smile.
It uplifts my soul
with a warm cozy feeling.
The conversation flows with such ease.
What is this?
Are we soul mates? Friends?
No, just long-time friends.
who have shared so much.
Birth, death, marriage, accidents, congratulations,
moments of despair.
You have been my anchor,
someone always to depend on
How lucky am I
to have such a true friend.

Reunion Time

Excitement is brewing
The reunion is here
The time has come
To see friends, so dear.

To Gulf Shores we've come
From all over the place
To see our sisters
Up close, face to face.

Not everyone understands
What this one weekend does
For our spirits and souls
It's a lifesaver for us.

We can all be ourselves
No one puts on airs
We love and we laugh
And eat without care.

At night when it's time
We don our dancing shoes
And dance to the oldies
"Night Owl" and the blues.

We talk and we walk
Practice yoga on the beach
Socialize with everyone
That's within an arm's reach.

We wake up early
And stay up late
Savoring each and every moment
For this reunion date.

We learn from each other
About things that are new
A diet, a book
Or a new tea to brew.

We cry and console
Listen with care
Offer support when needed
Sometimes ending in prayer.

We leave fulfilled
Relaxed and content
With a tear in our eye
For the good times we've spent.

This one long weekend
Is like a touch of heaven to all
We've become closer friends
While we're having a ball.

2008, Here I Come

It appears I left a few things off my resolution list so I have resorted to prose.

The new year has come
and I need to get to work.
I will think before speaking
and avoid being a jerk!

I will go to bed earlier
and get up before Joe.
Then I can sneak in some computer time
and he won’t even know.

Exercise will become a way of life.
I’ll give ole George a wiggle.
have my morning cup of Yoga
and walk with a new found wiggle.

Limit my wine consumption
to only a glass or two.
Avoid chocolate, sugar, and ice cream.
That’s what I will do!

I need to limit my casino time
but "Cold Turkey" is not the way
I'm thinking once a month
should be enough time to play.

So I’m giving up all my vices.
What is there left to do?
Live, love, and laugh
and write my silly poems for you.

Communicate with family and friends
give to the poor
attend church regularly
and read my Bible more.

Boy, my list is getting long.
I have so much to do.
Can I keep up with all of this
before each day is through?

I think I’ll need to get some help
some guidance from above
encouragement from my family and friends
and everyone I love.

New Year's Resolutions

As the new year approaches, I'm thinking of how I can improve myself in 2008. I will turn 58 this year, and I have learned a few things during my lifetime.

1. One thing that I have learned is sugar is not good for me, especially the first thing in the morning. So, I will limit my consumption of sugar. This is a difficult thing to do since I am a chocoholic and I love ice cream.

2. I've also learned that I cannot stop eating chocolate once I have started. So what should this tell me. Stay away! I will do my best.

3. THINK BEFORE I SPEAK!!! Words can hurt and sometimes I speak before I think. Since I am brutally honest, this is definitely something I need to work on.

4. Continue to try and lose weight. I lost 10 pounds in 2007, and I plan on losing 10 more in 2008.

5. Talk to my friends and family more often.

6. Attend church regularly and become more involved in St. Michael's, the Episcopal Church we attend in Mandeville.

7. As one of my poems said, "I want to be Santa Claus all year long." I will definitely take advantage of all opportunities to give to others that are not as fortunate as I am.

8. And last, but not least, I will continue writing my poetry. It makes me happy, and I'm hoping that it brings a smile to the reader's faces every once in a while.

A Jigsaw Puzzle a Day

Happy Holidays!

Click on the puzzle below and enjoy putting it back together.

Pumpkin Nut Bread

Here's a recipe for anyone that is interested. I just finished making 24 mini loaves to hand out to neighbors and friends. The orginal recipe called for 1 cup of oil and 3 cups of sugar. It also required that you sift all dry ingredients before adding.

Pumpkin Nut Bread

4 eggs
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup apple sauce
1 can pumpkin (16 oz.)
2/3 cup water
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 1/3 cups flour
1/2 to 1 cup nuts (I add pecans, but walnuts would probably be very good also)

Beat eggs. Add sugar and cream. Add applesauce, pumpkin, and seasonings in that order mixing after each addition. Add flour one half cup at a time alternating with water. Add nuts.

This recipe makes either 3 large loaves or 6 small loaves. Bake at 350 degrees until loaves are brown (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes for large and between 50 and 60 minutes for the small loaves)

Bits and Pieces

1. Joe and I gave blood for the first time yesterday. We were at East Jefferson because our good friend,, Marion was having knee surgery when I saw a sign that said that they needed O negative blood. I was scared, but there was really nothing to it. They gave us crackers, juice, and a free t-shirt.

2. I think that Joe and I have the prettiest Christmas tree that we have ever had. Of course, Chloe loves it too! There are no ornaments on the lower branches. I just love Christmas!

3. Joe and I took Austin out for his 10th birthday yesterday. He chose Raising Canes to eat. Not bad for fast food. If anyone needs one more present for a young girl or boy, they have the cutest puppy there with removable antlers and sunglasses for $6.99.

4. The Liggio motor coach is headed to Burnsville on Christmas evening loaded down with presents and passengers. Mary, Steve, Nita, Kelsey, Madison, Reggie, and Jami are coming along for the trip. I hope we see snow!

5. Michele and Adrian's dog, Peanut, ate my sister's Christmas present!

6. I'm baking pumpkin bread today and bringing it to my neighbors! Yum, yum.