A Tanka Poem: The Beckoning Spring

                                                                     

Tree on the hillside

barren branches, wait for green.

Sun to warm it's boughs

and as in life, will renew.

For now, the whispering winds.

GHH/2011

This is my second attempt at tanka poetry.

Tanka is the oldest form of Japanese poetry, you can read more about it here.

My first tanka poem: Spring Thaw is posted here, I wrote that one quite a while ago.

 I still prefer haiku but I've enjoyed trying tanka too.
                        

What is your favorite form of poetry?


For me, writing poems is so relaxing and rewarding. Succinct and timeless forms of expression. Reading and writing poetry is a true joy in my life. I hope that's the case for you too!

Photo (isn't it wonderful) courtesy of my blog friend: Jason Evans.
                                               

PS: It's been a very busy day in Blogland for me!

Here are some new posts at my other blogs:

My Poetic Path: Rainy Days and Monday...

Veggies, Yarns and Tails: Save a Bundle, Make Your Own Sprouts 

My Real Life Reviews: Breathe Right nasal strips


And a couple more in drafts!!!LOL

Time to call it a day on the computer. Happy Wednesday and see you soon!

"Simple" Acts of Kindness Haiku

                                

                                                                                              

Sometimes, we may never know, the far-reaching branches of one simple "act of kindness".



Word of the Week: Dreams

                     

Sweet Dreams
                               

In my dream, there is a staircase.

Leading up to the sun and warming rays.

There is an answer waiting there.

At the top of the stairs.

But it has not been reached.

Still to be revealed.

It will remain.

A sweet and soothing dream.

Awakening to peace and renewal.

There is hope to be found.

Gazing towards the light.

Hope that sustains on even the darkest days.

And weaves through the longest of nights.

In dreams we travel across time and space.

We draw near to those loved ones already passed.

They are there, always waiting.

Interacting with us in the ways still allowed to them.

And wonders to us, in turn.

Sometimes bringing them closer than even those left behind.

If only we remain open to their voices.

Fragile and fleeting, yet clear.

Sweet dreams.

Keep me moving towards the light.

Still my overworked heart.

Calm my mind from the pressures that overwhelm.

These too shall pass.

And again, I will journey forward.

Safely on my way.

The path, meant to be.

Not those of life’s detours.

Or roads best left behind.
                 

                     

GHH/ 2009
                            
                          

                               

       A "dreamy" poem I wrote a while back.

                     I thought it was a good choice to share with this "Word of the Week".                  

Wishing you a wonderful week, filled with happy day and night dreams!

Staircase photo (I love it!) courtesy of my blog pal: Caroline Brown.

An Inspiring Quote for Friday the 13th!

"There is no digression, only added detail."

Here's to adding the right details, to every day.

Thanks to Brenda for suggesting this wonderful quote.

From the book: Salt and Saffron by Kamila Shamsie.
                 



and


Happy Friday the 13th!


 Here's to a lucky day for all of us.


Forget about the superstitions.
                       


Heh, Bloggers back (sorta, I lost some comments) that's a start! 

We All Need Heroes!

When I think of champions, heroes or heroines, the first person who always comes to mind is my maternal grandmother.

Big Ma is what we affectionately called her. Physically, she was a tiny woman; who knows how we came up with at particular nickname. Small she may have been in stature but not when it came to character and a very big heart (of gold).

Here's the story of My Hero: Because of You

I can't say it better than I did when I originally wrote this story. I thought it's an appropriate "happy" topic and I hope you enjoy reading this story (or perhaps re-reading). It still brings tears to my eyes, but in a good way.

I hope you have a hero, maybe more than one in your life, now and always. If you do, please share. And let them know they are, if you can...

We all need heroes!

Here Comes the Sun!

                                     
Found this fun (and very popular) YouTube video featuring the Beatle's :

Here Comes the Sun

The graphics on this one are so cute!

It also got me up and moving.

 I hope you are singing and dancing along too!

Wishing You a  Happy Day and Lots of Sunshine too!  

                                                

Pets Add So Much to Our Lives!

                                      

A no-brainer indeed!

I hope you will stop by my review blog to read about a new campaign and website promoting the many wonderful reasons to own a pet.

Make that... being owned by pets (that's how it is for us feline-lovers!)

                  

Sending lots of  hugs to you and your pets today!

Word of the Week: Bliss

This is one of my favorite photos and bliss is one of my favorite words. I hope you enjoy the haiku too.

Bliss...such a lovely state of mind and word to contemplate and reach for. Sometimes it seems unattainable but I don't think that's ever really the case. It's just a state of happiness taken to the next level, isn't it?

I hope you find your own special BLISS this week!

Love and Remembering

It's been four years this month.

Your memory never fades.

I think of you every day.

And send you, all my love.

                    

xxxooo

                                       

Dedicated to my dear mom: Helen Ruth Hartman, who passed on May 2007.

She loved to laugh and to sing. I think she would have loved my idea for a happy blog too, that's why I decided to post this tribute here.

Her life was one filled with all kinds of creative pursuits. She brought so much joy and beauty to the world. 

I will treasure all the good times we shared, always. 
                         

Remembering and honoring our loved ones on the other side should be a joyous thing, in spite of the sadness. Holding on to all the good memories.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms. 

Also submitted for the OSI prompt: Love

A Proverb to Ponder

" You cannot stop the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can stop them from nesting in your hair."

A Chinese proverb that I really like. 

As always, birds can teach us so much, even indirectly.

                               
Thanks to Sandy for the perfect nest photo!

To Be Young at Heart at Every Age

I've been thinking quite a bit lately about age, aging and how different age ranges are often grouped together by companies and by individuals as well.

 I was on a book site last week, signing up for a membership reward program and one of the questions was my date of birth. Then a notation that they wanted a person's age so that they could then send "appropriate" book suggestions based on your age. It was not an option to fill in this space so I decided to "knock off" a few years and change the date as well! Not only is someone's DOB a stat that shouldn't be shared for security reasons, unless it's really necessary; I also don't think it's a company's business to pry like this.  

I think this is just one of many age-related stereotypes that is going too far. To assume that a person in a certain age range would necessarily be interested in the same books that another person in that age group would also be is just stupid, in my opinion. Much like assuming that because of a person's age they are only interested in certain hobbies, sports, music, entertainment etc...it "grinds my gears" seeing this again and again.

One of the things I like so much about blogging is the "level playing field" that I've noted in the years I've been visiting blogs and posting myself. I have visited and enjoyed blogs hosted by people in their 20's all the way up to bloggers in their 80's. If you've got similar interests, who cares what age you happen to be?

I'm in my 50's, I make no secret of that. On a good day, I often have people remark that I look a lot younger than that. That's great, who doesn't love a compliment about aging well but at the same time, what exactly is a woman in their 50's suppose to look like? All wrinkled up, with drab outdated clothes and no make-up on? I think not!!! LOL

In a tennis class I took a few years ago one of the participants after finding out my age said to me:  "Wow, you look great. My sister is your age too and she's all wrinkles!!" The absolute surprise on her face that I shared the same age as her sister said it all.

I have known people in their 20's who in the true sense of the word are OLD. On the other hand, I've known people in their 80's who truly were YOUNG AT HEART, in the best possible ways. Active, up with the trends, interested in new challenges and learning, looking good and feeling good. Still open to life's many adventures, romance, opportunities and new beginnings of all kinds! And not dwelling on what birthday arrived last. 

I don't feel much different from when I was in my 30's. Being in good health certainly helps but it's not the whole story either. For the baby-boomer generation (which I am a part of) there does seem to be a shift in perceptions and many people saying "forget it" when it comes to being pigeon-holed into some age-related categories that were more in keeping with our parent's and grandparent's generation. Not that it was right then either. We don't expect that all woman will stay home and tend the home-fires and the babies anymore (like my mother and most of my school friends mother's did) to the exclusion of much else, why do we still have these misconceptions about aging?

It's changing but I don't think it's changing fast enough or on as far-reaching a scale as it should be.Age and perceptions of a person according to their age is not just a part of society's stereotyping, it's also a mindset for many, many people.  

Well, there's my visit to the soapbox for the week!!!

What are your thoughts on aging and ageism in society? 

On a lighter note, some music to go along with this post:                

                            

Frank Sinatra's singing the classic: Young at Heart .

There are a lot of versions and various artists over there, singing this lovely, inspiring song but in my opinion, it doesn't get any better than "ol Blue Eyes". No wonder he was known for his "one take" recording sessions. His magical voice will live on forever. And what a gift of music he has left behind.

A song that always makes me smile. I hope you enjoy listening too!

Here's to being Young at Heart and the best we can all be, at every age and season in life!

I'm a Hugger and Proud of It!

I have always believed in the power of simple gestures like giving someone a hug. When the distance makes that impossible, I still like to express the sentiment via a cyberhug or perhaps a line of OOOO's at the end of a letter or page.

Hugs. Such an easy thing to do but they can change someone's day, perhaps more than just the day, in a very positive way.

Many, many times over the years, I've been thanked for giving someone a hug, told that "they needed a hug right about then" sometimes, needed one a lot. I've also been grateful to  receive a hug unexpectedly especially when I was feeling sad or upset. A hug always makes me feel better. Someone took the time to show they cared.

There is some etiquette involved when it comes to hugging strangers of course or even someone you know but not very well. A simple request such as: "I'd like to give you a hug" is a good idea in those circumstances.

 I've yet to have anyone say NO thanks to a hug! LOL 

How pleased I was to find out about this HUG campaign online recently, I don't know how I missed this, even featured on Oprah! Talk about media coverage for a simple act of human kindness and contact. I'm loving it! This is a great site to check out for more about the many benefits of hugging and how this campaign started.

Give someone a hug today. Try to make it someone who looks like they really need one. Instant warmth and smiles, guaranteed!!!

Another Desktop Dazzler!

                               

Another photo that recently stopped me in my tracks!

 I love the array of colors in this one.

Amazing what you can find in your photo archives.

                 

Hope you enjoy the view too!

                           

                         

Wishing You a Beautiful and Beauty-Filled Day!

Word of the Week: Give

                  

Give: of yourself.

Give: your precious time.

Give someone an unexpected gift, for no special reason or occasion.

Give: your talent, skills and experience.

Give: your (complete) attention.

Give: a smile from the heart.

Give: a hug to someone who looks sad.

Give: yourself a gift (and don't feel guilty about it!).

Give: your very best and know that's enough.

Give: and make someone's day.

Give: and make the world  a better place.

                                     

♥♥

PS: This is a poem I wrote a while back. I've reworked the lines a bit in this updated version. Hope you enjoy it. To give is one of the true joys in my life.

PSS: I've decided to "resurrect" my Word of the Week, a regular (kinda, sorta) post series that I had over at My Poetic Path.

 I hope that my word choices are inspiring to you and will be, throughout your week. A mantra perhaps? For myself, I am going to look for extra opportunities to give this week, in whatever ways I can.