Wednesday, December 23, 2009

God Bless Us All


May the Light that you celebrate at this time of the year bring you joy, happiness, hope and peace.
I hope to be back around this weekend.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Killer Dolls?

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(Cloth Dolls by Vanessa V. Kilmer circa 1990)
"Hug Me, Hanna" did come with a warning label. Unfortunately, the choking caution was fatally too vague for everyone in the house.
This was my Tweet the Meat story which aired
Monday, December 14, 2009.
green butterfly
Wordless Wednesday at The “other” Chrysalis Stage.
Glass Ornaments at Esoteric Uncovered.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Tweet the Meat - Update

I was rushing yesterday, as I am again this morning. I came home from work to a husband in severe back pain and unable to move. We did a round of doctors and pharmacies and then I played nursie when we got home. We will do it all again today.

Tweet the Meat is a "Twitter-Based Horror Zine." Horror stories in 140 characters or less. They pay $1.00 per accepted submission. I decided to try this after reading about it at Susan's stoney river.

If you use twitter, you can find my story at http://twitter.com/tweetthemeat for the rest of today.

If you do not twitter, I will post it later. Tweet the Meat has first "publishing" rights.

This is my first official paid story.

Winter Solstice Light at Esoteric Uncovered.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Tweet the Meat

I just received notice that a story I submitted to Tweet the Meat will be twittered at 6 pm Pacific time tonight. If you would like to see it live, they are at

http://twitter.com/tweetthemeat

You now have 23 minutes to prepare yourselves for spectacularness.

Christmas Tree

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I finished decorating and writing out my Christmas cards. My daughter, son-in-law and grandson visited this weekend to help. My parents visited to see the baby.

Nicholas at The "Other" Chrysalis Stage.


Wassail at Esoteric Uncovered.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Unconscious Mutterings – The Expanded Version

Visit Luna NiƱa for mutteringsredanim
I free-associated the replies then went back and expanded the thoughts.
These are from Week 358.
I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Hotter :: than hot! – At sixteen, while visiting friends in Vienna, we went to a Beer Cellar. Our waiter, a dark haired, dark eyed gypsy was the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. Part of it may have been the way he had of looking at me, like I was the only person in that busy room. The only person I’ve seen that comes close is Rodrigo Santoro, although my gypsy had black eyes. rodrigo Santoro
  2. Negotiator :: Terminator – My response for this comes from have to deal with negotiators who give large sums of money to people who file bogus claims, settling just because it is cheaper than fighting.
  3. Crimson :: Tide – I believe this is football, maybe Alabama.
  4. Loses :: Wins – I prefer winning. Don’t we all? But we learn more from losing.
  5. Tide :: Detergent – I must do laundry this weekend. I have a severe Boo-boo face. You may recall, I requested a maid for Christmas.
  6. Alan :: Ladd – I think he was a director. I don’t know many Alans or Allens.
  7. Fool :: Tarot – My favorite card. It represents adventure, change and growth, along with child like curiosity and vision.
  8. Pink :: Panther – He makes pink look good.Pink_Panther
  9. Palm :: Sunday – Palms, Pussy Willows and herbal bouquets tied with ribbons.
  10. Lipstick :: Hiding – I have never worn lipstick or much of any makeup. I never felt right in it. I do use lip balm. I have no problem with others wearing makeup. I just feel better without it. 
Sunset at The “Other” Chrysalis Stage.
Scarlet at Esoteric Uncovered.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Big Ole Doody Head


So, yesterday, I wallowed in self-pity and you all came to my rescue. Thanks for the no-nonsense advice, the heartfelt sympathy and the flat out funny comments that slapped some sense into my thick skull. 


Maybe it was because the comment was on one of my more autobiographical posts or that no one has been mean to me in the four years I've been posting. I could blame it on The Menopause. I guess I just got my drugs mixed up and took too many sensitivity pills. 


After reading your comments and downing several extra strong Woo Woo's, I took your counsel and washed that grey right out of my hair. My life can't compare to Sarah Palin's. Despite the fact that I'm a big, ole, whiney, doody head, I am blessed with the bestest blog buddies in the world. And I want to go kick the ass of anyone who hurts you guys.


The Ghost of Christmas Present at Esoteric Uncovered.


Six Word Saturday at The "other" Chrysalis Stage.

Friday, December 11, 2009

You're Nuts

I love waking up, getting a large cup of coffee and turning on my computer as my morning wake up ritual. The first place I go to is my email inbox. The comments you all leave are funny, witty, intelligent, helpful, clever and kind. In the four years since I began blogging, each comment has brought me a bit of joy

Then this morning, someone comments on one of my posts that they don’t like what I write here and I am not welcome to visit them again. I am devastated to gigantic proportions. I begin sobbing huge gulping heaves that cause me to throw up in the bathroom sink. I can’t stop crying. I question my sanity because anyone this upset over twenty-five words (yes, I counted) from a stranger needs psychiatric care.

I want a professional writing career? How on earth will I ever bring myself to submit my work to editors and publishers if I get this upset?

Weekend Reflections – Christmas Lights On My Porch

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James at Newtown Area Photo has a meme called Weekend Reflections
Friday Fill-Ins and A Random Question at Esoteric Uncovered

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Guess Who's Birthday It Is?




Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!
Happy Birthday, G-Man!

Car Goes Boom

On November 16, 2009, I did the meme where you tell nine truths and one lie. You can find my list HERE if you didn’t get to read it the first time. I said I would elaborate on the experiences I listed.
Doug from WAKING AMBROSE remembered when I told the story about running into the back of an armored car (item number 5 on my list) way back on January 23, 2007. It’s interesting to see who of those that commented are still visiting here (I love you, guys.)
I reprint the story now (and it also tells the story of item number 8 on my list):

The Bread Truck
The story you are about to hear is a cautionary tale. The names have not been changed to protect the innocent (namely me) and no animals were hurt in the telling of this tale. Professionals did not do the stunts, but don’t try this at home anyway; that would be pure craziness. Remember children: drugs and alcohol don’t mix; use them separately.

~ ~ ~

Things were different in the late seventies. People drank. People drugged. People sexed. People danced. These things happened openly and with a great sense of pride and excitement. You could walk into any office and see lines of coke running parallel across the desk of a company’s president with his workers ranged around him, everyone imbibing. People carried pills around like they were Valentine’s Day confections. Disco bounced and gyrated the bodies of silkily dressed girls and tight pantsed, polyester clad boys. Men wore gold chains around their exposed chests and knuckle rings with big stones on manicured fingers. Women went braless in all of their natural low cut bounty. Life partied heartily.

I came from a very middle class background and found it all fascinating. I flitted from one experience to another, marveling at the alien world I saw other people living.
One of the places that always fascinated me was Go-Go bars. We call them Gentlemen’s Clubs now. I got a job running the business side of the bar. I booked the dancers, ordered the alcohol, hired bartenders and kept the books. The owner always tried to get me to dance or tend bar. He thought a buxom blonde would be good for business. I politely declined as both positions required fewer clothes than I wanted to wear.

I got to know the women who danced (and other things) in these bars. I searched for the poor woman who danced to support her child or the one who tried to better her self by making money for college. Somehow these women never materialized. Most of these girls hooked from one drug hit to the next. Glamour didn’t party with any of them; desperation, heartache and addiction sat on barstools and twisted around poles.

Through one of these women, I found a doctor in Philadelphia who specialized in weight loss using “real” diet pills. Pink, white and green pills gave me energy and took away my appetite. I took sixteen of these in various combinations throughout the day. At night, blue pills would calm my body down enough for it to relax but they had the opposite effect on my mind. Under regular circumstances my dreams are peopled with fantastic beasts and heroes of epic proportion. While taking these prescription sleeping pills, monsters that made Godzilla look like a baby bunny chased me and psychopathic killers lusted after my loved ones. I stopped taking the sleeping pills.

I quit eating (but I looked good.) I slept about an hour a day and some people said I talked to myself in long drawn out and involved conversations. I went for a week like this.
The Go-Go bar owner had a party one night. It was the first time he allowed me to socialize with the dancers, bartenders and patrons. The owner bought drinks for everyone. Men showered me with attention, being the new girl in the group. I drank liberally and soaked up the sweet words directed at me. I became giddy with drink, pills, a lack of food, sleep and accolades. One man even sang to me.

When the bar closed at two, the party moved to an all-night club that had live bands. I drove myself and a few other party goers. We danced and drank until the sun came up. We went to a diner for breakfast. Toast and home fries tasted great after not eating for a week.
I drove home as the sun rose. I gave a lift to one of the dancers who went out with us to the late night club. The air chilled us and the dancer needed her rest, so we kept the radio off and the heat on and all of the windows closed. I’m so considerate.

Someone screamed in my sleep. I woke up slowly, wondering where all of the noise came from and who disturbed my peaceful slumber. I was cozy in the warm car and hadn’t felt this good in months. I heard screaming about someone being dead. I peeked out of my eyes.
On the left, out of the driver’s side window, the dancer ran up and down the highway, trying to flag down other drivers. Through the windshield and on the right, I saw trees. One tree even bent over the hood of the car. I went back to sleep.

I heard some tapping which I totally ignored. I was having some sort of sweet dream and I did not want to be disturbed. The tapping was accompanied by someone calling my name. Someone in a uniform leaned over me and opened the driver’s door. Other people in uniforms lifted me onto a stretcher.

I recognized that some of the people were emergency workers and others were policemen. The policemen kept asking me questions about what happened and wanted to know if I had been drinking. I giggled at that questions and answered honestly about partying all night long.

“Do you know what happened here?” asked one of the policemen.

“I fell asleep,” I answered.

“Do you know you hit something?” asked the other officer.

“Yes, I think I do.”

“Do you know what you hit?”

“I ran into the back of a Wonder bread truck.”

First, there was silence then everyone burst into laughter. The policemen, the ambulance workers, the other drivers who had stopped were all laughing at me.


“What’s so funny?” I mumbled in my half dozing state.

“You ran into a bread truck, alright,” said one of the cops, “you hit the back of an armored car.”

~ ~ ~

I suffered a fractured sternum and whiplash. The innocent dancer had a cut on her forehead. The car did not survive. No tickets were issued and no one lost their license. I gave up pills, cut down on my drinking and quit my job at the Go-Go bar.

* * *
Quilly’s Three Word Thursday at The “other” Chrysalis Stage
Thursday 13 at Esoteric Uncovered

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

How to Cure a Hangover

With the holidays upon us, many of us will be tempted to drink too much, especially with family stresses caused by excessively high expectations and New Year’s Eve almost here. I’d like to suggest some ways to prevent hangovers that can make the days more difficult and put a damper on your cheer.
20090324 - Bacchanal
Good Tip: If you have overindulged, drink three or four glasses of water before going to sleep. The worst feelings of a hangover are due to dehydration.
Better Tip: Drink in moderation, rotating each alcoholic drink with a glass of water or other non-alcoholic drink. Be sure to eat while drinking to slow your body’s absorption of the alcohol and to help it metabolize at a reasonable rate. Add seltzer to a glass of wine to make what Europeans call a Spritzer.
Best Tip: If you don’t drink alcohol, it’s impossible to get a hangover. Instead, drink seltzer with a slice of lemon or tonic with a wedge of lime.
Watching drunks while you are sober is very entertaining and eye-opening. 
Tuesday’s Tales at the “other” Chrysalis Stage


Monday, December 07, 2009

Monday Mayhem

Welcome to Monday Mayhem
monday mayhem
This week's (actually from 11/28/09 – I request all meme prompts be posted a week ahead of time) Monday Mayhem is brought to us by Thom - You know- this guy :)


Directions: Copy and paste this into a blog post.
In Exactly 8 Words and 1 picture Describe:





1. Your love life:
I would need the brown paper wrapper first.
IMG_5033 2. Your worst habit:
It has to be how perfect I am.IMG_4980
3. The city you live in:
A hub of social and economic elitism, not.
IMG_4991
4. Your pet peeve:
Pets that pee on me not a tree.
IMG_4937 5. Your parents:
Made me who I am, thanks so much.
20090324 - Bacchanal 2 6. You favorite dessert:
Vanilla ice cream with warm raspberry sauce. Yum!
7. Your worst vacation:
One when I have no time to read.
IMG_5111
8. Yourself:
A person not to be taken too seriously.







IMG_5158

MicroFiction Monday at Esoteric Uncovered
Giant Crickets Invade Norway at the “other” Chrysalis Stage

Sunday, December 06, 2009

MacSpeech

This is a sponsored post.
I so wish I had a Mac so that I could get the MacSpeech


At the end of a long, hard day, it would be lovely to sit back in my chaise and just dictate my novel into my computer. As light as a keyboard is, sometimes it can be heavier than I can manage and my fingers and wrists sure could use a rest, too.
product_icon
Plus, for a multitasker like myself, I can envision crocheting or sewing and still “writing” at the same time. Or even dictating a story while completing all of those really boring tasks like folding laundry or doing dishes. I might even dust if I could get a story written at the same time. It would be like having my own personal secretary.  And I wouldn’t have to submit payroll taxes to the government. 

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Saint Nicholas Puppets

Today is Saint Nicholas Day. I made one of these felt hand puppets for my great-nephew, Brandon (4 years old) and one for Nicholas, my 2 1/2 month old grandson. They found these in their shoes this morning (placed outside their bedroom doors.) The hat, mittens and belt are removable.

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01-1 01-202

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The Real Saint Nicholas at Esoteric Uncovered

Let It Snow at the “other” Chrysalis Stage

Saturday, December 05, 2009

What Does Santa Say?

20091204 HOE HOE HOE COLOR

Santa is very jolly because he knows where all the bad girls live. ~ Dennis Miller

I didn’t say it, Dennis did.

At least, I behaved with the picture.

Six Word Saturday at the “other” Chrysalis Stage.

The Ghost of Christmas Past Esoteric Uncovered.

Friday, December 04, 2009

Friday Fill-Ins

These were answered with the first thoughts that came to mind.

1. Wait! Wait, don't forget to brush your teeth.
2.
Death followed at once by joy.
3. The trouble is
I fart.
4.
In a world many miles away.
5. With a faint pop
I opened my can of soda.
6.
Vampires are shadowy and ominous.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to
total vegitating, tomorrow my plans include Christmas decorating and card making and Sunday, I want to read!

I'm pretty sure I'm a week behind. I am asking all meme creators to post their prompts a week ahead of the required posting date. Just for me. Pretty please.



Entangled at Esoteric Uncovered.


Thursday, December 03, 2009

Name That Christmas Song

noel

What Christmas song does this picture represent?

Blog of the Week Thank-you at the “other” Chrysalis Stage

Thursday Thirteen - Christmas Tree Traditions from Around the World at Esoteric Uncovered.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Rabbit, Rabbit – Hot Footin’ It

20091130 rabbit, rabbit

Blue Rabbit: What do you do for good luck?

Pink Bunny: Run.

I wish you lots of running in December.

* * *

A Simple Good Luck Charm at Esoteric Uncovered

NaNoWriMo Busted at the “other” Chrysalis Stage

Friday, November 27, 2009

Breaktime

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programs to play with our grandson.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Monday, November 23, 2009

Thanksgiving MeMe

I looked around for a Thanksgiving MeMe and I didn’t like any of them exactly the way I found them, so I did some turkey style carving and loaded my plate with what I wanted.

1. Where?

My house. We switch each year between here and my brother’s house (he goes to his wife’s family every other year.)

2. What?

A traditionally roasted twenty pound turkey with savory bread stuffing in the bird and in a pan, heaps of mashed potatoes, buckets of gravy, Brussels sprouts with brown butter onions and toasted slivered almonds, white and yellow corn, Alice’s Carrot Salad, whole berry cranberry sauce and jellied cranberry sauce, mini sweet gherkins, baby kosher dills, black olives, green pimento stuffed olives and mild pepper rings, crescent rolls, apple pie and vanilla ice cream and pumpkin pie with whipped cream (pies supplied by my parents.)

3. Who? My mother and father, me and my husband, my aunt and uncle, my daughter, her husband and my grandson (I have turkey flavored formula for him) and my niece and her boyfriend.

4. When? Arrival is approximately 1 PM and dinner is at 3 PM (if I get the turkey in on time.) My parents and aunt and uncle will leave for home by seven, my daughter and her family will spend the night and my niece and her boyfriend will leave upon her whim.

5. How? The food will be set out as a buffet and then we will sit down together at one large table .

Traveling at Esoteric Uncovered

Tangents or Lost? at the “other” Chrysalis Stage

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Sunny Sunday #7 – Say a Sunny Thank-You

20091122 1 - Say a Sunny Thank-You

(Sharpie ® on tracing paper)

And here, for your pleasure, is the silly poem:

Thank You, God,

for the great bounty of Your blessings:

enough clothes for multiple dressings,

luscious food that is much better than gruel,

a big comfy house warm with lots of fuel,

a family always ready to defend

and loyal, happy, silly friends,

a warm and loving spouse of a honey

and a job that gives me plenty of money,

a warm and gifted daughter child

and troubles small and very mild.

I have generally wonderful health

that is more important than excessive wealth.

I have been graced with many talents

and a joy in them that keeps me in balance.

You have helped me keep my loved ones close

and I know that's what matters most.

You helped me find this blogging universe

filled with people kind and diverse.

There's my cute Cody puppy

and I'm glad I was never a yuppie;

and lest You forget,

there's the Lear I haven't gotten yet

and for everything I forgot,

I thank You a whole lot.

20091122 2 - Say a Sunny Thank-You (close up)

See my New Moon Movie Review Here

Come back here to comment where it’s easier, if you want.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Not 2012's End of Time

I saw the movie, New Moon, with my daughter and niece (she dragged along her boyfriend) at the debut 00:01 Friday morning viewing in our area. Thank goodness we pre-purchased our tickets with Fandango when they first became available as there were no more tickets to be had when the day arrived. Shopping online saves so much time and prevents tons of frustration. I have used Fandango several times (we see all of the Harry Potter movies at midnight premiers and did the same for the Lord of the Rings movies.)

I like the layout of their website and it is very easy to use. Picking up the tickets at the theater is very easy, too. Just slide your card (Debit or Credit) in the machine and out pop the tickets. No waiting in long, snake lines.

I wrote a list of movies from the previews that I want to see in the future. You can be sure I will use Fandango to purchase the tickets when the time comes. After all, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 comes out in November 2010 and Part 2 comes out in July 2011, both well before the Ancient Mayan Doomsday and End of Times in 2012.

(This was not a paid post - yet. This was a test. But I really do use Fandango.)


It's not easy to comment there, so you can come back here to comment if you want.

All Mixed Up

It's time to try to get paid for writing. It's time to shove fear down that black hole where it belongs. It's time to view life once again with childlike excitement. Omg, can you imagine a time machine blender?! This blog will contain paid content in the future. I hope you join me.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

A Poem a Day #14 Love & Not Love

Today is Tuesday, which means two prompts.

First prompt: Write a love poem.

You

Please
Thank-you
I'm sorry
You first
Let's share
Remember when...
Let's try again
This is for you
I thought you
might like it
Can I get you
something
You rest
You deserve it
You make me
smile
You make me
laugh
You are the
heart of me.

Poem by Vanessa V. Kilmer © April 14, 2009

Second prompt: Write an anti-love poem.

Your Fault

Pain
Bruises
You are ugly
You are stupid
You are worthless
You made me do it
You are useless
You are dumb
You are fat
Tears
Pain

Poem by Vanessa V. Kilmer © April 14, 2009

A Poem a Day at Poetic Asides
And be sure to treat yourself to this video by clicking on the word DREAM. I guarantee you will not regret it and this woman's dream deserves to come true. She will make you cry but in the best way possible.

A Dream That Should Not Die

Jay from Bailey's Buddy put up this video. I didn't have time to figure out how to load the video but here is the link. Do yourself a favor and go watch it.
This was one of the most amazing, goose bumpy things I've ever seen and this woman deserves to be heard.

Monday, April 13, 2009

A Poem a Day #13 - Drawing

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that incorporates a hobby (either yours or someone else's). That's right: Now is the perfect opportunity to write about your comic collection or your scrapbooking activities. And for the purposes of this challenge, I also think activities such as fishing, running, bowling, photography, birding, and gardening count as hobbies.


Drawing

A line flows from my pencil after
traveling from my eye to my brain and down
my arm through the muscles
of my hands, the flexing of my fingers
appearing as if by magic
without my control, never to materialize
as the image I envisioned when I
first looked, when I imagined something
different it became new with time
stood still, hours passed
into the being of a creation beyond
my first thought.

Poem by Vanessa V. Kilmer © April 13, 2009

A Poem a Day at Poetic Asides

Sunday, April 12, 2009

A Poem A Day #12 - So We Decided

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "So we decided to (blank)" and fill in the blank. Make that your title and write a poem. Some possibilities include "So we decided to plant a tree" or "So we decided to burn a hole in the sky."

So We Decided To Keep On Living

So we decided to keep on living,
me, myself and I.
Much too soon to stop from giving
up, rolling over to die.

So we decided to try once more,
to rise another day.
Looking at life different from before,
seeing it in a new way.

So we decided to keep on going,
one more chance,
for all my selves just knowing
to continue with the dance.


Poem by Vanessa V. Kilmer © April 12, 2009



A Poem a Day at Poetic Asides

Saturday, April 11, 2009

A Poem A Day #11 - Blind

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about an object (or objects). Though you don't have to confine yourself to straight up description, I do want you to focus on object and/or make it a central piece of your poem. One of the more famous poems of contemporary literature does this wonderfully in William Carlos Williams' "The Red Wheelbarrow."

Blind

perched out in the open

atop long spindle legs

cornflower turquoise against

a baby blue clear sky

hiding lazy hunters


Poem by Vanessa V. Kilmer © April 11, 2009



A Poem a Day at Poetic Asides

Friday, April 10, 2009

A Poem A Day #10 - Man Friday

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about Friday. Do you like Fridays? Despise Fridays? Of course, you can also write about something that happened on a Friday--or write an ode to Fridays. Or, as you know, I'm all for seeing you attack this from an angle I haven't thought of yet.

Man Friday

I wish I had a Man Friday,
a servant to do what I say:

pay all the monthly bills,
pick up my prescription pills,

throw out the rotten fishes,
clean up the dirty dishes,

feather the two inch dust,
grocery shopping a definite must,

the floor would meet the mop,
dinner would be more than slop,

wash the piles of dirty laundry
and never charge me a single fee.

What I need in my life
is an old-fashioned wife.

A Poem a Day at Poetic Asides

Foto Friday #7 - Rainbow

"Rainbow 1"
Photograph by Vanessa V. Kilmer © April 3, 2009

"Rainbow 2"
Photograph by Vanessa V. Kilmer © April 3, 2009

Thursday, April 09, 2009

TWT #9 & PAD #9 - Attic Attack

Today is Quilly's Three Word Thursday #9. These are this week's words:

jussulent - full of broth or soup

tenebrous - dark; gloomy; obscure

ebullient - overflowing with fervor, enthusiasm, or excitement

I have combined them into A Poem a Day. It's a Twofer. Aren't you glad?

For today's prompt, I want you write a poem about a memory. The memory can be good or bad. The memory can be a blend of several memories. I suppose it could even be a memory that you're not sure you remember correctly. Take your time finding a good one (or good ones).

Attic Attack

self-contained child
lost in her world alone
not lonely solitary
annoyed mommy
repeatedly repeating
unheard falling
on deaf ears ebullient
angry martinent
imprisoned child
garret tenebrous black
screaming banging
adolescent manipulator
neighbors interfering
grandma to the rescue
fed her jussulent
abject misadventure



A Poem a Day at Poetic Asides

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

A Poem a Day #8

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about either a specific routine or routines in general. Maybe something related to taking out the trash each week or washing the dishes every night--or something more bizarre (yet still a routine).

Wax On, Wax Off

Remember to get your chores done
Or you can't go out and play
Understand that repetition's fun
Tasks needn't get in the way
Immerse yourself, don't run
No matter what some folks say
Eventually you will have won
Sameness really is okay.


A Poem a Day at Poetic Asides

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

A Poem a Day #7

Today is our first "Two for Tuesday" prompt of the month. On these days, I offer two prompts. Don't worry: You don't need to write a poem for each prompt (but you're more than welcome to if you feel up to the challenge).

Prompt #1: I want you to write a clean poem. Take this however you wish. Clean language, clean subject matter, or cleaning the dishes. Of course, some twisted few will automatically link "cleaning" with hired hitmen. That's okay, as long as your poem is somehow linked to clean.

A Real Woman Does

each and everyday
run the vacuum
clean the floors
on your knees
laundry basket
always is empty
clean the dishes
right after dinner
dust the furniture
morning and night

Prompt #2: I want you to write a dirty poem. Take all that stuff I wrote in the first prompt and twist it upside down. The opposite of clean is dirty; so, do what ya gotta do to produce a dirty poem. (Gosh, I hope this challenge doesn't get too messy as a result.)

Down on the Farm

Warm cow manure squished
between bare toes
mud crusted
knees and elbows
twigs leaves brambles
tangled wind blown hair
dirt caked fingers
black moon fingernails
ripped shorts
sweat covered t-shirt
squished grasshopper in pocket.

A Poem a Day at Poetic Asides

Monday, April 06, 2009

A Poem a Day #6 - Joe Schmo

For today's poem, I want you to write a poem about something missing. It can be about an actual physical object or something you just can't put your finger on (like "love" or "the spirit of Christmas" or something).

Joe Schmo

There once were a feller, Joe,
who had fewer brains than dough.
He opened his yap,
foot into the trap:
he lost way more than his toe.

For more on A Poem a Day, go to Poetic Asides.

Sunday, April 05, 2009

A Poem a Day #5 - McCrossen's Dockside

Poem a Day - For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about a landmark. It can be a famous landmark (like Mount Rushmore or the Sphinx) or a little more subdued (like the town water tower or an interesting sign).

McCrossen's Dockside

Watering Hole

Halyards clanging against masts
pointing into clear blue sky
from bright white boats
lined up in dry dock
sailors at water's edge
sipping vodka on the rocks

Saloon

Sportsters tucked between hulls
silence rumbling the air
after announcing themselves
with deep throated cries
bikers lounging at plastic tables
imbibing neon margaritas

Bistro

Expensive automobiles
segregated in small packs
polished couture coterie
draped in gold chrome
financiers taking over bar stools
knocking back beers

Tavern

Bright flowered shirts
knee-length baggy shorts
Sneakers and flip-flops
kicking up dust
geriatrics gone wild
hammering double shots

Bar

For more about Poem a Day, go to Poetic Asides.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

A Poem a Day #4 - Copper Chickens

Poem a Day - For today’s prompt, I want you to pick an animal; make that animal the title of your poem; then, write a poem. You could be very general with your animal title (“Bees” or “Lion”) or specific (“Flipper” or “Lassie”). You could even be very silly with something like “Tony, the Tiger,” I guess (that tiger on the cereal box).

Copper Chickens

Barnyard fowl
roost in an aerie

strut in the yard
all bright and airy

copper chickens
with a nod and a bow

flap tawny wings
perched on a bough

plump fat hens
sisterhood clique

sing solidarity
cluck, clack, click

For more about Poem a Day, go to Poetic Asides.

Wordzzle #57 - Sean the Vampire, Part 3

These are the words to Raven's Wordzzle game. I have taken the words but changed the rules a little.

To see the directions and other players, visit Raven.

Ten Word Challenge will be: apoplexy, doctor, hummingbird, shallow end of the pool, brigadier general, mustard, greed, parallelogram, slumber party, casual

Mini Challenge: Mount Olympus, arsonist, portraits, birch trees, "that car needs a new muffler"

Part One

Part Two

Sean took a casual look for a map. He looked around and saw portraits of "The Most Wanted" on the mustard colored walls. He decided to approach his search for bad-men-food like a brigadier general on campaign.

He ignored the greed in his veins calling for immediate release. This would be no slumber party. When you hunted a serial killer, rapist or arsonist, there was no need to be careful or kind. He looked forward to causing apoplexy in someone.

Something rushed by his head. At first he thought it was a hummingbird, but he knew no living beings were in the town. An apparition appeared in front of Sean the Vampire. This was the Ghost Toasty he had smelled earlier. Its vapors were singed on the edges.


"Call me Doctor Death," said the specter, "I can help you find all of sinners you can eat." The haunt swooped around Sean's head.


"How did you die?"


"I went for a midnight swim
in my parallelogram shaped natatorium after a day spent snorting cocaine, diving into the shallow end of the pool, hit my head and died."

"Not too bright," said Sean.


Doctor Death turned up the wattage and Sean had to shade his eyes.


"I know the first person on your menu lives in a mansion called Mount Olympus, surrounded by birch trees. You will need to go in with iron to protect yourself from his magic."


"Um, vampire," Sean said, pointing at his chest.


"Can you shape-shift right now or fly?" asked Doctor Death.


"I am weak right now from lack of blood, but I'll manage."


"Follow me."


The phantasm floated through the wall at the back of the store. Sean followed through a door into an alley where a cherry red Mustang sat.


"Get in," said Doctor Death. "Let's go."


Sean the Vampire got behind the wheel.


"Who's car?"


"Mine."


"Why would a ghost need a car?"


"The person before he became a ghost needs a killer car," said Doctor Death. "Start her up."


Sean turned the key. A horrendous rumble and a mean growl erupted from the running motor, shaking every inch of the vehicle. The vibrations made Doctor Death's vapors shift and quiver. Sean turned the car off and got out.


"What are you doing?" asked Doctor Death.


"That car
needs a new muffler," said Sean.

"Begging vampires can't be choosy."

Friday, April 03, 2009

A Poem A Day #3 - The Problem with Happiness

"Beryl's Castle"
Photograph by Vanessa V. Kilmer © April 3, 2009

For my dragon loving friends, this is Beryl. He lives on my front porch. He loves the sunshine. He told me he wants a castle like the one I painted on the saw. When we win the lottery.

A Poem A Day - Today's prompt: Take the phrase "The problem with (blank)" and replace the "(blank)" with a word or phrase. Make this the title of your poem and then write a poem to fit with or juxtapose against that title. For instance, you could have poems with the titles of "The problem with government," "The problem with advanced mathematics," or "The problem with bipolar penguins." You know the drill: have fun, be creative.

The Problem with Happiness

Feels
so
damn
good
endorphins
flowing
veins
pulsing
racing
thoughts
sunshine
bright
blue
verdant
wine
lush
body
oasis
only
lasts
as
long
as
an
orgasm.

To see A Poem a Day, go to Poetic Asides.