Annie's Texas Musings - March - 2014

Butter

12/6/2014

March 1, 2014

Source: We Heart It

Butter

Swish…
Swish…
Swish…

The cypress dasher
moves through
freshly set milk
in a continued
up and down fashion
taking a journey
on the way
to becoming
Sweet Creamy Butter

My job daily
from the evening milking
Skim and set the churn for
butter making
the next morning

Swish…
Swish…
Swish…

Up and Down
Up and Down
until my arm was
tired and I had to
switch

Again and again
until the butter formed
and my morning
chore was done

I loved that time…
my time to think…
to dream…
to be someone other
than the small
Texas girl churning
butter in her grandmother's
crockery churn ---

One of the few things
she had from a
woman she hardly
Remembered…

Copyright © 2014 Annie – Original Poetry
Always…I wish you peace, joy and happiness, but most of all I wish you Love.
As Ever, Annie

Marie

12/6/2014

March 2, 2014

With Mardi Gras just around the corner, I wanted to share this piece I wrote for a Free Write Friday prompt last February. The following poem was at the end of a piece of flash fiction, however, I want to introduce the story with the poem in this reposting.

~ Marie ~

An Opal Moon brought me here
To a tiny store all but bare

Was it all a dream
So vague yet real

With sheer allure and Marie's plea
Beckoning me to come near

Lightening flashed and thunder rolled
A puff of smoke and a sudden whirl

Marie was gone before my eyes
But ... the conjure lived on until ...

IT IS FINISHED!

Copyright © 2013 Annie – Original Poetry

Finding Marie

The dream was vague, but oh so very real. This year, I was lucky and had a invitation to Mardi Gras which would bring me to New Orleans again after many years. The dream told me to look for the Opal and follow it to find what I needed...not what I wanted but what I needed.

The sheer allure of the meaning had me first scared, then excited and finally determined. Also, the name Marie was whispered to me over and over -- sheer allure -- could it really be her -- the great one -- the one who only chooses to come through the veil in times of great need -- surely I was not that 'great need'!

Arriving in New Orleans on Friday before the festivities were to begin was the appointed date and time from the dream. After settling in my room and eating an early light supper, I gathered my things. Treasures from the list of artifacts and materials the dream told me to acquire. Secured in a draw-string pouch as instructed, I set off through the French Quarter to look for the 'Opal'.

The obvious place would be Bourbon Street, but my gut told me Royal Street was where I would find what I needed. This was also why I had chosen to stay at the Bourbon Orleans located on the corner of Royal and Orleans. It's previous life had been a convent amoung other things and said to be haunted, but is a beautiful old world hotel that suited me just fine and the location was perfect for everything Mardi Gras.

Turning right on Royal, I walked several blocks, and there it was...a simple storefront gift shop with a huge 'Opal' Moon in the window. Stepping inside, the clerk caught my eye. Bare chested and beautiful, he pulled aside the beaded curtains at the back and said, "she waits". With a whirl and swish of beads he was gone! There she was, in all her beauty and glory, the famous VOODOO Queen of New Orleans. Marie beckoned me, "come my child, I have what you need". Handing her my bag, she opened it with a sly smile. "You have everything for the gris-gris, even the red string that so many usually forget", she said with her eyes lighting up the room. "You will definitely get what you need from me tonight."

I stood back and watched as the great one began the conjour. What seemed like seconds and had me mesmorized, I found had actually taken hours. As she completed her majick, it was nearing midnight and I woke as if from a deep sleep - trancelike, yet refreshed and excited to continue.

Placing the poppet inside my drawstring bag, Marie sat back, looked me hard in the eye, and began the final instructions.

You are to take the street car into the Garden District. Ride to the end of the line and get off. Turn to your left and you will see a stand of Rowans just inside the cemetary gates. Walk to the center of the stand and dig a deep hole large enough for the bag to fit without bending. Say this incantation (she gave it to me written on parchment) the entire time you are in the Rowans. Take your time, majick needs time and concentration to work properly. Once buried, take a palmful of dirt with you. This will be be sprinkled over running water when you get back home...running water that forms a natural separation. Say the incantation one last time, slowly and with intense emotion. When that is done, turn and walk with your head held high and determination in your step. As you exit the Rowan stand, say one time clearly and with meaning, "IT IS FINISHED"! Return to the street car and never look back. Ride to the Quarter stop and find a place with good music, good food, good drink, good fun, but most of all good men. Enjoy yourself until the dawn breaks and remember, "IT IS FINISHED"!

I did as told, had a wonderful time in a little joint on Canal Street dancing until dawn. Lots of good men, but no one I wanted except for the good times of the moment and a night of fun and dancing.

Walking to the Bourbon Orleans at dawn as the streets were being washed and made ready for a new day, I wanted to see my meeting place from the night before. The little store was there, but no 'Opal' Moon hung in the window, no candles flickered on the shelves. It was completely and totally empty with a hand painted sign on the door --- IT IS FINISHED! And it was.

Copyright © 2013 Annie – Original Flash Fiction

This was originally posted at the following web address: http://www.anniestexasmusings.com/finding-marie.html

Return to the See

12/6/2014

March 3, 2014

Source: We Heart It

Return to the Sea

My favorite place
to be when life
kicks me in
the ass and
the world turns its
back on me

I return to
the sea…
White sand
Blue waters
Life itself moving
to the rhythm of
my heart

The place where
I feel whole
not this broken
shell that holds
my soul

Night time…
I wander ankle deep
in my restoration
Following that yellow crescent
sagging Moon
Leading me Home

Copyright © 2014 Annie – Original Poetry
Always…I wish you peace, joy and happiness, but most of all I wish you Love.
As Ever, Annie

Butterfly

12/6/2014

March 4, 2014

Source: We Heart It

Butterfly

This afternoon I saw
a tiny yellow butterfly
on a dandelion bloom

Where did it go during the
overnight freezing rain and snow
To emerge this afternoon
and play in the sun's warmth

So delicate to
withstand such harsh cold…
Yet…
there it was…
playing in my yard
in the afternoon sun

Copyright © 2014 Annie – Original Poetry
Always…I wish you peace, joy and happiness, but most of all I wish you Love.
As Ever, Annie

Bells

12/6/2014

March 5, 2015

First United Methodist Church - Goldthwaite, TX Source: Google Images

Bells

Growing up in
a small rural town
life is ruled by
times of the day

At 12 Noon
The fire whistle
sounds announcing
the middle of the day
Time for lunch
an hour break
then back to work

But…

Five in the afternoon
was the time of the bells
The Carillon…
from the Methodist Church
playing everyone home
at the end of the day

An easing into
the night…
A time to settle in
at hearth and home
to reconnect…
unite…
with family

Copyright © 2014 Annie – Original Poetry
Always…I wish you peace, joy and happiness, but most of all I wish you Love.
As Ever, Annie

Falling Stars

12/6/2014

March 6, 2014

Source: We Heart It

Falling Stars

Since my Father's
death oh so many
years ago
He comes to me
in times of need…
decision making…
uncertainty…
to give me
support…
comfort…
wisdom…
through shooting stars

When I see one
flash through the
night sky
I know that his
affirmation has been sent

And…

My life can go on

Copyright © 2014 Annie – Original Poetry
Always…I wish you peace, joy and happiness, but most of all I wish you Love.
As Ever, Annie

Fears and Joys of Writers

12/6/2014

March 7, 2014

For the past year, I have been using Judy Reeves book A Writer's Book of Days as my focus to hopefully become a better writer. The following lists come from the March section of this book.

Top Ten Fears of Writers

From Page 44:

A survey of regular writing practitioners showed these as the top ten fears of practicing the craft.

1. that I'm not good enough; that my writing is mediocre or bad
2. that my work is worthless, boring drivel, not clever, that I have nothing interesting to say
3. that I won't follow through or complete anything.
4. that I'll get stuck and nothing will come out
5. that I'll never learn the craft of writing
6. that I'll appear stupid or foolish; afraid of what people will think
7. that I'll hurt someone
8. that I'm a fake, lying, not telling the truth
9. that it's a waste of time

A tie for 10:
10. that it's been done or said before, better
10. that I won't get published

My Comments:
Like the writers surveyed, I share many of these 10 fears … with a few others that will remain nameless at this time. Currently, I had too many project going at the same time and need to prioritize. A writer friend said it best to me the other night, "I need to finish some old stuff before beginning anything new." I agree!

Top Ten Joys of Writers

From page 45:

Those same writers, when asked to list their top ten joys about writing, came up with the following list. A number of ties emerged; we've included them all.

1. expressed many ways: the feeling of completeness, of being in sync with the universe, being present in the now; centered, peaceful, calm, being with myself.
2. feeling that I entertained the reader, made people laugh, touched someone
3. the feeling of being creative, "in the groove," being an artist
3. telling a story, creating characters, plots
4. connecting with others
4. playing with words, using language
4. having an audience, having other people read or hear my writing
5. expressing myself, putting myself on paper, recording my thoughts
5. being with other writers
6. finding out about myself
6. producing something
7. being published
7. finishing, the feeling of having written
7. leaving a legacy, making a mark on the world
8. becoming a more discerning reader
9. finding out I'm good, that there is promise
10. the surprises, finding out what happens

My Comment:
Again, I relate to many of these ten joys. One that has given me the most joy is being with other writers. I have had the honor and privilege to meet several published writers who I proudly call friend.

Copyright © 2014 Annie
Always…I wish you peace, joy and happiness, but most of all I wish you Love.
As Ever, Annie

Gratitude

12/6/2014

March 8, 2014

Today was one of those days that if something could go wrong it did and in spades. It was BountifulBaksets Saturday and I got off later than I intended. Things didn't begin to go wrong at this point…but did so soon enough.

I had to do my monthly grocery shopping after picking up my organic produce from my local Bountiful Baskets site. Shopping took longer than expected and as a result, I got home much later than I intended. At this point, I had not had breakfast but thought I would get the car unloaded, things put away, barn cats fed and then settle in with my own breakfast. Not to happen. When taking my phone and iPad out of my tote…no iPad. Panic … my iPad is my life and my lifeline. I had stopped at a second grocery store on my way home to get what was not available at the first.
My iPad had to be there. A quick call for directory assistance and I was connected. My iPad was safe and sound in the Customer Service office…my heart restarted and I finally remembered how to breathe. Barn cats fed, everything brought in from the car and semi-put away…time to drive back to where I left my iPad --- 45 minutes away. A quick stop at the bank and the gas station and I was
on my way.

The second trip was uneventful even with the weather quickly changing to very windy and threatening to rain. Ran in and collected the wayward iPad and did a bit more shopping. Deciding that I needed something from the first store of the day, I went across town to do what I thought would be a quick errand. Once there, it seemed that everyone in the entire store could not see me until they ran into me … what is it with rude people. I for some reason became very angry at that point, finished my shopping and left before I could be actually hurt.

By this time it was nearly 1:00 pm and my day was not even beginning. Everything that I needed to do and wanted to do just seemed not to happen. Internet issues at home, not having time to write for my blogs and FWF was still taking a back seat to my crazy day. My only thought was, "What will happen next?"

Feeling frustrated, and angry I let the day get the best of me.

I had a long visit with a teacher friend who needed to vent and I still had not had the chance to do my writing. Not upset with her call, just upset with the events of the day keeping me from my plans.

Not getting the barn cats fed until after dark, I realized that even though the day had been one of the crappiest I have had in a long long time I had so much to be grateful for in my life. I have a nice home, plenty of food, good friends, and even crazy pets to keep me in line. I let my frustrations over a stupid thing ruin my entire day and realized in the grand scheme of things it did not matter … to anyone … not even me.

So what if I ate brunch at 3:00 pm and it is nearly 9:00 pm with no dinner, but I am getting my blogs posted. We "Spring Forward" tonight … so I will loose and hour of much needed sleep since I was up at 4:00 am this morning and my afternoon nap did not happen. Frustration is gone as I think about everything good in my life…but…my shoulders are still tense from the events of the day. Time for a nice hot cup of tea with lemon and see if I can unwind enough to actually sleep.

I promise myself to not let things that don't matter compromise my happiness again. Everyone has a bad day now and again, it just seemed today was a year's worth in less than 18 hours.

Copyright © 2014 Annie
Always…I wish you peace, joy and happiness, but most of all I wish you Love.
As Ever, Annie

The Mirror

12/6/2014

March 9, 2014

Source: We Heart It

The Mirror

Years come and go
Time changes everything
In the mirror
the dimples
of a young girl
become the lines
of wisdom
for the woman
she is now

Copyright © 2014 Annie – Original Poetry
Always…I wish you peace, joy and happiness, but most of all I wish you Love.
As Ever, Annie

Waiting

12/6/2014

March 10, 2014

Source: We Heart It

Waiting

I keep thinking
it will be different
Life will
Change
or one of us
will come to our
senses

We both know
the eventual
outcome…
So…
What are we
waiting for?

Copyright © 2014 Annie – Original Poetry
Always…I wish you peace, joy and happiness, but most of all I wish you Love.
As Ever, Annie