Everything in me tells me these are the most important days you will know in our lifetime. Waste them, and it will be the greatest regret of your life.
Mario Murillo, 5 THINGS YOU MUST DO DURING THIS AGONIZING WAITING PERIOD, November 23, 2020
Linked to Linda G. Hill’s One-Liner Wednesday.
Linked to Cosmic Photo Challenge where Dale offers the theme of “low light”. I lowered the light on these, perhaps too much.
Also linked to Trent P. McDonald’s The Weekly Smile. The leaves are gone, but the forest preserve is still a peaceful place to walk conducive to many smiles.
Here is a poem I wrote for Chel Owen’s Christmas Newsletter challenge. The challenge is open until December 11th for any who might want to participate. These poems are supposed to be funny. I am not sure that mine is, but if I did achieve that rare state of humor, that would bring another smile to my face.
Christmas Newsletter Larry’s Earth is on the Moon. Greg’s might be on Mars. Lulu’s livid with the news. Sue shoots shooting stars. I’m the final one who’s sane. At least, I can pretend. I have no time to rush away, so Merry Christmas, friend!
Looking at the shadow of its chimney I remembered the cabin full of mosquitoes. Mr. McGregor told me they couldn’t get into the bedroom. There was a shower, a woodstove, and a bed. I would only be there a few weeks. Given the bear warnings it would be better than my tent.
Incidentally, there was also a ghost that rattled stuff, but so did the wind.
When I left I told Mr. McGregor about the ghost. He apologized. Normally he wouldn’t have rented the cabin, but I seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn’t mind Megan. I didn’t.
Linked to Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers.
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Isaiah 59:7-8 King James Version (cited by Mario Murillo, WHAT IF THE AMERICAN CHURCH DOES NOT REPENT?, Mario Murillo Ministries, November 11, 2020)
This tossing makes me wonder why regrets won't let me get some sleep without those nightmares from the deep. I would shed tears. I'd even cry if that would help. Regardless, I can't face these twisted memories. I'd have to run off on my knees, but could I even find my way, the one I lost that lazy day, or days, when I served my own ease?
Linked to Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge where the rhyme word “sleep” must be one of the B rhymes in a décima with rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC.
In case it isn’t obvious, the “I” in the poem is an imaginary character in a mild region of hell trying to get some rest. I pray this “I” would not be me. I pray he not be you either.
The wax from a single candle dripped onto the cupcake. Jim let the candle flatten burning itself out in silence. After removing the wax he stood in front of his wife Mary’s grave and ate the cake.
Jim didn’t expect to be here given his own health conditions, but he promised Mary he’d come back yearly as long as he could with a cake and candles marking her “birthday into Heaven”.
Jim’s final cake had seven candles on it. It was made by friends from their small church who pushed Jim in his wheelchair to the gravesite and then celebrated Mary’s birthday with him.
Linked to Six Sentence Stories where Denise offers the prompt word “wax”.
First you must make a clear distinction between those you can trust, and those you cannot trust.
Mario Murillo, THE RISE OF THE MACHINES, November 18, 2020
Linked to Linda G. Hill’s One-Liner Wednesday.
The following photo is for Kammie’s Oddball Challenge.
I'm thankful for this time to live and suffer if need be. There also is a chance to give and do so generously. Though it be short or it be long, though what I do be small, I offer back a thankful song in praise and give it all.
Linked to Michael Williams (Farrago Express) poetry challenge on giving thanks. I used a similar common meter to the poem he provided as a prompt.
Oranges, reds and watery blue - Wintry grays though seep on through.
Linked to Cosmic Photo Challenge where Dale offers the theme “a splash of color”. Against the gray of coming winter there is still some color in the woods and along the lake.
Also linked to Trent P. McDonald’s The Weekly Smile. Most of the leaves are gone and the weather turned cold, but I still enjoyed a trip to Lake Michigan. All worth a smile or two.
I have been rereading Mario Murillo’s Vessels of Fire and Glory this past week. I will likely read it again later. This sentence stands out for me.
When the pain of being average becomes stronger than the fear of greatness, you will embrace your destiny.
Mario Murillo, Vessels of Fire & Glory, page 137.
Here is a beautiful song from All Sons and Daughters. This is the kind of song that, once I’ve heard it, I can feel it going through my mind guiding my Sunday walk.
Poetry, Short Prose and Walking 