Christmas 2014 is but a Memory

It's hard to believe Christmas of 2014 is already over. I barely had a chance to enjoy it and now it's only a memory.

What made this Christmas different from other years can be said with two words: "The flu." Those words would shape a typical Christmas into something I could only imagine. 

Every year my sister and I throw our annual Christmas Eve celebration at our home. Getting prepared for the party is as special as the actual gathering. Cleaning the house, grocery shopping, recipe's to prepare, and all those last minute errands. The hectic hustling and bustling is a big part of the charm that gets me in the Christmas spirit every year. How is it then that I missed all of these ritualistic traditions, but still found the magic of the season?

Once I accepted I had the flu and it wasn't going away soon, I tried to make peace with it. I begrudgingly announced to my sister and her two teenage kids that I was in no shape to help prepare for the holiday festivities. The kids would have to step up and help their mom with the party while I recuperated up in my bedroom. I secretly wondered if the party would be successful without my help. 

The day of the Christmas Eve party came, and with it, one more glitch. Now my nephew was down with the flu. We went from four helpers down to two. It was now up to my sister and niece to make the annual Christmas party a reality. 

I am so proud of how hard 'mother and daughter' worked to make the holiday gathering a success. Not only did they keep things running smoothly at the party, they made sure to make trips upstairs to check on the two patients. They thoughtfully brought us up a plate of goodies from the table and filled us in on the wonderful memories being made. 

A couple hours into the party, a touching thing happened: my nephew and I heard some rustling outside the door. Soon we would experience the true meaning of Christmas. The beautiful voices of our family began singing "Silent Night" and "I wish you a merry Christmas." 

Blessings to you and yours-Christmas 2014

House of Ruins

I wake to the sound of crashing waves
and pain of my body slamming against the wall 

I try to stand and get my footing 
but I'm flung about the room like an old rag doll

I feel scared and confused 
and move slowly to the door

Sweaty and tired I turn the brass knob
my loud screams drowned out by the horror

Water up to my chest, I go to the window
is this a dream or a practical joke

I shake uncontrollably;  legs turn to rubber
Fear overcomes me; I'm starting to choke

The sight so unbelievable I blink my eyes
yet the frightening vision is not a mistake

My childhood home has lost it's foundation
violently riding the waves of the lake



Written for dVerse Poet's Pub~Poetics
Prompt: DMT-Dream like State


*The prompt inspired me to write about one of my many dreams of my childhood and childhood home. I find great healing in my dream life; especially when it comes to working through a difficult childhood.

Masquerade

Watching as the play unfolds
take your seat amidst dark souls

All of us stars in life's charade
truth bends like branches in the shade

Men in black pretend to pray
beyond the cloth the wolf will stray

Trusting neighbor, Trusting friend
a masquerade that soon shall end

Lies are truth and truth are lies
beware the actors of disguise

dVerse Poets Pub~Poetics
Picture Prompt 
Photo Art by Phyllis Galembo

Getting together with the old Gang was a Love-Fest

My old Friend Steve Stewart -Keyboard Player for the current "Sweet" Band

It's a night I will never forget and forever cherish. My dear friend Steve- pictured on the right, came into town recently to perform at a local music venue. Steve plays keyboards and sings back-up vocals for the 70's band, "Sweet."

Who is the "Sweet" band?

If your scratching your head saying, "the Sweet band sounds so familiar," allow me to refresh your memory. The "Sweet" was a  British Rock band that formed in 1968. They rose to worldwide fame in the 1970's and had several hits. Some of their well known songs were: Ballroom Blitz, Fox on the Run, Little Willy, and Love is Like Oxygen.

Early on, the "Sweet" played mostly glam rock and pop music. Later in their career they would be known more for their hard rock and heavy metal music.

This is the "Sweet" at the height of their career in the mid 1970's. Clockwise from top left: Steve Priest, Brian Connolly, Mick Tucker, and Andy Scott.

Google Image

Since the mid 1980's, the group has had different versions of the "Sweet" Band. Currently, the two surviving members of the original group are Steve Priest and Andy Scott. Scott's revised band plays throughout the UK, and Priest's band plays in the U.S. My friend Steve (called Stevie to avoid confusion) plays keyboards for Steve Priest's U.S. band.

Photo's of the old Gang

Dean, Steve and Dave-Original members of 'Bacchus'Band from Mound, Minnesota 

The three men pictured above, were some of the original members of a popular local band called 'Bacchus' in the late 70's-early 80's.  A deep void was felt by all of us that night with the passing of my brother David in 2002. David was a talented singer and guitarist for 'Bacchus.'  We know he was there in spirit to see his best friend Steve, perform with the "Sweet."

Debbie C, Linda R, Dean W, Steve S, Michele R, Dave L, Laura R

Laura R, Steve S, Linda R

Stevie (from the 'Sweet' band) playing his keyboards at Medina Ballroom

It was a blessing that our dear friend Steve came into town. It was a great opportunity for old friends to get together and talk about old times. There were a lot of laughs, many old stories, and a great amount of love and healing. I will never forget it.

A Touching St. Patrick's Day Tale

There once was a girl named Linda Lou. She was born with a hole in her heart and would eventually have open heart surgery, but she didn't let that bring her down.  She had a identical twin sister, Laura Lee,  that always made her smile and get her through the hard times. After she had open heart surgery, her loving sister had a big party for her in the cafeteria at school. Linda Lou could not believe how many presents she received, or all the friends that seemed to care about her.

Linda Lou lost her mother when she was only nine years old. She couldn't have made it through the terrible pain and anguish if it weren't for her identical twin-Laura Lee. Both Linda Lou and Laura Lee were scared to turn '39' for fear of dying at the same age as their mother. Thankfully, they had each other to get through the days and years ahead.

When Linda Lou turned 39, she tragically lost her brother David at the young age of 40 from an overdose of drugs and alcohol. He lived one year more than his dear mother. At the same time, Linda Lou's twin sister filed for divorce from a very abusive and controlling man. It was scary for her because he told lots of lies to her friends and family and tried to get people to go against her. Thankfully, Laura Lee had Linda Lou to lean on. They had made it through difficult times in the past and would make it through this painful chapter in life too.

Linda Lou and Laura Lee were thrilled when they made 39 and 40 because of the death of their mother and brother at these respective ages. They were now breathing easier and living happier than ever before. Why not, they had dodged the curse of dying young.  Linda Lou and Laura Lee had a new skip in their step and looked to the future with great optimism and hope.

Sadly, One month after Linda Lou and Laura Lee turned 41,  Linda Lou was diagnosed with the dreadful disease of lung cancer, even though she had never been a smoker. It was the scariest time in the twins' life because they both loved each other so much that neither of them could imagine living life without the other. The doctor's gave Linda Lou a 20-25% chance of surviving five years from this disease. The hospital chaplain even paid Linda Lou a visit and said a prayer with her. Linda Lou and Laura Lee cried a lot and prayed for God's mercy to save her from this demise and the curse of dying young that had so plagued their family. Laura Lee asked Linda Lou to move in with her and her two children so they could take good care of her and give her lots of love to make her better.

Laura Lee had a big party for Linda Lou on her five year mile-stone of being cancer-free. She invited all Linda Lou's best friends for appetizers at the house and rented a big, black limousine to bring them to all the local haunts to celebrate the big day. Linda Lou and her friends danced, sang karaoke and celebrated late into the night. It was a night Linda will never forget as long as she lives. 

Happily, Linda Lou beat the odds and has made it well past the five year statistical marker of survival. If you want to find her, she will be out celebrating her ten year cancer free anniversary with her best friend, Laura Lee. Because Linda Lou had the cancer removed on St. Patrick's Day in 2004, she will be eating corn beef and cabbage, doing the Irish Jig and Singing Irish songs today. Oh, and she will be telling all the world how grateful she is to be alive and how the love of her best friend and twin sister, Laura Lee, made all the difference for her. The love and support Laura and Laura's two kids showered her with, gave Linda the hope and motivation to get through the scary times and worrisome cat scans. 

Thank you Laura Lee for loving me and always being there when I need you. You and I were meant to be put on this earth together.

You are my heart and soul twinner.

Love Linda

My Journal

Sitting on the night stand
under soft glowing light

You whisper in my ear
enticing me to write

Your possibilities are endless
Blank pages spell delight

Your comfort like a blanket
transforms and holds me tight

Your allure of empty pages
beckons through the night

Tempting and seducing
my muse I cannot fight








Written for dVerse Poet's Pub
Meeting the Bar-
Prompt: Write poem about an object

Valentine's Day Haiku

Photo by Linda Rogers

My Valentine's Day...
Grocery Shop and clean house
This is how it starts

Time for Asian lunch
With my best friend~ the twin sis
Sat in dining room


Cozy booth, low light
Deep conversation, until...
Clap- Clap-what was that?

Man behind curtain
Bellied up at bar in back
Holds her hand in his

He drinks her sweet kiss
Loudly singing her praises
She's tonic and gin


Written for dVerse Poetics:
Coming Off the Sugar High-(A- not-so-Traditional Valentine)

Why Minnesotan's are Ready for Spring

Blizzard Conditions in Minnesota

Yes, you are seeing right. Wind Chills in Minnesota will be as cold as -40 below

Schools in Minnesota are closed for the 4th time this year

This has been a crazy winter in Minnesota. This is the fourth time school's have been cancelled due to the frigid, dangerous, cold temperatures. It looks like schools will be closed again tomorrow as well.  With this difficult weather comes a lot of frustration. Parent's have to figure out child care with their children staying home. In most cases, one parent has to stay home from work which means using vacation time or personal time. With this crazy winter weather, the time off is starting to really rack up.

As I write this, my sister and I are stuck in our home because we can't get the car up the steep driveway. Our snow plow man wouldn't even come out in this weather to clear  the snow. He said it made no sense to come plow in these blizzard conditions while the snow is blowing all over.  He'll come over when things calm down a bit.

My poor dogs are having a hard time making it outside long enough to do their duty. We run out, get it done and run back in. Usually the dogs are picking up one of their paws as they relieve themselves. It's so sad.

We are all suffering from cabin fever from being stuck in the house. It's important to think of things to do to keep from getting really down and depressed.Whether it's the pets or the people, we are sick and tired of this long winter.

Now you understand why we hardy Minnesotan's are ready for spring. What I wouldn't do to be sitting on a tropical beach, sipping a refreshing cocktail with the warm sun on my face and the sound of ocean waves hitting the shore. I can only dream for now.

The Colorless Canvas

Photo and Edit by Linda Rogers

Like lonely artist with tree branches sketched 
the memories of him stay f-o-r-e-v-e-r etched

 The penciled-in leaves drawn deep in her heart
 dimming bright hues into colorless art 

She watches as light begins fading away
and whispers of him lead her spirit astray

Frigid dark branches have nothing to lose
just as the lover who misses her muse

The pain of staring at his empty canvas
leaves her imprisoned and riddled with madness.


For OpenLinkNight at dVerse Poet's-Week129 

Happy Birthday Dad

Even after sixteen long years
missing you still brings me to tears

A piece of me died that October day
when angels guided you far far away

I'm sure mom was there to welcome you home
in the place where God and celestial's roam

I know our time on earth is but brief
and seeing you again will bring me relief

Being your daughter was truly the best
our reunion on high will be a love fest

Until then dad, I bid you adieu
and wish a heart felt 'happy birthday' to you