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

Twin-Cess-Diaries Records the Thrilling Release of Mysterious and Miraculous

It's been a very exciting week for those of us involved with the Book Series of Mysterious and Miraculous. After a labor of love from hard working scribes, editors, photographers and publishers, I am thrilled to announce the release of Mysterious and Miraculous, Book II.

This book series is intriguing to say the least. Several writers share their true stories of the mystical, mysterious and miraculous. Each series (1 & 2) - consist of twelve true stories and experiences that have forever transformed the life of the author and those close to them.

This review is a glimpse into the soul of Mysterious and Miraculous. Can you remember a time in your life when your perception of reality was shaken to the core? The stories you will read here will fill you with awe, inspiration, hope, and spiritual healing.

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank the exceptional team that made this book series possible. Through their hard work, passion and dedication to this endeavor, this legacy of stories will continue.
A special thanks to Michael Friedman of Mockingbird Books Publishing, Angelia Phillips, Gail Sobotkin, Maria Jordan of Marcoujor's Musings, and Alicia Jaye Phillips of Sibling Synergy, as well as all the talented authors and contributors.

* 70% of the Proceeds from the book will go to Support Homeless Veterans Organization.
*E-Books can be purchased at: http://storykeepers.weebly.com/book-shoppe.html or Amazon.com