in tandem we walk through crystal snow beds the cold wind in throes bitter air clears our heads painting a flush on our cheeks I bloom in shades of pink and red coursing through my veins, the passion peaks sun blazes high in cerulean skies from here to there, pure love is everywhere from deer footprints on the frozen lake to birdsongs floating in the air purple dusk begins to break moon rising in the gloam we make our way home my heart is true I vow to stay with you
Good morning and Happy Saturday! Today is the 21st Anniversary of my Dad’s passing. As I wrote in last week’s tribute, I am trying to focus on the positive and finding joy in memories of him, instead of being overcome with sorrow. I am grateful to have had such a wonderful father in my life!
This is just a little ditty that I have been adding to for the past few days. It was our 36th wedding anniversary on February 13, and of course Valentine’s Day this week. I had visions of hearts and flowers dancing in my head. But love doesn’t always mean flower arrangements and fancy gifts (though these are nice, don’t get me wrong lol). The most special thing we can do is be together, doing the simple things we love, such as taking a crisp walk around the lake on the day after a big snow.
That’s what this poem is about, as we did exactly that several weeks ago. We took a walk in the cold winter snow! It was so invigorating and comforting just being side by side, observing nature, appreciating the stark beauty of the season, the wildlife, watching the sun begin to set on a cold winter day. This is what brings me peace and joy (there is my 2024 word again)! I would venture a guess that if you tried to become more present in the moment, incorporate some space to just watch and appreciate nature and the world around you, your heart will fill with love. And you’ll find that peace and joy will follow.
So may we all take a walk in the snow (or sand, or mountains, or desert…) and find the key to happiness! Have a great, relaxing weekend, all!!
xoxo Colleen
Mood: Peaceful Inspiration: ” By the Roes and By the Hands of the Field” ~ Johann Johannsson
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 33.15 – Love is Everywhere Hard Bonus: Mention doing something in tandem (walking) Easy Bonus: Reflect your mood in a color (pink, red)
Hello everyone – hope you are having a great week! This was Writer’s Choice Week in Blogophilia, so I could write as my heart desired.
Next week marks the 21st Anniversary of my father’s passing; he died of lung cancer on February 17, 2003. This poem is dedicated to him. The pain of losing him will never, ever go away. Dad was a “gentle giant” and my protector. He was the strong and silent one who was always looking out for me during my life, even when I didn’t want him to. Everyone loved and gravitated to him, especially babies and children. He was an inspiration for all his five children, and countless grandchildren. I miss his comforting presence, his voice, his hugs, his sense of humor, his hearty laugh, his love for life. I even miss his funny, prolific sneezes (he could sneeze like 15 times in a row)! Dad was a great cook, a bird nerd and a music lover, which I believe all of us kids inherited from him. For some reason, the past few weeks I have found myself thinking of him at the end of the day and releasing a few tears. He died far too young at the age of 68, and we all wish we had more time with him.
That said, I am instead trying to focus on the beautiful memories and the blessings that I have received from Dad throughout my life, which are plentiful. Some of the best memories I have are just of BEING with him…. going to work at the rail yards, playing ball in the backyard, watching the fireworks from our playroom window, summer nights sitting on the front porch, listening to music, watching hockey, driving trips, rocking on hotel porch chairs simply watching and listening to the ocean… He may not have been perfect, as we are all flawed in some way, but he was the perfect Dad for me. I miss you and love you, Daddy!
May you all have a Happy Valentine’s Day – remember to cherish those you love, and always take the opportunity to show them and tell them how much you love them!!! ❤
xoxo, Colleen
Mood: Sad Inspiration: “Dear Father” by Neil Diamond – Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Dad’s favorite
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 32.15 – WRITER’S CHOICE – Washed Out Hard Bonus: WRITER’S CHOICE – Include your favorite flower (jasmine) Easy Bonus: WRITER’S CHOICE – Incorporate floating clouds
Happy Saturday, everyone! Well, I made it through the January 31 deadline, woo hoo! Plenty of long days, weekend work, overtime and stress are behind me. Tax season has hardly begun, but the worst is over for all of the paraprofessionals.
January was a long blur of a month. We didn’t get home from our Christmas in Florida until December 30, and I jumped immediately into working every day in January. Therefore, I left my Christmas decorations up the entire month for the first time in my life. It has been literally driving me crazy, but I’ve had to just put on blinders and not let it stress me out. Well, this is the weekend that I will finally “undecorate.” And what a shame, it is so beautiful outside but I’m stuck inside by choice this weekend to finally get the house back to normal. Wish me luck lol!
This poem is a Kyrielle sonnet with a twist. Typically the last line is repeated in all stanzas, except I broke the rules and changed the first word of the final stanza line. Haha, rebel without a cause, am I! It was inspired by Laura Branigan lyrics “deep in the dark.” We all experience pain or trauma of some degree in our lives, and the healing process is different for everyone. It can feel as though you are falling into an abyss, and you must find a way to pull yourself out of that dark hole. And only YOU can do it – you must change yourself, change your circumstances, change your way of thinking, or you must embrace a new way of living or coping. Healing comes from deep within, sometimes from secret places of the soul.
That’s all for this week. Have a beautiful weekend and stay warm!
Xoxo, Colleen
Mood: Resilient Inspiration: “On the Nature of Daylight” by Max Richter
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 31.15 – The Lost City Hard Bonus: Incorporate a lyric by Laura Branigan (“deep in the dark” and “I went down without a trace”) Easy Bonus: Include a secret place (my soul)
Hello everyone. I hope you have been enjoying the crazy spring-like weather here in the Southeast! It got up to 72 degrees yesterday – it was just 8 degrees the other morning! This afternoon I was finally able to get out for a 5.5 mile run, first time since January 1! It felt so good to move my body, and it was perfect running weather!
This Haiku series just kind of tumbled out tonight. I had no time to even think about writing until this evening. I think the fact that I’m beyond tired is what led me down this path. I’ve been working quite a lot of OT the past 3 weeks, with the upcoming January 31 deadline. Work, eat, exercise, sleep. Repeat. That’s about it. I’ve made a lot of progress, knocking out quarterly/annual payroll filings, 1099s and helping clients solve other various problems. And even though we’re only 4 days to the January 31 deadline, it still feels like there is so much to be done. I’m not overwhelmed, everything will get done. I’ve been working steadily at everything. I’m just tired LOL. Probably because I’m getting too old for these long days and need more sleep! Next weekend I am hoping to do NOTHING but relax and work out.
Anyway, the prompts made me think back to the many long road trips we made to Florida, and encountered so many different truck drivers. I can’t imagine what it must be like to drive, drive, drive all day, long hours, sometimes weeks away from family, with the treacheries of the road ahead of them. So it ended up being a little ode to them. They risk their lives on the road every day to ensure we have food, products, and necessities in life. So thank you, truckers! You rock and deserve a rest and time with the family.
But the poem can also be metaphoric. If you’re on that same treadmill in life, that journey that never seems to change, when you just want to rest and relax. And someday retire? Ha ha, that seems like a pipe dream now with the horrible economy and tanking 401Ks. So it can apply to almost anyone who finds themselves “stuck.” And…. that is all for my pontificating. I’m tired and going to go have a glass of wine and crash. Have a great weekend, and hang in there no matter where you are on your journey! I love you! ❤
xoxo Colleen
Mood: Weary Inspiration: “My Body is a Cage” by Peter Gabriel
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 30.15 – The Road is Life Hard Bonus: Finish the sentence “I have been _____” Easy Bonus: Reference getting stuck in the mud
Sleep descends like warm winds that carry me in the deep of night colors swirl in my mind as I drift into the void I have a strange dream about you purple paisleys and blue stars morphing as we dance beneath the smoldering sun lips graze and I blossom beneath your touch like a wildflower springing to life and I’ve never been so happy pure love pulses through my veins but where do our dreams go when life brings you down I hold them close in my heart until dawn
Hello, friends and family! This poem was inspired by some vivid, colorful dreams that I experienced during my bout with COVID back in the fall. I remember seeing beautiful swirling purple paisleys and blue stars as I closed my eyes and drifted off. I was so sick and on several meds including an anti-viral, but the dreams were so weird and delightful. I’m really not sure if the disease or the medication caused these dreams!
We got about 6 more inches of snow yesterday, and it was a very soft, powdery snow. I have been working long hours again this week and did not get a chance to go out in the snow until this afternoon. Dan and I bundled up and braved the 18-degree temps for a long walk around the lake. The skies were a crisp blue, and the snow sparkled like crystals when the sun hit. A large part of the shaded western edge of the lake had frozen, and geese were walking on the ice. It felt so refreshing to get outside and breathe the frigid air. It cleared my mind and allowed me to bask in the winter beauty.
Here’s one of the funny points of our week… Dan had to perform an emergency C-Section. On the loveseat. It seems little Bobby got a wild hair on Wednesday night and for some reason, he was able crawl into the innards of the furniture. Dan noticed him struggling, he had somehow squeezed through a tiny opening between the wood frame and up into the back upholstery! He was meowing loudly and hissing out of fear and distress. You could feel him through the furniture and see him moving! We tried every way possible to free him, turning the loveseat upside down, inspecting for an opening, but there was nothing! Finally, it became clear we had to cut it open. Dan retrieved his hunting knife and carefully slit the fabric on the backside. I was able to see Bobby on the other side of the opening and coaxed him out. Then he bolted up the stairs and hid for an hour. We are able to laugh about it now.
Naturally, the cats have been completely obsessed with the loveseat since then, sniffing at it and napping on it. First Dan stuffed the inside with every throw pillow and unused blanket he could find, and sealed it up with – you guessed it – duct tape! Now the poor loveseat has a long, nasty C-Section scar lol. We’ve never had to do something this drastic because of a “stupid pet trick!” The next day one of Dan’s clients told him their kitten got behind the drywall, and they had to cut a huge hole in the wall to get it out! We are just grateful that Bobby didn’t decide to do this shenanigan while we were on our trip to Florida. So, all things considered, it could have been a lot worse. Oh well! We had been talking about replacing the living room furniture soon anyway…. are cat-proof sofas a thing?
I wish you all a lovely weekend! Stay warm and enjoy the beauty of the winter season!
Xoxo,
Colleen
Mood: Peaceful Inspiration: “Soulmate” by Andrea Vanzo
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 28.15 – Where Do Dreams Go? Hard Bonus: Include a quote or line from Martin Luther King Jr. (“I have a dream”) Easy Bonus: Incorporate a wish
Hello, family and friends! If you know me, you already know this. This is quite obviously dedicated to my soulmate Tommy Breuning, the best cat ever…. He was my faithful feline companion, my best friend, my soulmate. He crossed the rainbow bridge on September 12, 2020 as I held him in my arms. I still think of him every single day, and I will never, ever forget him.
Did you ever have fleeting moments that just hit you out of the blue and cause a rush of sadness? One night this week after a long day at work, I was getting my evening shower and I turned on a relaxing classical music playlist on my iPad, my usual routine. Tommy’s picture is on my screensaver, and it brings a smile every time. But that night it flashed up and caused an avalanche of memories. It was like a sucker punch to the gut, and I just wept and wept for this beautiful cat who was quite literally my sentinel and now my guardian angel.
I’ll never forget the first time I spotted him in the Broward County Humane shelter, trying to cover up his poop with a shred of newspaper. This was in September 2005, barely a month after Hurricane Katrina hit and brought a flood of homeless pets into the area shelters. We’d looked at several of the cats, but some were skittish, and we just didn’t connect. That’s when I spotted “Titus” at the very back of the cat shelter area, and we asked to see him.
When they brought him into the little meeting room, he was purring nonstop, nestling on our necks. We instantly fell in love with him. There was no question, we decided to put in a bid for him. The shelter lobby area was overflowing, so we took a number and waited for what seemed like hours. Many times families left in tears when they tried to adopt a dog or cat, then discovered that the pet had just been claimed moments before… The elderly man waiting next to us discovered his pet was claimed before his number was called. He turned to me and pressed his ticket into my hand, and whispered “Here, you take my number. I hope you get your pet.” It felt strange and a bit like cheating, but seeing the look in Katie’s eyes, I accepted it with thanks. My heart was pounding when our number was called. Fortunately, Titus was still available! He was OURS! When we brought him home the next day, we decided to name him Tommy, after my departed father. He had the same beautiful eyes as Dad.
I’ve shared Tommy with the world since I joined Myspace and Facebook back in 2007. He occasionally took control of my computer and wrote “A Tommy Blog” that told of the Tommy and Jordan cat shenanigans, featured snippets of everyday life and funny pictures. I really do believe that those were my most popular blogs! I could really feel the love for Tommy over the internet. He was so popular that he had his own Facebook profile (still does). He was a beautiful, loving cat who purred loudly and spoke to me literally nonstop! We really did have a love language, little conversations with his soulful meows. He always waited for me to come home after work, and was my guardian who sat outside my shower every morning and evening. He was one smart cookie, quite mischievous, with a huge purr-sonality and a loving heart. He was with me during some difficult times, sensing if I was sad and always watching over me. I believe he still is…. right by my Dad’s side, in fact!
My sweet Princess Posie Mae turns FOUR years old tomorrow, and I’m sad that I can’t be there for her princess party today. I will FaceTime her afterwards and will be sending her a birthday gift a little late this year. I can’t believe how time is flying, and my darling grandbabies aren’t babies anymore. Naturally, I wish I could see them more often, but I have had to learn to cope with the sadness that comes with that. This year I am trying to seek joy in any way that I can, even in the little things. And to be kind, to others and to myself. I try to have a word for the year to abide by, sort of as a daily mantra to focus on. Last year was “calm,” and because I could not make a decision– I will have two words to focus on this year – JOY and KIND. I hope you all have a lovely weekend, full of joy and kindness!
Xoxo Colleen
Mood: Sad but seeking joy Inspiration: “Sail to the Moon” by Radiohead (one of my favorites)
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 28.15 – One Smart Cookie Hard Bonus: Include a quote, line or lyric from one of the muppets (“Life is like a movie.” – Kermit) Easy Bonus: Mention the word “raggamuffin”
Welcome 2024 – hope everyone had a Happy New Year! Ours was quiet, we spent it at home with the cats and a little champagne. I made a little charcuterie board, and we tried getting caught up on a new series. Unfortunately, I kept nodding off until we switched channels at 11:45 to watch the ball drop. (I guess we are officially old! We don’t watch those New Year’s Eve shows anymore, don’t even know or much care for most of the new musicians these days.) We much prefer New Year’s Day, when I prepare our traditional German meal of roast pork loin with homemade gravy, Spaetzle, and sauerkraut. It was so delicious, and Dan was in “hog heaven!” 🙂
I usually try to think of my “word for the year,” over the New Year weekend, but I can’t really make a decision. I have toyed with “kind,” “joy” or “persevere.” Haha, maybe it should be “decide!” I will try to let you know next time I blog. I don’t like making New Year’s Resolutions, as I feel like we set ourselves up for failure. I’m really trying to be kinder to myself – many of us beat ourselves up if we don’t achieve a specific goal and that can negatively impact our self-worth. I do struggle with my own self-worth, and having anxiety makes it all the worse. I try to do my best, eat healthy, workout every day, and when I don’t – I need to give myself grace. Hmm… maybe “grace” should be my word.
I started this pantoum poem on New Year’s Day, but then got busy with dinner preparations. Then it was back to work the next day after a LONG holiday break, and out of the gates for another tax season. Our network has been painfully slow, and the IT department is making major upgrades this weekend. Last night was the YHB company holiday party, it was a Casino Night themed party. I spent the most time at the roulette table because I’m not much of a card player haha. It was a really fun evening!
The winter storm that is supposedly hitting us today is turning out to be a bust. It started with a little dusting of wet snow, which quickly turned to sleet and melted. We are staying in all weekend, hunkering down, cleaning, and I have two huge pots of turkey noodle soup on the stove. The house smells delicious, and it will warm us up inside as well as provide many meals in the coming week. I hope you stay safe and warm in the winter storm!
Xoxo, Colleen
Mood: Peaceful Inspiration: “Winter” – Vivialdi, Four Seasons
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 27.15 – New Year Wishes Hard Bonus: Incorporate a song title with a bird in it (Bluebirds, Mourning Dove) Easy Bonus: Include the word “Forte”
This season is most beautiful: Crackling fireplace, logs for the Yule, Shining stars glow in black silk skies, Seeing Christmas through a child’s eyes.
Sugar cookies to bake and eat, Leaving Santa milk and a treat. Sparkling lights, angels on high, Seeing Christmas through a child’s eyes.
Joy’s an arrow straight to the heart When the day has come to depart. Hugs and kisses, try not to cry Seeing Christmas through a child’s eyes.
This season is most beautiful, Seeing Christmas through a child’s eyes.
Colleen Keller Breuning @ 2023 December 26, 2023
Season’s Greetings, and Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. The spirit certainly moved me this holiday season! This poem was inspired by the magic of seeing Christmas through a small child’s eyes. It has been so long since we have experienced the wonder and joy of it, and we were able to relive the magic this Christmas through our grandchildren Posie and Hatcher. The excitement on Christmas Eve, leaving the cookies and milk for Santa, and a few crispy cookies and carrots for the reindeer was so touching! Poor Posie got hit Christmas morning with a stomach bug, and she was mostly lying on the couch, poor little thing. At times she would rally to open some presents, but you could tell she was not feeling well. She loved the American Girl Bitty Baby that we got her, and Hatcher sure loved his fire truck, cars and monster trucks!
We got to celebrate so many things and make special memories on this leg of the trip: Posie’s first mani/pedicure (which she loved), walking through two amazing Christmas light displays, lunch at Alice’s on the Bay, decorating/banking Christmas cookies, Christmas Eve services, and playing with their new toys. I will never forget how magical it was, and I will cherish each memory.
After five days, it was time to say a tearful goodbye to Katie and both kids (the hardest part for this Nanny Bee). We left Panama City the day after Christmas and drove over 8 hours to Vince and Natalie’s house in Palm City, which is the complete opposite direction to the southeast. Unfortunately, our arrival was further delayed as we got caught in the middle of a Florida turnpike shutdown and sat in traffic for over one hour due to a vehicle that caught fire. But once we got there, we had a few very relaxing days with them, mostly just catching up on life, getting take-out for dinner, working out and watching Sopranos reruns. It was fun in a very different way!
Tonight we are finally back home after a grueling two-day drive from Florida (compared to our very smooth drive down). Friday it seemed that EVERYONE was on the road to somewhere! When I took the wheel for my 3-hour shift on I-95 North, it was basically stop and go the whole way through Georgia and into South Carolina. We had toyed with the idea of driving straight through, but watched the GPS ETA go from 10:45 pm to 2:00 am with very bleary eyes and tired bodies. So we stayed the night in Wilson, North Carolina, got up early and had very smooth travel today. All in all, it was a wonderful trip, but we are glad to be home after 12 days on the road. We both missed the cats, Rudy and Bobby were both so ecstatic that we returned. There’s something to be said about the comforts of home, and right now, my heart is full and content. I am looking forward to a peaceful New Year’s Eve and a joyful, calm 2024. Happy New Year – I wish you all the same!
Xoxo, Colleen
Mood: Joyful Inspiration: “Christmas Through Your Eyes” by Gloria Estefan
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 26.15 – Let the Spirit Move You Hard Bonus: Include a favorite holiday memory Easy Bonus: Incorporate shining stars
Greetings, Family and Friends! I hope you are all enjoying the next few days before Christmas. This is just a little ditty I penned on the road. We made it to Florida Thursday afternoon, and had beautiful driving weather both days. It is a whirlwind time with Katie, Brenton, Posie and Hatcher! Everything is warp speed and there’s no time for rest around these sweet, energetic kiddos. Lots of playing, chasing, snuggling and fun. Posie is obsessed with my makeup bag and insists on having me apply a specific red or pink lipstick each day to go with her outfit. Our hearts are full this year being able to spend Christmas with them. The excitement and pure joy are magical. Next Tuesday we are making our way southeast to spend some time with Vince and Natalie. It’s the complete opposite there – they love to just stay home and chill! So we can rest up before we start our drive back north.
I won’t be online as much in the coming week, as we are making the most of our family time. We are exhausted each night, but with smiles on our faces, full hearts and gratitude. I wish each of you a lovely, peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Xoxo Colleen
Mood: Joyful Inspiration: “Wonderful Christmas Time” by Paul McCartney
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 25.15 – Homecoming Hard Bonus: Include greetings in 3 different languages (Willkommen Zuhause – German for Welcome Home; Ti Amo – Italian for I love you; Un Joyeux Noël s’il te plaît – French for A Merry Christmas if you please) Easy Bonus: Incorporate a Roy Orbison song title
Hello, friends and family. Fair warning – I’ve gone dark with my writing today! I really don’t know how this poem came about, except maybe that Maximilien Robespierre quote kind of hit me like a rock. I got this terrible feeling stuck in my chest, because the world is so damn complicated and heartbreaking. Seeing the homeless encampments in most of our cities just makes me so frustrated and angry, and it seems things are getting worse by the day. There are so many atrocities in our cities, our country, and the world. Doesn’t it seem like we are just on the brink of something terrible? I think many of us try to have faith and hope, but the way this world is going now…. we need positive changes to happen NOW! Things certainly can’t keep going the way they are.
It is so sad that many of our homeless are down and out individuals, veterans, or drug addicts, many of them mentally ill, as well. I can barely stand to watch the videos or witness the way they live when we’re visiting DC. It is horribly gut-wrenching, and they all have a story. We had a homeless elderly woman in our work parking lot this past summer, she was just sitting in the shade for the entire day, with a jug of water in the blazing heat. I felt so bad for her that one day after work, I packed up a bag full of sparkling waters, snacks and apples I had stashed and gave it to her. She could barely speak, for the heat, but she looked at me muttered thank you. There was just a glazed look in her eyes, one of defeat and desperation that I couldn’t imagine what she was enduring. The next day, the ambulance wheeled her away with heat stroke! I never knew her name, and never saw her again, but I still think of her from time to time.
One thing is for sure – we are fortunate to have what we have, and we don’t always appreciate the good in our lives. And yes, then we get caught up in the busyness and clatter of our own lives…. secure in our ivory castles. Sorry this is not a “happy happy, joy joy” kind of write today. I’ll save that for next time. Until then, may you breathe deep and appreciate the blessings you have in your life! ❤ ❤
Xoxo Colleen
Mood: Down Inspiration: “To Build A Home” by Patrick Watson/The Cinematic Orchestra
Ecrits Blogophilia Week 24.15 – Mad for Plaid Hard Bonus: Incorporate a Maximilien Robespierre quote (“Pity is treason”) Easy Bonus: Include a castle
Colleen Keller Breuning 