The art of writing letters...

What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters.  You can't reread a phone call.  
~ Liz Carpenter

I've been writing a letter to the Universe.

In it, I have written how thankful I am for everything I've ever encountered. All the things, all the people, all the gifts, all the tough times, all the trials.

And I am writing about the things I want. The things I haven't done. The things I've not yet accomplished. The places I've not yet been.

It is an affirmation of love for the wonders of this world, and a petition for guidance toward my unrealised goals and ambitions.

and I expect a prompt answer to my letter. Because the Universe is like that. 

Prompt #79: Write YOUR letter to the Universe.

Dusting off...

I pick myself up. dust myself off. and start all over again. ~ Frank Sinatra

As one quite accustomed to doing just that, I will say that at times, starting all over again has been incredibly easy. and other times...there's a bit more challenge to it.

But, I love the rush! I'm addicted to it. It's why I move so often. something new. something fresh.

I don't mind starting over. It's terrifying to some folks, I know, but to me, it is refreshing. What frightens me, is staying in one place too long. overstaying my welcome. becoming hollow. becoming too comfortable. being confined.

It's that whole caged bird thing.

I'd rather fly.

Prompt #78: What do you do when your wings feel too wet to fly?

Waiting to be...

"I know you're a good piano and your song will always play...you're waiting to be what you already are, you're the only one left in your way..."

Josh Clayton-Felt

We do what we can...to get by...to make ends meet

but if we all had our druthers...what would we do?

Prompt #77: What would you do? if nothing held you back?

much muchness...

 "One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar"~ Helen Keller

Sometimes...I push my "muchness" down and ignore it. forget who I am for a time; forget that I am a shining star in the cosmos of eternity.

and then, luckily, I am reminded. by someone, or something...

at that point...everything I worry over seems ridiculously small and petty...and all that matters is that I pursue the things I want; the things that make me happy; the things that make me shine.

I am glowing again...after a time of too much darkness...and I am tired of stifling and censoring the MUCHNESS that is ME!

Prompt #76: Do you need a reminder at times? Do you forget your muchness?

Gifts...

Several years ago, when I was working as a barista in an Abilene coffee & tobacco shop, one of my regulars surprised me.

On my birthday, Alexis, this girl I'd only known for maybe a couple of months, brought me a present.

A set of three gnomes. You know, the garden variety. I was so giddy over this gift! It was the perfect gift, and somehow, she just knew it was perfect.

They became my kitchen gnomes.

They had been guarding my kitchen for about four years, when one day, one tipped over...and his hat and the top of his head broke off.

I cried.

over my gnome.

and I emailed my friend (now living in Australia) to tell her about the gnome tragedy.

Surgery was successful and he was glued back together to guard over my kitchen for many more years. But I always remember that he is wounded. And I lift him with extra care now.

There's something about certain gifts. Finding the perfect gift. Giving the perfect gift. Receiving the perfect gift. Using it. Cherishing it. Smiling at the memory it evokes.

Perhaps the greater gift is that Alexis is still my friend. And perhaps THAT is why those gnomes mean so damn much to me.

Prompt #75: What is your perfect gift memory? Given or received.

The great flood...

So I woke this morning, at 2:30 am, to a partially flooded house.

Apparently the storm rolling through last night dropped 3-5 inches of rain in just an hour. This morning, several roads were closed due to flooding, so yah...it's not like I got the worst of it. (thank you!)

So let me tell you how much fun that was at 2:30 in the morning.

I lie. It was not much fun at all. I spent several hours mopping up water and basically just hoping that was the last of it. sigh. and being grateful that we have concrete floors and not carpeting. because omeyegawd...what kind of disaster would that have been!

In the morning light...after only a few hours of sleep...I...well, I was cranky. But this afternoon, I just kind of started feeling very "meh" about the whole thing. I mean, really, what do you do? We live in a basement apartment. weather happens.

Deep breath. sigh.

It made me evaluate though.

Had to get the computers and the cameras up to slightly higher ground. Make sure all the electrical cords are up so they don't get waterlogged and become useless.  Books. Shoes.

There is a part of me that sometimes craves simplicity. How I would love to be a minimalist...but my book collection alone makes that nearly impossible. How do people do it? I am in awe.

Phone. Books. Computer. Camera. External hard drive. Photos. Shoes. and my Honey Bear (teddy bear) a gift from my sister when I was 3.

It's all material...but it means so much!

Prompt #74: What would you save?

Metal & Steel

I have a new love. His name is Bob Schneider.

This singer/songwriter is swiftly shooting up in the ranks of my music loves and coming in a close second to my fave Band, Blue October.

He is a poet. with an incredible voice. I often wake up singing one of his songs in my head.

Bob and Blue October - both Texas talent...coincidence? nah...

I almost fell out of my chair when I found this live version today...because there is a cello! (you know how much I love the cello, right?) Have a listen:

METAL & STEEL

Prompt #73: Now, I want to hear (read) your interpretation of this song. if you need the lyrics you can read them HERE.