Home from Scotland, yet my heart lingers there! Lin and I just returned from about a two-week adventure in Scotland and what an experience it was!
We saw kilts, colorful tartans, and firths! People sampled whiskey and Guinness! Lush, green hills surrounded us with many luscious lochs, too! And the brutal Scottish history shocked me! After several days, I heard the name “MacDonald” repeated in the history retelling, and I woke up! I have MacDonalds in my family tree, so I made the connection! Also, I have done my DNA testing and I am 28% Scot, so there you have it!
We left Albuquerque on May 9, 2023 with our good friends, Jerry and Mary Beth Gilbreath, and flew to Edinburgh. We spent three days there touring and enjoying the sights. On May 12, another couple joined us who used to live in Albuquerque. We all are square dancers!
The Insight Vacations’ coach tour, The Country Roads of Scotland, began on May 13 and we toured Edinburgh for our first two days. Next from there, we went north to St. Andrews and the Highland Capital of Inverness for our third day. Next, we continued north to Culloden, Loch Ness and onto Thurso, the northern tip of Scotland, for the fourth day.
From Thurso, we went out for a Day in the Orkney Islands for our fifth day—our really only rainy day. For our sixth day, it was on over the sea to the Isle of Skye, one of the lower Hebrides islands, with a clear blue sky—quite unusual we’ve been told! There, we saw up close and personal “hairy coos,” the reddish long-haired cattle of Scotland. Afterwards, on our seventh day, we headed south through the Scottish Highlands to Glencoe. On day eight, we headed along the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond and had a relaxing boat ride around the lake, then we moved on to Glasgow.
In Glasgow, we had an amazing treat! Last year, I met a woman from Glasgow in an international meditation group I joined. She and her husband invited us for dinner on Monday, May 22, and we rode the train out to their house. What a delightful evening we had with delicious food, fun filled conversation and music! Their hospitality abounded! Then on Tuesday, they toured us around Glasgow—the best way to see any city! Sadly to say, then we headed back to the USA and Albuquerque!
Often during the tour, our traveling companions referenced “The Outlander,” but Lin and I weren’t familiar with this TV series. WE ARE NOW! And we are watching it!
Lin Touching One of the Stones of Stenness–A Trip Back??
The Scots are very proud of their famous poets and authors: Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns. I found this poem on the trip and shared it with the group.
Sing me a Song of a Lad that is Gone
BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
Sing me a song of a lad that is gone,
Say, could that lad be I?
Merry of soul he sailed on a day
Over the sea to Skye.
Mull was astern, Rum on the port,
Eigg on the starboard bow;
Glory of youth glowed in his soul;
Where is that glory now?
Sing me a song of a lad that is gone,
Say, could that lad be I?
Merry of soul he sailed on a day
Over the sea to Skye.
Give me again all that was there,
Give me the sun that shone!
Give me the eyes, give me the soul,
Give me the lad that's gone!
Sing me a song of a lad that is gone,
Say, could that lad be I?
Merry of soul he sailed on a day
Over the sea to Skye.
Billow and breeze, islands and seas,
Mountains of rain and sun,
All that was good, all that was fair,
All that was me is gone.
For “The Outlander” fans, you hear these words every episode in the introduction! Interesting! At that time, I did not know when I shared the poem!
Finally,
I have stories to tell of our wonderful trip and my newfound homeland. So, as you know, traveling with me can be an adventure, so be prepared for some fun-filled tales coming up in my next posts.
Have you ever been to Scotland? Any of the places identified above? Did you love it? Are you an “Outlander” fan?
Grab your iPhone and lounge on the beach with Flippo!
~Get your FREE Fifty minute audio recording of “Highlights of My Conversations with Flippo.” Learn how he started calling, how he recorded “The Auctioneer,” and a bonus: which caller did he sleep with? Click here for easy access!
Bless you, Moms everywhere! This day slows downs, steps aside from the rush and the hurry, and celebrates moms everywhere! You are the backbone of our worlds! I’ve never been a mom, but I marvel at how you do it all: the laundry, the meals, the housecleaning and the job! It’s beyond my comprehension!
So, I want to salute my dear mom once more! I never tire of writing about her. I remember her perky personality and giggles that often caused me to giggle. Then a chain reaction of laughter filled the room. As I wrote this, I pondered her as a young mother, the mother I don’t remember!
How Did You Manage?
How did you manage?
My heart beat next to yours
For nine months.
I felt what you felt
Your loves and fears
Ate what you ate
Spicy food often
Loved what you loved
Dancing, dancing and Dad!
My world was you!
I always knew you wanted me!
Never a doubt!
You didn’t know I was a girl
The daughter that would complete
your family!
Quickly everything changed
For me!
My comfortable world
Of warm
Fluid
And you!
My birth came
You square danced the night
Before I was born!
Doing what you and Dad loved!
Did you feel any pain
When Dad twirled you that night?
Did your big belly bounce
To the beat of the music?
Is this why I love to dance?
Was my birth hard?
You never spoke of the pain
Only the glory!
You welcomed me into your family
A dad who cherished me,
A brother, thirteen months older than me
A baby himself
Three half-siblings who saw me
As the spoiled baby!
A young mother of twenty-five,
I wonder how you managed,
Me, a new born
My brother, so close to my age!
Really two babies!
How did you manage?
Did you have many sleepless nights?
Did you have arms aching from holding
Two sleeping babies?
Did the mounting heap of diapers
Seem to never end?
You never spoke of the responsibility,
Only the glory!
You managed
Like all mothers do!
You did what you had to do,
Washed diapers,
Filled bottles with milk.
You marveled at my
Small fingers wrapped
Around yours!
And you loved
Every minute!
Yes, you managed!
You managed well!
Writing poetry always puts me in another dimension in thinking about a familiar topic. I thought I had written everything there was to say. I have written several poems about mom, an entire book about losing her, yet here, in a fresh moment, these words came.
Finally,
Happy Mother’s Day, Moms—how do you manage it all? You just do it and love every minute.
Celebrate your mom today and remember her on this special day!
~Get your FREE Fifty minute audio recording of “Highlights of My Conversations with Flippo.” Learn how he started calling, how he recorded “The Auctioneer,” and a bonus: which caller did he sleep with? Click here for easy access!
Nature speaks through poetry—a tree, a butterfly, and a blackbird! Sometimes gently, other times it screams at me, in a loud attention-getting voice I have to listen to! Notice me, it says! Here’s a poem I wrote about that topic. Enjoy!
Along the Way, Nature Screams at Me!
May 1995
Along the way, nature screams at me—
look and see me here—
A butterfly, orange and black
dancing in a circle
sucking sweet nectar and life.
A red rock half buried
but screaming at me to see
its bright color,
its lasting character.
A woodpecker pecking hard
at life.
A pine cone, dry and brittle
once the hope of new life.
A stick, simple
dry and cracked
wanting to be noticed–
to be touched and admired.
A bone—life given up
dry and bleached.
A coyote, killed its prey,
cleaned it of meat and
sustenance.
#
Artifacts, pieces of life
things here in the woods
no value
trash to some people,
but to me–
life as it is–
colorful, dry and lifeless at
times, yet teeming with life.
#
Tall trees bow to the earth,
the weight of their existence
dragging them down,
the pain,
the misery,
closer and closer to the earth,
mother earth
who nurtures and gives life.
A silent stance of prayer
of renewal, commitment
yet deadly–pulling
the life out of them–
pulling, dragging, relentlessly
and death
a cycle of life
strength and overkill
too much though
much like life.
The light through the trees,
shines bright,
but it’s the shadows that call me.
The long profile of trees melt into one
and shadows take over–
dim, dark, cool,
blackening the view.
Like feet the roots of a tree grow down–
supporting and balancing its
tall counterpart.
Sounds abound
the quiet, gentle breeze whispers
come see, come hear, come listen.
#
A pesky fly bothers me–
at my elbow, my thigh,
my wrist, my ear,
my hair
buzzing, circling,
demanding then gone.
The sun peeks through the top of the tree
Just a minute ago shining full force
on me.
Now only a hint–like a light slowly
going out.
A mosquito bite on my hip itches,
demanding attention and care.
Bird racket echoes in the quiet–
someone’s not happy.
She’s demanding her way.
Her children are late in coming home,
and she wants her male partner to form
a search crew. He refuses to listen, so
she continues to screech.
Wind, swaying the tops of the trees,
in a gentle rhythm to and fro–
a soft hand moving through them.
The sound is gentle yet strong.
A power moves them
but only the tops.
Pine cone, rock, bone, tree
connected to life and earth.
All a product of–
laying there ready to be seen.
#
Energized with power and strength.
Self-confident and knowing who you are–
but what about the trees
no question,
no doubt.
Strength connected to your creator.
The busy insane life I left
melts into peace and serenity.
I want to be a tree,
standing firm in a forest,
serenaded by the birds, bees, insects,
the rocks and leaves.
The serenade of the forest–
a tune that ears can’t hear–
easily.
Yes, you can hear the birds
the dirt,
the grass,
the leaves.
#
A sweet melody of love,
dependence,
self-worth
assurance.
A jazz beat, a samba, a slow luxurious waltz.
All these sounds unite in nature
and play if you’re listening,
not with your ears,
with your heart!
The smells touch me–fresh and clean and green.
Not artificial, contrived,
but powerful,
new
exciting!
Life-giving
alive
renewed
a sharp contrast.
Deep meaning–
This is peace–
this is serenity!
Void of structure
calm
letting my heart listen,
receive the message
and alter my negative energy!
I feel it–
I’m being altered
right now.
The lump in my throat is gone,
that anxious twitch in my stomach
that dry, cotton mouth
the urge to run and do something–
gone!!
Nature heals,
but I have to be here,
sitting outside
away from cities,
demands,
chores!!
And I have to leave that behind!
Then nature heals!!
Nature screams at me sometimes igniting my soul. I must listen. And poetry comes out!
~FREE TO YOU! A Fifty minute audio recording of “Highlights of My Conversations with Flippo.” Learn how he started calling, how he recorded “The Auctioneer,” and a bonus: which caller did he sleep with? Click here for easy access!
Gone but forgotten? Really? Flippo died on November 4, 2018. Yes, five years ago this year. And It might appear people have forgotten him. In my mind, Marshall Flippo was and is a legend in square dance history; therefore, this book is not only a biography, but a history book. It’s not old news; it’s timely news! How could people forget him so quickly?
Recently, I had a booth in the vendor’s room at the International CALLERLAB Convention in Reno, Nevada April 23-26, to sell Marshall Flippo’s biography. Yes, I wrote it in 2020—three years ago—but I thought this would be the place to make lots of sales. My mission: to get the word out about the life and times of Marshall Flippo! Not only square dance history, but World War II history, Texas history and the life in the 50s and 60s.
Here’s some history of this book & CALLERLAB!
I released Just Another Square Dance Caller: Authorized Biography of Marshall Flippo mid-May 2020 and with the pre-order sales and the sales on Amazon.com and IngramSparks.com, I enjoyed an acceptable amount of sales.
The coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020, canceling all dance festivals and events for a couple years, so after my original release, the book sales have plummeted. Somehow, I thought I could maintain minimal sales even though we weren’t dancing.
I had originally planned to release the book at the 2020 CALLERLAB convention in Reno, Nevada, but they canceled it. Then I thought I’d have a major release party at REVCO Festival in Indio, California, a festival Flip called at for years. They canceled it. ALL DANCE EVENTS—CANCELED. Then CALLERLAB 2021 in Grapevine, Texas, occurred, but as a virtual convention, so I had no book sales there. I missed CALLERLAB 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania because I still felt leery about the coronavirus pandemic.
So, 2023 would be the year, and anticipation filled me. Before the event, I followed the suggestion of my book coach, and prepared a fifty-minute audio of highlights of my conversations with Flippo to offer FREE for interested people. Listening to his voice once more when I created this, I snuggled down in my chair and relished the storyteller he was. He talked about how he started calling, about his amazing recording of “The Auctioneer” (such a piece of history) and a bonus of his sleeping with another caller and the practical jokes that followed! Interesting and funny—Flippo at his best! And to hear that raspy Texas twang once more! Looking to CALLERLAB, I saw, in my imagination, people rushing to my booth to get the free audio and buy his book.
The days before leaving for Reno, I put three labels of awards the book won on each book I took. I ordered more of my other books not about Flippo because I was sure I would sell out of the number I had—the eternal optimist.
As we neared the departure date, I had a glitch in my travel plans. My husband came down with shingles, so my brother pinch hit for him to help me drive. After a delightful trip there and a mini-family reunion with his family from northern California on Saturday, the anticipation grew! Yet a nagging doubt whispered in the back of my mind: gone and forgotten? What would the sales be like?
On Sunday morning, my brother and nephew helped me set up my booth, teeming with my six books and three cookbooks—Flippo’s book took center-state though! We opened from 1:00-5:00 PM to start the conference. Callers and callers’ wives slowly dribbled in, and I realized my fate! Maybe gone and forgotten was the truth!
On Monday and Tuesday, the lack of interest continued. I sold a few books, but eleven people said, after I asked if they had bought Flippo’s biography, “Not yet.” The sad thing—the “Net yets” never came back!
But the most disturbing part for me, more than the lack of sales—the lack of enthusiasm about Flippo. Yes, I had several people stop by my table and share. They bought the book and enjoyed it—several had stellar comments to make. That blessed my heart because this was the first opportunity I had to get that kind of face-to-face feedback in such numbers.
But the lack of enthusiasm shocked me! In Flip’s biography, thirty-four callers, cuers and dancers told stories about him, remembering great tales to tell. As I thumbed through those stories today, most of those people bought the book early. Several have posted reviews on Amazon and three wrote thoughtful blurbs I used for the covers and promotions.
Flippo Loved to Tell Stories About Other Callers & Cuers
From the beginning, Flippo wanted to tell stories about the callers and cuers he worked with. In fact, we started the book with “A Tribute To Those Who’ve Gone,” identifying ten specific callers and cuers who helped him get started.
He also told stories on fifty-three callers, cuers and dance influencers in another section. Many of them have passed, but their names ring in the mind of any square dance historian: Jerry Haag, Beryl Main, Frank Lane, Ed Gilmore, Joe Lewis, Arnie Kronenberger, Dave Taylor, Dick Jones, Hotsy & Joan Bacon, Jerry Helt, Al and Bob Brundage, Earl Johnston, Al “Tex” Brownlee, Bill & Phyllis Speidel, Ray & Harper Smith, Jerry Story, Randy Dougherty, Singing Sam Mitchell, Max Forsyth, Charlie & Bettye Procter, Ted Frye, Bob Yerington, Bobby Newman, Chuck Goodman, Johnnie Wykoff, C. O. Guest, Billy Lewis, Pancho and Marie Baird, Jim Brower, Joe & Cricket Young, and Bob Fisk. Whew! What a list of the stars of the history of square and round dancing!
One more thing! I worked hard to add an index at the end of the book. Why spend a week putting it together? I saw the historical value of it and I wanted people to look up famous names, familiar names easily.
Gone but forgotten? I had a conversation with Darryl Lipscomb. He told me that Flippo had told him when he was retiring people would forget him because of his absence at festivals and different events. Interesting prediction for sure!
Finally,
Gone, but forgotten! I took way too many books to CALLERLAB in my enthusiasm. The lack of enthusiasm for Flippo astonished me there, but I look to the future and festivals coming up to sell at: USAWest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cool Mountain Fling in Show Low, Arizona and Hot August Nights in Albuquerque, New Mexico, too, to name a few.
Flippo! Gone, but not forgotten for me and many! Be one of us!
Grab your iPhone and lounge on the beach with Flippo!
~Get your FREE Fifty minute audio recording of “Highlights of My Conversations with Flippo.” Learn how he started calling, how he recorded “The Auctioneer,” and a bonus: which caller did he sleep with? Click here for easy access!
National Poetry Month ends today, and I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my poetry and Mary Oliver’s with you. I ended this month of celebration with one of my favorite poems, inspired by a visit to Coba in the Yucatan peninsula in 1985.
My first husband and I started visiting Mazatlán and then the Yucatan peninsula in the early 70s and fell in love with the Cancun, of that era. A church friend educated us on how to travel to Mexico at the time: don’t drink the water, the need to get money exchanged before going, etc. At that time, my basic Spanish consisted of, ¿Dónde está el baño?, but I loved trying to communicate with the locals.
We returned a couple times before we divorced, but we didn’t visit any Mayan ruins. After our divorce, my friend, who advised us, and I traveled to Mexico several times and then on to Guatemala because of our fascination with the Mayan ruins.
During this time, I also finished my minor in Spanish. I spent the spring semester of 1986 in Mazatlán, living with a family. One of my favorite Spanish instructors went with us, twelve students in all. So, I enjoyed talking to the Mexicans and experiencing the Mexican culture first hand and my Spanish improved immensely.
Since I first stepped foot on a Mayan ruin, I felt the presence, the rhythm of their history, echo through me. For some reason, I had a deep connection with those enchanting walls and structures from so long ago.
But this experience in Coba I will never forget. We found Coba accidentally, and also a lovely respite in the jungle where we stayed—a Club Med, but not the swinging single Club Med so many know from this time frame. This one was a research Club Med hidden away in the jungle.
I percolated this experience in my head for about a year, and easily I added magical realism to illustrate what I felt when I came upon Coba for the first time.
“Magical realism is a genre of literature that depicts the real world as having an undercurrent of magic or fantasy.”
A turn in the road, thick over-growth blocks the sun
for a minute.
I see another iguana sunning on the dilapidated wall of the ruin,
peaceful and not going to do us any harm!
Shadows, sounds, smells—
transforms me back to 900 A.D.
A shiver pierces my soul—quietly Mayans step out
of the past,
brush my arm and surround me.
I stare at the crumbled ruins,
straining to see with my eyes their faces and
hear with my ears their voices.
But the silence continues,
Except for
the bees buzzing in the tops of the
trees.
Where am I? When? With whom?
A step back in time, yet caught between!
Had I been here before?
Centuries before,
standing at the foot of this
temple, surrounded by my fellow Mayans,
worshipping the god “Chac” and
listening to the familiar
squeak of birds
and worshipping?
The smell of incense fills the air—the mingled
odor of honey and grain—my sacrifice to my god.
The drum beats—beats, beats a familiar steady cadence.
Calls me to it
And breaks the eerie silence.
The priests chat—chat, chat soft sounds that join the
rumbling beat of the drum.
That beat echoes through my heart beat,
The heartbeat of everyone present
The heartbeat of the world.
I sway to the beat, the chat—
it vibrates in my soul, calling me,
calling me home!
Dark bronze skin, brown eyes, flat heads—
Feathery, vibrant green quetzal headdresses don heads.
Colorful gowns sway to the beat and the chant.
Small sturdy people crowd around me,
greeting me with a soft rhythmic tongue,
and my heart understands this strange language.
Gently, friendly—a spark shines in
their eyes.
THEY KNOW ME! I’m among my own. I’m home!!!
“Did you hear that? What was that?” my friend grabs my arm.
TRANSPORTED—GONE—REALITY, or is it? I’m back—it’s 1985.
The summer’s heat presses in,
the sun’s scorching heat—
eerie sounds and hums flow
through the air.
Eerie, yet familiar.
For a second,
I felt transported back,
Then? Where?
I strain to hear it better—
to hear the beat of the past—
to see those familiar soft brown eyes.
I want to return!
Can I?
Finally,
For weeks, this poem seeped out of my pores, and I felt it was real. Was it real? Was it magic? I don’t know, but today, thirty-eight years later, as I read it, I felt transported back to the magic of Coba and my dramatic experience.
Have you ever had an experience like this? Have you seen any of the Mayan ruins? Anasazi ruins? Any Indian ruins? Do you connect with history in any way? Let me know.
Grab your iPhone and lounge on the beach with Flippo!
~Get your FREE Fifty-minute audio recording of “Highlights of My Conversations with Flippo.” Learn how he started calling, how he recorded “The Auctioneer,” and a bonus: which caller did he sleep with? Click here for easy access!
All occasions are an occasion to write a poem—Christmas presents, graduation presents and even a wedding gift for my husband.
I wrote the following poem for my great nephew in 2019 when I couldn’t attend his graduation because I was sick. It comes to mind today because I just returned from Columbus, Georgia, where I attended his graduation from Army boot camp. Quite an occasion! As I watched him these past few days with his friends, I remembered the theme of this poem and needed to share it.
An Occasion Then
The Man I Choose to Be
May 24, 2019
Everyone comes to cross roads
In life
Those defining moments
Last night was one for you!
High school graduation!
Yes, a big and memorable one!
You’ve made the choice over
The last twelve years
To attend
To be present
To do the work
And last night you received the reward!
Family and friends surrounded you
To cheer
To shed a tear or two
To honor
You!
The last twelve years defined you.
I’ve seen your effect on people.
After ball games, swarmed
By admiring friends, old and young.
A smile graced your lips
Even if you lost.
Deep down inside a winner
No matter what!
The commitment to people
You have is admirable,
And people love you for it!
Your life hasn’t been easy.
For several years, I seldom saw you.
Your life unfolded
With jagged edges.
Then your move to Floydada
Truly a gift from God; we reconnected.
I treasure each moment we have spent together
On the ranch
Looking for mountain lions
At the house
Playing a rousing game of Pip
Those memories will last a lifetime.
Now the future looms ahead
Large and unimaginable!
Where to go? What to do?
Today and tomorrow,
You choose the man
You want to be!
It won’t come easily.
Temptations may lure you
To veer off course.
Your future is connected to your past.
Don’t let feelings rule your life.
Feelings come and go.
But they don’t have to control you.
Be hypervigilant with one especially –
Anger
Anger is just a feeling,
Like so many others,
Yet powerful and seductive.
Deal with it, face it,
Get it out
However you can to heal.
You have a guide,
A friend,
A man to emulate,
Jesus
And I know you know him personally.
I know you.
You’ll choose to be the man
God created you to be!
I remember a gentle loving
Young man who cared
For Aunt Willie in Branson
One Christmas!
She always asked about you!
A loving man in the makings!
Yes, you will face a crossroads or two ahead.
Which way?
Right or
Left?
My suggestion—
Always choose you and God!
An Occasion Now
As I watched my great nephew after the Blue ceremony on Thursday, this poem came to mind because once again he has chosen well! Other young men flocked to him—either a light touch on the shoulder acknowledging their connection or a full-fledged frontal attack of a bear hug! Once again, he connected deeply with his peers. During bootcamp, they gave him a leadership role, so he continues to embrace “the man he chooses to be” in a positive vein. I also saw two young men drive a distance to be with him on this momentous occasion who had been his roommate before enlisting! Deep connections! My poem identifies his characteristics that draw people to him.
Poetry record specific occasions, special times, and I didn’t have another one in me on this recuperation-from-a-travel day that could say any better what I said a short four years ago. I love the spirit of this poem and how it points to a man to emulate—Jesus! And that it’s my choice to become the man or woman God created me to be! I can’t blame circumstances or events for the way I turned out—the power lives in my choice!
Finally
Any occasion whispers to me to write a poem to commemorate it. As I ponder images and words, the message usually surprises me! That’s the joy of writing, especially poetry!
How do you commemorate special occasions in your life? Photos? Yes, I take lots of photos, too! Poems? Narratives? Think about sharing them with your loved ones as a special gift—the gift of words!
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Visit my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Grab a cup of coffee, a pen and look at a chapter in my newest book!
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Take Flippo with you on your phone and grab an apple to munch on!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. History and humor go hand-in-hand! Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
A mixture of Easter and poetry—yes, that’s a delight for me! Happy Easter. I want to share some haikus that came to me as I prepared for Easter this year. I walked through Lent and Holy Week with my notebook and pen, ready to record my thoughts and feelings in haikus. Remember that April is National Poetry Month!
A Mixture of Palm Sunday & Haikus
Palms covered the ground
Crowds praised Jesus riding by.
Right now, they cheered but. . .
Birds chirping a song.
Jesus prepares for his day.
Their songs comfort Him.
A Mixture of Holy Week & Haikus
Holy Week is here!
The week before my Lord dies
Anticipation
I follow you, Lord!
Each day, I hear you.
(I had three possibilities for the third lines. Which do you like the best?)
Did You dread the cross?
Did You want an escape route?
You did God’s bidding.
The disciples watched.
Their ears so deaf to Your words.
So, they saw defeat.
Mary, your mother
Watched and pondered her son’s words.
She stood at the cross.
A Mixture of Maundy Thursday & Haikus
I sat next to You.
Your elbow softly touched me.
You just washed my feet.
I pondered the whole idea of Jesus asking his disciples to watch and wait with Him in the garden of Gethsemane on Maundy Thursday, yet they fell asleep. (Matthew 26:36-46)
What would I do at that moment? Would I be able to stay awake?
A Mixture ofGood Friday & Haikus
Watch and wait with me!
Join millions around the world.
Jesus, on the cross!
Satan tried to win
With every strike on the nails.
But no, Jesus won!
Every strike echoes
In my soul. Those nails for me.
Jesus died for me.
Jesus died today
On a cross between two thieves.
His death saved the world.
I sit at the cross
Today. Its power remains.
Jesus overcame!
I kneel at your cross.
Your actions say, “I love you.
I did this for you.”
A Mixture of Easter & Haikus
Watch and wait with me!
Jesus, buried in a tomb.
Oh, will I see Him?
Jesus, Lord of Lords!
Everything is possible!
The tomb is empty!
Watch and wait with me!
A new day—Jesus arose!
My heart overflows!
Mary Magdalene
The first eyewitness to see
The Risen Jesus
The first eyewitness
A woman, not a man, saw Him
Jesus loved women!
For me, haikus provide a wonderful framework to express deep thoughts. As I reflected on the days leading up to Easter, I resorted to haikus to dive deep, and I love what happened—very different perspectives of an age-old story that means so much to me through a mixture of Easter and poetry.
Finally,
Do you ponder the days leading up to the Resurrection? What they meant back then? What they mean today? That’s what I so enjoyed during this Lenten season and Holy Week. And in doing that, my Easter has been a supreme celebration of the Risen Lord. How about you?
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Grab a cup of coffee, a pen and look at a chapter in my newest book!
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Take Flippo with you on your phone and grab an apple to munch on!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. History and humor go hand-in-hand! Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
April—National Poetry month! Thirty days to celebrate one of my favorite genres. So, this month I dedicate to sharing about my favorite poets and their poetry and some of my poetry! Enjoy!
April—National Poetry Month
“Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month is a special occasion that celebrates poets’ integral role in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives.”
I first learned about Mary Oliver at a recover retreat when Fr. Tom Weston shared her poem, The Journey. I knew I had found a soulmate in the poetry world.
The Journey
One day you finally knew What you had to do, and began, Though the voices around you Kept shouting Their bad advice‚ Though the whole house Began to tremble And you felt the old tug At your ankles. “Mend my life!” Each voice cried. But you didn’t stop. You knew what you had to do, Though the wind pried With its stiff fingers At the very foundations‚ Though their melancholy Was terrible. It was already late Enough, and a wild night, And the road full of fallen Branches and stones. But little by little, As you left their voices behind, The stars began to burn Through the sheets of clouds, And there was a new voice, Which you slowly Recognized as your own, That kept you company As you strode deeper and deeper Into the world, Determined to do The only thing you could do‚ Determined to save The only life you could save.
More Mary Oliver poems in my life
From then on, Fr. Tom continued to share at various retreats, and I collected her books. My favorite, Devotions: Selected Poems of Mary Oliver, is “a stunning and definitive collection of her writing from the last fifty years.”
Mary’s astute observation of this world fascinates me, so her favorite topic is nature—animals, ponds, and relationship. Her specific details in her poems shows her deep commitment to looking at this amazing world up close and personal and seeing it in the way a photographer would capture it—the details were everything with her. And in many of her poems, she weaves God in the lines, showing me a kind, gentle, loving God.
Yet, she also wrote a poetry book entitled Blue Horses with a poem titled “Franz Marc’s Blue Horses.” I had to look that reference up!
“Blue Horses or Die grossen blauen Pferde (The Large Blue Horses) is a 1911 painting by German painter and printmaker Franz Marc.”
She grew up in a small town in Ohio, so here’s another place we connected—small towns and all they have to off the poet’s heart. “Oliver lived in Provincetown, Massachusetts, and Hobe Sound, Florida, until her death in early 2019. She was 83.”
I never heard her voice, seeing her perform a poem, but this picture of her in her elder years speaks volumes—her words have touched millions!
Finally,
Mary has several well-known poems sharing her faith. With this being Palm Sunday, I leave you with this poem of hers and a haiku of mine.
The Poet Thinks about the Donkey
On the outskirts of Jerusalem the donkey waited. Not especially brave, or filled with understanding, he stood and waited.
How horses, turned out into the meadow, leap with delight! How doves, released from their cages, clatter away, splashed with sunlight.
But the donkey, tied to a tree as usual, waited. Then he let himself be led away. Then he let the stranger mount.
Never had he seen such crowds! And I wonder if he at all imagined what was to happen. Still, he was what he had always been: small, dark, obedient.
I hope, finally, he felt brave. I hope, finally, he loved the man who rode so lightly upon him, as he lifted one dusty hoof and stepped, as he had to, forward.
From Mary’s book, Thirst
My Haiku
Palms covered the ground
Crowds praised Jesus riding by.
Right now, they cheered but. . .
I will leave you with this picture of Mary I love and quote from her, ” Poetry, to be understood, must be clear. It’s mustn’t be fancy.”
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Grab an apple and your iPhone and be ready to laugh and cry at the same time!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. History and humor go hand-in-hand! Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Kathi Raver comes to mind as another woman to celebrate during National Women’s History Month, focusing on the women in my history. I end this celebratory month for women with her and her powerful place in my life.
We met in 1995 when she started square dancing with Duke City Singles in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and she became my best girlfriend in the square dance world. We were quite a pair—me five feet three and she a stately five eleven!
One similarity we shared was teaching: I taught my entire career in the middle school. Kathi taught in the middle school and high school. She was a P. E. instructor and coached volleyball and basketball.
Another similarity we both shared: hard-headed and opinionated. Interestingly, these lively traits caused only one disagreement between us.
Katherine (Kathi) Raver was born in Hobbs, New Mexico on May 22, 1950 and had two brothers.
For many years, as an adult, Kathi lived in the South Valley of Albuquerque and enjoyed a large garden. In 1997, her brother built her dream house in the east mountains. She fell in love with the mountains.
When I met Kathi, she had two big dogs and one lap dog, Babe. For many years, she spent the summers in Alaska at an active gold mine. I loved to hear her tales from that faraway place.
Kathi struggled with melanoma twenty years before I met her, went into remission, but it came back when I knew her. I so respected her for how she dealt with its reoccurrence. She continued working and daily gave herself shots. She lost her hair and kept smiling.
Because of her leadership skills, she soon became president of Duke City Singles and chaired the Fling, our spring square and round dance festival. We worked on the Fling for several years together. What a duo we were working on it! Many of the favors she gave us on the committee as a personal thank you were items she had made.
Kathi thanking me on stage for helping with the Single Fling!
In 2003, we hosted DAR (Dance-A-Rama) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was partially her idea! Kathi, Wanda & Cecelia, three friends, went to Oklahoma City in 2000 for their first DAR, the national singles square dance festival. When they got home, Kathi said to me, “We want to host one here, but you have to chair it.” So, I did it. After our successful event, Kathi and I promised each other we would go into the same nursing home in our twilight years and reminisce about DAR, 03 and all the fun! Sadly, that didn’t happen!
One of my favorite memories of Kathi happened at the Dance-A-Rama we hosted. She hated practical jokes, but I loved them. One of our callers, Mike Bramlett, had started a silly string war the first day of our festival.
Kathi relaxing at DAR03! Not feeling great!
I encouraged Kathi to join me in spraying him with the silly string while he called. What we did: ran by him and pretended to spray him a couple times, then we unloaded two cans on him. Her musical laughter still rings in my ears. Her contagious laughter always filled the air when she was tickled. And you need to know she was doing chemotherapy then and didn’t feel well when this craziness happened.
Many women pride themselves in having a unique square dance outfit that no one else has. Whenever we were at a festival, Kathi and I looked for look-alike outfits from the vendors—me in the small section and her in the large. When she passed away, we had thirteen outfits alike. What fun we had when we found one in both of our sizes that we both liked. For years, we did an outfit check before a dance weekend to see what we would wear each night.
Kathi and me in poodle skirts she made for our theme dance at the Spring Fling
Also, Kathi made several of my square dance outfits when she was chairing the Fling. She always felt that it helped me out because she liked to sew and I did the computer stuff for us for the Fling.
One year, we went to the TASSD (Texas Area Single Square Dance) festival in Amarillo. Our new club caller, Art Tangen, was one of the callers. We decorated our petty pants on the backside with, “I heart Art!” So, when he called Saturday night in the big hall, we went up in front of the crowd and flipped up our dresses so he could see our devotion. Unknown to Kathi or me, someone took a picture and her bottom appeared in the TASSD newsletter the next month.
When Kathi and I were in a square together, the fun began! We loved to have fun, making noise and enjoying ourselves. She called it, “hooting and hollering.” One of our favorite activities was “touch a quarter,” a call we added some physical contact to, and it became the focus of many of squares we were in.
Kathi measuring an inseam for the 50/50 drawing
Kathi loved to do the 50/50 pot and measure the inseam of guys to decide how many tickets they received for a set price and kidded with them–it added a lot of fun to any event! Remember, this was a single club and single event!
Me with Kathi and Lin at the Spring Fling
Kathi met Lin Miller, a square dancer, in 2003 at Festigal, a square and round dance festival in Gallup, New Mexico, and her single life ended. In 2005, I witnessed Lin asking her to marry him on stage at Festigal. He shocked her and the crowd, but what a beautiful moment. They married August 2005 in Alaska at the gold camp.
We traveled a lot together to Norfolk, Nebraska, to a dance festival to promote DAR 2003. She drove her Tahoe full of women. How she concentrated with all the chatter and laughter is beyond me! Another year, Kathi and I flew to Omaha, Nebraska and spent the night in my ex’s van at a casino, then on to Norfolk the next day. Then another year after DAR 2003, I went with Lin and her to Norfolk, driving all night, laughing at her antics with her GPS.
My ex and I spent many late nights playing cards with Lin and Kathi after dancing at Duke City Singles. We traveled to many festivals and danced together.
In 2008, Kathi, Lin, my ex’s daughter-in-law, and I went on a square dance cruise to Alaska. It was our first cruise, so we were all excited. Kathi and I enjoyed grabbing a hot dog off of the kids’ buffet every time we went through the cafeteria. When we selected excursions, Kathi specifically wanted to do the zipline, which became our favorite excursion.
I became a redhead because of Kathi. In 2007, we stood in line for breakfast at a restaurant in Norfolk, Nebraska. Kathi tapped me on the shoulder and pointed out a fiery red head a few people ahead of us.
“Go ask her what color she uses. You would look great in that color!” So I did! The color’s name: Hot Tamale! I dyed my hair as soon as we got home but went back to my original color after a few months. After my Mom died in 2013, I dyed it that color and have been a redhead ever since—all because of Kathi.
When I divorced my ex in 2008, Kathi went house hunting with me, helping me find a beautiful townhouse ten minutes from the dance hall. When I moved in, she hooked up my gas dryer. Her brother instructed her on how to do it. She climbed behind the dryer–her tall frame barely fitting there—to save me $85!
My heart shattered on November 25, 2009, the day Kathi died. I stood by her bed with Lin, her sister-in-law and other close girlfriends, and witnessed her last breath. Mom and I had visited her a couple of days before at her house. Her death came so quickly.
Here, fourteen years later, I see Kathi every day. Why? Because Lin and I married in 2011 and live in her house! In 2009, Kathi’s cancer returned repeatedly. At a dance festival we started in August, she told a friend of ours, “When I’m gone, I hope Lin and Larada get together. They would make each other happy!” Did she know her time here was ending? Was she prophetic?
Square dancing intertwined our lives together for fourteen years: teachers, dancers, game players and friends. My life will never be the same because of Kathi Raver!
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Grab an apple and your iPhone and be ready to laugh and cry at the smae time!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. History and humor go hand-in-hand! Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Rose Ward comes to my mind as I continue to celebrate National Women’s History Month, and focus on the women in my history. The other four women I’ve written about this month are gone, but Rose lives on at 94 years old! And she’s quite a woman!
Rose was born December 14, 1928, in a boxcar in Watervale, Colorado, a spot on the railroad lien between Trinchera and Branson, the town I grew up in. Her family lived in a boxcar there for many years because the railroad provided them for the workers. Often, she caught the train to Trinidad there to pay the family bills. Then, moving from the boxcar, they lived in a rock house owned by the Doherty’s for many years in Watervale.
This fascinates me because I have only known Watervale as a ghost town or small settlement.
Rose’s dad worked for the railroad—he started at thirteen and worked for fifty-two years. Watervale was a water stop on the line, a necessity for the railroad cars back then. She had two brothers and two sisters. I, not only grew up with Rose’s children, but her brother Hildo’s, too.
From Watervale, her family moved to Trinchera and bought a bar. She met Tom Ward, her future husband, at her parents’ bar there. She remembers he rode up on horseback, a real cowboy.
Tom asked Rose’s dad if they could marry. On December 20, 1952, Tom came for her, and her mom wasn’t even awake yet. Rose wore a beautiful black dress. As they drove to Raton, New Mexico, to be wed, the car stopped and they had to crank it. She worried about it stopping, but it finally started up and they made it to Raton and wed. The young couple had a second wedding at the Catholic church in Trinchera.
During their young married life, they lived out on a ranch where she had to haul water and use an outhouse. Rose had had enough.
“Take me home,” she told Tom. So, he gave her a sizeable check and took her to her parents.
When she arrived home, she told her dad, “I left Tom.”
He had a quick response, “Go back to Tom!” so away she went.
So, Tom changed ranches, and their next home had another problem—skunks! So, Rose left again to her mother’s. Then, Tom changed ranches again and found a wonderful spot with Tom and Jack Morrow.
Tom and Rose raised four children. Tom passed away on October 23, 2003. They have ten grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. You can see that Rose enjoys her large family by all of her pictures surrounding her in her home today.
Rose also gave foster children a home, so many she can’t count them!
Growing up, I remember Rose in my life mostly as the mother of my classmates and friends. I got more acquainted with her after my dad died in 1996. She had moved to Branson, and Mom and Rose became close friends. Yes, they were friends for decades before that, but these two widows became extremely close in the loss of their husbands. Rose helped Mom with her loss of dad. They had daily contact and helped ease the horrible loneliness of women who had spent decades with their husbands.
Rose enjoyed going to our ranch with Mom. Often, these two small powerful women sat on Mom’s front porch facing a busy county road, drinking beer or Tequila Rose and not acting like grieving widows. They both had rascally personalities and fed off of each other. Supporting small town life, they went to school activities together and just had fun together.
Since Mom died in 2013, I try to visit Rose anytime I’m in Branson. We laugh, have ice cream or any of her delicious desserts, and talk about Mom and the gossip of town. Any time Rose reminisces about her childhood or younger life with Tom, I sit back and enjoy the tale. What a different time that was! I can’t imagine Branson without Rose.
What a hard worker Rose has been as long as I have known her, whether it’s cooking up dozens of tamales or cleaning someone’s house. She just offered to clean my house this past week! Amazing!
My husband, Lin, loves to be with Rose, discussing their gardening interests. He also loves to dance with her, as shown in this picture at the Branson-Trinchera Reunion.
Lin and Rose Dancing!
Rose defies the stamp of what 94 years old looks like. She lives alone, cooks delicious Mexican delicacies like tamales and sopapillas and still takes care of herself. Each morning she starts her day off with a cup of coffee with her son, then her daughter checks on her in the evenings and provides an evening meal if needed. Her out-of-town family members visit often, and she has pictures up of all her precious children.
She still does embroidery work and likes to keep a jigsaw puzzle going. In the evening, I often catch her watching her favorite Spanish Telenovela, and she has bought each one of my books!
Her laughter, her mischievous twinkle in her eyes and her loving, giving heart makes me choke up here in writing this!
What women in your history make you smile? Tell me about her/them!
In collaboration with Rose’s daughter, Jackie Mock
If you missed my other National Women’s History Month celebrations of four amazing women, here are the links:
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
A relaxed time with a latte and Flippo!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
I have three aunts in my life who touched me deeply—Dad’s two sisters and Mom’s sister. Each one influenced me in different ways. Meet them here!
Aunt Helen
Aunt Helen and Uncle Gay
Aunt Helen, born October 18, 1919, one year after my dad had a similar close relationship with Dad I have with my brother. We are thirteen months apart.
My brother and Mom have often compared my drive and personality to Aunt Helen. She became a teacher after another career and worked hard to get her master’s degree during the summer for several years.
She lived near Spokane, WA, so I savored those summers because Uncle Gay and she came to Colorado with their twins. Her husband and she went to Alamosa to go to college and left the twins with my grandparents in the town we lived in. Uncle Gay and Aunt Helen visited on the weekends, staying with my grandparents. I idolized her, the way she dressed, her hairstyle and everything about her. A cigarette dangled from her lips often, which was stylish then. I loved having her here for those summer months.
Like her, I changed careers and became a teacher and then got my masters.
Many years passed, and I was fortunate enough at the end of her life to help her and her children. She celebrated holidays with us and my brother’s families, but she was so sick. I helped her and her sons during that time, and always felt it a privilege. Sadly, we lost Aunt Helen at 56 years old, way too young to breathing complications.
Aunt Helen showed me the strength, hard work and determination it took to do what you wanted to do.
Aunt Joan
Aunt Joan
Aunt Joan, born May 29, 1928, joined the Horner family ten years after Dad’s birth. As a young woman, she took to roping and Dad often said she could out rope him any day. When she was the rodeo queen for the Trinidad Rodeo, she did a roping demo before the rodeo that wowed the crowd.
She raised six children and lost one child at birth. Her life centered on her family.
As a child, I interacted little with Aunt Joan because she was busy with her own children, but as an adult, we had many memorable times together. She completely supported my books writing and bought many copies of my books to share with her family.
When she talked to me, she often called me “Rada,” which was a nickname of mine during my childhood—what an endearing act!
In her 90s, Aunt Joan joined us on Zoom during the pandemic and managed it amazingly. She lived a long happy life!
Aunt Joan showed me a genuine delight any time she saw me. I always felt so welcome in her presence.
Aunt Willie
My last picture with Aunt Willie
Aunt Willie, born November 7, 1920, was Mom’s older sister. During my childhood, she and Uncle Hughie lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico (maybe why I ended up there). She retired from Sandia Labs and moved closer to her daughter to Folsom, New Mexico, and lived there for years.
As a child, Uncle Hughie and she spoiled my brother and I—we were her only niece and nephew on her side of the family. Big Kat fireworks for the 4th of July. Many family picnics and times together. They introduced me to fishing, which became a favorite pastime for years!
Again, I was privileged to actively take part in an aunt’s life. At the end of her life, I see her maneuver from this life to the next. I learned from her that assisted living facilities resemble junior high antics. She taught me that a sense of humor doesn’t have to die when you age.
Aunt Willie showed me often her love through words, actions and a twinkle in her eye!
Finally,
My three powerful aunts throughout my life showed me how to be the woman I am today. I feel fortunate to have been so blessed.
Did you have any aunts in your life that touched you? If so, how?
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
A relaxed time with a latte and Flippo!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Mom with her Panda hat on!Mom at a Branson-Trinchera Reunion!Mom with horseshoe sunglasses
March—Women’s History Month! Did you know that? What a thrilling discovery! So, over the next four weeks, I plan on celebrating four women in my life and history. Some are dead; some are still alive! It doesn’t matter because they still have had an intact on me!
First, here’s a great resource with pictures from Dr. Carla Hayden, 14th Librarian of Congress to Sojourner Truth, three-quarter length portrait, standing, wearing spectacles, shawl and peaked cap, right hand resting on cane. What a wide variety of pictures of women in our history. Look at: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/about/
Now, more focused for me—where else would I start the celebration of women? My Mom—Elva Marie Dickerson Horner. Celebrating her this month has a poignant ring to it—she died March 23, 2013, ten years ago! In so many ways, that’s hard to believe! It seems longer; yet it seems like yesterday.
On March 23, 2013, at 5:10 pm, Dad and Jesus won—Dad had waited up there for seventeen long years to dance with the love of his life again. Jesus agreed with him, and the pull towards heaven won, and Mom passed from this world to the next.
Let’s Start at the Beginning
Elva Marie Dickerson Horner was born on September 24, 1928 to Virgil and Tresia Dickerson in Des Moines, NM. Mom joined her 9-year-old sister, Willa Lee.
Aunt Willie and Mom
Being the youngest child in the Dickerson home, Willa Lee tells a story about Mom: “when we went to the post office she would lie down on me—on the ground and throw a fit. I reached inside the fence and got me a switch. (Pause) She didn’t do that again.”
Living through the depression, Mom endured a hard life, living in a shack with dirt floors. Grandma would wet the dirt down and pack it hard, and Mom got in trouble for digging little holes afterwards.
Her Marriage and Family Life is Coming!
Mom loved to dance her whole life. A certain cowboy caught her eye at a dance. She noticed his unique dance style. At the Robin Hood Bar in Raton, New Mexico, he crossed the dance floor towards her. She knew he was going to ask her to dance. Then she panicked, and the romance of a lifetime started with Harold Horner, my dad. They dated; they danced!
Dad and Mom on their wedding day
Then, Dad and Mom were married on August 28, 1951 in Raton, New Mexico. Their married life that would span 45 years had begun. Mom immediately became stepmother to three small children and faced the trials of being a stepmom, but the children lived with their mom in Denver. They visited Mom and Dad regularly.
As newlyweds, they moved in with Dad’s parents in Branson, Colorado, and experience a small-town tradition—chevarier. Friends short-sheeted the beds, removed labels off all the canned goods, and Mom, the bride, had a wheelbarrow ride around town. Dad’s parents had the joy (and despair) of sharing this country tradition and all the effects.
Then Dad and Mom bought their own first home from the Stephenson’s a few months later—lock, stock & barrel. After the birth of my brother and me (thirteen months later), Mom’s family was intact! Her family grew with marriages, then nine grandchildren came, and then fifteen great grandchildren. She celebrated each addition to our family, so I witnessed a woman dedicated to her family.
Mom cherished family get-togethers and holidays. Her father-in-law, Laurence, loved to have family get-togethers at our house because of Mom’s cooking and hospitality!
Her Life in The Community
Lots of life happened in Branson through the years. Mom enjoyed not only her own children, but my brother’s and my friends in the community. She was happiest when her kitchen and adjacent dining room were full of young people. Mom maintained close relationships with many of these children into their adulthood.
After Granddad Horner died, Mom became Dad’s right-hand man, able to do anything on the ranch. She worked hard! In fact, in 1989, she fell off of a haystack and broke her wrist when I was teaching in Raton, New Mexico, right before shipping time. So, several rancher’s wives and I stepped in and helped cook and serve the meal to the shipping crew.
As Dad’s health worsened, I watched Mom lovingly cared for him until the end. What an example of dedicated love!
Mom’s Interests
Mom had a variety of interests:
She was an avid sports fan of all Branson sports. When Bub played, she yelled loudly at basketball games, drowning out other parents. For many years, Mom sat in the same place every game with a dear friend.
In the 70s, Mom got interested in genealogy and researched both the Dickerson and Horner sides extensively. In 1999, we traveled to Eastern Europe because of her genealogy interests, looking for connections to her granddad, who immigrated here as a castaway with no records of entry into the US. Today, I cherish her black ledger with all of her records. I joined her in this interest and have entered her data into an app on my computer, Family Tree Maker.
Girlfriends have been a part of Mom’s life forever: Ellen Berry in high school; Clara Warner, Nancy Salas & Mokey McMillan years ago; Helen Waldroup; Betty Clark and Rose Ward.
Learn More About Mom
Mom had an abiding faith and became baptized and a faithful member of the Des Moines, New Mexico Methodist church, attending every Sunday with her niece and her husband. She looked forward to the time after church when a group went to a local restaurant for lunch—and a little gossiping! Her faith lasted until the end.
All of us have evidence of Mom’s beautiful handiworks: afghans, quilts, Christmas ornaments and more.
I remember Mom as quite the prankster—she loved a good practical joke. If you fell asleep at her house in the living room, a good chance you would end up with whipped cream on your nose! That is just one of her many tricks!
Often when I was with Mom, I enjoyed the privilege of hearing her laughter, so rich and inviting, seeing her eyes twinkle and her joy for living.
Mom and I in our matching Christmas Outfits
As you can see, Mom touched my life and many others. She formed me and others to be the women we are today, and I will be forever grateful for my mom! So be sure to celebrate the women in your life this month by doing something special for them.
Mom’s Purple Bear
Recently my husband, Lin, went through our house collecting things for a rummage sale for the Garden Center in Albuquerque. I had a purple bear on the bed in our guest bedroom I gave Mom in her dying days. Somehow the purple bear ended up in a stack of stuffed toys, and he took it to the rummage sale to sell.
Afterwards we were in the guest bedroom, and I looked at bed and realized the purple bear had disappeared. Then I looked at the top of the bookshelf where the other various stuffed toys had ended and they were gone. I realized our house cleaners probably put the bear up with the others innocently.
When I told him where I thought the precious purple bear ended up, he returned to the sale before it started, went through bags and found it. He received cheers from the workers there because he had told them, “I have to save my marriage. I have to find that bear!”
Mom embrace that bear tightly in the hospital after I gave it to her, and we kept it near her until her dying day. Lin blessed my heart with his extreme effort to retrieve it!
Finally,
What women are you celebrating this month? Have you even thought about it? Which woman has influenced you? Why?
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
A relaxed time with a latte and Flippo!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
I inherited my family home my parents bought in 1967. Now I own it after my mom died in 2013. Is it good or bad?
I just finished cleaning the bathroom in the house I inherited. Mom, Lin and I painted it and put up the trim in 2010. I hear our laughter as we looked and looked for western trim to put up, but couldn’t find any with horses or anything western. We settled for a floral trim. Then the painting took quite a lot of effort because of the high ceilings in there—ladders, stretching and camaraderie. Mom and I worked hard as we measured and cut the trim, yet I remember laughter and lightness in our task.
Because this is a second house, I kept so much of her accents and things—she whispers to me softly anywhere I go in this lovely old house. Good or bad? I feel lucky to still have so much of her with me.
Back to the bathroom—Mom collected frogs, so frogs dance across the top of the cabinet. Another statue sits below on a shelf, a friendly group of frogs shampooing each other’s hair. A frog-etched glass hangs over the door, greeting everyone as they enter.
Mom’s sense-of-humor dons one wall with a couple hangings with funny quips that still make me laugh:
Over the years since she died, I have done a lot of needed remodeling in the bathroom, but I kept up the trim we put up together—nostalgic for sure! However, recently I have looked at the paint color and trim and thought about alternatives, so I see a change in my future.
Traveling through the rest of the house,
Mom continues to speak to me in a variety of places. The year she died, she hung a pillowcase of a picture of my brother, she and me at a San Francisco Giants’ game over her dresser in the bedroom. Mom and I have on panda bear hats which celebrated a Giants’ player then, and my brother bought them for us. Absolute delight shines in all of our eyes! How did she get it up over the dresser in her frail state? I gave it to her for Christmas her last year, and it was a pillowcase—I wanted her to put it on her bed, but she was determined to put it where she wanted it! Good or bad?
I face this picture/pillowcase every night when I go to bed and every morning when I wake up. What a delightful remembrance of such a fun day and my dear mom and brother (and my husband who took the picture)!
As I type this,
I sit at the breakfast bar in the dining room facing the kitchen, where Mom spent most of her time. What a cook she was! After she passed, I thought about remodeling the kitchen and putting in a dishwasher. Yes, she only had a dishwasher for a short time in her long career in the kitchen, and Lin suggested it, seeing how much time I spent in the kitchen washing dishes after family gatherings. As I talked to the remodeler, he easily said something about removing the cabinets. I agreed for the moment.
Then when he left, I opened one cabinet with all her spices lined up and saw her handwriting on the inside of the door and knew I couldn’t do it. So, I bought a portable dishwasher and put down new linoleum as my remodeling for the time being.
Finally,
I inherited our home I lived in from my 7th year of school until now, overflowing with memories of mom and dad. Good or bad? Deeply, I feel how good this is because it is my heritage.
Do you have a connection to a house in your life? A childhood house? Your first home as a young married? Share your experience.
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Baby, it’s cold outside! Read about Flippo inside where it’s warm!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
What Ties My Six Books Together? As I pondered this question this week, I wondered: three books about my rural childhood in southeastern Colorado, one about my grief in losing my parents, one a biography about a square dance caller and the last one about my reaction to the coronavirus pandemic. Then I saw the tie that binds them: relationships and connection to people. So, here’s how I see the tie that ties my writing together:
My First Book
This Tumbleweed Landed, a memoir written in poetry and prose, focuses on people, places and events in my small rural community during my childhood. I fashioned it after Cynthia Rylant’s children’s book, Waiting to Waltz, who wrote poetry about people, places and events in a fictional town. In my book, I celebrated my childhood relationships with many notorious adults in town—Virgie Firestone and the Warners. Also, what I wrote about many of the places and events, places and times I connected with my family and friends—Branson dances and stories my dad and his school years, told sitting at our round table.
My Second Book
When Will Papa Get Home?, a historical fiction, focuses on a Mexican immigrant family’s perilous times during the 20s in southeastern Colorado. Maria, the daughter, tells the story of her family’s plight. She weaves the tale of those people responsible for her papa’s false accusations.
I centered this book on familial and friend relationships and connection to people. Sadly though, this book also shows the prejudice of the time and the misconnection some people had with certain races. But her deep connection with her family wins in the end.
My Third Book
Let Me Tell You a Story, a nonfiction account of how my granddad put our family ranch together during the depression when many other ranchers lost theirs, focuses on the three generations of my family and our ranch. My dad, mom and I had previously released this booklet in 1992 at my dad’s 75th birthday party. It overflows with the relationship between my dad and his dad and my granddad, and the relationship my dad and granddad had with the ranch they loved. Yes, you can have a relationship and connection with the earth! Even though it focuses on the ranch, the underlying topic is our familial relationships.
My Fourth Book
A Time to Grow Up: A Daughter’s Grief Memoir, a memoir about the loss of my parents, shows the foundation of my life and relationships: my parents. Of all my books, this book hurt to write, yet I love it the most! In talking about my loss, I feature the unique relationship I had with each parent. First, I connected with each of them, making it easier to connect with others in the world.
My Fifth Book
Just Another Square Dance Caller: Authorized Biography of Marshall Flippo, a biography of the most famous square dance caller in the world’s, first and foremost highlights relationships and connections with people. Yes, it tells Flippo’s life story from Texas to Japan as a young man and then later in life, but a major part of his life story was his connection with his family and friends. So much so, he required a section in the book telling stories about his square and round dance friends. After fulfilling that request, I connected with callers, cuers and dancers and featured their stories about Flippo. Yes, he truly understood relationships and how to connect with just about anyone.
My Sixth Book
Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better?, a spiritual self-help book written in poetry and prose, focuses on many of the perils of the coronavirus pandemic with an underlying theme the opposite of my focus: isolation. Yet this theme emphasized the extreme need I had and many others had to connect with people, to be with people, to relate with people. Thankfully, Zoom met some of those needs—a monthly get-together with two women friends I knew in Loveland, Colorado, a Christmas concert with our local caller, and many recovery meetings. But I’ll never forget the first time I went out without a mask and actually hugged someone besides my husband. Something deep inside me healed.
The lack of connection truly became the hardest part of the pandemic for me, and I see now how that appears throughout this book.
Finally,
This topic came up because I’m a multi-genre author which makes it difficult to market my books, my brand. Current training I’m attending wrestled with this dilemma. But I have no qualms about this! I love poetry and prose. Also I relish historical fiction. Writing Flippo’s biography was a privilege and an honor. I love the variety!
Relationships and connections with people feed my life and my writing. I did not know when I wrote each book that those themes laced their way through each work, hiding in a poem, a story, or my prose. Actually, taking the time to identify the tie between my six books opened my eyes! I’m so glad I wrote this blog to see the common tie that binds my work together. I have a feeling this meandering around and through my six books will help me in my future writing!
If you’ve read my books, did you see this theme? If not, did you see others? Let me know.
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Baby, it’s cold outside! Read about Flippo inside where it’s warm!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Football fan? Yes, I am, but my team is not playing in the Super Bowl! My husband’s team is—the Philadelphia Eagles. So, we drove to Phoenix, Arizona to take part in the pre-game NFL Experience. No, we couldn’t afford to go to the game, but the NFL Experience was a blast.
How We ended up in Phoenix?
My brother is a super fan of the Denver Broncos—me too! When the Broncos went to the Super Bowl seven years ago, my brother has a big regret. The big game was in San Diego, California, and he lived in northern California. He regretted not going to their promotional week and has repeated that to me!
So, a month out from the Super Bowl, I warned my husband: The Eagles were winning, the Super Bowl this year is in Phoenix—7 hours away, Lin’s best friend, Bob, lived in Phoenix, and you don’t want to regret it!
When the Eagles won the NFC championship to go to the Super Bowl, I started googling the promotional week. Bob called and the plan fell into place.
Following Bob’s suggestion, I signed up for the NFL Experience on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 6:00 PM—it was a go! Bob and his wife, Linda, had tickets for Saturday, February 5 and planned to get the lay-of-the-land.
What I Had to Do to Go!
Then I remembered after doing that, I was supposed to go to a church training from Monday to Thursday, the same week. I emailed the leader of that and explained my situation and asked if I could rollover my registration to next year. She replied immediately, saying I could!
Then I texted my pet sitter to see if she could take care of my 20-year-old cat! It was a go!
How It Unfolded
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, we left home for Phoenix about 10:30 AM. We stopped in Grants, New Mexico for lunch at the Subways. To beginning our journey, I ordered a “Philly Cheese Steak” in honor of the Eagles.
After an uneventful and pleasant trip, we arrived at Bob and Linda’s house about 7:00 PM. We caught up and focused on the big event we faced the next day. They filled us in on what they had learned on Saturday—their day had been great but crowded!
What the day looked like
Bob & Lin on the back side of the stadium!
On the morning of our big day, Bob toured us around Phoenix. We drove closer to the stadium and pulled in to the back of it and got pictures. After returning to their home for a brief break, we left their house at 3:00 PM, to be sure to get in on time. The couple we were meeting at the Food Court were easy to find.
Broncos’ 1998 Super Bowl ring when they repeated winning!
Our first stop was to see the past Super Bowl rings. The line was long, but Bob and Linda told us the crowd wasn’t as large as Saturday. As we waited, we looked at jeweled helmets displayed by division. How amazing! When we finally moved up in line to see the rings, the size blew me away—so much larger than I could imagine!
Being the Bronco fan, I took pictures of each of our Super Bowl rings, and I also took pictures of the Eagles’ Super Bowl rings, too. Seeing the names of all the football heroes, I loved it!
To fully experience this NFL Experience, it’s participatory. So, all of us tried to throw a football through the letter “O” of a large display of Lowe’s. From there, two of us tried to kick a field goal.
The halls were full of historical displays that we didn’t have time to read. We ended the night in the NFL store, the size of a warehouse. It had three parts: Super Bowl LVII attire, Eagles, and Chiefs attire. I bought Super Bowl LVII clothing: a light jacket, a hat and a t-shirt. My husband stayed in Eagles’ section. What fun!
My Super Bowl hat & shirt!
Finally,
What an amazing experience! I didn’t take any Broncos shirts, but our friends told us on Saturday, fans wore paraphernalia for whatever team they loved! So I borrowed a Broncos’ shirt and Bob, Linda and I supported our Broncos! Of course, Lin proudly wore his Eagles’ stuff!
PS – I had hoped to get this done before the end of the Super Bowl, but I didn’t! The Chiefs won, but I wouldn’t exchange our memories at the NFL Experience in Phoenix for anything!
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Baby, it’s cold outside! Read about Flippo inside where it’s warm!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Yes, hardback copies! When I was writing Marshall Flippo’s biography, he emphatically wanted a hardback version, so this is how I did it and the state of my supply now of hardbacks!
I had previously published my four books as paperbacks and e-books with kdp.com, an affiliate of Amazon. Originally it was called createspace.com. So far, I have been happy with their copies and production. Before changing to kdp.com, they provided some marketing and editing services I used and liked. They no longer do that.
When Flippo said “I want a hardback version,” I didn’t panic because I had already researched this possibility. IngramSpark.com, another self-publishing site, did hardback copies, so I published Flippo’s biography as a hardback, paperback and e-book with them.
Also, I published a paperback and e-book on kdp.com. That may sound crazy, but look at the price below—it costs me nothing to do it. Both companies offered different market focuses, as seen below. Also, I love having it on Amazon immediately, so I published with kdp.com first, then with IngramSpark.com.
Here’s the difference between kdp.com and IngramSpark.com:
Since this table was creating, Amazon does print a hardback version, but it was after I released Flippo’s biography.
When my first shipment of the hardback version arrived in May 2020, I had a disaster—IngramSpark messed up the covers! They had not centered Flippo’s iconic picture on the front; therefore, everything else on the front and back was off. I chatted with IngramSpark, and they sent me new covers in twenty-four hours. But, I had to fold each cover for each book.
Then I realized it was the way they were folded. I still have to refold or replace the covers for most of them because they haven’t gotten it right!
Yes, I fulfilled Flippo’s request, and he died before I published the book, which broke my heart. He so wanted to read this book about his life and see how I organized it, and I wanted to see the look on his face when he saw the cover and opened it to read about his life. I have a hard copy on my shelf for him I can see daily.
So, the sad part for me is I self-published Flippo’s biography in May 2020 after the pandemic hit. At that point, we did not know how long it would last. The sales had boomed until then because I hadn’t taken pre-orders, but because all the major dance events stopped for a couple years, the tidal wave of enthusiasm has waned for all versions.
A couple years ago when the pandemic seemed to subside, I thought we would host our annual Hot August Night’s dance, so being the optimistic person I am, I bought more copies to sell to those enthusiastic readers I envisioned clamoring for this outstanding book. We canceled the event because fear of COVID still ran high among the dancers because of the proximity of our activity. And I still had all those books.
As a result, I have a storage shed with shelves of over a hundred paperbacks and almost a hundred hardbacks. I thought callers and dance enthusiasts would want a hardback copy to place on their bookshelf along with other great square dance history books because it’s about more than Flippo’s life—it’s the history of square dancing from the mid-1950s to when he completely retired on New Year’s Eve, 2017. He saw so many changes through those years and realized the impact!
This weekend I sold my books at a square dance festival in Albuquerque, NM, where I live, and the attendees were mostly older dancers. Again, I thought I would sell a stack of books—I sold two paperbacks. This makes little sense to me. Yes, I wrote it, but it’s about the most famous square dance caller in the world!
Finally,
This is a brilliant book with lots of marvellous stories about square dancing and Flippo’s life.
Did you know he enlisted in the Navy at seventeen years of age?
Have you read about him calling at a nudist colony? Yes, these stories and more are in this book.
Have you bought your copy yet? If not, why not? Go to my website, https://laradasbooks.com and buy from me directly so I can reclaim shelves in my storage shed, but more so than anything, to get Flippo’s biography and amazing life out in the world.
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Baby, it’s cold outside! Read about Flippo inside where it’s warm!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been three years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Do I color my hair or let it go natural? I have white hair around my face and the rest is salt and pepper. Choices, choices! Yesterday we colored it once again!
Really, it was a retouch—I’ve colored it since July 2013 this time. There’s a great story behind my choice of color that goes back to before 2008.
We were at a square dance festival in Norfolk, Nebraska and my best girlfriend noticed a woman standing in line in front of us at a restaurant.
“Go ask her what color she uses,” Kathi encouraged me. “You would look good in that color.”
So, I wiggled my way up in line and asked that question.
“Hot Tamale by Garnier.”
Naturally, I am a dark brunette with no red highlights! My dad had red hair when he had hair. I only knew him balding and grey headed. In fact, he was so red-headed his nickname was “Red.” I had a half-brother and a half-sister with red hair. I always wanted red hair!
Hot Tamale Larada
The next time Mom and I were together, we colored my hair. She loved doing things like that with me. My ex wasn’t too excited, because as you can imagine, it was outrageous. I wore it that way for a year, then tired of the repeated care and work to color it.
March 2013, Mom died. I needed a pick-me-up, grieving her loss so much. Once again, I colored my hair with “Hot Tamale,” and it picked me up. So, I have been coloring it ever since; however, Garnier stopped producing “Hot Tamale,” so I had to find another color of theirs that suited me. I resorted to “Light Intense Auburn” which is darker and not as spicy, but a sharp auburn color.
When I color my hair, Lin helps to make sure I’ve covered my outgrowth completely. Then he helps rinse the color off. I was a beautician for fourteen years, so I know what I’m doing about coloring my hair.
You may wonder why I wrote about this. So many older women, us baby boomers, must make this decision—color or go natural? When I let my hair go these last few months, the white hair by both ears distracted me. It kept getting whiter and brighter, and I wondered about what to do.
I’ve had health issues recently that remind me I’m getting older. My white hair, which seemed whiter than when I let it go for several months during the pandemic, reminded me of my age every time I looked in the mirror. In reality, it shocked me as the white hair around my face reminded me of Mom and my Grandma, Mom’s Mom. Neither one of them went totally white—Mom always wanted to have a head full of white hair.
Am I trying to recapture my youth and ignore the truth facing me each morning with those white wisps intensifying? I don’t care, really. I told my beautician recently I was going to die a redhead, and he laughed in lighthearted agreement.
My website motto is “A baby boomer with a purpose,” so that’s the other reason I tackled this hard choice right now. I will be a red-headed baby boomer until I can’t.
Finally,
What’s your take on coloring your hair as a baby boomer? Do you color yours? Let me know! Commiserate with me on this touchy topic.
All available at my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.com
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a chapter!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Baby, it’s cold outside! Read about Flippo inside where it’s warm!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been two years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
Is it ever too late to send out your Christmas card and letter? I hope not, because I just sent ours out here in the middle of January. Yes, it is a month late, but is it ever too late? Maybe because the rush of the season is over, more people will grab a cup of coffee and sit down near a warm, cozy fire and read about our amazing year’s adventures. Just maybe, I’m not too late!
Read our letter to see why it’s so late.
I hope you enjoyed our newsy letter summarizing our year’s activities and adventures.
Finally,
I still enjoy sending out Christmas cards and our newsletter every year, even though many people have stopped this tradition. As I’m signing each card and addressing the envelope, I think about that person and our connection—some go way back to college days in 1972 at Trinidad State Junior College. Yes, I will continue this lovely Christmas tradition every year, even in a year like this one!
Do you send Christmas cards? Do you write a Christmas newsletter? What do you think about me honoring this festive tradition?
~For me, it’s Christmas all year long!Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
Grab a cup of coffee and ponder my journey!
~My new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? WON the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Body, Mind & Spirit Category. Have you bought your copy yet?Vist my website: laradasbooks.com or Amazon.
It’s a cold wintery reading day, laughing at some of Flippo’s stories!
~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been two years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
The third line of a haiku always surprises me! It is supposed to have a punch, capturing the message of the haiku with a surprise and a sigh!
What’s the history of haiku?
“Traditional haiku poetry originally was used as an introduction to a Japanese oral poem known as a renga. In the 1500s, Japanese poets began composing haiku as stand-alone verse, and in the 1600s, poet Matsuo Basho elevated haiku to an important art form. The power of haiku lies in its ability to conjure a powerful image or evoke a profound feeling using very few words.”
It’s a three-line poem metered by syllables: five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five in the third.
My new meditation practice feeds my haiku writing. On January 9, 2023, the meditation leader read a section from Living the Life of Awarenessby Don Miguel Ruiz to start our practice. During our meditation, I ponder the reading then usually write a haiku afterwards. On this day, I wrote the following first two lines:
Where do I focus
In meditation, in life?
Then, as I considered the third line, the possibilities exploded:
Focus on Jesus.
On the crashing waves.
Your strong hand in mine.
Lin’s aged hand in mine.
The hilarious!
On my aging cat!
On my broken heart!
On God’s endless love!
On my breath and yours.
The gorgeous outdoors.
On my neighbor’s needs.
On my unshed tears.
On the dawning day.
On all mysteries!
On the positive!
It’s not about me!
My belly button!
My third lines above vary from serious and introspective to humorous, and it’s always important to add humor to life. I love the simplicity of haiku with an economy of words yet a powerful image.
My favorite haiku reference is Natalie Goldberg’s book, Three Simple Lines, where she shares some of Basho’s haikus. She also has samples from several other Japanese poets.
So, which third line of mine did you like the best of my seventeen? Let me know.
Finally,
Do you see the power of the third line in a haiku? Do you like haikus? If so, do you write them? If so, share one with me.
