Where have I been? Or have you forgotten me already?

It has been one minor disaster after another here. Bill developed bronchitis which nearly went into pneumonia a couple weeks ago, so I took care of him. Then he had cataract surgery on his left eye. I am designated driver. Doctor visits required driving across town, and then next day follow up visit to the other end of town, all in rush hour traffic.

 Today he had a dense cataract removed from his right eye, and will have a follow up visit early in the morning. A physical the next day. Did I say in rush hour traffic?

He has also been going to physical therapy for a seriously painful knee, but it hasn't alleviated the pain. So he saw an orthopedist, who gave him a cortisone shot and removed 10 times the fluid that was supposed to be on his knee. He is still in pain and is going to request an MRI, but does not want knee replacement. YIKES!

We used to be avid dancers, and we both miss dancing. We wish you a happy holiday. We are grateful for family and friends, and especially each other. We can at least strike a dance pose.

Last week was my turn for boo-boos. I was scooping frozen cookie dough when the plastic measuring spoon snapped and sliced my thumb to the bone. Using my thumb is something I take for granted, so the wound was forever reopening, but it's finally healing.

Then we were visiting a friend when I stepped on his dog's toy. When I screamed,  the mutt nipped me in the butt. I have a bruised cheek. Yeah that one!

And my left facial cheek looks like I have been tortured. I pulled a cookie tray from the oven at eye level, and turned suddenly to see what the cat was yowling about and burned my own cheek!  

Last night after a wonderful family Christmas, with much laughter and joy, from our babies young and old, I fell asleep on the couch, exhausted. I vaguely remember my honey calling my name, but I was too far gone and did not hear about his latest episode until we were sitting in the eye surgeon's office this morning. When he told me, I laughed so hard I cried.

Bill said he couldn't see out of his bad eye, and his good eye had no lens in his glasses last night. So he was having trouble seeing how badly he'd injured the toe next to his big toe when he conked it on the dresser. He placed his foot on the toilet seat and poured alcohol and peroxide over his toes, which colored the water bright red with blood. He couldn't rouse me from sleep, so with limited visibility, he proceeded to doctor his foot. He put triple antibiotic and a Bandaid on his toe. He hobbled into the living room and collapsed in his recliner. He propped up his feet, and THAT is when his vision cleared under direct lamp light. His toe was oozing blood through the ointment. He had bandaged the wrong toe!

I am also battling the bulge. Doctor has me on probation. She said, my cholesterol number hadn't changed in a year. I think that's a good thing (201), but I have three months to lower my LDLs or go on meds. I'm gobbling the last of the peanut butter cookies. In a few days I will be reforming my ways. Or Liam's dinosaur will get me!

Your words can be a gift

My sweet Liam did not have to share me with his brothers last Friday. They had to go to the pediatrician, so he spent the day with us, much to his delight. Papa Bill took us to McDonald's so Liam could play at the Play Place. 

Then it was home for a nap and afterwards some pre-reading activities, story telling, and phonics  using inventive spelling (writing the letters he hears.) 

This is Liam's precious story. Four and five year old children should be able to stay on topic using 4-5 related sentences.

I used to do these with my students, and some were so funny! I displayed them at our holiday program and explained why it is important to ask kids questions, such as who? what? why? where? when? what else? and can you tell me more?

There are many people who don't realize they are writers. You do not have to be published to say you are a writer.

 Liam loves books, alphabet, sounding out letters, and of course the praise I heap on him for being so eager to learn. He was in rare form being silly as we played Jenga.  As I was video taping him, I asked him his name. He replied, "LEO." Then he laughed and laughed, which resulted in bear hugs and tickles. I love the age he is!

Let this be a reminder to you if you are a writer, don't wait until you know all the rules of writing to get started. Look at an interesting picture and tell a story. That's a beginning.

This is a busy time, and it is easy to procrastinate, so be sure to get your words down, even if it is to complain about the hectic pace, the crazies you encountered, or the things that made you smile or say, Oh dear!" Don't let December slip by without your words. They may be a gift to someone. 

Sweetness Overload

Liam at 6 months old.

And now at 4 1/2 years old.

Alex loved their noses!

I told the boys to stand by the snow people. Liam stood in front of Frosty, and Alex screamed in resistance until he saw the ball on the hat. Failed photo.

Alex, 15 1/2 months enjoys ripping his shoes open; he likes the sound of the Velcro. I made him a Christmas tree with Velcro attached ornaments.  He loves peeling them off. Liam can read the names on the ornaments.

Charlie has stolen my heart. He loves when Frosty sings to him.

Charlie loves when frosty 

sings This lit four-month-old baby boy has stolen my heart, as his big brothers did.

 And Charlie is right, who needs Santa when your Nana is...
keep scrolling...

a gingerbread grandma with a narrow waist.

If you really want a good laugh, check out my latest holiday publication at 
http://sasee.com/2018/12/01/leaving-a-lasting-impression/




Happy holidays! 

Some people are too helpful, or keep your mitts off my plate!

Today is Thanksgiving. The big guy and I have achy knees, and a heart filled with love, because we have so much for which to be thankful. In a  few hours everyone will arrive, and our small house will be noisy. Everyone will fuss over the babies, and I will special-snuggle each of our grand kids, even those who tower over me.

The food is ample. the bird is plump, and  the young ones will inevitably be coaxed to eat something off their plates. "Just one more bite. A vegetable or no dessert."

In years past  I have insisted, pleaded, begged, my kids. Then when the grands came along, I sneakily devoured their food so their parents thought THEY ate it.

I have been known to add a bit extra off my plate to Bill's when I can't eat it all.

I don't mind if my honey puts something on my plate to taste, but by golly don't ladle food onto my plate if you don't know me!

Tuesday I was in a buffet line waiting for Asian chicken. A short guy with a thin white ponytail and a big mouth waited stood in front of me. The pan was empty. He asked, "You like this chicken, too?"

"I do."

"Well it's the best in town."

"I know."

That was the extent of our conversation.

 There was one crusty chicken chunk left in the pan, so I scooped it out and put it on my plate. When the chef put a new pan of chicken on the buffet, this guy loaded up a ladle and dumped it...
on my plate!

"Hey! Do not put food on my plate. That's yours!"

He looked offended. "I thought you said you liked it."

"I do, but I don't want fifteen chunks. I only wanted three," I said as I scooped the chicken (including that one crunchy piece I really wanted) onto HIS plate. He looked shocked.

Guess he didn't look at MY face.

If you are reading this, know I am thankful for YOU.

Rescue at sea

The sun trying to break through the clouds spotlighted an emergency and the intensity and urgency of an air lift at sea on board our cruise ship. This photo evokes feelings of hopefulness as well as hopelessness. 

Early in the morning there was an emergency call for a critically ill passenger. Rumors abounded, but the consensus was an elderly man had a massive heart attack about 6:30 a.m. A doctor, three doors down heard the man's wife screaming for help and assisted.

 As you can tell by the angle of the sun, it was about 1:30 p.m. when the helicopter finally arrived. Out of respect for the family, the captain asked no videos be taken. But there was a crowd of onlookers (including us) who did capture cell phone images. We were one deck below, close enough to witness the difficulties and frustration of trying to land in gale force winds. A half hour we listened to witness's comments, "That aircraft is fuel sensitive, they won't have enough to make it to shore." "Watch out if it crashes; shrapnel will fly."

I stood shoulder to shoulder with passengers in solemn silence. I watched and prayed as the chopper bounced on air currents, swayed left and right. Unable to hover, the pilot had to circle the ship time and again.

 I prayed, "Lord, you command the winds and seas, please help this rescue mission, and if it's thy will be done, allow this person to survive."

After many attempts, the ship's captain cut the engines and steered the ship as close as possible under the hovering chopper. Medical personnel dangled from a cable and made their way on board. Minutes ticked endlessly, and then a stretcher was lowered. Finally, the patient and medical team were airlifted. Out of respect, I did not photograph that part.

As the chopper zoomed off, a collective sigh, cheers, and rousing applause rang out. The doctor leaned out of the chopper and gave a thumbs up.



Even though I look elated to be on the beach, days later I was still concerned for the patient and family. The images and incident haunted me. I can only imagine how those with PTSD suffer from flashbacks.









My honey looks pensive as our cruise comes to a close. We enjoy gazing into the ruffled tail spray at the back of the ship.

Sun rises on the horizon streaming brilliant streaks of sunshine on the Caribbean turquoise blue (which you cannot see here)...  and the promise of a new day.


Make the most of yours! Nobody is promised tomorrow.

Dear... telling it like it is

Letters Never Meant to be Read Vol. III  (Marc D. Crepeaux, Rusty Wheels Media) is now LIVE on Amazon. My letter is included in this fantastic anthology. I started reading, and I could not put the book down. 

Consider contributing a letter of your own. The stories are diverse and include: Dear Me, To whom it may concern:, Dear Cookie Dough, Dear Jerk, Dear Counselor and so many more. These letters are relatable.

Here is the shortened link of the kindle version for your viewing pleasure:

https://amzn.to/2PPJYuC

And here is a shortened link to the paperback version:

https://amzn.to/2T5Uqgu

Also, there are updated covers and interior for a 2nd edition re-release of Letters Never Meant to be Read Volumes I & II which can be found here:

Volume I: https://amzn.to/2Dz3SV4

Volume II: https://amzn.to/2OGi7s2

If you're interested in getting a copy of one of these volumes, it supports other authors. And perhaps it will inspire you to pen a letter never meant to be read. 

Letters Never Project is always accepting submissions year round and can be submitted to:

https://lettersandbooks.com/

or

https://marcdcrepeaux.com/

A Letters Volume IV contest is coming your way! 

This time, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place contest winners will receive a copy of the final publication signed by Marc D. Crepeaux, as well as a signed copy of Vol. III. This is in addition to cash prizes.

Do you love being in the loop on the latest and greatest reads? 

Then follow us on Twitter! @

https://twitter.com/inferno4dante

or

https://twitter.com/marcdcrepeaux

https://youtu.be/MDn06XOTRVs

This video highlights just what Rusty Wheels Media is doing. We offer (in most cases) zero upfront costs to our authors. So you get published for FREE.

Newest additions to the Rusty Wheels Media library:

In the Mist of Fire by Nathalie Grabinski :

https://amzn.to/2FhXX8s

Contractual Obligations (released as a new Audible Version):

https://amzn.to/2Fgt1W1

Stop That Wedding by Melissa Klein:

https://amzn.to/2qIM6WV

SPARK... an idea that could lead to future publication

An image can spark an idea, a story, or a poem. Sometimes when I try to write I hit a dead end. When I merely write what I observe along the way, I sometimes spark a poem, essay or story.

Tropical sunrise tripped my trigger and made my heart ping. 

Florida sunset made me swoon but was gone too soon. Rained the next three days.

 We went on an enjoyable cruise with Bob and Peggy, a couple we have traveled with before. I enjoyed the Caribbean blast furnace heat. I would rather be hot than cold. But winter does not listen to me. Two inches of snow possibly today. I am trading one white (sand) for another (snow.)

I left behind my footprints, saw a few ocean critters, and took home memories to get me through winter. My honey has been in therapy for a sore leg so he sat, and I waddled a few worries away.

On the long drive home from New Orleans, I wrote random thoughts about things I observed along the way.


Brittle leaves line dancing across the black top.

Weathered row boat, wintering bottom up on a stump, in a cluster of barren trees, oars clinging to wooden ribs.

Spring growth will hide that little boat like a squealer in the witness protection program.

Empty dandelion colored bucket gaping on its side. Wire handle anxious for an encounter.

Flattened Mountain Dew case tossed and battered by hyped up winds.

Half dozen discarded quart plastic oil containers piled in a ditch, life blood for someone's jalopy.

My new scarf worn on Halloween night, transforming me into a butterfly. (my blog photo)

Your turn! Look around, out a window, or at the sky. Write a creative sentence or two about what you see. Will you share?