Friday Flash 55 - "A Cowboy Dreams..."

A cowboy dreams

of wide open ranges

bright orange sunsets,

a faithful dog

and a horse with heart.

Silver bits, spurs, leather chaps

and awesome boots.  

And, of course,

Let's not forget the saddle bag

and flask...

What is my little wrangler 

pondering?

"When will Mommy be done 

with this photo shoot?"

This is for "Mr. Know-it-All's" Friday Flash 55.  Can you tell a story in 55 words?  Well, come join the fun and try it!  The last photo I entered in the "Dover Saddlery Photo Contest" along with ten others I have taken over the past month or so - you can see them HERE.  I'm NOT saying vote for mine, but if you like horses, click on the link and see the beautiful photography and vote for the ones you like. 

I will be swinging by this weekend to take a look at all the other 55's.  I am attending a horse seminar by Buck Brannaman Friday and I am ALSO getting my 1/2 Friesian 1/2 Quarter Horse on Sunday!!

Wow... that's a lot of links... ha!  Have a nice weekend!

Indian Summer

I love Indian Summer and as a kid it was my favorite time to ride my horse.  Indian corn is so beautiful as it is, I almost feel guilty "messing" with it.  The top is for "Photo Art Friday" and the middle photo below is for "The Creative Exchange".  My husband brought home the fall porch decorations and I think he did a fantastic job.  Lavender and orange against the brick steps and black railing couldn't be lovelier!  I'm so thankful he likes his flower gardens and decorations as I love to photograph and paint them.

Don't you just love my son's sticker he added to the bottom of the pumpkin? I guess he has the decorating bug as well :)

Magpie Tales #84 "A Refining Darkness"

Photo Courtesy of  Tess Kincaid for Magpie Tales

A Refining Darkness

Apollo's bird followed me many a dark night.  

Ran and hid from truth I tried,

but your unfaithfulness

finally my heart did pierce,

and from my despondent tears you ran.

A dove I launched with olive branch

and yearningly desire your return

as into the night Raven cries, 

longing for a new and better tomorrow.

Other visitors upon my shoulders sit, 

friends to my raven black,

Thought and Remembrance,

our solitude pondered and embraced.

Sorrow's raven for a time did suggest

conversion and cleansing be put off,

but welcome you with open arms I do

and shoed that evil bird away.

My own white light is not so bright, 

a bit tattered and torn like yours. 

A refining darkness is ours to grasp, 

filtered and purified by trials.

Silvery grey 

we can start anew, 

as upon this rock 

your return I wait.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 28, 2011

* * * * *

This is for Magpie Tales #84.  Another despondent take on a prompt!  (You try to write a happy one to this...)   I hope this poem ended in a bit of light as I tried to pick up on the shimmer of grey light in the photo.  

I am Cheetah, by Emma Bednar

Getty Images from Google

I am Cheetah

I am strong and fast
I wonder, will I survive today?
I hear innocence cry out as I tear it apart
and I see life flutter and fade before me
I want my cubs to be like me
I am strong and fast

I pretend I'm the queen of the land as
I feel another's life tremble beneath my paws
I touch the ground like wind rushing over a mountain
I worry about the balance between life and death
and cry for my cubs when their survival is threatened
I am strong and fast

I understand the wind as it calls my name
I purr my discontent, so beware my mixed signal
I dream my spirit is the speed of light
I try to teach my young to be ruthless
and hope they understand compassion means weakness
I am strong and fast

by Emma Bednar

This was written by my 6th grade daughter - I helped her ever so slightly with showing her the wonders of dictionary.com and the thesaurus.  I encouraged her to use the "and" line in all three paragraphs and I had a slight influence on having her take the sappy sweet lines out and making the overall tone a bit more foreboding...  I had her read a few articles on the ruthlessness and toughness of this animal and what it takes to survive in the wild.  A good mother is a tough mother as far as the Cheetah is concerned.

If you want to read a bit more on the Cheetah, please click HERE.  It is a 2009 Scientific American article and is also where I got the photo.

I linked this to dVerse Open Link Night #11.  Over 100 AWESOME poets...check it out.

Friday Flash 55 - "He's Got a Way"

Gene Kelly & Judy Garland - One of my FAVORITE Old Hollywood photos! (from Google Images)

He's Got a Way

How I long to be the girl
for a certain pair of eyes,
certain pair of hands.

Meet the beat of my heart
the reason I beam so.

He's got a way that makes
the angels heave a sigh.

Have you ever seen such perfection?
From the moment I saw him,
zing went my heartstrings.

Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 22, 2011

* * * * *

I guess the question is, if she ever GOT him and after 20+ years of marriage, would she still feel that way?  Well, I can only speak for myself and I have to say, "Yes!"

This is for "Mr. Know-it-All's" Friday Flash 55 (which I will be linking up to after 8pm tonight).  The above is written using lines from various songs Judy sung over the years.  The link below is fun as it has short audio previews of many of her songs.  I love all of her stuff throughout her career, but her voice when she was young and healthy was perfection.  It doesn't get any better than "Embraceable You" or when Judy & Gene sing "When You Wore a Tulip (And I Wore a Big Red Rose)".  "Ol' Man River" works so well, especially in her older voice as it seems to personify the words so well.  "Fascinating Rhythm" certainly helps me get my housework done...

If you have time, flip through the songs that I have linked below (there are short audio previews) - I even found a few I hadn't heard before. 

 Top Albums by Judy Garland

* * * * *

I am tacking on (below) a previous post of a few days ago because it obviously goes well with the above and I thought some might like a chance to watch the video below.  

Photo courtesy of Claudia of "dVerse"

Sentimental Journey Home

(Inspired by Judy Garland's & Bobby Darin's Train Medley below)

Sentimental journey, I'm goin' home,

whistle blowin' down the lonesome road.

I'm travelin'; lookin' up

and lookin' down, but

Gabriel I have yet to see.

I've traveled to Oz and to Sante Fe,

with and without a reservation,

but now I'm goin' home

with anticiaption

and I long to hear

the "All Aboard".

I'm travelin' towards heaven

via the railroad tracks,

perhaps still yearnin'

for a bit of roamin'...

but now I'm travelin'

a sentimental journey home,

the trains a-callin',

the lonesome whistle

callin' me home,

announcin' the "All Aboard".

Yes, I'm traversin'

a sentimental journey back in time,

riding the Atchison, Topeka

and the Santa Fe.

Old and grey I may be,

but not too old for this holiday.

Feelin' a bit lonely as I travel along

thinkin' of all my cares and lows,

but headin' towards the blue horizon

holdin' your memory in my arms.

I'm lookin' down

the not-so-lonesome road

singin' on the railroad,

not so lonely anymore.

Lookin' up to see the maker

with you holdin' out your arms,

standing next to Gabriel

I'm glad I boarded the train

at the Pennsylvania Station

and stopped my roamin'

as my yearnin' heart needed

this sentimental journey home.

compilation of words by Margaret Bednar (many words selected and condensed from "The Train Medley" sung by Judy Garland and Bobby Darin), Art Happens 365, September 19, 2011

* * * * *

Below is a wonderful YouTube video of Judy Garland and Bobby Darin singing a train medley. (Let's hope it doesn't get yanked!)

Below are three sketches I have drawn of Judy Garland in the past:

The Eighty Million Dollar Champion - An AMAZING Book & the author on YouTube

Book Cover for "Eighty Dollar Champion by Elizabeth Letts

I was planning on finishing the book and then giving my reaction and thoughts to it here on my blog, but I am on the third chapter and I am spellbound.  The author does a wonderful job below sharing what this book is about...  It is the best read I have had in a long time...  Maybe the best due to the fact I love horses and an underdog...  

Magpie Tales #83 "A Desire Consumed

The Snake Charmer, Henri Rousseau, 1907

A Desire Consumed

For you I learned to breath, circular,
the double reeded melody
never pausing.  My flute-like gourd
always moving as baubles and trinkets
dangled to attract.

I desired you to respond,
to match my swaying.  Tried
enticing you with vibrations;
captivated, you were not.

In defense, you bit me once
as alone I wouldn't leave you.
Why did I come back for more?
You preferred others like yourself,
struggled always from my grasp.

The moon's hypnotizing light
upon the mirrored surface glowed,
reflected back a face unfamiliar
as I picked up my basket
full of yearning and despair.

Around my ankles
cold and loneliness swirled
and I paused...
but my name you did not call; so
into the basket I stepped,
greif imprisoned within
and tightly the lid I secured.

Liquid darkness swallowed my
parting melody of paradise lost,
its swampy arms offered
a false comfort I embraced
as my fruitless desire
was finally consumed.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 20, 2011

* * * * *

I TRIED to find happy from the above image, but it just gives me the CREEPS!  So, dark and despondency flowed...  This is for Magpie Tales #83. 

"Sentimental Journey Home" - Poetry Inspired by Judy Garland & Bobby Darin's Train Medley

Photo courtesy of Claudia of "dVerse"

Sentimental Journey Home
(Inspired by Judy Garland's & Bobby Darin's Train Medley below)

Sentimental journey, I'm goin' home,
whistle blowin' down the lonesome road.
I'm travelin'; lookin' up
and lookin' down, but
Gabriel I have yet to see.

I've traveled to Oz and to Sante Fe,
with and without a reservation,
but now I'm goin' home
with anticiaption
and I long to hear
the "All Aboard".

I'm travelin' towards heaven
via the railroad tracks,
perhaps still yearnin'
for a bit of roamin'...

but now I'm travelin'
a sentimental journey home,
the trains a-callin',
the lonesome whistle
callin' me home,

announcin' the "All Aboard".
Yes, I'm traversin'
a sentimental journey back in time,
riding the Atchison, Topeka
and the Santa Fe.

Old and grey I may be,
but not too old for this holiday.
Feelin' a bit lonely as I travel along
thinkin' of all my cares and lows,

but headin' towards the blue horizon
holdin' your memory in my arms.
I'm lookin' down
the not-so-lonesome road
singin' on the railroad,
not so lonely anymore.

Lookin' up to see the maker
with you holdin' out your arms,
standing next to Gabriel

I'm glad I boarded the train
at the Pennsylvania Station
and stopped my roamin'
as my yearnin' heart needed
this sentimental journey home.

compilation of words by Margaret Bednar (many words selected and condensed from "The Train Medley" sung by Judy Garland and Bobby Darin), Art Happens 365, September 19, 2011

This is for dVerse Poetics and the subject is trains.  I can never think of trains without remembering my youth and belting out the songs sung by Judy Garland (and something I still do to this day!).   The above poem is taken from the song lyrics below and I don't claim them as my words but as a "medley" of all of the great songs they represent.  (I certainly hope this isn't plagiarism!)

I so missed "the train" for "Poetics" so am linking this post up to dVerse Open Link Night.  At the time I linked up there were already 80!!!! poetry links.  So, GO CHECK OUT THE TALENT!  :)

Kevin Spacey directed and starred as Bobby Darin in the movie "Beyond the Sea".  The reviews are mixed and I noticed a comment stating there is a disclaimer at the end of the film "although there was some truth to the story line, much was added for dramatic effect..."  Why does Hollywood do this to biographies... I read quite a bit on Darin's life, and I think it was pretty amazing and interesting without adding false things.  Oh well, perhaps I will still give it a try.

It looks like I missed the deadline for linking my poem to the "Train" post, but I still encourage you to check out the above dVerse link!

Below is a wonderful YouTube video of Judy Garland and Bobby Darin singing a train medley. (Let's hope it doesn't get yanked!)

Below are three sketches I have drawn of Judy Garland in the past:

In Tandem #10 - "The Yellowstone River"

Art courtesy of Jinsky from "In Tandem"

The Yellowstone River

With ease she meanders
amongst ridges and bends,
lace-like swirls dancing
backward and forward,
her crystal blue veneer reflecting
eternal emerald, sage, and jade.

Frolicking towards sandstone bluffs,
does she anticipate
the excitement ahead?

Abandoning caution,
she recklessly plunges
over the precipice.

Through stratified rock
resurrected she rises,
her initials omitted
from the travertine.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 14, 2011

* * * * *

I got productive this evening and killed three birds with one stone.  I am submitting this to "In Tandem #10" a fun writing prompt using the image above, and "Three Word Wednesday" - the words are backward, ease, and omission (which I changed to omitted - I hope that is OK!) and to Mr. Know-it-All's "Friday Flash 55" which I will link up to on Friday.

I also linked this post to dVerse's "Meeting the Bar- Critique & Craft".  I am so thankful that this blog is here for the poets and poet-want-to-be's ... the second one is me :)  Check it out... the creativity will astound you.  

Poetry Jam - "Opium"

Opium

A scarlet dream is tempting me

So softly, gently it endures

Of memories, like potpourri

A scarlet dream is tempting me

My past, my love, this cannot be...

Eternally my heart is yours...

A scarlet dream is tempting me

So softly, gently it endures.

By Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, May 15, 2011

I originally wrote this poem with the idea of a past lover (person).  But I think I see it now as the addiction itself is the past love and something the recovering addict is always turning away from and haunted by.  And it doesn't have to be an illegal drug - prescription drugs are just as dangerous and often are considered "safe" so "scarlet" used in that sense could meant as "offensive" or "sinful".

This is my "resurrected" contribution to Poetry Jam - this week's theme "A drug-induced world".

Magpie Tales #82 "September Dance"

The Revenant, 1949, Andrew Wyeth

September Dance

Stillness fills the room

as he arrives whisper-like

riding the Harvest Moon's 

beam of light.

A lifetime of loyalty

cannot be obliterated -

"A loving father, husband, friend"

upon granite etched

a decade ago -

as he remembers still,

our September dance.

Poised and waiting

he gallantly extends his arm

and I glowingly twirl within his embrace

once again

until his aura starts to wane

and I open my eyes.

A decade of longing,

of missing him.

My cross to bear.

My cross to cherish.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365,  September 11, 2011

* * * * *

This is for Magpie Tales #82.   I'm also participating in "Open Link Night #9" at dVerse.  Why does one write poetry... and why do we share it here on the web?  That is a question pondered at dVerse today and I am not sure why I do.  I'm actually a little shy about my so called "creativity" and I hesitate to mention to my friends in the "real" world that I write poetry at all!  I think I have close to 100 poems now - I feel I have grown a bit since I started not quite a year ago.

Skip over to both of the above highlighted sites.   And try a writing a poem if you have never done so before... the support you get from the people who participate in the above will overwhelm you.  

Images from the Past, Part 10 - My Grandmother's 1915 Yellowstone Journal

Getting ready for the Fourth of July celebration

Sunday, July 4, 1915

A very quiet Fourth.  Slept most of afternoon.  A small crowd tonight.  114.  Went down to hotel after program for a walk.

I imagine this might have been a scene on the trail to the hotel...

Monday, July 5, 1915

Hurried thru with our work, went down to hotel to see boat races, etc.  Our boys entered with hotel boys and fish hatchery boys.  Went down in p.m. to see the races, etc.  104 dudes tonight.  Had a special program and it certainly was good, then dancing.

The Fourth of July bon fire

Tuesday, July 6, 1915

Had a large crowd tonight, 201 dudes.  Had our log cabin bon-fire as it was too rainy to have it last night.  Frank Turtillott took Ruth L. and me down to hotel store and we had a soda.

Perhaps a photo opp on the way to the hotel store for a soda?  Marguerite is on the left.

Wednesday, July 7, 1915

Rain nearly all day.  Slept most of p.m.  Helen and a driver went fishing.  Only 110 dudes to-night.  About 9:30 to-night we six girls (Vera, Mary, Elma, Ethel L., Helen, and I) and Torg, Jam, Win, Frank, and Starkey (driver) Mary's man (a wood sawer) came to our tent No. 8.  Had two flash lights and ate fudge and bread and jam.  Had lots of fun even if we did break curfew.

My Notes:

The above are journal entries of some simple and fun days at Yellowstone.  The original photographs are actually quite small and I have blown them up.  I wonder what kind of camera took these?  I googled 1915 cameras and the Kodak Vest Pocket Autographic Camera sold for between $6 - $10.  It was a small camera that could be carried in a vest pocket.   Another site that showcases cameras between 1909-1926 is HERE.

The "In-Progress" 1915 Yellowstone Journal is on my side bar with most recent post at the top... the beginning is at the bottom)

This post if entered in Sepia Saturday 91.  If you are an old photograph junky, this is the place for you!

Magpie Tales #81 "The Crossroads"

Photo provided by Tess Kincaid for Magpie Tales

The Crossroads

Decades of irascible memories

previously tucked away and hidden

now tentatively observed 

before this once intrepid heart.

Eroded yesterdays brushed off

in this final, last ditch effort

to make the past shine.  

Exhausted,

my iron will of denial gives in 

as life's spinning motion

sinks

forcing me to stop at the crossroads

where mortal and immortal meet.

My heart yearns to change the past

to give a "valid" accounting

but I find excuses

outweigh answers

so I plead and finally

pray

hoping His grace
outweighs my sins.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 9, 2011, 

This if for Magpie Tales #81 and "Three Word Wednesday CCLVII" (Erode, Heart, Observe)

Friday Flash 55 & In Tandem - "The Abyss of Blue"

Art courtesy of Jinsky for "In Tandem"

The Abyss of Blue

Permanent ink disappears
on torn parchment, piece
by piece, as love's letters
of disappointment
float from my fingertips.

A life's devotion
sinks into the abyss
of blue as thoughts of you
spiral downward
into a watery grave.

I lift my head
from this vault of tears
and raise my eyes
towards the sun's
autumnal rays.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 8, 2011

Art courtesy of Jinsky for "In Tandem"

Come join the FUN and participate or read the talent at either the "G-Man's" blog "Mr. KnowItAll" a story in 55 words.  (I will link up with that tonight after 8pm) or Jinksy's blog "In Tandem" - write a prose or poetry prompt using one or both of the above images.

Note:  It recently noticed I usually write sad and tragic...why do I tend to write heartbreaking pieces (I am very happily married, btw)  It is really hard for me to write "happy" and "funny".  Does anyone else have that "problem"?  Is it easier to write sad and unhappy?   :)

In Tandem #8 - "My Masquerade"

Artwork courtesy of Natasha for "In Tandem #8"

My Masquerade

Through the looking glass

she often startles me,

her accusing gaze

seeing through

my masquerade.

Camouflaged within

she occasionally peeks through

my veil of sarcasm and pretense.

She wants out.  I lower my lashes

to block her escape

and let the music's beat

take control

as hands reach out

to touch, to exploit

and exotic lights flicker

orange, blue and red.

Survive, I will

as long as she remains concealed

and I remember to dance

with my eyes closed.

Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, September 4, 2011

* * * * *

This is for Jinksy's "In Tandem #8".  Write your own response to the above art work OR go to her sight by clicking HERE and select another, less vibrant image.

I also am entering this into one of my favorite poetry sites:  dVerse's "Open Link Night #8".  dVerse offers a number of things throughout the week and they are a first class site.  Check them out! 

An A+ for effort...

Boys are not natural born posers like girls.  For one, they can't sit still.

and their attention wanders within seconds.

and smiling... well, to be TOLD to smile creates all sorts of weird face contortions as you will see below.  For the above photo, I told him "don't smile".  The "pucker" face is not what I meant.

The dentist would have liked this one?

Smile?

So what did I learn?  Keep it fun, go to a place they enjoy and photograph in multiple places while you walk... (sorry, run) along exploring.  Keep it fun and sometimes, you take what you can get...

I'd say this one is a wrap!   And I am participating in "Weekend Reflections" with the last one AND "The Creative Exchange".  I invite you to check out the site - there are many beautiful photographs that will take your breath away.