Chicken Nuggets

Prep for Cabbage Fried Rice
Recipe Click HERE

Chicken Nuggets

I painted my kitchen Leprechaun Green,
tried collecting a wish dinner wouldn't burn -
laughed when we placed an order out.

Remember dipping my finger in honey mustard -
placing it upon your tongue.  Define the kiss that followed
more akin to hot sauce.

by Margaret Bednar, October 14, 2017

My cooking attempts have greatly improved (I served the above with Glazed Chicken Tenders with Ginger - Recipe HERE)  and lettuce fresh from the garden (the cabbage, garlic, and ginger root were fresh from the farmer's market as well).

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Transforming with Nature's Wonders - Brainy Quote".  I chose a quote from Audrey Hebburn - she had SO MANY great ones - I linked them below.  The one I used is:

"I belive in pink.  I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.  I believe in kissing, kissing a lot..."  Audrey Hepburn

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/audrey_hepburn.html

"Queen Bee"

Coneflower & Honeybee

Queen Bee

From tears of Ra
the bee descends, of sun, of royalty.

As a child, I'd run in fear of the sting,

unaware nectar its sole pursuit -
Cupid learned "Beware love's sting!"

Yet life absorbs such piques, does it not?

Spend many an evening walking husband's perennial gardens 

camera poised, patiently wait for droning honeybee; 

stories of imminent demise foreshadowed -

thrilled when sometimes (only) one shows up...

Does this mean Greek goddesses are nearly forgotten,

the Hindu God of peace is dying, Ra's wisdom silenced?   

This symbol of motherhood and fertility
has walked with me hand in hand; no longer run I from the sting,
but embrace sacrifices, savor long days,
taste sweet nectar of childish arms about my neck; sticky fingers and all.
And occasionally at end of day, raise my glass to the Queen Bee;

realize I'm not just a worker bee.

by Margaret Bednar, July 23, 2016

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Transforming with Nature's Wonders" & "Play it Again, Toads".  I was late in playing, so this is my contribution to an obviously very recent "archived" challenge .

When my husband and I first started dating, somehow I gained the title "Queen Bee".   One of my favorite gifts is a necklace of a honeybee.

You are invited to listen: https://soundcloud.com/margaretbednar/audio-recording-on-saturday

"Pamlico Sound"

Ocracoke, NC

Pamlico Sound

Early tide often unveils angel wings and whelks,
but this solitary evening's walk offers up three tartan caps,
elusive and rare.

Slipper shells delight my son, fragile cockle & calico scallops
fan and flash speckled color, and shark eye remnants
swirl charming patterns

yet the olive shell I've yet to receive.

She offers her fine artists mark of temporary delights:
tangerine sunsets, gently filled sailcloths, winged birdsong
as well as memories lasting a lifetime,

some sentimentally displayed upon my windowsill.


by Margaret Bednar, May 5, 2016


*The Scotch Bonnet is the NC state shell - not uncommon but not easily found whole either.  I found three perfect ones within 30 minutes of each other one evening!  - the resemble a traditional Scottish "plaid" hat.

Pamlico Sound  HERE

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Transforming with Nature's Wonders" 

"Beyond the Hush"

Beyond the Hush

She rests in the hush,
watches as summersaulting remnants
of last fall's brilliance sweep with crumbling footprints
the swirling dirt floor.

Comfort to me always smells
of Bluegrass, Timothy, or Rye
upon which she nestles and listens
to wind's whispered warning.

Crows add cries of caution;
what rankles them today, who knows,
and pony raises his head from a pile of hay;
hears it all.  Understands far more than I.

The weekend's chore list waves "get busy"
but summer's fan spins as if to say
"It's time to play, to enjoy this day
as winter's storm is on its way!"

And so we head out, pony and I,
nod to feline as we pass.
We'll be back before the rains descend,
stall doors latched, secured,

but for now the rafters creak
and the latches bang,
offer up barns symphony of joy -
or lament; either way, I'm glad I listened.

by Margaret Bednar, February 26, 2016.

I have been inspired by Maria Wolf of Full Moon Fiber Art to record "Visual Poems".  Which would lead one to think a video recording - of course I have to add a photo and a poem so I probably defeat the purpose!  I need to remember to turn my iPhone horizontally for a better image AND the "choreography" needs to be improved - I think it is a learned process.

You're invited to Listen:  https://soundcloud.com/margaretbednar/beyond-the-hush

* Note - not really rye as it isn't good hay for horses - but it sounded better than alfalfa :)

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's - Natures Wonders - explore the world of footprints"  I stretched the meaning a bit I think... leaves are not animal tracks ...

Also linked with "dVerse Poetics - Adventures in Traveling"

April's Unfolding

Photo courtesy of my barn's manager, Jamie

April's Unfolding

Enchantment unfolds -
daffodils dot the pathway
and bees bumble by.

Dew's upon my face -
Robins plunder pasture's breast
Gentle beasts slumber.

Shamrock-green fields sprout -
Big Dipper awaits moonless sky
behind eggshell blue.

by Margaret Bednar, April 17, 2015

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Nature's Wonders - Haiku"  Haiku usually aren't titled (but who am I to follow the rules) and I tried for a trio that describe April.  I might come back to this using a different form, but I find the brevity and tight word count an interesting challenge.  I did add "Big" to the last stanza and the count is off - but I hope it makes people think of the constellation a bit more...

I'm back from a couple of vacations and getting back into the swing of things took longer than I expected!  It's been about three weeks since my last poem and boy do I feel rusty.  Haiku is not the easiest thing for me to write ... but I gave it my best effort.

My Photoshop CS5 is giving me a few hick-ups.  I updated to the newest Mac operating version and I seem to have "killed" my CS5.  So frustrating.  So... my smudge beneath my sweet boy is my iPhoto attempt to take out what is always in a horse pasture... poop.

I believe the Big Dipper is brightest in the sky in April - and we have been getting quite a bit of rain here in NC - it makes for dewy mornings and overcast days - but the days the sun does come it is well received.

"What's in a Name?"

What's in a Name?

Mt. Oglethorpe to Katahdin
is almost like a prayer, names mystical,
Saddleback, Goose Eye, Lafayette,

Grandfather, Greylock, even a St. Guadens!
Culvers Gap, Hawk Mountain,
all north of Harper's Ferry,

Big Meadows, Shenandoah, The Priest,
Peaks of Otter, Blackhorse Gap, Laural Fork Gorge,
Standing Indian, Blood Mountian

just a handful plucked from a trail ancient
awaiting exploration, appreciation,
and reverence.

by Margaret Bednar, August 31, 2014

Grandfather Mountain - Appalachian Trail.  The wind is what took me by surprise - so powerfully beautiful.

We live SO close to a section of the Appalachian Trail - I have been to Grandfather Mountain and a few other places, but my family and I are now going to make efforts to explore the whole amazing mountain range - camera ready, of course!

Appalachian Trail Conservancy   and Appalachian Trial Map

This is with a brief nod for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Transoforming Friday with Nature's Wonders - Mt. Katahdin" which is the northern beginning of the Appalachian Trail.  

"Steeping"

Etsy shop "The Vintage Teacup"

Steeping

Afternoons I become a lady,
delicately balance my Ansley teacup
pinky outstretched,

lips seemingly sweet
as the pastel Wisteria
with leaves painted minty-lime green.

Yet words slip through, unpruned,
bloom as I center the quatre foil
within gold trimmed center,

join the sacred and spiritual
circle of gossip as whispers steep
unfavorable and shocking.

Lean back, savor the tingle
of our "cleansing".  Vow to never
dishonor Queen Catherine's legacy.

by Margaret Bednar, June 21, 2014


Wow.  Teacups really are works of art.  HERE is a link to a fabulous Pinterest site devoted to Ansley Teacups.

Tea finally arrived in England during the 17th century when King Charles II married a Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza.  The Queen made tea the drink of royalty and soon tea became a popular import to Britain via the East India Company.  Afternoon tea or tea parities became a common way for aristocratic society to drink tea (and gossip).

This is linked with Imaginary Garden of Real Toads "Transforming Friday with Nature's Wonders" - Fields of Tea in China. 

"Wisteria"

Wisteria

In stillness I cling
to cypress and tupelo gum,
dangle above blackwater bog,

envelop secrets of those
who've loved and lost

beneath my pendulously fragrant,
cascading, lavender falls.

by Margaret Bednar, April 11, 2014

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Transforming Friday with Nature's Wonders"  Hannah is hosting and has posted an amazing video of the Tunnel of Japan.

I always think these blooming vines look like lavender water falls …

The photos I took while visiting "Magnolia Plantation" in South Carolina.  I wish I had been able to get there this year while the blooms are peaking… maybe next year.   The fragrance that emanates from the Wisteria is out of this world!  I find them particularly charming in the wild, however, they are very lovely hanging from the plantation's pergolas as well.

For the month of April, I am participating in NaPoWriMo2014 or National Poetry Writing Month.  The website is HERE.

In celebration of this year's challenge, I will be giving away a free book of my poetry.  If you are interested in participating in this drawing, please click the red logo at the top of my side bar and leave your name and a means to reach (blog, email, etc) you in the comment section.

PLEASE INDICATE YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DRAWING OR I WILL ASSUME YOU ARE JUST COMMENTING.  THANKS. 

"A New Eden"

Panjin, China - Red Beach 

A New Eden

Beneath sky blue,
I blend maroon, burgundy,

crimson, scarlet
into one glorious red -
dip my brush, generously

slash over intolerance,
greed, revenge -

refresh white wings
of Apollo's cranes
as they herald in
one thousand years
of heavenly love,

soar with joy, light, and grace;

consciously omit
all of mankind -

leave the rest up to God.

by Margaret Bednar, November 22, 2013


This is for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Transforming Friday with Nature's Wonders" - Red Beach of Panjin, China.

This is also for Friday Flash 55.

The crane is a highly symbolic bird HERE .  As beautiful a place as this is, I found it a very difficult poem to create.  

"Beware"

Mendenhall Ice Caves, Juneau, Alaska (photobucket)

tears tunnel unseen a frozen trail - beware spring's sudden thaw.

by Margaret Bednar, October 18, 2013



My attempt at a Japanese haiku.  It usually consists of 17 sounds - it can vary.  It should be able to be expressed in one breath (which often means English haiku can be 10-14 syllables.  Japanese haiku are commonly written in one line and should "leap" or have an "internal comparison".  Traditional versions capture a fleeting natural image.

I found this link to be helpful:  HERE

This is for the challenge over at the "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Transforming Fridays with Hannah -  Haunted and Hungry"

IGWRT's Transforming Friday's w/ Hannah "Panacea"

(shared via photobucket - Blue Nemophilas)

Panacea (Hitachi Seaside Park)

Amidst a tsunami of baby blues,
I harmonize my thoughts
with distant waves

       as freighters
       sail past
       upon choppy seas

and transparent endless sky,
celebrate springtime's kiss
amongst delicate petals

       and people walk by
       plan ahead their
       days, weeks, years.

whose fragrance upon this hill
is generously shared,
offered freely.  Now.  Today.

Find myself wishing
this peace was mankind's
important destination.

by Margaret Bednar, September 13, 2013


This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Transforming Friday's with Hannah.  She shared several beautiful photos of Hitachi Seaside Park, located in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan next to the Ajigaura Beach.  Yes, quite a mouthful!   If you click on the link there is a video showing this hillside resplendent with a sea of blue flowers...

Hanna specifically requested we try to write a poem showing "contrast" and "focus". 

IGWRT's Transforming Friday's with Hannah "Holy Water"

photobucket - Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Holy Water

In search of holy,
I mixed essence of rose
and moonlight,

purchased a bit
of Galilee, Fatima,
and Lourdes.

My priest salted and blessed
crystal jar of tap water,
instructed "sprinkle sparsely."

Travelled to Bolivia,
danced upon reflected calm
of Salar de Uyuni -

finally found a cleansing

of prayer, faith, 

and devotion.

Margaret Bednar, August 9, 2013

This is for Imaginary Garden of Real Toads "Transforming Friday's with Hannah" - Hungry and Haunted.  We are pondering the "salt flats" of southwest Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni.  (for a bit of info & more photos follow the "Salar" link)

IGWRT's Transforming Fridays with Hannah - Haunted Hearts "Enraptured"

Enraptured 
(pondering Tulips)

Hopeless love I gaze upon
or is it sweet and fair?

Many moods you flaunt
like royalty at play

flash flirtatious sunshine smiles
and revealing taffeta-yellow gowns,

easily traded for purity, unfeigned,
slip on forgiveness, easily gained

your changing hues entrap
with white, or beauty bright

you sing my heart an opera
luxuriously indulgent,

whisper "take not love lightly".
Oh, sweet herald of springtime's breath,

for mystery unwavering,
such elegant enchantment

I seek to cast aside a winter-heart,
long to nestle, secure

in a nature gently generous -
whose flashing sidelong glances

blush seemingly just for me,
promise to tease not...

enraptured am I for
such a feast of passion rare.

Margaret Bednar, July 6, 2013

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Transforming Fridays with Hannah - "Haunted Hearts".  She gave us a feast for the eyes - Tulip fields of the Netherlands and a challenge to search our hearts for a Tulip's beauty...

IGWRT's "Extraordinary"

The video is a real place, called the "Tunnel of Love" and is located in Kleven, Ukraine!

Extraordinary

It's an ordinary wish
to be loved
intensely

as if tomorrow wouldn't exist
without a touch, a smile,
a glance,

for his world
to arch over my days
protecting, cherishing, sharing

as our limbs, laughter,
thoughts entwine
like two old oaks

whose once sapling branches
have interlaced, become
dependent upon the other

for life itself.
It's extraordinary
my wish came true.

by Margaret Bednar, May 31, 2013

This is linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Transforming Friday's with Hannah - Magical Natural Locations - Hungry Eyes,  haunted hearts"  Wow - that is quite a title, but Hannah promises us 21 more incredible places over the next few months and I can't wait!  

IGWRT's - Transforming Friday's "Madagascar"

A lemur.  Of all places... The South Carolina Aquarium on Charleston Harbor

 Madagascar

Eat or be eaten,
territorial battles for food,
water, a survival game
understood amongst fauna
and creatures unique

in eastern mangroves
and tropical shores, by
monsoons and seasonal rivers,
along undisciplined mountain's
majestic ridge, over and down
western side into cracked dust
and heat slashed with ribbons
of ancient green.

An isolated garden
of extreme specialization
where spirits of the dead romp,
rapidly shrink, eaten by sawmills
and mining corridors

another fifty years, perhaps,
before all are squeezed, vanished,
left to reside upon a page earmarked
with the Elephant Bird.

by Margaret Bednar, May 3, 2013

Vasa Parrot - sometimes described as an intermediate between a parrot & a raptor

This is linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Transforming Friday's" subject: Madagascar.

The Elephant bird was a huge bird similar to the ostrich, but much bigger, long extinct.  The Lemur's name means "spirits of the dead".   

IGWRT's Transforming Friday "Wanted"

Wanted

Like fingerprints
uniquely designed,
our hides hunted

like criminals,
condemned,

regardless
no felony committed.

Margaret Bednar, March 29, 2013


This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Transforming Friday's" with Hannah.  Todays food for thought is the Savannah.  I have a busy weekend and a full house ahead, as I'm sure most of us do.  So excited to have the whole family under one roof!

The above vidoe I found on Skywriting's blog.  Kerry O'Connor lives in Africa and the Savannah is a short distance outside her back door.

Who KNEW Mama Zen's "Poe-etics" would last this long... My poems keep having a dark and dreary twist after the exercise of a few days ago!

Happy Easter, everyone.

IGWRT's Transforming Fridays "Addax"

Addax

Like miniature cutouts
we lie huddled
in a spot of shade,

await twilight
to roam amongst
tussock grass and thorn scrub

slowly, peace-filled,
suffer destiny,
numbers dwindling,

our once grand presence
erased west of the Nile Valley.
Everywhere.  Now

North of Niger, reside,
bottom of the food chain
of animals and mankind,

silhouetted against fate
as our patient shadow
swiftly fades.

by Margaret Bednar, February 23, 2013

This is for Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Transforming Friday with Hannah.  I took this photo while at Disney World's Animal Kingdom "Safari" tour.  

IGWRT's Transforming Fridays "I am Cheetah"

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 originally linked this to dVerse in 2011, but am linking it again for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads  - Transforming Friday with Hannah.  Cheetahs live in many climates, including the desert.

We are supposed to write something new for this challenge and I will still try and submit it on Monday if I find time.  I just love this poem, though, and of course, wanted to share my daughter's work.

IGWRT's Transforming Friday's "Grieving" & "Beneath the Acacia Tree"

A photo of an elephant I took at our local zoo

Grieving

We once lived
in a Garden of Eden,
and of yesteryear I still dream
where we wandered free
amid swaying grass and
clear water pools.

Man's greed
and fire of 1869
rocked our world,
a handful survived,
fled into the forests,
and the Southern Cape
forever weeps.

by Margaret Bednar, January 20, 2013

HERE is a link to the Knysna Elephant Park.  I thought the following quote by Romain Gary was sadly perfect:  "in a truly materialistic society, poets, writers, artists and elephants are a mere nuisance."

This is belatedly for Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Transforming Friday" - Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub (click to see further prompt detail)

The poem below my drawing is the one I wrote first... before I realized it did not fit in with the geography of the prompt... ;P

Beneath the Acacia Tree

In the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro,
beneath the shade of the acacia
I stand a chance,

nibble upon roots, bulbs, shoots,
dream of ancient migration routes,
watering holes, grassland

wonder when civilization's squeeze
will encroach upon this pocket sanctuary.

I drink long and deep, gaze upon my reflection,
stare vulnerability down, trumpet a song of hope,

intimately aware it may be my last.

by Margaret Bednar, January 20, 2013

IGWRT's Transforming Friday's - "North American Bison"

North American Bison

Thunder once rolled
upon the plains,
explosive,
ungovernable
beneath a cloudless sky;

stilled by something
instinct couldn't understand.

Margaret Bednar, December 15, 2012


This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's" - Transforming Friday's with Hannah.  This is the fifth challenge in a beautiful series!