"Our Little Man", a poem, 168/365

Our Little Man

Full of admiration

and emulation,

our little explorer

has extra pairs of 

watchful, loving eyes

and countless

encouraging smiles

to give him confidence.

Big sisters' guiding hands

help him along the way.

Leaps of joy greet big brother

when home from college he visits.

Family means everything

to our little man,

the youngest of six.

Constantly amazing us

and brightening our days

reminding us all

to take time to play.

And we have to admit,

for him we might possess

a bit more than he for us

of admiration and emulation!

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, 3-15-11

These two poems are for the "March Challenge".  The above poem is for tomorrow's reflection on "family".  My very first poem written last year is below.  I wrote it in October of 2010 and reflected upon childhood, which is today's word prompt.  The top photo is for "Movement in March".

Childhood

Childhood is a time of wonderment

of security

encouragement and possibilities.

Exploration begins every morning

with fresh faces and engaging smiles.

Each day approached with boundless energy.

As the sun rises, imagination flourishes

and inspiration is found in the simple.

Creativity soars with seemingly no boundaries.

Each day is for experimenting

and is about the process, not the end result.

Failure does not define who they are.

As they are tucked away each evening

sleepy heads are filled with questions.

Confident there are answers.

Parenthood is a time of great importance

 a limited opportunity to re-learn life's secrets.

Offered in the sweetest of ways.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, 10-18-10

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This is our little tuxedo kitty as a baby a few days after we got her from a farm.   I had wanted a Siamese and almost didn't allow her to come home with us.  For some reason I didn't take many photos of her when she was little and we are all thrilled I found this one.  I do remember that my youngest daughter carried her around for about a week, she loved her so.  This is for the "Creative Exchange".  

Abundant Love, another "triolet" poem, 160/365

Doesn't this have the feel of Easter?  So exciting to know Spring is just around the corner!

The above photo is for the "Creative Exchange".  Which is NOT about the perfect photo (as this one certainly is not) but about a feeling, a moment captured.  My kitty was enjoying smelling the flowers... I thought she was going to bat at them (see her paw?) but she behaved herself (for once).

I just read that if a cat ingests oriental lilies, it can lead to very serious consequences.  She hasn't nipped them yet, but I will shut these in my bathroom when I am not in the kitchen.  She hasn't paid them any attention since, but to be safe this will most likely be the last time I purchase oriental lilies.

Abundance is the prompt for the "March Challenge" and my mind went straight to my oriental lilies.  I thought I would try the poetry form "Triolet" again.  Please click HERE if you would like to know the detailed "rules" behind the madness.  However "simply" put:  eight lines in iambic meter (I did four stresses - iambic tetrameter - kind of like a heart beat) and the rhyming pattern is ABaAabAB.

Abundant Love

A pure and wholesome lasting love,
the oriental lilies' wish.
To honor beauty, my dear dove
A pure and wholesome lasting love.
I ask no more of God above:
abundant love, from my sweet Tish.
A pure and wholesome lasting love,
the oriental lilies' wish.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, 3-8-11

I'm afraid I have about 100 more photos (and counting) of oriental lilies.  I read that the orange colored tips of the stamens should be removed as they stain the petals, clothes and furnishings.  I like them, but I did place them on my granite counter, so that helps.  I promise not to bore you with all of them, but I have a feeling I know what this week's theme will be!

The following photo is for "Movement in March".  It is one of the last decent archival shots of movement that I have.  I will have to get out and about with my camera and search for movement shots.  Of course, this was taken at Disney World (I'm never going back, and the memories are finally settling into a "happy" fog) ... doesn't she resemble a pink oriental lily?

"The Roses' Oath" a Poem, 158-159/365

The Roses' Oath

Please say your heart's forever mine!
The roses' beauty makes an oath,
desire or love and sometimes both.
An open yellow questions growth
of loyalty and loves' sweet wine.
The roses' beauty makes an oath
Please say your heart's forever mine.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 3-7-11

For one who loves (because I am lazy, I'm sure) free-verse this "Triolet" was a challenge for me and my very first quick attempt.  The pattern is described in One Stop Poetry's "One Stop Poetry Form" which is featured every Monday.  Please click on the sight to learn the counting (stresses) and rhyming structure.  (btw.. Ginnie! ... are my apostrophes correct? Grammar police, help! :)

I'm also submitting the above poem to "The March Challenge".  The prompt is:  nature.

The following close up is for "Macro Monday".  Can you smell the roses today?  :)

Salsa, a recipe and poem, 155-156/365

These are my selections for this weekend's "Movement in March".  Believe it or not, this carp pond is at a doggie "bed & biscuit".  Beautiful place and my doggies go there every once in a while to "socialize" and play with other dogs.

The photo above isn't the best as far as clarity, but I think it is a great idea for a painting.  It is also my selection for "Weekend Reflections".

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I also want to take a moment to highlight a blog that left me in tears (laughter) and one I will follow faithfully form now on.  It is Fridge Soup.  Please click on it and ENJOY!  (and I think it partners along nicely with my photos and poem below!)

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On this day in 1912, the "evil" Oreo Cookie was first sold.  For this weekend's "March Challenge" one of the choices of reflection is something delicious.  I decided to focus on something a little more healthy than the "I can't eat just one" Oreo cookie.  

Salsa

Indigenous Mexican Sauce
Roje, verde, cocida, fresco
(Tomatoes, gooseberry, cooked, uncooked)
Inherited flavor of the Mayans and Aztecs
Colorful, textured, fragrant and spicy
Cilantro, citrus, chili, and corn
Tomatillo, Tequila, and mint
Classic Mexican relish, inspiring others:
Exotic Jamaican, bananas and guavas
Asian peaches, Far East anise
Turkish delight, pomegranate, honey, and figs
Delectable all!  Join me, will you, each Saturday
as I explore this versatile "sauce" for us to
comer y disfrutar!

I was inspired by my trip last week to the farmers market.  I forgot to bring my camera - I was so upset as the beauty just spilled out on the tables even at the end of March!  I didn't ask, but these farmers must have greenhouses or something in which they grow their produce.  My quick "poem" above is not a masterpiece, that's for sure, but I hope it tempted you with checking in next Saturday for my new recipe.  Today's recipe is at the bottom of this post.  Oh, and by the way, "comer y disfrutar" means "Eat and Enjoy".

Ingredients before mixing

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Tomato Salsa

4 ripe tomatoes, seeded, chopped - (about 8 - 10 oz)
1 red onion, finely chopped
1 red jalapeno chile, seeded, finely chopped (size depends upon you!)
1 or 2 garlic cloves (again, up to you), crushed
1 peeled cucumber, seeded, finely chopped
honey to taste (1 - 2 tsp)
1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
dash of lime juice
pepper

Makes about 1 cup (I doubled this recipe and it was gone in two days!)

Prepare all ingredients and add to a bowl. The fresher the ingredients are, of course, the better tasting the dish will be.  Stir well.  Cover and let stand to let the flavors mix.  Do NOT put in the refrigerator, as the flavor will not sufficiently blend.  Eat with tortilla chips, of course, but this can also be served upon meats or seafood.  

Magpie Tales #55 - "A Kiss",

This is a photo for "Movement in March" (taken last summer!)  I love how the circle of droplets are caught following the path of his hair flip. I think he looks like a merman here!

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Photo courtesy of Tess Kincaid of Magpie Tales

A Kiss

Your puckered lips
obligingly touch a tart
lemon-like kiss to mine.
I run my tongue
over the sourness
while symbolism
stabs my heart.
Such bitterness now,
love unsweetened.
Succulent strawberry kisses
now replaced with
acerbic, harsh utterances.
Our once ripe romance
now rancid, tainted.
Slowly I close the door
behind you and whisper,
"Goodbye".


by Margaret Bednar (Art Happens -3/3/2011)

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This is for Tess Kincaid's "Magpie Tales".  I'm going to also submit this to "The March Challenge". On this day in 1847, inventor Alexander Graham Bell was born and the challenge word for today is "communication".  I have reflected upon what can be said (and revealed) with a kiss.   This is also for "Friday Flash 55" - tell a story in 55 words or less

The Secret Garden, "Familiar Journey", a poem and 153, 154/365

The Secret Garden is a musical I had never heard of until about 7 years ago.  Of course I knew the book, I had read it out loud to my children.  My son auditioned for the Bay View Musical and landed the role of Colin.  The song "Lilly's Eyes" - in my opinion one of the strongest male duets EVER- (1:56 minutes into the video if you want to fast forward) still causes shivers to run up and down my spine.  The You-Tube video has clips of various songs and the original Broadway cast is featured (Mandy Patinkin - on the left!)  Do yourself a treat and buy the CD.

The following poem is for "The March Challenge" - daily reflections on a given topic.  Today's topic celebrates "Read Across America Day" so we are to reflect upon reading.  I made it a bit more specific with "The Secret Garden".  Below is a photo of my sweet "little" boy (how time flies!).  The two photos were not taken by me.  I also entered it in One Stop Poetry's "One Shot Wednesday".  Over 100 poems will be entered in this weekly sharing!

Familiar Journey

Flesh and blood; pulsating,
bringing beloved words to life.
Words, once read in a quiet corner,
vibrantly echoing from the stage.
Echos and settles upon the audience,
spellbound with emotion and longing.
Emotional tears, laughter and thrills ensue,
taking the heart on a journey once traversed
between the pages of a favorite book.

by Margaret Bednar - Art Happens 03/02/2011

My daily photo for the "365 Photographic Journey" & "The Sunday Creative".  The challenge word is "ritual".  I try to read him a book before bed every night.  He tries to get me to read many books before bed every night! ...

The next photo is for "Black & White Wednesday".  This little doggie hangs out at the horse farm at the end of our road.  I love how the sun creates a "halo" around him.  

Admirable Women - a poem, 152/365

Margaret Bednar's archival family photograph - early 1900's

Admirable Women


Post victorian women, 

sidesaddle adventurers,

educated and free.

Dared to partake, a bit,

in a man's world.

Exceptional individuals

who forged paths

 mostly forgotten now

except in sepia images,

looking old fashioned and quaint.

But look closely and you will see

energy, determination and spirit.

Three qualities still valued today.

by Margaret Bednar,
03/01/2011, Art Happens

For "In the Moment" Challenge
Please click to find out more about this monthly photography, art, poetry and writing challenge!

I also submitted it to One Stop Poetry's "One Shot Wednesday" Poetry forum - literally over one hundred poets tend to enter their work - it is quiet an array of talent!  I think this also fits in with "Poetry Potluck's" theme of "Idols, Role Models and Mentors"

The above is also my quick reflection loosely based on the theme "camping" for the "March Challenge".    The host noted that Yellowstone National Park was established on this day in 1872 and it sent me hunting for a shoebox of old photos.  My grandmother traveled from Northern Illinois with a group of friends when she was a young lady to I thought Yellowstone National Park.   I need to question my mother about this as I have numerous photos and post cards from early 1900 similar to the one above.  I plan on doing a future post about this.  My grandmother is front and center on the mule.

The photo is a picture taken in the "Garden of the Gods" in Colorado Springs, Co.  Click HERE to see google images of this amazing place.  I'm thinking this might be a formation known as "balanced rock".  The proportions are a bit off from what I can find on the website, but it has been over 100 years and maybe the elements have been at work.

In my very brief research, I found out that the song "America the Beautiful" was inspired by the beauty Katherine Lee Bates saw in 1893 while she journeyed in private wagon to the summit of Pikes Peak.   Katherine Lee Bates was a long-time professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, and lectured at the summer session at Colorado College.

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My 1st and 3rd photos below are for today and tomorrow's "Movement in March".  The second is for "The Creative Exchange".  I remember sitting and enjoying the sun as my girls kayaked in the little pond.  They had just spent a day horseback riding at Boyne Highlands Resort - 20 minutes from where we used to live in Northern Michigan. 

I have been unable to carve out time to visit all my blog friends sites and it is killing me.  I hope to swing by and see what creative energies are flourishing out there this evening.