We crucify ourselves between two thieves: regret for yesterday and fear of tomorrow.
Fulton Oursler
Charles Fulton Oursler Sr. was an American journalist, playwright, editor and writer. Writing as Anthony Abbot, he was an author of mysteries and detective fiction. His son was the journalist and author Will Oursler. Wikipedia
Grief is for the strong, who use it as fuel for burning.
Lauren Groff, “Fates and Furies”
Lauren Groff is an American novelist and short story writer. She has written five novels and two short story collections, including Delicate Edible Birds, Fates and Furies, Matrix, The Vaster Wilds, and Brawler. She was named one of the 100 most influential people by TIME in 2024. Wikipedia
Sometimes I think that if it were possible to tell a story often enough to make the hurt ease up, to make the words slide down my arms and away from me like water, I would tell that story a thousand times.
Anita Shreve, from her book–*The Weight of Water
Of all the fiction I’ve read in over 60 years, this line is so personal that I wish I’d writen it. ~ Cale
Poem from Hagar:
Imagination
sparkling gift, wealth of childhood…
it brush-paints long days
pours hourglass full…illusions
spiced honey panacea–
Harsh-edged Time erodes
warps veneer…Reality
bared leaves soul at risk
~H~
Poem from Hagar ~
Thanks to you my heart
is padlocked for all time
don’t dare claim it your victory
don’t mistake my words
as pining for a last chapter
reconciliation–
you no longer own a single
pulse of beating organ
behind bone bars
prison you built–
memories, fiery darts from
season of ill-winds blown
torment ~
https://sammiscribbles.wordpress.com/2026/02/14/weekend-writing-prompt-455-padlock/
From Hagar ~
Husband–all about money
it was all his
wife–expected to work
multiply it for him
it was not hers
it was not love
just money
nothing was hers
she was nothing
the mute message
deafened her
she left with nothing…
except freedom
to make a life alone
but no longer lonely–
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2026/02/08/three-things-challenge-mm329/
Berean Standard Bible
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive… 2nd Timothy 3:2
From Hagar ~
Lonely hunter heart*
lacks wise discrimination
blind and lame seek same ~
*Words borrowed from Carson McCullers’ novel, The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter–
The apple of his mother’s eyes
upon his whim the sun would rise
but as her prince there was a cost
too early found his childhood lost
chained to midnights drinking lies
~ Cale
https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/02/09/laughing-along-with-a-limerick-270/
📚📚📚
Bartlett’s Quotations
gift from my mother…
who may have sensed
somewhere in the dark
recesses of cluttered heart
that someday I’d write
a million words she’d
never care to read–
~~*~~
And did She know…
my perfectly well-mannered
dignified grandmother
of very few words
(lest she be chastized
by my mother)…
did she suspect I’d be
the only grandchild who’d
hear the Lord’s voice
and follow His call?
she gave me the white
bible with Jesus’ words
in red letters–
I miss the time
the conversations we
were robbed of by
her jealous daughter–
but this I know
she waits for me, and
we’ll have all eternity–
~ Cale
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2026/02/06/books-ive-been-given/
Poetry ~ Cabbage After Christmas 