Category: LIFE’S VICISSITUDES

One Purpose of Art ~

March 14, 2026

Art is the means we have of undoing the damage of haste.

Theodore Roethke

Theodore Huebner Roethke was an American poet. He is regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential poets of his generation, having won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1954. Wikipedia

Cherry Blossoms & Snow

March 14, 2026

I told them twice

I told them nice

but they ignore

my yearly advice

to wait till Spring

their faces, show!

brave fools, they are

my cherry blossoms…

but lovely, yes, amid March snow ~

~ Cale

(photo is of backyard, fence between us & townhouses east)

Ten Things of Thankful ~

March 12, 2026

(my back yard cherry blossoms)

https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/

Hello!😊 

I’m thankful that we still don’t have snow or ice in the courtyard of the little community where I live–just blessed rain–even though the forecasts keep “threatening/warning/teasing”, scaring everyone one I know.  (“Those people” who think I’m bonkers–still wearing shorts & t-shirts and going barefoot.)

The cherry blossoms are hardy and certainly crazy, or merely nonchalant–blooming without a care in the world, despite nights of still-cold-winter…they’re beautiful, with pink that lights the gray.

I’m ever and always grateful for the Lord’s most bountiful provisions–I seem to live the the life of the Bible widow whose oil and flour never ran out: which allows me to cook and bake for friends who still have to work for a living…it makes me so happy.

I’m thankful for the palpable Presence of the Lord–what joy it is to have His companionship, along with His promises and reassurances throughout His Word.

I’m blessed and grateful to also have God’s gift of sisters (though not related).  They’re all doing pretty well this week–other than a virus here and there; one cheerfully half-way through chemo; the others working around our common aches and pains, and annoying stutters of memory.

I’m mostly blown away by how good my life is at this stage–I never believed it would be worth living this long–but my life is full.  The days are no longer so burdened, blackened by depression and anxiety the way they used to be.  Some days are tricky, sure–but most are rich with interests that pass the hours.

It’s been wonderful to let go of the self-imposed obligations of blogging for a bit–I’m thankful for a rest, and the treasure box of quotations I can post while not writing everyday.

I’m very grateful to the blogging world–so many wonderful people mingling for a moment or two.  We can share a laugh, or a prayer need–as though we were simply talking over the fence.

And I mustn’t leave out my caregiver–she continues to be a 5-star shopper, and amazingly fast!  (Her b’day is next week and I’ve planned a little party–with a gift and my delish “Black Magic Chocolate Cake”.  I even found a YouTube of “Happy Birthday” sung in Russian–she’ll be so surprised!)

One last thing: my “furry nieces” downstairs still welcome my daily visits.  They apparently think they’re “guard cats” (or maybe they’re just nosey); perched in the windowsill, they’ve got invisible SWAT gear, lazer glare eyes trained for anyone suspicious.  I didn’t believe it till I heard it myself–Gracie actually growls at potential ne’er-do-well humans–yes, GROWLS, like a dog!

Oh, lest I forget something truly important, their “mom”–my nabe–has just introduced me to microwave popcorn…that’s worth a Gratitude–can I get a Hallelujah? Amen!

See you again soon,

~ Cale💖

 

Let Worries Float Away (6SS)

March 12, 2026

Oh yes, it’s that time again–more 6-sentence stories rolling in from all parts: east & west, north & south!  Get ’em while they’re hot!  Every week our hostess with the mostest, Denise, serves up a fine prompt word, and away we go…frantically carving a story which is only allowed 6 sentences (thus, many of us are grateful for the grace of St Denise…if our sentences “run-on” long, she doesn’t use a red pencil to discipline us).

Here’s the link for info, and to meet the crowd of talented writers–just do it–you, too, can write 6 sentences!  The prompt this week is FLOAT!

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/03/11/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-62/

~♥~

“I’m thinking of changing my name,” Lorelei said, refilling Judd’s coffee cup–he looked at her, wondering what could possibly come next; she smiled like the Cheshire cat and he asked innocently, “first or last”—which made her giggle, “first, silly–remember that guy who sat next to me in English class, never really talked to me, but called me ‘Zelda’–I like the sound…like Zelda Fitzgerald.”

Judd aligned his thoughts carefully; he vaguely recalled the story about her classmate (whom he would never have met, as he was 20 yrs their senior)–a lad naturally smitten with her, but oddly reticent.

“Love, Zelda Fitzgerald was a very unhappy woman–not a good name–Lorelei is the one dearest to my heart, keep it”; a last swallow of coffee, and he stood–“I’ll be back soon, just a couple errands”; he kissed her twice and was out the door before she could request his itinerary.

~~~~~

Richard greeted him warmly at the church office door–“hey, Judd–what brings you to church on a weekday?”–and nodded when Judd asked if he had time to talk.

Judd sat in the offered chair, rubbed the furrows from his brow and began telling the pastor some of his and Lorelei’s history, followed by their recent drive to the entrance of Birchwick Cliff–the warning signs, his concerns about the town’s backstory, Lorelei’s vulnerabilities and fascination with Richard’s experiences; when he paused, sighing, Richard leaned forward to speak:  “Judd, the sensationalism surrounding the town is foolishness and inaccurate–there was no cult behind the misfortunes I wrote about; people who lived there, and others, got caught up in their own suspicions and fears–it can happen in any small town.

“Now, let me float a solution past you: I’d be happy to give you and Lorelei a personal tour, and answer any questions–I’m an open book; there are no ghosts, nor inherent evils–and I’ll check out those signs at the gate…they must be left over from last Halloween’s festivities–if your schedule’s fairly open we can set a date, and lunch is on me.”

~ Cale

“Further On”…

March 11, 2026

I don’t usually do movie reviews, and I’m not a big Bill Murray fan–but this one, “St Vincent” (2014, rated PG) is so good that I’ve watched it repeatedly.  Why?  Because the actor who plays “Oliver” (an “old soul”)–his debut role–absolutely carries, and makes this film fabulous.

Bill plays the curmudgeon, “Vin”, extremely well–so the contrast between Vin and young Oliver is striking, to say the least.  The movie is rough around the edges…but if you stay with it till the end, it’s sure to melt your heart because there’s a message for all of us in it. 

“Saints are human beings”–perhaps when we show respect and love to humans who are unlikeable, we’ll have a positive impact on them…and thus they may become saints, after a fashion.

There’s the gamut of emotions on display in this film–and the music is familiar to most of us.  I particularly like the song, “Further On” (which was new to me)–so I offer it here with scenes from the film, and also the radio/lyric version in case you’re interested.  Hope you enjoy!

~ Cale

St. Vincent is a 2014 American comedy drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Theodore Melfi.[4] The film stars Bill Murray as the title character and it features Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Chris O’Dowd, Terrence Howard, and Jaeden Lieberher in his film debut.

 

Hagar & the Hand-Vac

March 6, 2026

She bought a hand-vac

red as lipstick hookers wear

but not her, never

Dude said it was powerful

could suck up a good-size cat

she had no cat, so

selling point was lost on her

Home, she plugged it in

pressed it against her temple

praying memories be gone

~ Hagar