Marlene's Musings

    So here it is!  Another new year with its expectations.  Probably, or should I sey definitely, there will be surprises in store.  I certainly hope so.  What would life be like if there were none?  In theory, it sounds good, but if we could program all our desires and plans in for the year and know they'd all play out perfectly, I'm sure we'd be disappointed. Particularly if our program doesn't sync with those we want to share time and space with. There would have to be an "abort" button...

    Out of the warm house into a cold, dark, foggy morning I went today, wiped moisture off the car windows in order to see more clearly and not run into anything, turned the ignition switch and announced to the neighborhood I was leaving with a screechy noise that only sounds out on cooler mornings.  I completely understand the car's attitude about wanting to wait a littler longer, until brightness and warmth wake up to greet me.  But alas, our taxi duties and my choice of wellness activitie...

Now where is it?  I know it's here somewhere.
I had it just the other day and put it somewhere
that would be the logical place it should go
and where I'd look when I wanted it.
But, I've looked several times where
it should be, and it's not there.
Where could it be?

Maybe, I decided it should go somewhere else
and have blocked out where that somewhere is.
Or maybe, I took it out and didn't put it back.
In which case, I laid it down somewhere.
How can I figure out where that other somewhere is?

Okay, I ne...

To All My Mothers and Other Friends

            In this life, I’ve had many mothers, relatives, in-laws, friends and their mothers, mentors and teachers unbeknownst to whom I owe great debts for being part of who I have become and aspire to be.  I am a montage of their strength and tenderness, boldness and meekness, humorousness and seriousness, faith and doubt, order and chaos.

            Besides giving me a home during my grade school years, my dear Aunt Mary, you planted unconditio...

I complain about

the cold weather outside

while I sit on my bed

in my cozy fleece robe,

amid comfort-filled quilts

from family and friends.  

Here in my own room full of books,

mementoes, partially finished projects,

a closet crammed with clothing,

some just taking up space,

and “my life and loved ones” 

picture gallery, I sip hot tea,

play games and communicate electronically.

In open exposure and barest

of shelters, some hunker down

under whatever scrounged ma...

A pile of grocery items in a corner of the kitchen,
and a collection of camping gear
near the garage door--clues
of our family’s weekend plan. 
Lists on the refrigerator door, what to buy,
what to remember to bring along.   
Aromas of fried chicken, potato salad, and cake;
lunch for the first day, wrapped and put aside.    

Clothing selections laid out, to be packed in a suitcase.
Tent, sleeping bags, camp stove, axe, fishing gear,
air mattresses, towels, lawn chairs, stools, and lanterns
loa...

See It, Hear It, Feel it?

Within the cold December air we inhaled

were sights and sounds that attached

themselves forever our sensual

strolls through pre-Christmas.

Houses with decorated doors and bright trees

centered in living room windows,

a contrast against winter-white frosted

ground and rooftops.

Central Avenue, decked out with

lights, mechanical window scenes,

bell-ringing Santas and bundled-up,

bustling humans spewing smokey

white streams of breath.

Singers, alon...

Advent Pasts of My Childhood.