A Recap of Spring Break

late afternoon sunshine by Kettle Falls, Washington

As spring break comes to a close today I may catch one last nap, read a few more chapter of an "escape" novel, and sit outside and take in some Vitamin D. I do feel a sense of accomplishment as I organize myself to reenter teacher mode tomorrow.
I made a big dent in the spring cleaning project. I finished my taxes (Whew!), read three novels so I can report my pages in our reading contest at school, and picked out some roses, ordered some hard-to-find seeds, got a much needed hair makeover, and backed up a bunch of stuff on my computer.

I also had both a wonderful lunch and dinner out with my husband, put out spring decor only to have it covered again in three inches of snow, and deleted a ton of messages saved in my email account.

JEROME A. POLLOS/Press

I saw a very entertaining production of James and the Giant Peach at the Lake City Playhouse in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Thursday evening.My niece The Princess played the role of Miss Spider and was wickedly wonderful. She is a theater major at North Idaho College. Add in a family dinner at Thai Bamboo and pie afterwards at Silver Valley Girl's house to round out a perfect evening. The visit to Kellogg also included delicious home cooked meals by my mom, an afternoon with Silver Valley Girl digging around for treasures at second hand stores, and catching up on sleep! Just as I left my mom's house I got to visit on the phone with my friend Mountain Muddah. Take time to enjoy her Middle Aged Meanderings at her blog here.As we arrived closer to home yesterday I was relieved to see the lingering snow gone and spring weather had greened things up again. As I viewed Lake Roosevelt through the bridge I was also relieved to see the snow had melted on the mountains further north. Maybe spring has really arrived!

Celebrating National Poetry Month: #5: Near the Window

If you are just joined me this month I am celebrating National Poetry month by posted an orginal poem I have written each day.

Near the Window

The lamp near the window glowed long into the night,
the wonder of words kept me turning the pages.
Curling up with Nancy Drew, Bess, and George
creating a life of intrigue and mysteries to be solved.
Finding poetry at the public library and saving words
as I hunted and pecked on the manual keys.

The stereo filled the hall room with beautiful sounds.
I wore out certain songs as I listened again and again.
I joined the Broadway cast of My Fair Lady and Oklahoma too,
and The Ray Conniff singers backed
me up on Somewhere My Love.
How many times could I repeat Three Dog Night
singing One
While belting out the lyrics with a makeshift microphone?

Near the window I could breathe in spring,
In winter the panes frosted, then melted in a thaw.
If opened in summer a breeze gave a small reprieve,
Burning leaves crept in at the closing of fall.

The neighbor kids gathered for Kick the Can
or Spoons, but
I cocooned myself in my bedroom upstairs.
Finding comfort near the window with my pile of books.

Broadway filled the room, images from poems remained.
I still carry the words and can recite the lyrical lines,
and l hear those melodies when I
sit near the window in my childhood room.


by inlandempiregirl, november 2007

Celebrating National Poetry Month: #4: Familiar Phrases

Familiar Phrases

"For crying out loud" has a familiar ring.
As pans banged on the stove
Mother's wonderings arose above the whir of the washer.
Did you lick those beaters and put them back in the dough?
Did you sterilize that needle before removing that sliver?
Did you wipe your boots before walking on these floors?
Did you spray the huckleberry stains on your new shirt?

"Better safe than sorry" is the warning
that clacks around in my head.
Don't get close to the cliff…you might fall off,
Go gargle with salt water... you may lose your voice,
Spin slowly so you don't end up sick,
Cradle your sister's head when you pick her up.

Around the corner by the orchard my car
left the snowy road
spinning around to again face north.
Her voice was a whisper I heard in my ear,
" Don't ever drive when the roads are slick."

by inlandempiregirl

Celebrating National Poetry Month: #3: Woman Who Loves Gardening

Woman Who Loves Gardening

I have dirty nails
and rarely paint them, living out
my long growing season in the flower garden, trellises
giving view to clematis, climbing Peace
where aromatic flowers
grow in profusion.
I pull the weeds
in the early morning
gritting my teeth
wiping sweat from my brow
and listening
to footsteps of my husband
coming in range to help.
Sun makes my face red;
each sniff with my nose
leaves lily pollen behind.
When I rest it’s the beauty
that causes anxiety to shake loose
from a woman in need
of a quiet place to retreat.

inlandempiregirl
June 20,2007

Snowstorm on April 2nd: A Winter for the Record Books!

Perhaps I should say a winter/spring for the record books! I caught these pictures early this morning before I went back to bed, pulled the covers over my head and hoped when I awoke it would all be a dream. I think it snowed about 3 1/2 inches.

Celebrating National Poetry Month: #2: Oh Northern Idaho!

one from the archives

Oh Northern Idaho!

Esto Perpetua

We

toured in the old, red impala on U.S. 10

from Fourth of July Canyon to Cavendish Grade,

Kootenai, Benewah, Latah, Clearwater

Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone, Nez Perce.

Cruised past rolling hills, cold rivers, wild huckleberries, pine.

Caught cutthroat trout, bass, perch, pike, and salmon.

Attempted rafting along the Lochsa, Snake, and Selway.

Harvested Austrian winter peas, lentils, camas root.

Mined silver, gold, lead, phosphorus, and dug new star garnets.

Spotted the yellowjackets, horseflies, junebugs, wasps.

Honored Julia Jean Mildred Francis Turner a.k.a. Lana Turner.

Practiced the square dance, rain dance, owl dance, jingle dance.

Found syringa, mountain bluebird, Cataldo Mission, Appaloosa.

by inlandempiregirl July 2006