My Secret Passion

Today's topic for NaBloPoMo asks the question, "What is your secret passion?" Now I have very public passions which include photography,poetry,gardening,baking, and writing. My secret passion? Mary Janes. I always loved Mary Jane's when I was a little girl. They went out of style when I was in high school and college. A few years ago I became obsessed with finding Mary Janes that were comfortable, yet stylish. My collection is growing! It is one thing my students always notice... my Mary Janes.... especially my red patent leather ones. 

I Am Thankful for Words

These are some of my favorite words I am thankful for:

The Joy of Writing 

Why does this written doe bound through these written woods?
For a drink of written water from a spring
whose surface will xerox her soft muzzle?
Why does she lift her head; does she hear something?
Perched on four slim legs borrowed from the truth,
she pricks up her ears beneath my fingertips.
Silence - this word also rustles across the page
and parts the boughs
that have sprouted from the word "woods."

Lying in wait, set to pounce on the blank page,
are letters up to no good,
clutches of clauses so subordinate
they'll never let her get away.

Each drop of ink contains a fair supply
of hunters, equipped with squinting eyes behind their sights,
prepared to swarm the sloping pen at any moment,
surround the doe, and slowly aim their guns.

They forget that what's here isn't life.
Other laws, black on white, obtain.
The twinkling of an eye will take as long as I say,
and will, if I wish, divide into tiny eternities,
full of bullets stopped in mid-flight.
Not a thing will ever happen unless I say so.
Without my blessing, not a leaf will fall,
not a blade of grass will bend beneath that little hoof's full stop.

Is there then a world
where I rule absolutely on fate?
A time I bind with chains of signs?
An existence become endless at my bidding?

The joy of writing.
The power of preserving.
Revenge of a mortal hand.          By Wislawa Szymborska

 

Again, I Am Thankful

Today I am thankful for my camera.

One Word Project: Thankful

The Shutter Sisters  hold a One Word Project each month. This month the word is thankful.I am thankful for my husband.

Leaves Growing Old

"How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days."  ~John Burroughs

With November came chilly weather, a threat of snow, more leaves turning orange and yellow,  and still more plants shriveling up. On my walk today I focused on leaves. I love Burroughs quote. It is very true. The leaves are full of light, color, and beauty.

NaBloPoMo Glorious Madness: Keyboard vs. Pen

 

The NaBloPoMo prompt today: "When you are writing, do you prefer to use a pen or a computer?" My answer is pretty cut and dried. When I am writing at home I always word process. Somtimes I print a hard copy for revision or editing, but writing is always done on the computer. When I teach writing I always do it on notebook paper. It is easier for me to project my writing on the screen and teach a lesson with my writing sample if it is hand written. Of course, when I am camping or outdoors I write in a journal. I don't feel like either way produces more writing, better writing, or either helps more with revision. For me it is what I have on hand that works the best. What about you.... computer or pen?