NUMBER TEN--OUT-OF-TEN

SHORT STORY

Nine hundred miles north of home (Naples, Florida) 

is situated the state of Virginia. 

I read the message, from writer/poet/blogger Brian Miller

who resides in the 'city-of-enthusiasm', 

Virginia

"If you need to crash, our door is always open", he wrote.

Well, "crash"--to some--has a connotation of  

'drop by, eat a bowl of cereal, 

sack out on couch for five hours, 

and be on your way'. 

Brian did not realize that when I "crash"

...it is for three days and nights! HO! HO! HO!

He and I had never met

...and yet

for me, it was like two friends 

having a long-overdue reunion.

During one time I was left alone 

in their home

I met a Peep who stays with them,

My name for him: PRAYER-BOY

As Prayer-Boy and I were 

getting to 'know' one another

(Really!) I wondered that he 

did not know, nor worry,

that his lifetime here

is less than a year.

He and I talked of the gratitude

we share during our time 
there and there
and everywhere.

We viewed gazing, (gaping?)

at the backyard scene 

as must be enjoyed 
by Brian, his lovely wife, 

and two well-mannered sons.
(Camouflaged for privacy ;-)

Brian: back yard through screen of porch

Please understand

everything spotlessly clean, 

beautifully decorated, arranged:

Good, Orderly Direction.

Then in blew hurricane-a-roni 

to put some disorder in this 

Camelot

Picture is my room, 
with shower and bath in

comfortable basement corner.

In three short minutes

I made it look like 

THIS:

Staying with the Millers was 
restful, enjoyable. 
I was made to feel 
like a welcomed member 
of the family for three days

The high school Peeps 
who Brian is teaching
have no idea what gifts
they are receiving.
Nor does he know
how far he is reaching
into their lives.

Thank you, my friends!
LOVE, JOY and PEACE!
Steve E

THE DIMENSION OF LINDA...ARTIST

Sometimes we remember how we met people, sometimes it remains a mystery. I cannot say how Linda and I met--blogging, of course!  I believe that when two or more meet--no matter the venue--and are still friends-in-contact months and years after, that the chances are good that for whatever reason, God had a part in it. I have learned oh! in so many instances, never second-guess God!

Linda and I have been blog-friends since late in '08 or at least by 2009. Attracting me was her blog header, a painting of a farm scene. From the first, I admired that painting--over months I noticed it changing, the colors, the farm animals, the barns, the yard, the fencing, the  pastures. It reminds me of the farm where I spent my youth.

One day Linda wrote to say she would give me a print of that header which I so loved.  She sent me this beautiful Farm Scene, and I'm blogging Linda today:

(Picture taken at night, no flash, low light. 

I may replace it with daylight photo...

I do not like my flash pics.)

THE FARM

This picture just arrived last night at 9 PM, and it will not be hung in my (new) gallery until I move, in a couple weeks. So I just laid it out on my bed to show you "THE FARM". Enjoy Linda's work HERE. Please visit her. She is bedridden much of the time, and in pain.

PEACE!

TRIBUTE TO A TRUE FRIEND

DULCE

a tribute

SWEET

There is one among the many in every crowd, group, settlement, village, city, population, country, world, Universe. One is always that 'different' one, that 'sufferer', that 'teacher', that 'friend', that "healer", that one with which friendship happens (outside of close family) often in spontaneous fashion, seemingly as if 'meant'. (Not to confuse with "Meant for each other, etc."--grin!)

The longer I live, I find less chance in 'chance meeting'. There is a hidden design to the formation of lasting friendships. I believe everything which happens in God's world has a reason. Which reason now is time to introduce Dulce, the Peep I know.

SWEETER

Is she perfect? Or not

Is she sad...or glad?

Is Dulce good, or bad

Is she at least, at last

At PEACE!?

Hey Peeps! I don't know! This poet, Philosopher, Web Page Designer, English Teacher, Mother, Daughter, is who she IS. I am (sorry to say) much more judgmental regarding a wife, than a friend.

SWEETEST

Dulce (last name withheld because I do not know it--grin!) has been to me a support I have found nowhere else. Her wise counsel has enabled me to climb out and away from demons which held me hostage for the past four years. This girl, 33 years less than my 78, has shown me light in places where only darkness held sway. My "life has taken on new meaning."

Unknown to most readers, Dulce designed my last four blogs. She has become a reader of certain books which I suggested, and a participant in the discussions of those--not to be named here. Her poetry flows endlessly and well, mixing English idiom with Spanish syntax. So meaningfully does Dulce write, that Peeps rave enthusiastically about her thought processes, and unsurpassed ability to communicate them. She is fair, honest, sensitive, and loving to her followers.

Favorite topics--as with many poets--are love, family, nature, philosophy, sadness, happiness, tributes to those she loves, and life.

The majority of her pieces are gems, book-worthy. Her two English blogs are "My Duality" and "Sweeter Poetry" (this 2nd one is "in remission"--on hold for awhile). 

I have met Peeps and made friends from around the world through Dulce's blogs. She has been my inspiration to write in verse. These nearly two years of our friendship has meant SO much to me. I can only pray she feels some of the same.

Thank you, Dulce for being my  special friend, 

for being YOU...

and for being HERE!

Love! And PEACE!  


......................duaLITY