Sunday Scribblings - "Soar/Sore"

Today I soared because after two summers I'm back in the pool...yay!!! This actually helps fight muscle loss and I can't stop grinning that I'm back in the water. It was not a simple task to do cheaply in the mountains. I can't climb a ladder, I must have a water temperature of 80-82 degrees and I need a good space to strengthen my torso. Too hot and it will not work for my body. Here is what "the man" came up with.

A $300 15' round 48" pool with filter and thermal blanket from Wallyworld was placed in the garage. He then rigged a plastic lawn chair from a ceiling hoist to raise me up and over the pool. The biggest problem was the temperature of the water. The cost to heat this watery big guy was too high for us and solar would be difficult in a garage. Hence the cute SKIN TIGHT Roxy wet suit for $200, plus boots. The trick we were told was to fill the wetsuit with warm water while squeezing into it. This keeps the cold water out and me warm. Most scuba divers just pee in their suits but not this girl and not in my pool. I was full of water as I waddled to my chair ready to soar through the air (up 4ft and over 1ft, so sue me).

On the first go the chair tilted so Dave swiftly got in, fully clothed, to catch me before I slipped off the chair (yes, I cried like a baby but I can't swim). Adjustments were made as I worked out happily, until I felt a tiny bit of weakness. The key is to listen to that signal and stop. I did stop but then I floated, splashed and played. Nikki needed to see mama but she no likey water and stopped whining. It was pure heaven in that water! When I have my dumbbell floaters I feel normal again. I wish I could describe the feeling of moving through the water as if cured. In the water I'm not disabled and it reminds me there is still hope. I don't have to sit and wait for the cure, I can swim to it. $500 bucks plus chemicals is very cheap to keep me walking. Thank you Dave! (He kept the garage closed in case it did not go well. lol)

I will fall asleep tonight with a big smile on my face and I will welcome being SORE tomorrow...WooHoo!

To read others go to http://sundayscribblings.blogspot.com/

Writer's Island - "Impulse"

I have discovered this week that as I have gotten older I am calmer in a crisis and can think fast (who knew?). We awoke yesterday morning to a power outage during our news and coffee. We did not bat an eye over this as we went about our morning routine, not realizing the power pole had started a fire. As the planes began to fly overhead we became concerned and frustrated that without power we were unaware of the location of the fire (note to self: buy a battery operated radio). Dave took a drive to check it out and returned in a hurried state. "Get dressed we have to get ready to leave." The fire was in our canyon as the wind was continuing to howl. You could walk a few houses up the street and see flames moving up the opposite canyon wall spreading our way. He asked "what do you want to take?" I calmly recited a list as if I'd done this a hundred times before.

Pictures

Important papers

purse

glasses

medications

animals

a few days of clothes

three family heirlooms

His impulse, bless his heart, was to save the computer for my blog but I said leave it thinking I could retrieve it. We received a phone call on the streets that were to be evacuated and we were not on the list but we were told to be ready at a moments notice. Dave's impulse was to water the fence and trees keeping busy but mine was to sit by the phone (luckily we still had a wall phone) reflecting.

I was sitting there wondering how I would have done if Dave had been at work. The one neighbor who knew I was disabled was on vacation. My impulse was to plan in my head what I could do for myself in a similar crisis. Dave was obviously thinking the same thing as he headed down the street amidst the chaos and met a lady who insisted on exchanging numbers in case I ever needed help in the future. When the containment got to 40%, with the evacuations lifted, I told Dave to go ahead and go to work. He left names and numbers in case the fire got out of hand.

As I type this they are still keeping a close eye on the fire's location and the power has been restored. The wind died down during a critical time but picked up again during the night keeping us vigilant. The wind blew in our favor and no houses were lost. Living in the forest is a gamble but the firefighters really know their stuff and the lake provided lots of water drops. :)

Fire is an impelling force that brings out an instinctive mode of survival. Dave went a little spaz and I was calm so we balanced each other out. We were "baptised by fire" and feel blessed.

Photo by StockXpert

Join us on the island at http://writersisland.wordpress.com/

3WW - Flash Fiction

Average - Neck - Scratch

Ella had never been more afraid of anything in her life. If she left her marriage could she stand on her own? He had always told her that no one else would ever want her. She had believed the observations he had spoon fed her over the years. She ate like a bird to remain painfully thin but he always found a flaw. They had a beautiful house on the beach, she was given everything she could ever need, so why did she feel less than average. Ella was beginning to see herself as he was painting her in his verbal lashings. She was lonely within her marriage and knew at her core that there must be more.

Adam threw his key's on the table as he went through the mail. He noticed she was at the kitchen sink gazing out at the ocean deep in thought. She looked beautiful as he watched her silently from the other room. She looked to be preparing his favorite lamb dish. Damn, he was a lucky man! He turned toward their bedroom calling out "I'm home," casually over his shoulder. He would eat his meal without a word of praise and retire to his den.

Ella had slithered out of bed around midnight and tip toed out to the beach. The moon seemed to light up the shore illuminating her naked flesh. She found a beautiful flower along the path feeling compelled to pick it. She held the fragile flower close inhaling its fragrant beauty. As she reached the water's edge the waves were washing over her feet as they began to sink into the sand. She arched her neck towards the sky and began to pray for strength. Standing against the breeze, defying its power, watching as the tide carried away her fears.

Adam awoke to an empty bed assuming that Ella was making his breakfast. He sniffed the air but did not smell her delicious coffee brewing or the aroma of her cooking. Puzzled, he stumbled out of their bedroom into an empty kitchen finding only a note. His name caught his eye as he tried to focus on her distinctive chicken scratch. His heart dropped to his gut as he read the impact of her words.

"I have freed my heart, farewell, Ella."

He fell into the chair, confused, trying to understand why his beautiful Ella would leave him.

Art found here www.deviantart.com

To read others go here http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/

Water Feature Almost Done

This is how we left it two weeks ago.

(Click photos to see details)

This is after this weekend.

The red dirt needs gorilla hair bark so we don't track mud in the house. Dave wants more plants so we need irrigation for this area. The seating and fish will be last and that's when I will get a final shot with the lighting. The sound in the video does not capture the sound very well but you will get the gist. The guys worked hard and did a great job! A big hug and thank you to my brother Patrick!

I'll be away from my computer for a few days. I'll be out on the deck with Steven Wilson's book "Ascent from Darkness."

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

3WW - Tanka/Haiku

Cautious - Human - Maybe

I had to escape

looking for serenity

I'm only human

cautious of my sanity

maybe I'll go a fishin.

Gliding through ripples

table for two glistening

webbed pair paddle by

I've been away from the computer and hanging out at the lake, fishing. The sun and light breeze were heavenly. I caught my first fish of the season and boy was he tasty on the BBQ. I'm watching the garden waterfall grow more beautiful each day but sadly it's not done yet. Gorilla hair bark, irrigation and seating are coming soon. I'm still going to sneak in a shot even though my brother wants me to wait. ;)

http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/ Photo from this morning by me. :)

Sunday Scribblings - "Family"

Family has come to mean different things to me as I have grown. I grew up in a "normal" family in the 60's and 70's with a mother, father, younger brother and my maternal grandparents. Both parents worked and we joined the generation of latch key kids that were exposed to way too much TV. There was not a lot of communication or affection but I felt we were a typical middle class family. Material things were important and a spanking was still acceptably the norm. We were not the "Cleavers" but we took family vacations, ate together and my brother and I fought like normal siblings. Being the oldest and female I had extra responsibilities, like housework, and stricter boundaries but it was a stable family.

Once I had my own family I wanted to do better but I ended up following similar patterns of my own upbringing. I craved affection yet I had to learn to give and receive it. In my search for romance and affection I married with eyes wide shut. I had married into a HUGE Latin family and that was a big change coming from a small family. Even though I had no choice I chose to work. I never wanted to be a stay at home mom because I felt I could do both like my mom did. I had always wanted a bigger family growing up but my first marriage made me re-think that. Large families can be fun but the grass is not always greener on the other side. My marriage did not last but my two little girls were wonderful additions to my new version of family.

My parents divorced after twenty two years of marriage and my mom drown about six years later. My grandmother died of cancer and grandpa of dementia soon after my ALS diagnosis. My family was fading away when I needed them most but I discovered a new kind of family.
I learned that friends can become a part of your family but I had to put aside my pride and receive. Reaching out was so contrary to my personality but it became a necessity. I was rewarded with beautiful friends and given a second chance at love with Dave. Who says you can't pick your family? My definition of family has evolved through my own experiences and I'm truly grateful for the people in my life who love me.

Photo is StockXpert

Writer's Island - "Identity"

http://jedimasterpaul.deviantart.com/gallery/#_featured--3

She awoke to the neighbors blower at 7:45 in the flipping morning. She felt the sweat on her neck and back as she realized she had pushed the covers off her body in the night. It must have been at least 57 degrees in her room as she rubbed her chilled bare arms. She was amazed that her body did not wake her to say "hey I'm freezing here" but it usually didn't.

Shuffling off to the bathroom she felt that occasional tick of pain shoot up from behind her ear threatening to reach her head. She new from past history what steps must be taken before the throbbing started setting the migraine in motion. Four aspirin, lots of strong coffee and a hot shower was going to start this day. "Not today" she said under her breath.



Brushing her aging fragile teeth, like a thousand other mornings, she caught her reflection in the mirror. The grey hairs were spreading like ground cover dulling her bright blue eyes. Her once tanned smooth skin was showing splotches of browns and her eyes were circled in blue. "When did this happen?" she asked the empty room. She never minded getting older with the sagging body parts, a tummy and some character lines but things were changing. She took once last glance and simply looked away.



Having beaten the migraine she dressed for work. Irritated at the cat for wanting attention, pissed that her green shirt was still in the wash and annoyed that she was going to be late did not brighten her mood. This was simply not the well organized morning person she usually was. This was not just a bad day because this was becoming a thing. She felt like she was losing control of who she was bit by bit.



She felt her identity slipping away but it was not a constant. It would simply creep into the night and steal her away but always brought her back within a couple of days. When these things would emerge she found it hard to fall asleep but not from the lack of being tired. She would often stare at the ceiling feeling like she was at a precipice. One night it simply hit her, she was going through "the change." Relief washed over her as everything came together.



This was only a transition like in her adolescence. That hadn't been too bad plus she got a great figure out of the deal. This next transition will be tougher but with the wisdom she has gathered it will be empowering. A new life was beginning to emerge from her body and she wanted to embrace the change. She rose from her bed and crept outside in her bare feet. Standing under the light of the full moon she inhaled deeply and swayed to the rhythm of nature.