Hiding

HIDING

Hiding from the world,
sealed away by choice;
fearful of what?
Heart palpitations, cold clammy sweat,
feeling the world is out to get me,
irrational thoughts won't go away.
There's a safety in cloister
with comfort items around
in every pile of books you'll see,
offering a calm serene.
Many call it nesting,
having treasured items within easy reach,
but when this behavior continues on
and interrupts your life,
this nesting syndrome has gone too far
and a solution must be found,
only ...
rapid breathing takes over again,
and the tightness in the chest returns,
these aren't only mental ailments,
but physical manifestations,
so I hid from the world again.

Silver Trees

SILVER TREES

Silver tinsel shimmers and reflects
the multi-colored lights -
red, yellow, green, pink and blue -
a glistening holiday sight.
Although much better than trees from the past,
a silver tree is still unique
with the characteristics of its green counterparts,
but daintier, fuller, unusually pretty.
Memories of vintage 70s trees
without the retro color wheel,
no Christmas lights could be applied
and only round glass balls were allowed.
O, how the colored lights were missed,
but these trees were all the rage
and for a few holiday seasons
they were displayed with pride,
until the next fade came to town.
Things have changed in 40 years,
C9s replaced by multi-strings
and most mass produced ornaments are no longer glass,
but made from unbreakable plastic for keeps.
The new little tree is nostalgic in color and size,
but modernized to accept miniature lights
and the eclectic array of ornaments
collected from year to year.

Shadows of Requiem

(Photo by Dan Felstead of Wood and Pixels Narratives)

SHADOWS OF REQUIEM

Tension seems endless,
torn with concern,
steep and winding,
and it twists and turns
like hidden secrets from the past.
Early morning memories are like mist,
raising vague memories of a forgotten dream.
Mysteries echo and reach out,
mysteries of a past unturned;
on the surface calm and serene,
but heavy with undercurrents
a web of confusion draws the anxiety deeper into the core
like a raised spector of yesteryear,
intruding on the future.
Unreasonable hatred can unlock
the dark corridors and musty corners,
turning the tension into a symbol of strength
to unlock the secrets of the future.

Holiday Reading

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading/blogging during the holidays:

How does your reading (or your blogging) fare in the holiday months? Do you read more or less? Do you have to actively make time to read?

My reading and my blogging both seem to suffer during the holiday season - there are just so many things you can fit into one day. I still carve out time to read on a daily basis, but the bulk of my holiday reading is during the weekends. I also continue to blog everyday, albeit the posts maybe short and sweet.

I also try to make time for my other writings during this time of year - poems, short stories, essays or other articles. I usually wake up an hour earlier (with the exception of this morning when I slept in) and try to do a little writing before work. I also write during my lunch hour, many times instead of eating. If I don't find time to write everyday, I feel like something is missing from my life, so writing is always near the top of my list.

The Dark Dragon

THE DARK DRAGON

The dark dragon has me again,
clasped tightly in his steely claws.
Why does he invade my life at this festive time of year,
dragging me down to the depths of hell
where my life passes before my eyes
in a neverending stream of sorrow?
I've known the good and joyous
and my heart beats daily for my cherished loves.
I know my life is rich and blessed
and there is so much more to come,
but the dragon has other plans
and although he only owns a tiny piece of my soul,
this tiny piece can grab and hold
with determination and perseverance.
I try to be strong,
but I'm oh so weak,
so I end up in the mire,
wallowing in self-pity,
too may locked doors to escape.
I want to be free to smell the clean air
and absorb the love of my family,
but the dragon's thick hide has been transferred to me
as I sink ever deep to the pit below.

Check out the many faces of Mistletoe:
http://ping.fm/nPA7D

From Sprouted Acorn to Oak Tree

This is a short little poem I have written for my unborn grandchild - at this point I don't know if it is a girl or a boy, but I have used the pronoun he throughout. Please don't take this as a sign I'm wishing for a boy - I want a healthy and happy grandchild and I don't care if it's a boy or a girl.

From Sprouted Acorn to Mighty Oak

By Bobbi Rightmyer

My little oak tree
is a speciall little oak tree
and I carry him close to my heart.
Although he's just a litt spourt,
I know one day he'll be a tall and mighty oak tree.
A main stem trunk that is
true, straight and strong;
outreaching branches to touch so many souls
of the loved one in his life.
His roots will go deep
and be anchored down
with compassion, strength, history, wisdom and love;
planted to to help him grow into
the fabulous person he will become.
You are my first,
but hopefully not the last,
and although you will hold a place secure in my heart,
there is room for more to grow.

Christmas Amaryllis make a great gift for a gardener's Christmas:
http://ping.fm/jtMzf

Books from my Childhood

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about your bookshelf -

What books did you read while in school? Were there any that you particular liked, or even hated? Did any become lifelong favourites?

I read mostly fiction when I was in school, so I guess this is the reason I've had a life-long addiction to fiction reading. Some of my favorites in school were:

A Wrinkle in Time

The Betsy Books (B is for Betsy, Betsy's Little Star, etc.)

The Trixie Belden series

The Wizard of Oz series (the original books by Frank L. Baum)

Alice in Wonderland

Through the Looking Glass

Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret

The Three Investigators series

Little Women

The Lord of the Rings series

Most of these books I still love as an adult. When my girls were younger, these are the first books I bought for them, and although they may not still enjoy them now, they still hold a place in my heart.

Haiku in the Park

Haiku in the Park


Hedge apples fall down,
squirrels eat them up today,
Hedge apples gone now.



Sunshine breaks the clouds,
beams come down in vast array
then it's gone away.



Red-headed woodpecker
clings to tree, inclined repose;
peek, peek, peek - he's gone.



Clouds float by on wind,
fluffy elements of shape
making me laugh joyful.



Oak leaves strewn on ground,
litter with orange, red, yellow;
pretty to look at.

Check out the invasion of the lady bugs:
http://ping.fm/ARpeq

A great gift for the gardener on your list - Kentucky Gardener magazine:
http://ping.fm/Azld8

Upcoming events at the Lexington Arboretum:
http://ping.fm/R0SE2

Ode to Orange Slice Cake

Ode to Orange Slice Cake

By Bobbi Rightmyer

Although butter is no longer my friend

it is hard to resist the creamy fluff it makes

when blended into sugar so pure and so white.

The eggs combine to give more texture still,

to the all-purpose flour that forms the cake.

Yummy dates so sweet

with pecans and coconut

give an irresistible taste delight to make a mouth water.

But it is the candied orange slices that make this dessert

a heavenly, to die for treat.

Orange slice cake comes but once a year

at a time when Old St. Nick is near.

Candy Canes

Candy Canes
By Bobbi Rightmyer

Red and white swirls
shaped like a shepherd’s crook,
is this an obvious reference to
the shepherds tending their flock by night?
But when you invert this classic shape
what to my wondering eyes should I see,
just the letter “J”, a simple J
maybe to remind us of the Christ child, Jesus.
Pure white color, the exact shade of snow
or does it signify the virgin birth
purity proclaimed from on high.
And what of the red,
just another jolly color of the season,
or the blood of Christ for all to see?
Peppermint flavor with a hint of a bite,
or the occasional cinnamon taste as a change of pace,
are these just the spices used today
to replace the frankincense and myrrh of old?
And the sugar is sweet and oh so addicting
whether eaten alone or stirred in a cup of cocoa,
maybe this is a sign that God’s words are addicting
and offering an love everlasting.

Why do we need to rake fall leaves?
http://ping.fm/ON4c1

Fearful Shadows

Photo by Dan Felsteady of Wood and Pixel Narratives)

Fearful Shadows
By Bobbi Rightmyer

The ghosts of yesterday seem to tell me to run,
but the dark night presses in
and the fear of darkness is only for children.

The gray light of morning brings no relief
from the tension,
a night touched with a fear I’ve never known before.

Brooding on the crest of another lonely night,
the great hulk of my despair rests like a sleeping monster,
here in the darkness and dust of hidden years.

The dead drift past through the corridors of my soul
and settle like dust in the corners,
spurred by hope and surrounded by fear.

The devils of a forgotten time have found their home
and my body echoes with their pain,
winds of the past can hopefully bring answers from the future.

A strangeness that seems to reach out and touch
everyone and everything that lives in my memories;
Past can be my prison, but fears become my future.

Mary and the Manger

For this Christmas season, my writing mentor has challenged us to write a non-typical holiday story - something unusual. One of his suggestions was to write a story about Mary and the Manger - I decided to do a poem. This is an intimate look at the birth of Christ from the Holy mother and the blessed manager's point of view.

Mary and the Manger
By Bobbi Rightmyer


The day’s been long and I’m so very tired,
but there is nowhere for us to sleep.
My burden is heavy with the blessed one,
so I’ll carry on the best I can.

I’m sorry, little mother, vessel of the Holy one,
but my comfort is crudely made of wood and hay;
And although I nourish the lowly beasts,
I promise to provide warmth to the child.

An inn should be the proper place
for the birth of this precious son;
But with no room to find, no place to spare,
I’ll settle for your cozy little shelter.

O Holy night, O precious night,
my hay is clean and dry.
O blessed one, O special child,
lay down your head, don’t cry.
O God above, O Father and Spirit,
I will cradle and protect this babe.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
the prophesized child is born;
But God above took away my fears, my pain
and guided me through the night.
Now my precious child is here
and the world has one last hope.

O, what a beautiful boy, this glorious child of God;
And thou my accommodations are not grand or spacious,
they hold all the love and hope of kings.
I’ll keep him safe, I’ll keep him warm
in this stable in Bethlehem.

How to extend the growing season in the Bluegrass region: http://ping.fm/slvE6

Old Fort Park

Old Fort Park
By Bobbi Rightmyer

The trees are naked, bare
standing tall and straight.
Leaves litter the ground
like a patch worn carpet
or old rag rug
covering the still green grass
with crumples of brown.
Birds are chirping
calling out a joyful tune,
singing with happiness at the glorious day.
Squirrels are scampering
unafraid of the few lingering cars,
scavenging for food,
thick, bushy tails riding high in the air.
A car backfires on some not far street
and all is quiet as the world goes on pause,
but after a few still seconds the chorus begins,
and the wildlife sounds can be heard again.
Sunshine straining through thick, gray clouds,
warmth on my face from the hazy glare,
with a cool breeze dancing across my skin,
causing a gentle sway to the trees.
The shrubbery and hedges are still holding onto
leaves and fruit galore,
It’s that time of year again,
the rapidly approaching winter
when all life’s chores come in a fast succession,
preparing for the long, dark days
of winter yet to come.

Christmas Book Wish List

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about your bookshelf…

With the holiday season now upon us, have you left any hint – subtle or otherwise – for books family and friends might buy you for Christmas? Do you like to receive books, or do you prefer certificates so you can choose your own?

My hints aren't exactly subtle - I usually give my family a list of the books I'm wanting. I try to list them in order of my greatest "wantingness" but I'm always adding to the list, so that is sometime hard to do.

I prefer to receive books because I like for my family to inscribe them to me. It more meaningful to me if my hubby or my daughters write a little something inside each book - it's that special little touch I never get tired of.

However, if it's someone I don't see very often, I would rather have a gift certificate, just to make sure I get a book I'm really looking forward to.



Some of the books on this years Christmas Wish List:

• The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell
• Dracula by Dacre Stoker
• The Laughing Corpse (Graphic Novel, Book #1) by Laurell K. Hamilton
• American on Purpose by Craig Ferguson
• Angel Time by Anne Rice
• Shadowland by Alyson Noel
• Heat Wave by Richard Castle (Yes, I know this is a gimmick book, but I love this TV series)
• Sookie Stackhouse 8-Box Gift Set by Charlaine Harris
• Witch and Wizard by James Patterson
• The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Sandman by Neil Gaiman
  
  

Last Trip With Amy

Although my sister, Amy, is always on my mind, the month of November is especially hard because it is her birth month. Amy would have been 44 years old this coming November 19th - love ya, Sis ...

Last Trip With Amy

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
On top of Serenity Mountain
Arts and Crafts Community
Eating candy in the Village
Adopt-A-Bear
Elkhorn Plaza and the Best Italian Restaurant
Keith and Theodore E. Teddy
Car acting up – the alternator went out
Waiting for Joey the mechanic to fix us up
Christmas lights through Gatlinburg
Getting home – watching Almost Famous
Jacuzzi soaks and double-headed showers
Chit chats on the wrap around deck
Sleeping with abandon,
Until heading home again

Bookshelves

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about your bookshelf…

Does your house have a communal bookshelf? If not, is your bookshelf centrally located so everyone has access to it?

I guess you could say our bookshelves are centrally located - we have one or more in each room of the house. Yes, that includes the bathroom! My hubby, daughter and I are all avid readers, so our home is full of books.

There are currently 4 bookcases in our living room - all crammed full of mostly my books. Young adult fiction is taking up the most room, but I also have a large number of books by Kentucky authors. The bookshelf in the kitchen is really inside a cabinet and it holds all my cookbooks. We each have our own separate bookcases in our bedrooms.

Of course, with so many books, we also have them spilling off the couch and tables, as well as several piles in different corners. In my opinion, you can never have too many books!!

Sharing Books

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about social reading:

How much of your reading do you share with others (outside of blogging?) Do you belong to a book or library club? Do you trade books with friends? Do you tell others what you’re reading?

I love to share with others what I'm reading or have read. Besides having 2 book review blogs - Bobbi's Book Nook and MCPL Book Nook - I have a weekly book review column in THE HARRODSBURG HERALD and I do freelance book reviews for KENTUCKY MONTHLY Magazine. I also post my reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, GoodReads, Jacket Flap, I'm Reading (Facebook) and Shelfari. I have also started a Facebook group for my book review blog, Bobbi's Book Nook (please come join me!) and I routinely link my book reviews to Facebook and Twitter.

Yes, sometimes my friends get tired of hearing my talk about books all the time! But I also have a group of friends who love to read and hear about what I'm reading, so it is for these people (and myself) that I keep ranting on about great books.

I also belong to a local book club at the Mercer Public Library in Kentucky - the Mercer Library Lunch Bunch Book Club. We meet on the 4th Tuesday of every month and typically have from 8 to 15 participants. This month we are reading THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant (a book I read many years ago and loved!) - I am rereading the book for the second time to refresh my memory. We get together at lunch time, bring a sack lunch, and spend an hour discussing our likes and dislikes of the current book. You get a wide range of perspectives because our participants range in age from 28 to 70+, plus, we have lots of fun.

Because most of my local friends are not readers, I don't usually swap books, but occasionally I will send a book to a friend far away. I'm a huge book whore, so I usually hold on to almost all of my books!

Amy Kisses

Amy Kisses

She spoke to me like a flicker of air swept by in a dream
Gentle kisses in the ear making me feel wanted and loved;
She’s been gone so long it’s been almost five years
And yet I can still feel her in my heart.
She caresses the inner sanctity opens my wounds with a flick of her wings,
Then she smiles and says, “thank you for being there today.”
Her first grandchild she will never know, but will watch from her chair high above.
Every kiss, every prayer, every loving moment in time
Captured internally and filed away, ready to recapture the joy.
We will give her earthly love and vigor,
You will give her angel kisses;
She will grow and thrive and capture the light
Fulfilling her destiny unwritten.
She’ll have much hugged awards, atta girls, aren’t you sweet
But she’ll also have memories and history and cherishments.
Yes, we will raise her and see she does right
And she will know the grandmotherly love, though the package may seem strange
She will know the love you are giving
You don’t have to worry we will make sure she knows,
That granny’s my sis and we all miss her so,
But she’ll live in your heart and your soul.

Inevitable

Inevitable

Just when I should be having the time of my life,
I thought I wasn't complete
unless I had that one perfect someone to call my own.
Instead of hanging out with my friends,
I was caught in the loop of pleasing my man.
My heart would beat faster as
each class bell rang,
knowing we could steal brief moments, scheduling our after school time
so we were always together;
in hindsight it was probably not the thing to do.
But the excitement and joy and tummy butterflies was a high
we both sought to obtain.
Did the good outweigh the bad?
Obviously it did because we ended up together, at least for a short time.
The problem is, it wasn't enough
to satisfy the itch we both had deep down inside for something more,
something special to fulfill an aching need.
So we crashed and burned,
engulfed by flames in a magnificent bonfire
of heated words, angry acquisitions, finger pointing and screaming;
Two lives torn apart, two souls ripped asunder,
but the fallout damage affected much more,
and it would be years before the collateral was known.
Looking back the path is quiet clear,
even a child could see the course.
So why was I so blind at the time not to see the outcome
when it was right before my eyes?
I guess love really is blind and it has the ability
to swoop in and steal a childhood, give tunnel vision goals,
like the quest for the Holy Grail

and tempts us with a happily ever after.

I'm conquering my inner demons and to do that, I realize I'm going to have to revisit some painful things from my past. Sorry if the poetry/prose gets a little dark. ~~BDR

The Reviler

The Reviler

The Reviler sometimes arrive as innocently as the wings of a dove
Soft and light like the whisper of a butterfly
She loves you and makes you feel secure
Laughs at your jokes, thinks you’re something special
Pulls you in close, makes you one of the fold
When in essence it was all a false sense of security.
By the time the dagger sliced my heart in two
I was privy to the vile, ugly side of her life
I saw every canker and sore
Festering with impotent rancor at a base of self propaganda.
For a time, I was lost, only seeking the comfort to make me feel needed;
But when that phase came to an end
I hesitated but a moment
then followed again with my heart.

Desiree

DESIREE

Delicate little blossom born into this world
Everything is open wide and laying at her precious fingertips
So many lessons to be learned, so many moments to enjoy
Ideal vessel for storing the memories of our lives
Rosy cheeks, a dimpled chin round little head and sweet little sound
Embraced in love and held close to our hearts
Eternal bond we hope never will be broken