Thursday, January 31, 2013

"Keep my Books" Giveaway


My recently retired hubby is in the throes of cleaning out our garage, and he is urging me to get rid of one box each of my books "His Children" and "Awaken Your Spiritual Power." The "His Children" ones are new from the very generous publisher, but the "Awaken" ones are seconds, though still quite readable.

Last night it occurred to me that, rather than just donate them generally, I could see if any of my readers might want a copy of one or both books for free. You would have to spring for the mailing materials and postage (approximately five bucks), but other than that it would be a little gift to you from yours truly.

No pressure. The local library and my favorite village book store will happily take them off my hands. I just thought I'd see if any of my readers have an interest before I send the treasured tomes (heehee) off to relative oblivion.

Just leave a comment if you're interested, specify what you would like to receive, and then email me your address so I can send it along.

Cheers!

=)

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Monday, January 28, 2013

Dark Side of the Stars


I'm a little late with the Saturday Centus this week, but I couldn't resist Jenny's combined picture AND word prompt (in red, below). We are expected to use both to tell a story in 106 words or less.

∞§∞


Love has an underbelly.
(Yes, my darling, even ours.)
There beneath the hearts and flowers
lie the burrs and scars.

No passion worth its while escapes
a wound that pierces deep.
Love makes promises...too many
 promises to keep.

Life diffuses black-and-white
to marbled shades of grey.
Love is perfect; love is kind...
Love has feet of clay. 

So gather every tender glow
like fireflies in jars,
and light the sky as proof against
the dark side of the stars.

∞§∞

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Joy in the City by the Bay


 Today, let's pause and look around.

Across the Bay, much joy is found.

Our 49ers are Bowl-bound!

 
How lucky can one city be?

from winning pennants by the sea

to lighting Union Square's grand tree?

Just take a trolley to the ocean

(Pier 39 inspires devotion),

then watch a play, if that's your notion.

 We've got it all...catch the ballet...

or catch a wave at Half Moon Bay...

the spot where famous surfers play.

Find views that no one can ignore,

or take a jog along the shore.

She always leaves you wanting more.

 
The City by the Bay.

GOOD LUCK, NINERS!

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Monday, January 21, 2013

PDA


PDA
©2013 Susan Noyes Anderson


Hands speak volumes, do they not?
One is holding firm and taut,
while the other lies quiescent.
Shouldn't love be effervescent? 

Maybe she is not on board
and hopes that he will feel ignored
if she responds with digits snoring,
proof that her hand finds his boring.

Or perhaps I've judged too soon.
She may think he hung the moon
and want to nestle in his palm,
surrendering without a qualm.

Either way, here is my thought:
(feel free to disagree or not)
Handholding is more profound
with all ten fingers curled around.


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Saturday, January 19, 2013

Fruit of the Vine



Saturday Centus has rolled around again, and today Jenny has asked us to respond to the tomato prompt pictured below. In her usual magnanimous way, she has allowed us 100 words to make our mark.

∞§∞



Fruit of the Vine
©2013 Susan Noyes Anderson
 
I am yours and you are mine,
grown together on the vine
of life and love and days well spent,
formed and fed by blessings sent:

Sun and rain in heaven's measure,
elements of pain and pleasure,
rising up and reaching down,
seeking sky and breaking ground.

Give and take, bitter and sweet,
nature paints a work complete.
Opposition yields the force...
turns our leaves toward the Source. 

Holding fast to God's own vine,
I am yours and you are mine.


∞§∞

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

I Forgot


I Forgot
©1991 Susan Noyes Anderson

I wrote a good story, but something went wrong.
I had all the characters where they belong.
The setting was great, and the word use was strong.
The length was just right ... not too short, not too long.

I checked everything. I indented a lot.
I spelled stuff exactly the way I was taught.
I wrote a good story, but my teacher thought
it had one major weakness: I left out the plot.

{oops}

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Monday, January 14, 2013

Don't Sweat the Sweater


I haven't participated in the Magpie Tales writing meme since well before Christmas, and I've missed the fun. This was a good prompt to help me sort of get back into the swing of things. Thanks, Tess!


Don't Sweat the Sweater
©2013 Susan Noyes Anderson

Don't like my style?
Then run away.
Don't shake your head.
Don't have your say.

Don't smirk; don't frown;
don't chap my hide.
Don't humor me
in shades of snide.

I live with you.
But I'm still me.
Don't crowd my space.
Don't cramp my free.

Don't patronize
with cheshire smile,
sugjesting I
should try argyle.

Keep your opinions
in your head.
Or I will wear
this thing to bed.

music by Classixx
aka Tyler Blake (my nephew) and
Michael David

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Saturday, January 12, 2013

The Birthday Girl: a microfAction


Jenny's Saturday Centus prompt really moves me this morning because my own mom is 85 years old, and I feel grateful. I remember her turning 80 with much joy, but I also remember feeling no small amount of trepidation as my beloved mother became "someone in her eighties." How could it be? 

Five years later I have learned to just go with the flow and leave my mother's continued blessing of longevity in God's hands. That's where it belongs, after all, and He can be trusted. In fact, I am assured that the very hairs of her head are numbered, and not one of them will fall to the ground without the Father (see Matthew 10:29-30). So I guess He's got the situation well in hand.

The little story below isn't exactly how I felt...maybe I embellished it a bit. But when my mom turned 80, I definitely began to appreciate the time I have with her in a whole new way.
 Love you, Mom!

(the prompt, as always, is in red below)

∞§∞

 

 The Birthday Girl
©2013 Susan Noyes Anderson

My mother turned eighty today, and I haven't quite liked it. 70 didn't phase me in the least (her own mom lived to be 83), but moving into this new decade makes me uneasy. I can no longer deny that the woman who gave me breath is aging...cannot even pretend her years aren't piling up faster than I want them to accumulate. Time stops for no one; I know. But can't an exception be made for my beautiful mom?

Oh sure, we all got together, ate cake and Mexican food, celebrated merrily. 80 years is a blessing––a milestone she handled with grace, her middle name. 

Less grace from yours truly. I can't sleep tonight. (the clock's ticking)

∞§∞

Thursday, January 10, 2013

High Places

©2013 Susan Noyes Anderson

A tree is an ever present friend...

a warm and welcome nest...

a place to test your mettle, and

a place to take your rest.

A tree can heal you with a touch

or rock you in strong arms.

It finds the child inside of you

and shares its leafy charms.

Accept the gift. Come, find a tree.

Remember who you are.

Settle your roots in rich, brown earth

and spring up high and far.

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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Happiness is Picture Perfect!

There was a nice little photo shoot in a park near my home a few weeks ago. My talented daughter-in-law was taking pics of my niece's new baby for a Christmas card/wedding announcement, and she decided to snap a few of her own kids (aka my grandkids) while she was at it. Needless to say, I liked the idea!

5-year-old Bryce is lookin' good!

He loves to play with his little cousin, Sullivan.

(Hangin' with Uncle Perry ain't bad, either!)

8-year-old Carli has a great laugh and lots of sparkle.

 She's all smiles holding Sully's new little sis, Andelin.

 But she lets her serious side out now and again, too.

 11-year old Jeremiah is just keepin' it chill...

 and flashin' those beautiful blues.

 (budding chick magnet)

These three have lots of fun hanging out together...

 
 kickin' it in a pine-encircled spot near Grandma's house...

 finding a friendly tree...

and smiling their hearts out for Mom.

They make me smile, too!

photos by Heather Anderson
all rights reserved

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