MAY DAYS of FUN....Day Seven

Today is National Day of Prayer.  I begin and end my day in prayer.  I thought about this at 2:00am when I woke up.  Not being able to return to sleep I wrote the piece on prayer.  A simple piece straight from my heart.  Late last night before drifting off to sleep after reading awhile I thought about how material items really don’t matter to me anymore.  A new piece of jewelry, flowers or even nice box of chocolates or bottle of champagne don’t matter.  I’d rather have someone’s time doing simple things.  Taking time to just watch a sunset or walk along the beach more romantic as it’s given without opening the wallet or purse.  I’d rather a picnic then going out for fancy meal.  Perhaps it’s this period of isolation (as I call it) makes me realize simple things such as time given matters.  Everyone has their opinions of what is romantic and what is not.  I think this all started to whirl in my brain after I read this book.  The proposal was simple but of course she had to figure out the clues he gave her.  It wasn’t at a fancy restaurant with champagne where the final clues given. This proposal was thought out cleverly and from the man’s heart.  

Today was the second day this week I woke up before the dog next door barked.  I kidded my husband and said he didn’t bark because he wanted to let me sleep.  It was birds that were tweeting that I heard. 

Until next time.....enjoy your day. 

Day 7... DAILY REFLECTIONS 

The birds awaken me this morning....not the 

     neighbor’s dog

   Funny this is second day this week I’m up 

       before his barks

    I think he’s been replaced by bird song 

                    PRAYERS 

                © Scottie-ann Murphy

I bow my head in prayer

 Every morning.....every night

At meal time....No matter where I am 

No shame I have about taking the time to 

        bless my food 

Telling Him “thank you” for what He 

       gives to us 

In my conversations I ask the Lord to ease my troubled soul....to provide comfort to 

            those in need....to guide us

Whatever the day brings I always know 

      He is beside me....I am never alone 

The best part of my day....my time spent in 

     prayer with our Heavenly Father 

                 TIME GIVEN 

              © Scottie-ann Murphy

It’s not the amount of money you spend on 

  someone.....it’s the quality of time you give

Materialistic things should not be top 

         the priority 

  Gold and silver tarnish....

     Diamonds and emeralds lose their 

            sparkle....

              Flowers wilt and die....

                Silks and satins become dingy....

Spend time doing the simple things 

         together important 

A walk in the woods or the park....

          sitting by a lake or the ocean....

Viewing the rising sun at dawn....

      watching the setting sun at dusk....

 These things never mar or lose their luster 

Time spent and given a precious 

       commodity given from the heart.....

             not the wallet 

       

MAY DAYS of FUN....Day Six

This is going to short and to the point. 

This morning was an odd morning. I looked at my wacky holiday list and remembered it was Nurses Day.  I really did not want to type up a verse about it BUT my husband dared me too.  I had fifteen minutes to come up with something. I hate timed projects.  I remembered something I thought a few years ago when I was handing out the certificates to the recipients of my Voiture’s nursing scholarship at one of our promenades.  I said something about I admire their hard work and dedication; that I knew their schooling was not cheap. I said we were glad to be able to provide help to them with their tuition by providing the scholarships. Somehow from that evening I came up with the lighthearted verse and my thought for the day.  One of the reasons I joined the Forty and Eight was because of the Nurses Training Program.  (Of course their other good works did not go unnoticed when I weighed my options whether or not to accept their request to join.)   The other piece I wrote was done around the fact I did not feel like composing today. It’s lighthearted which I feel lighthearted and whimsical is needed right now.  

As today is nurses day and if you know one, please tell them thank you for all they do. 

Until next time....have a good day. Oh two weird holidays today RUSSELL STOVER CANDIES DAY and NO DIET DAY; so forget your diet and have some Russell Stover chocolates.  

👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️

       Day 6....DAILY REFLECTIONS 

National Nurses Day today....unsung super 

       heroes in my mind

Underpaid I feel at times for all they do....   

    their education does not come cheap

One of the reasons I joined the Forty and Eight (40&8)....the Nurses Training Program

👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

                 DIDN’T FEEL IT 

           ©  Scottie-ann Murphy

Didn’t feel it in me today to pen a poem

Didn’t feel it in me today to leave my home

Even though our state is now in Phase One

Couldn’t think of anywhere to go to enjoy 

    some fun

Perhaps tomorrow for me things will change

I’ll write down my thoughts then rearrange

The words into a flash fiction story or a 

      verse 

And hope things improve and not get worse

But today I plan to just mope around inside

And take whatever comes my way in stride

I am certain tomorrow I will be just fine

As I sit and read today with a glass of wine

    SUPER HERO TRAINING PROGRAM THE 

             REASON

    (For Nurse Appreciation Day 

         ©  Scottie-ann Murphy

Today is the day we are to appreciate the 

          nurse

Working in conditions at times labeled 

           the worse

Never giving up on the patient....never will 

           they complain

They continue with their duties while trying 

           to ease the pain

Tirelessly doing their job and putting on a 

      smile 

Sometimes never taking a break even for a 

     short while 

Nurses are unsung heroes.... awesome and 

           truly great

The Nurses Training Program one reason    

    that I joined the Forty and Eight (40&8)

MAY DAYS of FUN....Day Five

Blog 5

After waking up this morning and doing my usual morning routines, I thought about it being Cinco de Mayo day.  Generally I’d go someplace for a margarita or two (buy one get one during happy hour) at a local Mexican Restaurant where they give free fresh salsa and chips.  I’ll usually get the medium salsa then a hot on my second go around.  Sometimes I buy salsa from there to take home.  After the margaritas I’d order a Dos Equis beer from the tap.  I realize even though this place is now opened (Phase I) as of yesterday I’d rather not venture out.  I have margarita mix at home and bottle of tequila if I want to make a margarita but really would enjoy a Dos Equis which means I’d have to leave the house and go to ABC Liquors. I thought of this while having my coffee.  My decision was to stay home, have salsa and chips (which I already have) or the salsa with the chili flavored Fritos which I actually picked by accident on a good run. 

The weird holiday websites listed today as not only Cinco de Mayo but Oyster Day and National Hoagie Day.  I decided it be funny to pen the piece on having food choices.  They do ring true for me as I’m not an oyster person.  As for much of the Tex-Mex food I’m a fan of tacos, quesadillas, taco salad, salsa and chips, guacamole or 

 frittatas.  Given a choice on which of the three food choices in the verse I’d be picking the hoagie; an Italian one from Publix.  The other thing about menu came from something I came up with long ago.  It was a spur of the moment verbal verse and I rattled off something similar.  It came back to me about 2:00am this morning so I wrote it down.  As I’ve said before I keep close at hand on night stand something to make notes during the night.  

The wacky holidays sure have been inspirational in finding things from which to write at times; or just give ideas.  

Until next time....if celebrating Cinco de Mayo have fun and keep your distance. 

May 5....DAILY REFLECTIONS 

Cinco de Mayo today....should I celebrate or 

        not....if so how?

  Perhaps chips and salsa....chili    

     Fritos....margaritas....a plan 

I’d like a beer but NOT CORONA....perhaps 

        Dos Equis....ABC run it is today 

May 5

               FOOD DECISIONS 

               ©  Scottie-ann Murphy

What to eat.....what to eat

On this fifth of May

Frittatas, burritos or tacos 

Would surely be okay

But wacky holidays website 

Lists it’s National Hoagie day

Perhaps a cheesesteak or a turkey 

 Which one do you say?

Oysters too are being celebrated 

Do I want them for a meal?

No way can I think about eating them

They are slimy like an eel

So many choices for food today

I cannot make up my mind

It’s Cinco de Mayo so tacos it is

 And a few margaritas will be just fine 

 

           CINCO de MAYO MENU

           ©  Scottie-ann Murphy 

Chips and salsa

   Guacamole and chips

Tacos, tamales, Chiles Rellenos

Burritos, enchiladas, frittatas 

 Retried beans, chili, quesadillas

  Doesn’t matter what what I eat today 

As long as I can drink a few margaritas 

No CORONA today!

MAY DAYS of FUN....Day Four

I generally write down ideas here and there.  Quite a few centered around the current events of being on lockdown.  As tomorrow begins the reopening of some states I took the words I put on my note app and in my notes journal, I composed both pieces.  Monday was always a challenge to me.  I never I never knew what the day or even week would bring.  What new hell would await me.   Well that’s the idea behind these pieces.  I recall trying something similar years ago but I decided to put it aside and finally delete the piece.  As you can see even my daily reflections centered around this idea.  This morning after getting up I wondered what my week will bring. A few years ago I labeled my life as a soap opera.  

I had a different name but a few weeks ago I kissed my husband the name is now ‘SCOTTIES WORLD’.  He said it sounded about right.  Today as some states reopened slowly please remember if you don’t to be out and about don’t.  Wait for a few days.  

Until next time....think about your upcoming week. 

Day 4....DAILY REFLECTIONS 

It’s Monday again....a new week begins

  I wonder what new drama will unfold in 

         my personal soap opera of life

  ‘SCOTTIE’S WORLD’....with me one never 

          knows....stay tuned or not 

                 MONDAY AGAIN

          (Poem Composed During Lockdown)

            ©  Scottie-ann Murphy

Monday....a new week begins

   What will it bring?

Phase I of reopening of some states will 

    commence

But....still need to social distance....stay six     

    feet apart 

This will be the new standard 

     as life gets back to normal....or at least 

           tries

Wear your mask....the newest accessory

   Who is that mask individual... we wonder

I am in no hurry to get back amongst the 

      masses

 Content to stay at home....sitting 

     outside with a good novel to read or       

        journal in which to write

No rush to get anyplace....I can wait

   What will the new week bring? We must 

           wait and see

  

      

                   BEING PREPARED 

         (Composed During Lickdown)

               ©  Scottie-ann Murphy 

 Bring it on Monday....I’m ready for you

   Prepared to start another week of 

           possible isolation

      Prepared to face the world....and what 

           new crisis will take center stage 

        Prepared to hear good news as well as 

              bad 

            Prepared as prepared can be

               without knowing the outcome of 

                    the week 

Anticipating the challenges of the week 

   I am up for it....Bring it on Monday!

  

MAY DAYS of FUN....Day Three

I always thought a picnic in the park romantic.  Something about an old blanket on the ground, table cloth and wicker basket would be my ideal items.  Of course there’d be cheese, grapes, olives, ham salad, deviled eggs and cookies plus wine. As I pictured this in my mind I composed the following; changing a few food items.  As I thought about this one day in April, probably close to Earth Day, the idea of the items being repurpose and refurbished came to mind. I recall growing up my step-grandmother had an old picnic basket and a hamper.  These two items went on picnics to the beach as well as by the lakes. For some reason I thought to write this as a first date; simple and uncomplicated.  I never cared for first dates as they always were someplace where you’d have to dress to impress.  I believe a simple first outing is more ideal. I had fun writing this up.  

Perhaps with how we need to social distance from large groups this would not be a bad idea for a date.  

Until next time....I was up this morning before my neighbor’s dog woke me up; up at 5:00am as I wrote this.  About forty-five minutes ago he was out barking right on schedule.  Have a great day. 

May 3....DAILY REFLECTIONS 

The aroma of coffee awakens me....but first   

     it is morning prayers

Thanking the Lord for another day....and all I 

        have

Some things take precedence....but coffee 

       comes second....third and fourth 

                     SIMPLE DATE 

                ©  Scottie-ann Murphy

An old patchwork quilt lays on the ground

  its vivid shades of green contrast against 

     the grass 

  we place a faded red and white checkered      

      tablecloth on the quilt along with the 

            worn basket holding the food 

Heirlooms you found discarded in your 

         grandmother’s attic

    refreshed and refurbished to use for our    

        outing today 

Inside the wicker hamper of edibles.... 

     cheese🧀, chicken salad, grapes 🍇,   

     a baguette🥖, deviled eggs, olives, 

     chocolate chip cookies🍪, 

                and a bottle of wine🍷 

A small feast for two....as we dine in the 

        meadow on a carefree Sunday 

           afternoon

You picked a small bouquet of wildflowers 

    then placed it in a bottle of water 

  a lovely centerpiece for our table on the     

             ground 

We make a toast....click our wine glasses 

        together 

  then laugh at our salute to the squirrel in 

     the tree that is looking down at us

No words spoken as we consume the 

        picnic fare

Enjoying the solitude of nature and the

   company of one another 

A simple first date....the first of many I hope

MAY DAYS of FUN....Day Two

  Today would have been the Kentucky Derby Race, but it has been canceled like many other events this year.  But no need to get upset, I understand they plan to run the race in September.  That being said will give many of us time to get a hat ready.  One year I attended an event at a fraternal club where I hold membership; I won second prize.  It was a toss up between myself and another woman; she won as she had a mini bottle of bourbon on her hat.  I need to remember that for when I construct one this year.  

It seems my neighbor’s dog goes out each morning between 6:30and 7:00.  I generally hear him bark which wakes me up.  Oh I’m not complaining it’s a great alarm clock.  That was the idea behind my three line thought.  Actually I use to get up around 8:00am but seems doggy has me up and about an hour early. That doesn’t mean I can’t fall back to sleep because I can. 

It seems my State is opening again in phases which is great.  I had to get grocery items yesterday and surprised at the traffic on the roads.  Not sure where everyone was headed as until Monday we are still in lockdown.  I hope wherever you are your area is getting back to being opened; I’d say normal but in a way will it ever be so?

Until next time....Happy Saturday! 

May 2....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

  Morning arrives....the neighbor’s dog 

            awakens me with his barks 

He must be saying to me....get up sleepy 

           head

Who needs an alarm clock....it’s always the 

   same each morning at seven...bark....bark 

      HAT AND DISAPPOINTMENT 

          © Scottie-ann Murphy

I constructed my hat color black

   a big taffeta bow on the back...red roses    

           around the brim....

     six horses strategically placed between 

           the flowers....

     two mini bottles of bourbon attached to 

         each side 

A work of art indeed 

The perfect head piece in honor of

      Kentucky Derby Race Day

Anticipating the start of the race....

  my mouth watering at the thought of a     

     mint julep or two or three

Sipping drinks....hoping to win top prize

        in the hat contest....fingers crossed my 

                  horse comes in first

 Alas....no event this year in May

        Corona saw to that 

 I’ll put my bonnet away

        until September 

  

MAY DAYS of FUN....Day One

I wasn’t sure if I would continue the April challenge for a poem a day into May or not. Decided why not try. I think I’m going to continue with my three line thought. I decided yesterday to compose two poems for today.  The first comes from what my April thirty was actually like.  It rained and stormed into the early afternoon with showers until evening. I watched as the palm fronds seem to wave due to the wind. I turned on the early morning news only to find it was just a repeat of what I heard the night before.  The quarantine and lockdown which they said will be lifting by phases beginning the first of next week; the weather which was to be rain all day.  In the end I tuned out the news while having coffee. By the time the noon news came around, I decided enough was enough.  It had to be five o’clock somewhere so I had a beer (different brew).  

I look up the weird/wacky holidays for every day.  I found that May the first is NO PANTS DAY.  You need to Google this holiday.  Literally it’s no wearing of pants. I’m sure some will take it to heart and not wear pants.  I decided to write up a funny piece in honor of the day.  Why not.  I had ten minutes to come up with it (timed challenge by my husband).  As for my three line daily thought.  Well April is a memory and I wonder what a new month will bring. 

Until tomorrow....wear pants or not...it’s up to you. I’m putting on skirt and tee shirt today.

May 1....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

 April is now a memory and a new month 

           begins today....I am wondering 

     Will flowers of May flourish from showers 

          of April

 Will we still be quarantined....if so how      

        much longer?

         BREWS AND NEWS ON A 

                 STORMY DAY

             © Scottie-ann Murphy 

Like April....National Poetry Month bids us     

      farewell

April’s last day....stormy....dreariness 

             seeping inside my four walls

Awaken by the thunder....lightning flares 

    light up the sky

  Sound of rain on the roof disturb my 

     dreams

Coffee....

       coffee....

                 coffee....

    the caffeine fix to jump start my day

     Enjoying my first cup the elements 

            outside forgotten

  Rain continues....palms fronds 

        wave from the blowing breeze 

  occasional booms heard from a darken sky

On television day break telecast provided the latest updates of the same old news in 

         the world.... just different day 

‘Phase I of the state reopening to be forthcoming.... rain in forecast for most of     

    the daylight hours’         

I listen while savoring my mug of brew

  It will suffice until noon when 

     again I’ll listen to the news updates while 

         sipping a mug of a different brew

        WACKY HOLIDAY TO START MAY

      (Tribute to No Pants Day...for Murph)

          © Scottie-ann Murphy 

A wacky holiday for the first of May

            NO PANTS DAY

If we’re to wear no pants....then what shall 

         be worn?

Women can don a dress....skirt and top or 

        pair of shorts 

            NO SHORTS....sorry

Shorts are just pants reaching only to the 

       knees or thighs

Odd...quite odd....

So what’s a fellow to do?

   Run around in skivvies?!

    That is the idea behind the day....

                REALLY

But not all men will celebrate 

   alternative clothing items will be worn

I notice my husband eyeing my tie dye      

       sundress 

    now I need to find another outfit to wear