It is the last of calm before the oncoming Holidays. Now is the time to get some writing, creativity in before busyness intrudes. Haiku and tanka will not overtax you. So there is your prompt. Good fortune to you all.
You may be able To live within the fable, But a fantasy Can leave you cold in the night When love moves out of sight. Empty icy sheets May feel like a shroud, a cheat, Taking forever Away on a wind clever Enough to sing you goodbye. Fickle fate has eyes Seeing through this thin disguise Telling me, “Be wise, Some waiting is worth the times, To claim the gorgeous vision Just beyond the curtained eyes.” You are a hard one To guide around barriers But will merrier Be for time expended on Becoming love’s forever home. So until you share A pleasant trace, who you are, I will stay right here, As my heartache keeps singing.
The flowers began as a wistful dream of a bountiful harvest, but once cut from the bushes and placed within a vase, they began to fade and crumble—a falling off begun because the blooms were separated from their source.
Nothing living can long survive without nurture. So much depends on tender care. In this life with its challenges, desperation, distractions, doubts, fears, being connected to a network of people who love us is essential.
In this time of isolation, we must find realistic ways to rally our spirits in whatever togetherness we can devise. We need safety zones to engage in conversation without masks and where we can give hugs freely.
We would be negligent to disregard the needs of those who are most vulnerable, but even they need the reassurance of beloved faces and physical touch.
It has been an exceedingly difficult year, but we can help others bloom and remind each one that even in a shadow season, the Lord is present. God will eventually clear the clouds away, and the beauty of humanity’s promise will shine as newly minted gold.
This morning at some point, 40,000 households in Douglas County, Georgia, serviced by GreyStone Power lost electrical service. It was after 2 am for me because that is when I went to bed. If you need proof I sleep like the dead; I did not know a thing about it. However, when I woke at 7:30 am, it was very dark. I plotted a path to the restroom with a flashlight and returned to bed.
‘The power will be on when I get back up,’ was my thought as I snuggled in. When I got up at 10:30 am, nothing electrical was working.
Usually, if I have a warning, I charge up everything and make sure I am prepared. This storm, at least for me, came out of nowhere. I do not have a weather radio due to harrowing previous experience with one in my past existence.
At 10:30 am, I was shaken and had nothing that was not sugary to eat. Even my cell phone would not work. You can key the scary music, because this is one of those situations where I am terrified.
I got in the Explorer and drove to the library. God must have known how bad I needed some people, because a young gentleman and lady asked me was it open after I had gone to the door. It was not. We talked a few minutes and agreed our cell phones were out, hers’ being Sprint and mine Boost, which uses Sprint’s towers. They were there to vote, and that was partly my purpose.
I went to town for food and ate at Del Taco’s outdoor table. I had to be where I could see people, even in cars.
I went to Sam’s Club and bought some dog food, drinks, and food. When I returned home – the power was still out. I had perishables in the refrigerator and freezer at risk, plus groceries I had just gotten. I cried and prayed and hoped.
Around 5 pm, the power came on. I have been loving my house and my things since. I have repeatedly said, “Thank you, God!” I am still without computers, but how sweet electricity is.
About that thing where everyone runs to the store to buy sandwich fixings and water, maybe milk, I get it now. Some things will teach you they are true. I got schooled today.
Do not let the weather catch you sleeping, as Boy Scouts say, “Be Prepared!”
Haphazard Creative 
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