Writing Poetry

I am not much of a poet.  Correction.  I am not a poet.  At all.  At school I hated having to write poetry, or short stories.  Give me an essay any day!

But, I just found an enabling link to write my own poem.  It is a lot of fun and takes just a few moments of your time.  Do try it. Via Bentlily.

Here is mine:

I used to worry I was introspective
I used to believe life was demanding

I used to wish I was confident
upbeat
patient.

Then one day
I looked out my window
and saw a cloud

a grey
fast-moving
perfect cloud.

I nearly choked
on the epiphany

we arrive inside
an envelope
of bones

there is nothing to be done
about this

so fill it with calmness
let it brim
with faith.

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} - Ginger Edition

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for this weekly tradition of celebrating the ordinary.

Largely because Ginger and I have spent most of the week at home, this week's photos all seem to be about her;)  Did I mention yet that our second car is stranded by this.  The road has reopened but the rail link will not be up for several more weeks.  Consequently, if I need the car Ginger and I have a double run out to the barracks with Mr Provincial.  The run disturbs both her morning wake-up and her nap.  So, if I can avoid it, I am trying not to go out during the day so Mr Provincial can take the car. 

{Pretty}

Mr Provincial came back from the market with this single, stunning flower.

{Happy}

One nap time; one project.  Finally a project I can tick of the to-do list. A mexican oil cloth cover for a booster seat we are using so Ginger can reach the table.

{Funny}

These are Ginger's 'eyes'.  She just loves them.  Since she wouldn't wear her baby bans anymore we let her pick a pair at the cancer council.  These are what she picked.  We can't go anywhere without her asking for "my eyes".

They are so big for her that it cracks me up every time she wears them.  And yes, they made an appearance at the breakfast table.

{Real}

Since 'helping' Daddy with a construction project a few weekends ago Ginger has been obsessed with tools.  I dug out the tool apron and plastic tools from my childhood.  I am glad to see them enjoyed by a second generation.

Beach Night

On Friday I read a post on Enjoying the Small Things and I just knew we had to go to the beach that evening.  Mr Provincial was reluctant, but that was just the point of Kelly's post.  We ate tea and then drove the couple of minutes to our local beach - of course we can't swim their because of the box jellyfish and risk of salt water crocodiles.  But, we can walk.

We got there just as the sun was setting and it was stunning.  It was cool on the beach with a lovely breeze blowing off the Timor Sea.  The first time we have been naturally cooled for weeks.

Stunning calcified coral had washed up in the week's early storm.  

So many shells for Ginger and I to oh and ah over, and collect.  Hermit crabs were there to be examined.

Even better, our collection of shells and rocks spurred Ginger and I on to a fantastically simple series of activities.  We 'bathed' our shells.  We sorted and examined closely - smooth, rough, round, long.  We created a display.

We can't wait to go back again this Friday.  It's going to be a regular family date. Can't get to the beach?  What about reading Anne Morrow Lindbergh's Gifts from the Sea?