NOVEMBER GRATITUDE

2014
Once upon a time in Massachusetts

In November
by Lisel Mueller

Outside the house the wind is howling
and the trees are creaking horribly.
This is an old story
with its old beginning,
as I lay me down to sleep.

But when I wake up, sunlight
has taken over the room.

You have already made the coffee
and the radio brings us music
from a confident age. In the paper
bad news is set in distant places.
Whatever was bound to happen
in my story did not happen.

But I know there are rules that cannot be broken.

Perhaps a name was changed.
A small mistake. Perhaps a woman I do not know
is facing the day with the heavy heart
that, by all rights, should have been mine.
~*~


2016
Today in New York City

 Our Superintendent dropped seeds into the Street side Planter in August. I'm Grateful that he has finally been rewarded with one absolutely perfect green gem.

I'm Grateful we have heat this morning, and grateful that this afternoon my Massachusetts friend Jenny, in town for a dance event tonight, was here for several sweet hours...

Grateful that my writing group was full of surprises tonight and Grateful for the dark night downtown when I emerged. A speeding bicyclist became invisible,
and so did I.

~*~

MAY DAY and ONWARD

Calendar by Rima Stains
Maiden-Mother- Crone

Neglect has not discouraged the well planted plot

 They bud and flower with total disregard of Church politics

 A friend sees rainbows and other delights of Arizona

While I observe the continuing distress of my city

 For nourishment and antidote I bake a fine, moist Apple loaf
made with rice flour, honey and spice.

 ~*~
Sunday morning a meditation for Nepal at the Zendo.

Walking home on a beautiful day
Redbud trees blooming on the West side of town

The air sweet and clear at the Corner of Gramercy Park

3PM
As I lay down for a nap, a pigeon
keeps company with me outside

5PM
Supper plans for Pasta

I'll saute walnuts, mushrooms and Indian spices in Ghee to pour over
then top it off with chopped fresh parsley and spinach when it's done.

 ~*~

How fortunate these moments of simple happiness, how fleeting and true.
How like the facets of this garnet--inexplicable, incomprehensible, impenetrable, and mysterious this life with its darkness and light flickering unpredictably.

 ~*~

Here comes the Full Flower Moon of May

~*~
May you be happy
May you be without suffering
May you be safe from fear

*
www://rimastains.com

UNTANGLING

One Person

(Message on a Phone Booth)

One compassionate person at the bank relieved me of three bounced check fees, and my panic attack...yesterday it was two, but Con Edison resubmitted the check between yesterday, when I unsuccessfully tried to reach them by phone and was cut off after an hour of waiting, and today when I arrived at the bank.

(A refreshing blue sky moment)

At home again,

I phone Con Edison

Spent an hour and a half this time. When I finally reached a person, I was told that no fees had been levied yet because neither the original bounced check (on the 11th), nor the resubmitted one that bounced this morning appeared on their screen!  Yet, they have already mailed a new bill!?  The timing is skewed. Another corporate enigma.  I promised to make good on the third of March when my monthly funds are  available, and it is presumed I will hear about the bounces in March.  Then, we shall see what further hell awaits me.  I am pathologically afraid of debt.

(Here's another blue sky moment)

Tuesday is done.

Sweet dreams and rest to all.