Wednesday Prompt, a Cat, and a Birthday Wish

Today is a writing day. It will also be a baking day, and vacuuming too, as my cat is causing me some distress. We forgive her, as she is so cute. Achoo!

Minnie Pooter


Minnie feets


Minnie snooze

* * *

As I make my way to the kitchen to start the yeast, I've scared our deer, who lopes across the lawn to the wood shed. No worries; she'll be back.

*

It is also the 79th birthday of my aunt, who is still in her early 60's, as far as I'm concerned. She is an amazing person, engaged with life, interested in a great many things, friend to many, and very generous. Happy Birthday to you!

* * *

And now, from the Poetic Asides site, the new prompt for today.

2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 18
Posted by Robert

After today's poem, we'll be 60% of the way through November. I can't believe how fast this month is moving. I've been dropping in and reading poems in the comments, and I'm looking forward to reading your chapbook manuscripts after this challenge is over. (Also, thanks for the kind words about my prompts and poems this month. Much appreciated.)

For today's prompt, I want you to write a slow poem. (If you want you can re-read that sentence in your best "slow motion" voice.) I'll let you decide what a slow poem should be.

Here's my attempt for today:

"Let us not go then, you and I"

Maybe we can feel the world turn
or watch the universe burn. We
could find the star giving the most

light as our hot sun sets the moon
on fire tonight. Shooting stars are
just meteoroids burning up

in the mesosphere; so keep your
fire near, dear, and we'll just stay here--
both burning so bright and so clear.

*****

Learn from the instructors at the Vermont College MFA Program in Words Overflown by Stars, edited by David Jauss. Click here to read more about this and other writing titles.

Artist's Way Journal - Week Ten (Nine), Day Four

So I'm waiting right now for DH's sourdough to come out (first), then the cinnamon rolls he made (next), before I start in on baking the sweet potatoes (first), and the pumpkin pie (after that).  I've got until 8:30, then it's total focus so that everything is done and ready to ferry (literally) over to my DM and DDad's for dinner.

DD(aughter) was up until past 11:30 last night (!) washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen.  She even swept the floor, which isn't her norm.  She was mad, and waiting for the rest of us to go to bed before she started in on the rest of her work.  I have to say, the kitchen looked good.  Better than normal.  I guess she was showing us.  

So, I tried to find a good photo of pumpkin pie, and got a cool chair instead.  I'll just have to take a photo of my own pie, which is preferable, since I am making a pie.  I have one more sugar pumpkin to bake, but that'll wait for a bit.  

Today's poetic prompt (Robert, you're amazing.  Now go eat):

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that could be the climax of your collection. This is the take-no-prisoners poem you've been working toward all month. You get to decide how you're going to approach this poem, but keep it focused on your theme--and make it climactic.

Imagine that if people read the poem you're about to write that their faces would melt off from the brilliance of it--and that they'll all get together (at least the ones who are still alive) and sing praises to your poetic brilliance. No pressure.

I've got my work cut out for me.  People wonder why we do the things we do, on top of the other things we do, but I think this is because if we didn't try to cram in that "one other thing," we'd feel incomplete.  At least I do.  If I don't do something that resembles writing of some sort, I feel like a part of me has atrophied.  And, in a way, it has.  So these Morning Pages (and yes, today it truly is a Morning Page) are very good for me.  Best when I've given myself enough time to do them.  

I'd better go cut butter and put it in the freezer.  I totally forgot to get lard.  (Gasp.)  I'll have to use butter exclusively.  Well, I did that last Sunday, and it worked just fine.  I don't use shortening.

Question:  Do most people still automatically hit the space bar twice after each sentence?  I do.  But in my poetry group it came up in discussion that now the "norm" is to hit it once.  I don't know how long it will take me to "reform," or if I will even try.  Something to think about, anyway.  

On to butter things...  Back soon?  Maybe...