Joanne's Writing Nook

Nature at It's Best

2013-09-10T13:02:00.003-07:00

Nature is alive with song.

Just as we go about our busy day, nature has its own daily agenda.

Outdoors is just as busy as our own indoors.

The only difference is we can rest all day and be lazy, if we like

Nature is on a automatic timer of events that enfolds, one right after the other.

In this fall season, take a peak at nature in all its vibrancy, ever changing and ever displaying its beauty.

Nature is at its best!

It's Magic

2013-08-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a well known song showing that part of everyday life can be magic, especially when you are in love.

You sigh, the song begins;
You speak, and I hear violins --
It's magic.
The stars desert the skies,
And rush to nestle in your eyes --
It's magic.
Without a golden wand
Or mystic charms,
Fantastic things begin
When I am in your arms.
When we walk hand-in-hand,
The world becomes a wonderland --
It's magic.
How else can I explain
Those raindrops when there is no rain?
It's magic.
Why do I tell myself
These things that happen are all really true?
When, in my heart, I know the magic is
My love for you.
It's magic...
It's magic...
Why do I tell myself
These things that happen are all really true?
When, in my heart I know, the magic is
My love for you.

Sung by Doris Day - Song Writers: Sammy Cahn and Jules Styne

Shades of Reincarnation

2013-08-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

This beautiful song's lyrics has always intrigued me

VERSE

Sometimes you think you've lived before All that you live today Things you do come back to you As though they knew the way Oh, the tricks your mind can play!

REFRAIN

It seem we stood and talked like this before we looked at each other in the same way then, But I canÍt remenber where or when. The clothes youÍre wearing are the clothes you wore. The smile you are smiling you were smilimg then, But i canÍt remember where or when. Some things that happend for the first time, Seem to be happenig again. Amd so it seems that we have met before and laughted before and loved before, But who knows where or when.

SONGWRITERS; LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS

Older, But Wiser

2013-08-13T08:15:00.003-07:00

Older, but wiser... Does living longer maker us understand what life is all about now that we are older? In my young adult days I tried to analyze life and came up with some answers, that suited me at the time. I was eager to learn what I could by daydreaming of a perfect place, with perfect people and a perfect life was far from what I encountered in reality.

Life is tough. Only the "strong in spirit" can still stand like an older home, being weathered through the years by life's elements, scarred, but victorious in the end.

It is a life of learning and refining us to become sages to what is truly real. We begin to see what truth is and what our search has been about. Instead of going against the flow of life, we must join with the flow to be pushed gently along our way. When we realize we are all part of a common thread that carries us to a place of understanding as "older but wiser.

Is That All There Is?

2013-07-27T07:29:00.001-07:00

The following lyrics of this song always left quite an impression on me.

Peggy Lee - Is That All There Is? Lyrics

I remember when I was a very little girl, our house caught on fire.
I'll never forget the look on my father's face as he gathered me up
in his arms and raced through the burning building out to the pavement.
I stood there shivering in my pajamas and watched the whole world go up in flames.
And when it was all over I said to myself, "Is that all there is to a fire?"

Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

And when I was 12 years old, my father took me to the circus, the greatest show on earth.
There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears
And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads.
And as I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle
I had the feeling that something was missing.
I don't know what, but when it was over,
I said to myself, "Is that all there is to a circus?"

Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

Then I fell in love, with the most wonderful boy in the world.
We would take long walks by the river or just sit for hours gazing into each other's eyes.
We were so very much in love.
Then one day, he went away. And I thought I'd die -- but I didn't.
And when I didn't I said to myself, "Is that all there is to love?"

Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing

I know what you must be saying to yourselves.
If that's the way she feels about it why doesn't she just end it all?
Oh, no. Not me. I'm in no hurry for that final disappointment.
For I know just as well as I'm standing here talking to you,
when that final moment comes and I'm breathing my lst breath, I'll be saying to myself,

Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

Only The Essentials, Part I

2012-10-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

If you had to make a choice in your life for only the essentials, what would you choose? Could you do without all the frills and extras? What do you really need? Would less of everything you now have satisfy you?

Let's take food. How much is enough? I noticed when you eat more than you need you always want more, even though you may have stuffed yourself. What are you trying to feed? Certainly its not more food to satisfy your hunger? This is a food craving, a desire for more. Apparently, our desires can become so overwhelming that it is on our mind's constantly. How can we turn off the desire for more? The body and mind are suffering because of our desire. It has overruled us, and becomes an attachment. We are clinging to an attachment.

Thinking Beyond The Physical Box

2012-05-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

Since I am interested in lifetime learning, I wondering, is there more to life than just our physical bodies? Is it possible to go beyond our everyday thinking. Can our imaginations create a world of higher imaginations?
Is it time to look into what lies beyond our physical realm?

Another Season - Winter

2011-11-09T13:05:00.000-08:00

If you live in the east you can count on the four seasons; winter, spring, summer and fall.

I thought I would elaborate on the emotionality of each selected season, and how it affects me.

Winter...A time of expectation for the Christmas Holiday. There is always an air of excitement over the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Time to renew and join in the wonder of this glorious event. Family time is important. Everyone wants "to go home for Christmas". When you are a senior citizen, "going home: is reliving memories of Christmas.

It was not so much the gifts you received from family but the preparation for that great day. To me it was the church music. We began practicing our anthems right after Thanksgiving Day to get ready for Christmas Eve.
Service started at 11:00 P.M. and ended at 12 midnight. Choir members wished each other a Merry Christmas. The best treat was a small four piece box of chocolate candy given to all who attended sunday school. I indulged immediately upon receiving the candy, headed to the cheerful church crowd outside and then on to our Aunt's Christmas Eve party.

Another pleasure was the christmas lights. Blue lights in particular fascinated me.

Finally, exhilarated, trying to keep my eyes open, I went to bed, sleeping peacefully to the sounds of Christmas carols playing on the radio.

Now the season will be here soon. It is such a busy time. I have to remind myself each year that I will stop and try to savor more moments of enjoyment.

May the Lord Defend and Protect You

2007-11-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

May the Lord Defend and Protect You

Let me tell you of my dream last night…

I was in a desert land. It appeared to be Jerusalem.
My eyes looked past a stone wall to an open building.
Stepping inside I saw a curtain in front of an altar.
I could faintly see through the curtain a group of bearded men.
They were praying and singing. The words of the song were
May the Lord Defend and Protect You.

I kept asking to hear the song over and over again.

When I awoke, I took comfort in hearing the words of
May the Lord Defend and Protect You

Coffee Shop

2007-10-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

Squeezed in between the theater and the clothing store was the Mayflower Coffee Shop. I decided to stop in for old time’s sake. Painted on the door was the familiar amusing slogan:

As you ramble on through life brother,
No matter what your goal
Keep your eye upon the donut
And not upon the hole

Always a people watcher, I took a booth by the window. This was an opportunity to watch both outside pedestrians and the coffee shop customers. It was fun to imagine who they really were and create a scenario about them.

Entering the shop was a tall young man with black curly hair and a short blonde haired girl walking close behind him. They took the only table left. It was right in front of me. Ordering coffee the young man was tapping his fingers to a song. The girl with an adoring look kept her eyes focused completely on him. Feeling the emotion of their gazes, I sighed. Daydreaming I was transported to that same booth years ago. Time stood still…I heard the tapping of a song. Looking up into the face of my beloved, I smiled adoringly.

Family Gathering

2007-10-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

This was my stop! I began to depart the bus. Holding the railing and opening my paisley umbrella I stepped onto the curb in front of me... Almost losing my balance as my feet sloshed in my soaked high heels. Dreading the two blocks I had to cover before I reached my apartment. As long as it doesn’t thunder or lightening! In fact, I started humming “Singing in the Rain”…I always liked when it rained. For me it created a refreshing, cleansing feeling.

Crossing the street, I lapsed into my day dreaming. I always let my imagination roam to pass time. I guess the world was not too exciting for me, so I had to create imaginations.

I don’t know what made me look up to the left. A house I passed everyday made me take notice. In the front window, a few feet back was a lighted chandelier. A family was seated around the table with their head bowed, saying grace. This made me nostalgic. My tears began to flow. The pouring rain trickled on my forehead. The rain water ran over my eyes causing my tears to be washed away. Ahead was the apartment building…I climbed the wooden stairs. Opened the door to the dark kitchen and entered.

Cherished Memories

2007-10-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

I opened the envelope addressed to me and took out the photograph of the gaunt looking elderly man taken at the hospital. This is not my father! They must have sent the wrong picture? I cried as I thought of how strong, handsome and alive he was the last time I saw him. This man’s face was ashen. His cheek bones were sunken in. Those eyes that were always brown and vibrant were now sad, with a far away look. His trademark smile, now replaced with false teeth looked wooden.

He was seated in a green chair, with a cane at his side, and an IV in his right arm. He was wearing the brown-striped robe I bought him for his birthday last year. The robe looked at least two sizes larger on him. He had lost nearly thirty five pounds! I could see the varicose veins on his ankles that appeared more prominent with the weight loss.

Family communications were not always easy. The only pleasant times were when we all attended church on Sundays. My sisters and I seated in the choir could see dad and mom in the church pew smiling proudly at us as we sang the anthem. All cares seemed to vanish from their faces. I will always cherish those memories.

Coughing and crying at the same time, I put the photograph back in the envelope. On my way to the kitchen sink I passed the hall mirror. Wiping a tear from my eyes I looked at my reflection and whispered, “I love you dad.” .

The Gentleman

2007-10-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

I’ve seen him on the bus every morning five days a week on my way to an office building downtown. He boards the bus at the 40th Street Stop, cheerful and nodding to the regular riders that are seated. Flashing a beautiful wide smile and twinkling blue eyes he takes a seat across the aisle from me. I smell a faint scent of Drakar men’s cologne. I notice he is tall. Neither fat nor thin, but muscular built. In a few more stops there will be standing room only for those who live closer to the downtown destination, obliterating my view of him.

His clothing adapts to the seasons. He is wearing a conservative, light weight beige suit. sporting a pastel colored shirt and tie to match a summer ensemble. He has begun a conversation with the lady seated next to him. She is very animated with graceful hands showing him a book she is reading. He appears interested in what she is saying. I try to listen to their conversation along with the usual bus chatter but have trouble hearing any thing being said that would be of importance.

I first noticed him about a year ago in the winter, wearing galoshes, gloves and a top coat.
It was right after Christmas. He was limping and had a cane to support him as he boarded the bus. He would wince in pain as he sat down, holding the steel bar in front of him for support, I wanted to comfort him, to know his story. This beautiful, gentle looking man endeared himself to me through the coming seasons. His appearance began to change and come alive in the spring. Walking, unaided by his always present cane, his demeanor was brighter and the beautiful smile began to appear. He brought joy to my heart.

Coming to the final downtown destination of the downtown bus exit, I stepped off the bus and onto the curb of the sidewalk, turning to walk towards my building. I heard, “Wait, lady, you forgot your bag”! I turned around…It was the smiling gentleman

Sanctuary

2007-10-28T12:43:00.001-07:00

Sanctuary

Most people think of their home as a sanctuary away from the cares of the world. To me it was a non-nurturing atmosphere ridden with verbal abuse, alcoholism and sadness. Life had already taken its toll on me. I was a very emotionally fragile child. In spite of this malady, there was a spiritual sanctuary co-existing in my life that was a source of protection, a home like feeling of belonging that took me through my youth to adulthood. It was my childhood hide-away. Years have gone by and I can still capture those days in my dreams or wanderings of my mind. It was the world of spiritual music.

As a member of the choir I was enthralled by the beautiful music. It was as if I was transcended to realms beyond my everyday being.

My soul felt uplifted, and my spirit was touched by the beautiful compositions being sung and brought to life by the singers who surrounded me. There were tears in my eyes as the words and music came to an end. I had savored a taste of my true home. I needed no other.

Once back to my life of exile in this earthy existence, I felt renewed with strength. Strength to continue on my journey, knowing I could always enter that beautiful place. It would always be there for me.

The Chronicles of a Head of Hair

2007-10-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

The Chronicles of a Head of Hair…

Yep, this is me writing…

When we first met many years ago, I was quite sparse then. Here I was, only a curlicue on top with fringes of straight, blonde hair, accompanying baby Joanne’s toothless grin.

I was quite uncontrollable in those grade school years. Her mother tied me down with “pigtails”. This worked to no avail for I even tried to walk out of those braids. I wore the label of being “contrary”.

It was decided to cut my braids and give me a permanent hair wave…Lots of luck!!! I walked out of the beauty shop as a “Harpo Marx” look a like!!

The teen age years gave way to the D.A. (modeled after a duck’s wavy backside) can you imagine? I was mighty cold in the winter months. The next trend was the Poodle. It also was another permanent wave horror. She couldn’t even comb through me.

Ah, the twenties…Independence and more styles. Here comes the bleach processing years. Ouch!!
I got processed before adding color. When the processed was finished I lightened up to a Lucille Ball orange/red. The color toner was added to create a honey blonde color. She had me styled in a page boy medium length look. Not bad but the pain to achieve the look at the time was worth it.

One of my greatest and unusual looks was the dye job so she could act her part for a stage play as an Indian. Yep, you knew I was going to say Black hair!! It took two bottles of dye for her friend to cover all of my thickness!!

The decision this time was to dye me red and cut me into a Pixie style! She decided to go out that night with friends. While having a drink a young man made the remark that she was pretty but needed more hair!

She got married. I never stayed the same. My life was always back and forth between long and short. Chemically, I had some vacation time. Fortunately, I was able to repair myself.

The years have gone by. She now has a job at a Hair Replacement Studio! I guess I have something to look forward to in my old age.

Restful Companion

2007-10-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

Restful Companion

While he rested in a cocoon of comfort, easing his arthritic pain,
The old dog slept through the lightening and the noisy pouring rain
He occasionally lifted his head gazing at his beloved sleeping master
Dreaming of youthful days they ran through the cool green pasture
They suited each other well, comrades of mutual respect and devotion.
Good friends in this lifetime, bonding, in a truly unconditional emotion.