Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano

Hello, dear blog friends!

I hope you've had a great week. One of the highlights for me was watching a miniseries about President James Garfield. If you've not seen ​Death by Lightning, I strongly recommend it. I knew nothing of Garfield before this series, but I'm left with respect and the sober realization that not much has changed in the political arena. 

The above series opened my eyes to the mindset of a true believer and to those who impose their ideology upon others. As a counselor by trade, I try to understand people, but I often find I cannot. The one thing I can do, and perhaps the only thing each of us can do, is try to hold the person in respectful regard. But as my wise mother would say, "Easier said than done."  😊 

The simple poem below is a reflection on the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk and the sorrow it evoked. It now appears that the accused was not the shooter, and perhaps there is truth among the theories. But one thing is clear: his death was a tragedy. As President Garfield states in the series, "Assassination can be no more guarded against than death by lightning."

Willow offers this week's Tanka Tuesday poetry prompt and asks that we write a Shadorma, a syllabic form with 3-5-3-3-7-5 syllables. And my poem is written in that form. Though more serious than my usual submission, it tries to reflect the times in which we live, and the choice we always have to see one another as brother or sister. 

I hope you have a wonderful week. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching in the United States, I wish each of you safe travels and a joy-filled and lighthearted experience with family and friends. Hubby and I will be heading to Southern California to visit his family (several of them are huddled below), and hopefully, I'll be able to visit a few of my siblings.❤️ 

​Hello, dear blog friends...

​What a busy, crazy week it's been, right?! Regrettably, I've missed many of your posts, but I will be visiting this week. Sometimes Life interrupts our routine, forcing us to pause and reflect on the big questions of life. We humans need these reminders now and then, even though we tend to resist. ❤️

I've two poems to share. The first is a response to last week's Tanka Tuesday prompt led by Yvette Calleiro. She asked participants to reflect on and/or use the word veil. I had just listened to an update on North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Helene and was deeply moved by the Amish people's selfless work. My poem:

This week, Colleen Chesebro invited participants to reflect on one of Judy Mastrangelo's oracle cards. The one that caught my attention focused on nature. In the Northern Hemisphere, we are surrounded by shades of yellow. It is an extraordinarily beautiful time of the year. My poem tries to capture that beauty.

Hello, blog friends ~ 

This past weekend, my sister visited from upstate California. We had hours upon hours of chats, walks, as well as a wonderful trip to the Red Rocks of Sedona. I'm the eldest of my six sibs, so sharing stories is always fun.

Melissa is the lead for Tanka Tuesday this week. She introduces a poetry form called Tan-Ku, which is written by two people in alternating haiku and tanka.

In the poem below, you'll notice Melissa's poems on the left, and my response Tanka on the right. My poem is inspired by the Sedona trip. I hope you enjoy it.

Have a great week, and let's all find time to dance across the heavens in our imaginations...  ❤️

Hello, blog friends...

I'm daily in awe of Nature's growing pains. She certainly knows how to measure time. If only we humans could do it as beautifully as she. 

​Yvette is the host this week for Tanka Tuesday, and she invites us to reflect on the season and use one or both of these two words in our poem: absorb and repel. I've decided to write an Etheree (ten lines, 1 through 10 syllables), which you will see below.

Given some of the posts I've seen recently, I believe nature serves as a respite for most of us. While neighborhoods explode and cities draw battlelines and countries taunt war, nature offers us peace. I escape every day and focus on creatures big and small.

Some of you may recall that my husband and I discovered two wild Guinea pigs in a field near us. We check on them every day, and they are still quite happy. I wish they could write a book about their adventures. Wouldn't that be fun -- a mystery about escaping human owners and building a home under a bush. 😊

My poem . . . ​

Have a wonderful week, dear friends... 

Hello, blog friends ~
 
It's an unpredictable time of the year in the high desert. Threats of floods and monsoon rains, as well as the unusually high or low temperatures and strong winds, keep us wondering what the day will bring. A quick change in plans is a common occurrence during this time of year. 

Many of us are salvaging the remains of our gardens, and that process brings me to this week's theme for Tanka Tuesday. Per Willow, participants are to create a poem that focuses on the Hunter's Moon or the aging of the year. I opted for the Hunter's Moon.  

I took the photo below at 6:20 AM. My little cell phone doesn't do it justice, but I was in awe of the scene. Like many, I watched the moon rise the night before, but never expected to see it in the morning. By chance, was it visible in your part of the world?

My poem...

Whether you sit, stand, walk, or run, I hope you can enjoy the outdoors today. As Thoreau wrote so beautifully, "Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads." Let's meet in its majesty.

​Have a wonderful week, dear friends. 💚

Hello, dear blog friends...

In my part of the world, autumn is everywhere visible. Our neighbor had a field of pumpkins, and this past week, he loaded his harvest onto a truck. And it was good he did, because we are under a flood watch today and tomorrow. Who knew it could flood in the high desert?!

This week, Colleen Chesebro invites us to focus on the changing season, and specifically to write a poem about autumn. This season has always been a favorite of mine. Not too cold or hot, it is perfect for long walks or hiking or simply sitting outdoors.

My poem focuses on the movement of time and suggests that autumn prompts reflection. I hope you enjoy my simple response to the prompt.  

Have a wonderful week, dear friends! If the flood sidesteps us, I'm going to visit our local Farmers' Market. It's always a fun experience. 🌞

Hello, blog friends...

Autumn is a nostalgic season for me, and perhaps it is for you as well. Chilly mornings and cool evenings evoke memories that travel through the decades.  

When I read Selma's poetry prompt for this week, to write a haiku poem, my memories took me to Japan, where I lived for five years. Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. 

During my time in Japan, I taught English and practiced Zazen meditation. I was captivated by the natural beauty of the country and the kindness (and patience) of the people. I learned Japanese Tea Ceremony, flower arrangement, and other Zen-related arts, while studying the language. 

Zen is not a religion; rather, it is a way of life. It teaches one to be present, a state of mind that most of us struggle to maintain. This sense of presence is a way of seeing that frees us from judgment. I mention this because of a recent dream. 

In this dream, I saw 6 or 7 monks standing in front of me. They did not speak. They just stared at me with kindness. I immediately understood why. I have been very troubled by the conflicts erupting across the world. When I saw the monks, however, I felt a deep sense of calm and peace. And I knew that I needed to bring that peace into my interactions. 

I've never had a dream like this before. Usually, I don't even remember my dreams. But now, I'm trying to carry peace rather than worry and kindness rather than judgment. ❤️ 

My simple haiku is a response to the double rainbow that appeared over our backyard.

Have a wonderful week! Let's all find ways to laugh--and play. 😊

Hello, dear blog friends.

What a week, right?! Given the tragic events, I suspect all of us are heavy-hearted, and though I wish I could make it all better, I'm not a miracle worker. None of us are. So today I'll share a memory and a poem that takes us back in time.

​Yvette Calleiro took the lead for this week's Tanka Tuesday prompt and invited folks to write a syllabic poem about a particularly impactful day. There have been a number of memorable events in my life, but I've chosen to write about one that was life-changing.

In November of 1963, I sat in a high school math class waiting for the teacher to arrive. He was usually very prompt, but not that day. Tommy sat in front of me and abruptly turned around and said, "Did you hear? President Kennedy is dead. Someone shot him!" He rattled on, but I don't remember what he said, as I was in shock. I got up and walked out of the class. Somehow, I ended up in the counselor's office. I don't know how I got there, but a short time after this, my mom arrived and took me home.

I knew very little about politics as a teenager, but I greatly admired JFK's work with Civil Rights. I couldn't fathom that he may have lost his life for standing firmly on the Constitutional principle that "All men are created equal." 

I grew up in the Imperial Valley, the southernmost tip of California, where more than 90% of the population was and is Hispanic. As a child, I longed to be brown-skinned with dark hair, like my friends. Instead, I was white with freckles and red hair. I never thought of my friends as less than me. In fact, I never thought of anyone as less than me. 

When President Kennedy was assassinated, my world turned upside down. That fatal bullet awakened me to the nasty world of politics. 

Given the recent assassination, I realize that not much has changed since the 1960s. People (and countries) still settle their disagreements through violence, and that is a crushing realization. These days, I listen, say little, and try to love my neighbor, no matter who he or she might be. As my mom used to say, "there are two sides to every story," and finally, I think I understand what she meant.  

Here's my simple poem:

​I hope our collective week is one of healing. I also hope that you realize how what a gift you are. We may have never met, but through blogs, books, and personal shares, we've developed a  friendship, and I'm ever so grateful to know you. May this week be one of blessings on you and yours! ❤️

Hello, blog friends ~

Today's #TankaTuesday is extra special for me. It's my mom's birthday, and she would have been 99 years old today. She passed away quietly 8 years ago. She loved the desert and her goldenrod, so when I read the instructions for this week's poem, I was excited to write with her in mind. 

A bit about my mom. Inspired by Rosie the Riveter, during WWII she helped build B-24 Liberator bombers at Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego. That is where she met my dad, as he had been released from the Navy to teach welding to the women at Consolidated. The first time they met was on the wing of a B-24 bomber. The two married and had nine children, seven reached adulthood. Mom was a quiet woman, always busy with the farm and the kids, but she was also always praying. If the measure of a life is Love, surely Mom is one of the saints. 

Here's a photo of her. Mom is on the right. Her twin sister is on the left.   

Colleen Chesebro's instructions this week were for participants to select a Japanese kigo word or phrase focused on this season. My word is goldenrod. I hope you enjoy it.  ​

Have a wonderful week, dear friends. 

Hello, blog friends...

Autumn is upon us in the northern hemisphere--leaves have begun to change, nights are cooler, and gardens are at their fullest. It's my favorite time of the year, and I've a poem to share. 🍂

This week, Willow hosts Tanka Tuesday, and she invites participants to imagine "a colour, smell, sound, or image that triggers a memory" and then write a poem. This season always makes me think of football.

With three sons, I remember darting back and forth between football practices and games. My youngest son, seen below, loved the sport. A much younger me stands with my eldest son, and of course, my little football player. Wow, what a happy memory! Thank you, Willow.

I've written a simple haiku this week with syllables of 5-7-5. I hope you enjoy it.

Have a great week, dear friends. Against all odds, we've much to be grateful for, and sometimes that gratitude is evoked through old photos. 😊

I hope you have a wonderful week. Be well, laugh much, and cuddle with the little creatures of life - two or four legged. ❤️

Hello, blog friends!

There's nothing quite like the sunrise. I walk alone in the early morning, because I like to listen to the first sounds of nature awakening. It's a walking meditation of sorts - just me, the wildlife, and the trees. 

I mention this because Robbie posted an invitation for folks to use personification in a poem. She is the hostess this week for Tanka Tuesday. Robbie explained personification as "a figure of speech that gives human qualities, emotions, or actions to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract concepts." Her invite brought a smile, because I talk to the trees and the little creatures running around. Don't get me wrong, my "chats" are simple - a hello, a thank you, a you're beautiful. 

Years ago, I was at a college administrators' meeting. We were waiting for the president, and folks were chatting about houses. At one point, I blurted in jest, "I could live in a cave if I could look out at a forest." I didn't mean it seriously, but there was a hidden truth in what I said. Nature is a comfort for me. Is it for you as well? 

Here's my simple contribution to Robbie's invite:

Have a wonderful week, dear friends. 

Hello, blog friends. 
​
I'm home after a great week with my grown children and grandchildren. In the collection of photos below, my eldest is barbecuing chicken, my daughter is resting after her travel, my middle son is all smiles from finishing a 131 mile bike ride, and I'm standing next to my youngest son who is in treatment for cancer.  

As you know, when you can be with family and not just communicate through the ethers, your heart and soul can find peace. I am so grateful for the time I had with each of them. 

The flights to New York from Arizona were complicated, but I had great reading material. On a whim, I had purchased Forged In Chaos. I knew little about the story, but since it focused on the journey of a Special Forces warrior, I downloaded it and wasn't disappointed. 

The author, Tyler Grey, a Delta Force operator for the U.S. Army, brings readers into his world - the good, the bad, and the unimaginable. His personal account is raw and unflinchingly honest. I was captivated, but I've also worked with Marines and Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. I was so engaged in the story that I barely noticed the two-hour wait on the tarmac in NY. 🙄

This is not light reading, but there's a universality to Grey's insights and determination that gave me pause. More often than not, I found myself reflecting on my own life - even though it bears no similarity to Grey's.

I highly recommend Forged in Chaos -- with the caveats that I've mentioned. 

Hello, blog friends ~

This is a travel week for me, as I am flying to the East Coast to visit my four kids and my grandchildren. My eldest son has arranged a beach gathering, replete with water activities for each of the age groups. Because of the trip, I won't have access to social media, but I hope to return with photos to share.

This week's Tanka Tuesday prompt invites us to write in the first person and experiment with the theme. Colleen Chesebro guides interested poets, and her instructions can be found here. 

My Tanka poem reflects on time--as marked by age. With three generations at the reunion, it's a natural choice for me. I hope you like it.

Have a wonderful week, dear friends. Let's all find time to laugh and play. ❤️

My second poem is a reflection upon an encounter.

Earlier this week, my husband and I went to Panera Bread for lunch. In my line-of-sight was a Veteran at table with a female friend or spouse. What caught my attention was his above-the-knee prosthesis. He had removed it and left it standing beside the booth. It was a hot day, and I suspect that was the reason he took it off. 

Prescott, AZ has a National Cemetery and an excellent VA Medical Center, at which my husband gets treatment. For this reason, there is a high percentage of Veterans in this area, and many have disabilities. 

I watched this gentleman eat his sandwich with gusto and laugh with his friend/spouse. And, as I did so, I realized he was/is a living symbol of LIFE. I'll explain.

Each of us has sorrows, and each of us carries burdens. We may not have an artificial limb, but if you are like me, it would be good to ignore the broken sides of ourselves sometimes and laugh a little more. 

​This second poem reflects on our life choices. 

I hope you have a wonderful week -- with abundant laughter. 😊

Two weeks ago, I wrote about some Guinea pigs in a field near our home. They still munch and play happily, so I've stopped worrying about them. Very sweet little critters! 

And I mentioned seeing a large Javelina. Well, more have arrived, and they roam the area. ​It's a bit startling when you see one or several. Residents have to put up with them, because they are protected by law. From what I've been told, there is a hunting season January - March. But who would eat them?! Definitely, not me. 🙄

Have a great week, my friends. 🌞

Hello, dear blog friends ~ 

I suspect you are like me in that we've a special love for the sunrise. Every morning, just at the break of day, I walk. At that magical time, my busy mind grows silent, my worries for ill family members fade, and my concerns about our precious planet soften. It is as though heaven reaches across the divide and whispers, take a deep breath and listen. And I do listen - to the scurry of little creatures, to the song of birds, to the breeze flowing past me. It is a time of prayer for me. I took the photo below while traveling my familiar path. There was rain the night before, thus the pond. 💛

​It's Tanka Tuesday, and this week, Selma Martin invites participants to write a poem inspired by Paul Szlosek’s photos. His website, Wonderful World of Color, has an extraordinary collection of colorful photos. I choose his Black-Eyed Susans, because the bright yellows reminded me of the sunrise.

I hope you'll check out Paul's site. He has a great eye for the unusual, and color plays an important part of the story he creates through his photography. 

​Below is my Tanka contribution. 

Have a wonderful week, dear friends. And escape into nature, if you can. 🌞 

Hello, dear blog friends.

Over the last few years, I've shared wildlife stories with you. I've written about the wolf who crossed my path, the coyotes who haunted me, the beautiful mountain lion who paused and glanced at me, and the many javelinas that have made me walk faster in the opposite direction. BUT, this week I have a special surprise. 

At the edge of a nearby farm, I discovered two little guinea pigs munching on grass. I couldn't believe my eyes. The last time I had seen guinea pigs was when my kids were young, and those little creatures were in a cage. 

These tiny ones have become a moral challenge for me. I suspect they escaped their confines or were let go. Either way, it's dangerous for them to just wander. I'm trying to find the owners, but I worry that the bigger creatures will discover them before they are rescued. 

When I received the Tanka Tuesday prompt, I thought of my new little friends and decided to write a poem about them. Melissa Lemay offered the prompt and suggested we compose a Shadorma (3-5-3-3-7-5). I hope you like my effort. 

Have a wonderful rest of the week, dear friends. 🌞

Hello, blog friends ~

In my part of the world, surrounded by the Prescott National Forest and elevations stretching upwards of 7,000 ft., wildlife are abundant. Almost every day, I see pronghorn. At certain times of the year, I encounter javelina, but more commonly, I see coyotes and rabbits--and many varieties of birds. 

Recently, I was surprised by a mountain lion. It was early morning, and I was driving into Prescott. This magnificent cat leapt in front of the car as she headed into the mountains. It was love at first sight. ❤️ She glanced at me, and I at her, and to this day, I see her beautiful face.

Since today is Tanka Tuesday, I've chosen to use the above encounter as the inspiration for my poem. Colleen Chesebro invites participants to use metaphors to stir the reader's senses. I've given it a try through my simple tanka.

I wish I could say that I took the photo, but all the glory goes to Canva. I didn't have time to dig out my phone and snap a shot or two. The visit was, unfortunately, much too brief. 

I hope you have a wonderful week, and if you've encountered a mountain lion, please share. This was my first and only sighting. 

Hello, blog friends...

It's #TankaTuesday, and Willow is leading us with a beautiful prompt. She invites participants to write a Nonet and use synonyms for (1) the state of the world, or (2) the state of our lives. I've decided to focus on the second option.

There are several forms of Nonets, and I've chosen a Double Inverted Nonet, with syllables of 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9, 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. It sounds complicated, but it's not -- as long as you can count to nine. 😊 

Because hubby and I just celebrated our nineteen anniversary, I've written a Nonet about our beginnings and our continued life together. I hope you enjoy it. 

I've entitled it SOFTLY YES. 

I'm a fan of Anne Murray and will end this post with one of her songs. She has a beautiful way of capturing elusive love. I hope you enjoy it. 

Daily I remind myself to forget about politics and craziness and hug my loved ones--even if I can only offer virtual hugs. There's so much to celebrate in life, and one of the joys is you. So, consider yourself hugged, dear friends, and have a great rest of the week. 😊 

Hello, blog friends ~ 

I've a little update to share. Last week, my husband and his son and two grandsons took several days to visit Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon. The three generations had planned each stop and left excited about what they would see and experience. 

After their visit to the Canyon, three of the four started to feel sick. One went to the doctor and was told he had shingles because of a rash, but the others did not have the rash. When they returned home, the three tested positive for COVID. No one even thought of that possibility. 

When they thought back on their journey, they wondered about the Canyon tower, which they climbed. There was a large tour group that filled the inner space, and they were shoulder to shoulder with strangers. Could that have been the source? We'll never know.

On a happy note, the three are feeling stronger by the day. And, so far, I haven't fallen victim. 

Be well, dear friends, and have a great week. 

Hello, blog friends ~ 

I hope you are enjoying the beginning of summer. Here in the high desert, we experience cool evenings and mild daytime temperatures, which are perfect for growing strawberries. I mention this because poet guru Colleen Chesebro is the #TankaTuesday prompter this week, and she asks that contributors focus on a beloved or hated fruit. AND if we feel inspired to do so, she invites us to include a recipe.

I'm a fan of strawberries, and I grow them in my garden. Each burst of red brings a smile and the anticipation of a culinary feast. As a child, I particularly enjoyed my mom's strawberry pies. I don't have her recipe, and I doubt she used one. "A little of this" and "a little of that" is how she cooked. Somehow, her desserts were always magical. 

My poem is a simple Tanka, syllables of 5-7-5-7-7. I hope you enjoy it.

As I mentioned above, I don't have my mom's recipe, but I found this old gentleman's post and had to smile. He's much like my mom, and his ingredients are ones she used. So...enjoy this brief how-to video and imagine my mom or yours rolling out the dough. 

Have a wonderful week, dear friends. With all that is going on around us, let's take time to eat some pies and travel back to childhood. 🍓🍓🍓

Hello, dear blog friends.

It's #TankaTuesday, and Selma is the host. She invites all interested folks to write a Rensaku focused on relationships. Well, with all the turmoil on our beautiful planet, I've chosen to address the need for communication.

Looking back at this past week, I wonder what was achieved through the violence. Those who destroyed property felt empowered, and those who didn't felt more justified than ever. When we don't meet each other on common ground, we only see what we want to see across the divide, and it is dehumanizing.

Yep, I'm a counselor by training, but I'm not a pacifist. I'm a realist who strives to build bridges of understanding. From my perspective, life is too short not to do so. My poem ~ 
​

I leave you with a rendition of a song by Guns N' Roses -- Sweet Child of Mine.  I suspect we've all heard it, but these days, it's worth listening to again.

In war, there really aren't any victors. The brave men and women who honorably wear the uniform often face a life burdened by memories and injuries. Those of us who did not serve watched the conflicts on television--from a place of comfort. 

Many members of my extended family served in the military or are currently serving. Because of their bravery and the efforts of those who meet on the broken bridges of life, we can embrace hope. I'm immensely grateful to all who work to establish peace.

I hope you enjoy this reflective version of Sweet Child of Mine.

Have a wonderful week, dear friends. ❤️

Hello, dear blog friends ~ 

Late yesterday, I heard from my youngest son. He is being treated at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He had just learned that the surgery was successful and was very happy -- as was I. Though lengthy treatment lies ahead for him, there is now much needed hope. 

Each of us has our personal sorrows and challenges, and we suffer greatly when these heartbreaks touch our children. Sometimes we forget that we are more alike than different, but our human frailties remind us of that truth. 

My poem today was sparked by the above phone call, and it attempts to respond to this week's Tanka Tuesday prompt. Poet Colleen Chesebro invites us to focus on the full moon by writing a Tanka Puente using a quote from the Pioneer Woman at the center of our poem.

Here's my contribution:

Have a wonderful week, dear friends. Let's all search for the Light. ❤️

Hello blog friends,

The high desert of Northern Arizona is alive with color, and the transformation is awe-inspiring. In addition to blossoms, it's a delight seeing the pronghorn with their fawns.

A special treat of Spring in our household is the yearly visit of the quail family. This little tribe lives under one of our cypress trees in the back yard. Once the chicks have hatched, they chatter to us throughout the day and walk along the fence. You can see them in the photo below. ​

Have a wonderful week, dear friends. ❤️