Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano
  • Home
  • Blog Reflections
  • REDEMPTION THRILLER
  • THE CONTRACT Series
  • My Memoir
  • Poetry
  • About

Past and Present

7/31/2022

6 Comments

 
Hello dear friends,

This morning, I was reminded of something I wrote eight years ago. It always amazes me how the past resurfaces in the present -- sometimes in miraculous ways. I'd like to share it with you today.

                                                          ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Just before sunset last night, my friend led the way through the woods behind her home, to an inlet off of Lake Taneycomo. The frogs had already begun their song and the cicada their roar. We hiked through overgrown brush and swarms of mosquitoes to an overlook, where we paused and gasped at the unfolding display—of mountains and lake. Life seemed all but perfect.


By the time we started back, dusk was upon us, and we temporarily lost our way. If it weren't for the porch lights shining in the distance, we might have been concerned. Instead, we laughed at our predicament and continued to talk about life's hurdles and joys.

In each our own way, my friend and I had struggled with life's disappointments in our relationships or jobs or with our health. But, as we talked, we realized that the questions that had haunted each of us, "Why me? or "What did I do to deserve this?" had faded like the day. Something had shifted. 

And as we said our goodbyes, we acknowledged that our journey through life's thickets had brought us to this point in time. There was much to be grateful for, even that which had provoked so much pain.


To all my friends, new and old, it is wonderful to share life's journey with you. I'm reminded of Bonnie Ware's statement, "As you bend towards the light you will naturally attract other like-minded souls to support your journey."

Thank you for walking with me.
Picture
6 Comments

Remembering You

7/26/2022

23 Comments

 
Hello blog friends!

Today author  Colleen Chesebro  has a theme-based poetry challenge. She invited Harmony Kent to suggest the topic and it's a provocative one: The Longest Day. Maybe you'll consider joining in the fun?

My syllabic poem follows:
Picture
A footnote. . .

If you haven't seen me around this last week, it's because of computer problems. Serious ones. I'm working on my husband's old laptop right now, but I'm hoping for relief this evening. Fingers crossed! I've missed visiting many of your sites.

I hope you've had some relief from the heat. We were surprised by much needed rain last night. What a summer, right!

Sending hellos from the high desert of Arizona....
23 Comments

Two Hearts One Beat - #TankaTuesday

7/19/2022

35 Comments

 
Hello blog friends! I've another poem to share. Author Colleen Chesebro invites interested poets to write an Erphrastic poem -- a poem in response to a piece of art. Willow provided the prompt -- a statue of lovers. 

My response is a Tanka (syllables of 5-7-5-7-7). Won't you join me with a poem of your own? I'd love to read it.  
Picture
I hope you have a great week, and I also hope you have a dependable air conditioner. In my part of the world, it's mighty hot. Take good care of yourselves! 💛
35 Comments

A #TankaTuesday poem...

7/13/2022

34 Comments

 
Hello blog friends! Today I share a poem that is a response to Colleen Chesebro's poetry challenge. She invites interested writers to compose a lanturne or lanterne poem. This poetic form has a five-line structure of 1-2-3-4-1 syllables, and it is a first for me.

My submission . . . 
Picture
I hope you have a wonderful week. I hope to see you soon on your blog site. I'm still unpacking from my travels, but slowly and surely I'm visiting. 💜
34 Comments

Home again . . .

7/10/2022

18 Comments

 
Hello blog friends!

Since I last posted, I've traveled to New York and Connecticut to visit my adult children and my beautiful grandchildren. What an extraordinary trip it was! It had been several years since I had seen them, and my heart literally ached to be with them. Don't we all know that feeling? 

What most impressed me about the journey was the wisdom and awareness of my four children. COVID had left us bereft of everyday contact, but it also drove us deep within to resources we may not have known we had. Perhaps this is true of most of us -- through it all, we have discovered or rediscovered inner strength and purpose. 

The journey was not without its challenges and topping the list was a scheduled flight that had no pilot. After a few anxious hours, American Airlines located one in another city, so eventually we were on our way. There were other flight hurdles, but the end result was all that mattered. I got to spend precious time with my kids.

I'll be meeting you at your blog sites over the next few days. While traveling, I had no access to the blog sphere, so I've much catching up to do.

I leave you with a poem and a photo. My best wishes for your day. . .   💚

​





remember childhood

when imaginations soared

and laughter followed

remember the games we played

we hadn't yet learned to worry

Picture
18 Comments
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    For blog updates, please subscribe below. 
    * indicates required

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


Plano Enterprises, LLC
Photos used under Creative Commons from Kevin M. Gill, Joel Bedford, qthomasbower, crosescribe, Juho Holmi, diana_robinson, W Presley & B Kunce Photography......WI. USA, U.S. Geological Survey, Ian Sane, florianric, NikoMC, van Van Es, Yen Chao 趙彥, MissMessie, Yuriy Kuzin, Ben Zvan, Bichuas (E. Carton), Nina Matthews Photography, hehaden, alexdecarvalho, Tim RT, Kurdistan Photo كوردستان, Candida.Performa, peddhapati (Thanks for 1M Views!!!), Jhong Dizon | Photography, Waheed Akhtar Photography, lawmurray, USFWS Pacific, JalilArfaoui, SurFeRGiRL30, Lauren Finkel Photography, maf04, SantaRosa OLD SKOOL, Dakiny, vauvau, Zanastardust, Monica's Dad, timpeartrice, marumeganechan, Rafael Acorsi, seyed mostafa zamani, Jorge Franganillo, Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea), The National Guard, D.Fletcher, nada abdalla, Ted LaBar, alison.mckellar, Infomastern, Elvert Barnes, m01229, theglobalpanorama