raise the common denominator

How Much Longer? #novpad Day 13

Day 13 - Make the title a question and the poem the answer.

 

How Much Longer?

The old yellow dog and I walked
out early one morning to talk to the moon.
“How much longer?” we asked.
“Not long,” the moon responded.

But what does “not long” really mean
when you mark time like the moon?
Millenia flicking by on a bird’s wing.

The old yellow dog and I walked
back inside for a biscuit and some milk,
both agreeing that when it’s time, it’s time,
and most likely the moon won’t even notice.

Forget what they say about failure #novpad Day 12

Day 12 - Write a "forget what they say" poem

Forget what they say about failure

Even the gray squirrel
hustling for walnuts
in our backyard knows
there’s nothing you
can do about yesterday.

Snow or rain?
Tomorrow’s unknown.
It’s what you make
of the now that matters.
Sun shines. Keep moving.

Advice to a Young Man in Love #novpad Day 10

Day 10 - A Love Poem

Advice to a Young Man in Love

You can forget the flowers
or candy on Valentine’s Day.

But always remember
to listen fully, carefully.

Don’t just wait
for your turn to talk.

And embrace her
with your eyes.

The room bursts into flames
but she is all you see.

JoJo in Motion #novpad Day 9

Day 9 - Write a slow down or a never slow down poem

 

JoJo in Motion

No need for cable,
satellite or Internet.
We spend evenings
watching JoJo,
our two-year-old,
self-winding,
fast-running,
tornado with toys.
A one-boy stampede,
enough energy
to scale Everest
in an hour.

A quote to start your new year

This quote from author Karen Lamb has helped keep me motivated during a busy end to 2008 and start to 2009. May it inspire you to do the things that matter most to you.

"A year from now you may wish you had started today."

When life gives you whipped topping...

I know what I'm supposed  to do when life gives me lemons. But what about whipped topping?

We hosted many family members this past weekend for festivities that included a huge Sunday meal of my wife Susan's amazing baked ziti.

This meant leftover ziti for my Monday lunch. Yum!

Trying to get a head start on the week, Susan packed my Monday ziti in an empty Cool Whip container.

But something happened on the way to the office. Famished, I prepped for my late lunch. Cool Whip container in front of me. Fork in had. I flipped off the lid and prepared to dive into leftover-ziti bliss, only to discover instead of the pasta my container was filled with white, fluffy Cool Whip!

I  filled myself that lunch hour with ample portions of laughter and smiles. Much more nourishing. And the ziti made for a great Monday supper!

Accepting what we cannot change

Copywriting and direct marketing guru Bob Bly shares this thought 
from Shambhala in his latest e-newsletter:

Author David Richo says the key to happiness is to accept difficult realities, drop our resistance to them, and even embrace them.

According to Richo, the 5 realities of life we must learn to accept are that:

1. Everything changes and ends.
2. Things do not always go according to plan.
3. Life is not always fair.
4. Pain is a part of life.
5. People are not loving and loyal all the time.

Source: "Shambhala," Autumn 2007, p. 2.