Joy List

April 2016  was when my life changed.  Successful heart surgery, recovery, oodles of love, care and the gift of life.  Here is my JOY list

  1. Discovering toadstools /mushrooms on my daily walks
  2. Embracing the colours of life
  3. Listening to bird song every day
  4. Rejoicing friends
  5. Coffee, conversation and more coffee and conversation
  6. Mr T my beautiful moggie, who during my time of recovery held vigil for me, my constant companion – a sentinel for my health
  7. Ice cubes drowned in fizzy water with a slice of lime – delicious
  8. Anzac biscuits
  9. A song which ignites long forgotten memories,stirring up emotions.  Volume increased allowing the melody and lyrics to fill every gap and space in my mind
  10. The smell of freshly cut grass and the cacophony of cicada song on a summer’s day

Pleasure

Glass was the Lake at Karapiro

as boats glided over water

harmoniously in sync with nature

 

Glass was the Lake at Karapiro

until the wind came up and rustled

white caps on  water

and separated leaves from trees

 

Glass was the Lake at Karapiro

where trees  displayed their beauty

and birdsong echoed in the stillness of the day

 

Glass was the Lake at Karapiro

where stars flickered

and moonlight danced with water

 

 

Face

I forage her face for familiarity

this ancient ancestor of mine

Searching for similarities

to push past to present

and make connection

A to Z Challenge – Zephyr

ZEPHYR: Soft mild gentle wind or breeze

 

 

 

Cicada’s bellow, bird song loud

their cacophony sometimes deafening

Afternoon zephyr still lingering

but no for long

as summer morphs into autumn

Abundance in the garden – past it’s best

Proof of a magnificent harvest

 

Trees dropping leaves

Cats snoozing in the last of summer heat

Feijoas signalling in the cooler months

 

Autumn and its unique beauty

offers time to reflect, contemplate

and prepare for winter……

 

A to Z Challenge – Reflect

REFLECT:  Go back in thought, meditate or consult with oneself.

 

I sit

And reflect on actions, comments and thoughts of the day

Which ultimately affect my life and ripple through others

Could have – should have  – did I – why?

Breathe

Stillness

Let go

Push away thoughts of today, yesterday and tomorrow

Concentrate on now

Breathe

Stillness

Let go

Warmth on my face

As sun seeps through window

Eyes closed, relax

In tune with the noise of life

Birds fluttering, chirping

Distant sound of radio chatter

Occasional car hums by

Heart beat

 

Then nothing

SiLeNcE

MotionLess

ENJOYING NOW

A to Z Challenge – Observation

OBSERVATION: Notice or being noticed, perception, faculty of taking notice

 

 

He lay there in stillness

in echo friendly casket

Arms gently folded

Hands entwined in rich red pohutakawa blossom

Wearing suit

that fitted so well at son’s wedding,

several years ago

Last worn then

now hiding thin frail human

An alter of flowers, fruit and vegetables

the rewards of years of planting, nurturing and growing

His last harvest

Outside sun shines glorious light beams

Rays of love to all

Family, friends, loved ones

Tears, laughter

Stories, emotion

Pure

He is at peace

this his  last night on earth

Farewell

 

A to Z Challenge – Majestic

MAJESTIC:  Possessing stateliness or grandeur, imposing

 

 

Tuesday’s usual trip from the Kapiti Coast to Wellington

Takes me through familiar landmarks

which remain as constant as Tuesday follows Monday

Passing towns and suburbs

where people are going about their daily routines

Trains worming towards the big city

Cars inching forward in traffic jam

Pass Whenua Tapu cemetery

and  a keen eye notices a new monument decorated with flowers

At Paremata

 a little apprehensive

wondering if she will be there today

moored between road and rail bridges

Heading south the view between the bridges

is hampered by passing traffic, concrete walls

and walkers

NOT TO BE SEEN

So the wait begins, and as the day unfolds with regularity,

I head north for home

The motorway not so busy this time

as commuters are now parked in office buildings,

shops, universities, coffee houses

Before Paremata

I position myself for the ultimate view

I am not disappointed

I see her sat upon still water

that make the inlet

where fishers catch sprats

She is majestic

this small little boat

I smile as a drive past

KATE

 

Kate

Kate ©hk photography

A to Z Challenge – Life

LIFE:  Active part of existence, business and pleasures of the world

 

 

Playing trolley tag in the supermarket

Aisle much narrower than the norm

Harassed employee unstacks

then restacks shelves

Clutching coupons he appears agitated

Scrutinises then grabs selected product

Must be a big specials day

Shopper dithering over meat selection

all I want is the lamb shank displayed in front of her

I lean on trolley and wait my turn

Be patient

I wonder

What they are thinking

as product mechanically put in trolleys

Choices made

Would I buy that?

Checkout

Pimply faced boy starts the operation

Lamb shank scanned

Loyalty card swiped

Card inserted, pin keyed

Payment made

There done!

A to Z Challenge – Kindness

KINDNESS: There is no entry in my 1976 Concise English Dictionary. The nearest I could find was KIND.

KIND: Of gentle or benevolent nature; showing friendliness; affectionate; kind-hearted

KINDLY: Kind, kind-hearted,  pleasant, genial

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com define KINDNESS as:  The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate:

I am overwhelmed by KINDNESS from family and friends.  After my recent diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease and impending surgery, I have witnessed what KINDNESS is.

Generosity, compassion, affection, goodness, grace

Unconditional love experienced first hand

I am humbled

Thank you to everyone who has shown me KINDNESS

I intend to pay KINDNESS forward with love

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love – Lao Tzu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A to Z Challenge – I

I: Me, myself, the ego, subject or object of self-consciousness

 

I     AdmiRe

I      BreAtHe

I CrY                                                  I   DreAm

I     EmpaTHise                              I   FRoliC

I    GiVe                              I HOpE                                                          I    ImaGine

JouRNey

I Know                        I  LoVe                                        I      Meander

I Need

I   OverCoMe                 I        PracTice

I   QuestioN                                       I       RaDiatE

 I Sing                               I  TeACh                                                  I  UnDersTand                      

 I  Value                                        I  WriTe                             I      XoXoXoX

 I YeaRn                                                                      I     ZigZaG

                                     I  AM

 

 

 

 

 

A to Z Challenge – Gift

GIFT: Thing given, present, donation, virtue looked upon as emanation from heaven, natural endowment

 

 

BLOOD DAY

Always the thought that on the day

my GIFT of blood will not be required

Iron level must be above 120

This is a good day, level 125

I can gift blood

My 10th donation – later to find out my last

GIFTED back a T-shirt “Save Lives, Give Blood”, drink bottle and pen

As a thank you

 

Making fist and squeezing repetitively

to ensure perfect flow

Reading book nonchalantly

as pump works to fill bag

then

Blood packaged, labelled and stored

 

Forced recovery

Warm milky instant coffee in paper cup

served by volunteer

Cream cracker with marmite and slice of cheese

or plain sweet biscuit

Conversation with familiar donor

My last donation…..

 

 

 

A to Z Challenge – Emotion

EMOTION:  Disturbance of mind, mental sensation or state; instinctive feeling as opposed to reason.

 

 

I play leap frog with emotiions

My emotions

Frogs in position

me at the start line

This challenge ….not easy …. scary ….fear

Pulse quickens

Muscles twitch, I sense anxiety in my heart

Mind speak “you can do this”

Your’re not the first, you  won’t be the last

Breathe….Meditate….Believe…..Have Faith

LEAP

 

Man in a Church

Man in a Church

That could be me today sitting in a church, a place I seldom frequent

Wondering why a curve ball thrown my way, creating mayhem, uncertainty and confusion has invaded my seemingly perfect life – why me?

That could be me today sitting in a church pondering the existence of higher beings and wondering if miracles really do happen.

That could be me reflecting on destiny, faith and purpose of life – more poignant now.

That could be me today sitting in a church asking for help

Will he be upset if I join him and share his solitude?

One-Word Inspiration

Dreaming of all that is possible and impossible

Feeling indestructible 

Learning, Living, Loving

Flirting with the zest of life

Teasing imagination in ways that seduce the mind

Exploring flavours taste buds have yet to experience

Feeling apprehensive and scared, at the same time excited and giggly

Butterflies dance in solar plexus

Looking to the stars, seeing the past light up the sky

A kaleidoscope of yesterday bursting into life

A colour explosion

I am 20 again, adventurous and seeing the world through eyes of HOPE