Cattitude and Gratitude

This blog post was written for Write Tribe's 100 word challenge with the prompt of "If only you were here." If only you were here, I’d be raising a daughter instead of two sons. It’s still hard to accept that your death 21 years ago was a tragic accident that would never have happened if the doctor had been more careful. But no matter how much grief I’ve suffered, with all its overwhelming emotions of anger and sadness, nothing will bring you back. I try to be grateful for the present and appreciate all of the good things in life. Still, it’s hard not to wonder about what might have been, my sweet daughter Laura. If only you were here.

http://writetribe.com/100-words-on-saturday-4/ This poem is written for Write Tribe's 100 words on a Saturday prompt of "Truly Alive." Some day there’ll be time for you and me Some day we’ll be together, just wait and see, Some day I’ll work less and take time to rest Some day I’ll be less grumpy and be at my best, Some day I’ll  try and enjoy life more Some day I’ll stop and take time to explore, Hey, Mr. Some Day, I have something to say The time to start living is now, not some day, Have you forgotten life comes with an expiry date? Start some day now, it’s never too late! 

http://writetribe.com/world-suicide-prevention-day-2013/ Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and  I decided to write a short story with a hopeful message. It doesn't have to be bleak and hopeless. There are people who care. All you have to do is reach out to others and give life a chance. From the rooftop of our apartment building, I look at the cars below me, tiny dots of red and white light streaming along in the darkness. The cool autumn wind rustles through my shaggy brown hair and I hear a plane coming in for a landing overhead. “Aren’t you going to get your hair cut, Josh?” my father asked just last night in complete exasperation. “You look like a bum. How will you ever get a job looking like that?” I take another swig of the bottle of vodka I stole out of my parents’ liquor cabinet. Usually it makes me numb. It’s not working tonight. It would be so easy to end it all right now. “Josh, you’re hopeless. You’re on a one way road to nowhere,” my mother

http://writetribe.com/write-tribe-festival-words-day-7/ I have enjoyed this week long Festival of Words as it's so challenging and rewarding to write something daily. I have also enjoyed reading other bloggers' blogs and am especially enjoying learning about the wonders of India through the eyes of all the Indian bloggers who were involved with the challenge. Such fun to learn about your country with its many cultures and incredible diversity. For the last day of Write Tribe's Festival of Words, I am writing about seven things that I can't live without each day. It goes without saying that my family, friends and pets are my world and I can’t live without them but for this post, I will focus on daily things that I can’t live without.  How about you? What daily things can't you live without? I have to start off with my Keurig and good strong coffee to kickstart my day just right. I love flavoured coffee the best and my favourite lately is Van

I meant to post this yesterday but was out and about til later in the evening so it never happened. And you bloggers in India are already ahead enough of me by 10 hours so I thought I'd keep it for today's post. Bad me missing a day. Sigh. I guess it happens. This is for the Write Tribe's Festival of Words from September 1-7th celebrating the number seven! http://writetribe.com/write-tribe-festival-words-day-6/ Seven pine cones so fragrant and fine Waiting for me to make them mine, Soon they will become a Christmas treasure Giving me hours of crafting pleasure, First I buy spray paint in metallic tones I get more paint on me than on the cones, Gooey glue drips everywhere On my dress and in my hair, And I won't even mention about the glitter I don't want it broadcast on Facebook and Twitter, I am all thumbs, I must confess The pine cones are sticking to my dress, I look so festive, don't you agree? I could re

I am participating in  Write Tribe 's Festival of Words from 1st to 7th September where bloggers are writing on the theme of Seven for Seven days - a post a day! Today is  Day 4. Today I'm playing with a collage using the gestalt theory based on the the brain's ability to view separate pieces as a whole. Or maybe I'm having an Art Attack! Does anyone remember that art show from the 1990's? I used to love that show and Neil was cute, too! It's also Wordless Wednesday for many bloggers today, but I couldn't resist throwing a corny quote in there as well.

I am participating in the  Write Tribe Festival of Words  from September 1 - 7. The theme for this festival is "7" and this post is about my seven favourite North American birds. What are your favourite birds? Where I live in rural Ontario, Canada, we are lucky to see a variety of birds all year around.  Here are seven of my favourites. My most favourite bird is the cardinal. His happy chirp brightens the dullest day and I love seeing his bright red plumage against the monotone background of winter.  I love that he stays around all year and I put out sunflower seeds to attract him to the feeder. Here is a photo I took of him. His wife is sweet, too, and comes on the bedroom window sill to say hello to me. (from morguefile) I adore the mourning doves with their sad cooing sound. They are such sweet gentle birds. I remember how devastated I was when my cat killed one right in front of me and I couldn’t do a thing.  (from morguefile)

I am taking part in the  Write Tribe Festival of Words   from September 1 - 7.  http://writetribe.com/write-tribe-festival-words-day-2/ Today I'm revelling in nostalgia and thinking back to my childhood during the 1960's and 70's.  Do you remember any of these or are you too young? I loved my portable record player and spent many an angst-filled moment listening to records  in my bedroom,  both 33s and 45s when I was a teen in the 1970s. I’m glad to see record players are making a comeback again. I used to love my records. I’m glad these aren’t making a comeback. They were a trend that didn’t last too long, thankfully as they were quite hazardous and sometimes would break and shards would fly in peoples’ eyes. I recall having a pair of clackers and I still wince thinking about my poor swollen wrist covered in bruises. I learned to type on something similar to this one, a rather imposing and unforgiving machine. You had to pou

I am participating in the Writer's Tribe Festival of Words from September 1st to 7th. Each day we bloggers participating will write something with the theme of seven. Since it's September 1st and thoughts naturally drift to Autumn, I wrote a poem about seven reasons that I love this season. I love autumn for many reasons It is my favourite of all the seasons, Muggy summer days slowly slip away The leaves are glorious in their display, Harvest is here with fresh veggies and fruit I join my groups to sing and play flute, The air is cool and crisp and clear It’s like the start of a brand new year, School starts again and a new routine Autumn is a blank page, fresh and clean.