Saturday, December 17, 2016

JOY TO THE WORLD

Off to the States again
For the holidays
And I'm ready
Having bought everything on Amazon
And it's a good thing
As major snow storms are predicted.
Can't say I'm ready
For the cold and wind chill factors
That feel like razors on my skin
After five years of tropical breezes
My skin is spoiled.
So?
Are you ready for the holidays?
And what’s the weather like where you will celebrate?

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas
IHappy Holidays 
And Joy to the World.

Always,

Em-Musing

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

NUTCRACKING HEARTACHE

Recently I had hip replacement surgery
Oh the pain, the ache! 
But not in my hip 
MY HEART!
Rewind ten years ago
When I lived in the States
And was full-time babysitter for my 3 grandkids
To entertain them and myself
I would bring over various CD's
Then grab each one and whirl and twirl them ‘round and ‘round.
One of their favorites was Tchaikovsky's, The Nutcracker Suite
Especially Waltz of the Flowers.
My oldest granddaughter eventually took ballet lessons
And I always wondered 
If all the whirling and twirling had an influence.
Throughout the years
I went to many of her performances 
And was proud, to say the least. She was good.
And then a few months ago I got a call

Grandma! I made it into The Nutcracker! 
Three parts! A flower, a snowflake, and an Arabian!
Oh my god, Sweetie, So happy for you. When?
November 18th, 19th & the 20th. You’re coming, right?

My heart sank to the lowest it’s ever been
That was the weekend of my surgery
Oh why couldn’t the performance be in December?
If you’ve ever had surgery
You know it’s not like showing up for an oil change
When they can take you right in
And in my case if I cancelled my surgery
I’d have to wait months for another slot.

I’m sorry, Sweetie, I can’t come.
** silence **

Eventually she understood
My head did too
But not my heart. Still ached.
My daughter called after the first performance

She did exceptionally well.
Did you take a video? I asked.
They didn’t allow it.

The night before the last performance
I called my granddaughter 

Sweetie, please can you take a picture
Of you in your costumes
So I can at least see how you look? Please!

And she did.



My heart eased some
And I made a vow to her
That next year
Come hell or high water
Or surgery
I’d be there to see her perform.














So?
Ever have any heart-aching circumstances?
Or have a "thing" yay or nay for The Nutcracker?

Always,

Em-Musing

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

HIP HIP HOORAY!


The first Wednesday of each month is the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Blog Hop. Here writers can share their insecurities and encourage other writers who have doubts and concerns of their own in a safe environment. The IWSG is founded by our brilliant ninja leader, Alex Cavanaugh. 
This month's question is: What is your five-year writing plan any how will you get there? But first, I'd like to share a recent, painful insecurity.  


YAY! 
My brain is back to normal!
But I wasn’t so sure until a few days ago
And you have no idea what went through my mind
I thought for sure 
That me being a writer was over!
Rewind three weeks ago
San Antonio, Texas
I was convalescing at my daughter’s house from hip replacement surgery.
I had envisioned myself recuperating
With nothing else to do but write. Right?
Wrong!
As I sat on her couch
With my laptop on my lap and fingers poised to type
My mind was blank, empty—VOID!
As if I was sitting in a mammoth empty auditorium
No audience, no performersNOTHING!
Lord, I thought
What if my desire to write
Went bye-bye with my bad hip?
Then came my two-week follow-up visit with the surgeon.
After a good report that I was healing fine
I got up to leave but turned back
"What's on your mind, Leigh?"
“Actually, it’s my mind
I’m a writer
And since the surgery, my mind is foggy. I can’t write anymore."
"Anesthesia."
"Anesthesia?"
"Yes, it has that effect on some patients.
It can stay in the body for weeks sometimes months."
"Oh, thank god," I said letting out a loud sigh.  
"Leigh, be patient. Sleep a lot and drink plenty of water.
Your and mind will body heal."
"PhewThanks."
So fellow writers?
Ever experience brain fog?
From anesthesia?
Or any other reason?
What is your five-year plan?
And how will you get there? 

Always,

Em-Musing