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

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 18^th, 19^th & the 20^th. 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

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 performers. NOTHING!

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."

"Phew. Thanks."

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