Happy Easter Anyway!

I’ve heard stories about how the crocus flower peeps through the snow.

Daffodil bulbs with an innate desire to grow.

Tulips that thrived in the cold,

withering when shipped to be sold.

Fiona spots one of our tulips

This one has blown away.

I’ve read Eliot’s poem about April being cruel,

especially noting the price of fuel.

I see the icy highways on the news,

wild seas and the unpleasant cruise.

Watched our petals take to the sky,

like butterflies waving a brief goodbye.

Though things seem bleak,

the way many speak,

we cannot mope.

We must understand this visual depiction of hope.

The promising end to winter storms,

as a time to be reborn.

Easter-time.

To Snuggle or Cuddle? A Post Valentine Post.

  

We had our 25th Anniversary last October, which to me anyway, sounds like a huge achievement. There are many factors at work here, but one of them might be these darn blanket fairies, because in all this time, I haven't blamed husband for stealing my section of the covers. Actually, I finally said something, for the first time, and then I drew the silly picture and wrote the sillier poem. After all, how can I wake up with icicle toes and not complain? 

Blanket Fairies

The darkest part of winter,

we’ve the thickest blanket on the bed,

they sneak inside our home,

since the year we were wed.

And though they never fail

to toss things around.

It seems quite unusual,

they never make a sound.

Though we shiver,

our toes are cold,

we reach for each other,

a true love to hold.

One night before they go,

after thirty years or so,

maybe we’ll open our eyes and catch them,

pushing our covers to the floor.

Eve Gaal

2018

Have you had visits from the blanket fairies this winter?

Stormy Haiku!

Giant ocean swells

 Off the coast of Hawaii.

I wanna surf, Not!

There’s a place called Haiku on the Island of Maui, where surfers have named the area Jaws. This week, some of them were falling over 40 feet from the top of a wave! Here’s a 46 sec. YouTube video if you’d like to see some of the incredible footage or maybe you’d like to plan one last surfing getaway. May I suggest packing light and leaving your affairs in order? 

 I’ve never visited Maui but the name Haiku sounds inviting, as well as inspiring. Take a walk through our U.S. El Nino winter with some of my stormy Haiku.

The end of a drought

scene; quenching a thirsty state,

With giant mud-flows.

 ************  

The cliffs dissolved--

Multi-million dollar homes

Crashed into the sea.

**************

How high is the snow?

It’s a blizzard in the east

Everywhere you go.

*************** 

Our car is buried.

Someone will have to shovel.

Stop looking at me!

*************

 I’m so glad winter

Wants to finish its business--

So we can move on.

Sister Scrooge on Christmas Eve

       They both raced to the velvet chaise next to their parent’s bed. "Goodnight girls. Sweet dreams." Daddy had taken them outside and covered them for the night. It felt like the North Pole. Bitter cold winds swept around the house and the temperature took a dive into something Californians typically only see in fancy, French-doored Sub-Zero refrigerators—something resembling popsicles.

Summer days in the window(Fiona up close and Pinky)

Getting comfortable when it's cold is generally difficult for Chihuahuas. They aren't used to cold weather and even with pink sweaters, their ears and toes feel icy.  

Walking with Mommy-- wearing coats

  

"Move over or I'm telling Mom!" Pinky whined. “Tomorrow’s Christmas and we have to be good!” 

"Bah humbug," Fiona mumbled, as she sprawled her matchstick legs behind her as far as they would go. A complete and utter Scrooge, her adorable face and diminutive physique didn’t automatically make her sweet. “All you ever want are treats and more treats,” she said with a haughty tone. “The only reason you want to be good is so you can get more snacks. Will you ever stop being a slob?”

 "For an itty-bitty thing you sure are nasty!” Pinky made a sad face, accidentally pulling part of the covers off Fiona.

"You are a moron. Why don’t you shut up or grow up? For goodness sake, aren’t you like seventy-seven in human years?" Fiona grunted. "Go to sleep and leave me alone.” She buried her face into the soft comforter and closed her eyes.

After a long day of home inspections, kitchen floor cleanups and all around holiday excitement, Pinky was tired too. Outweighing Fiona by at least fifteen pounds wasn't enough to give Pinky the upper hand. In fact, Fiona was in charge of everything and it wasn't fair. 

This is their large and spacious bed

 Using her nose, she pushed Fiona's skinny legs aside and plopped onto the green chaise. A few minutes later, the tinier Chihuahua re-positioned herself under the covers. Pinky didn't want to complain but a small growl attracted Mommy who came to make sure they were properly covered. First, she wanted to take a peek at her two naughty pups. To her delight, she found Fiona's head resting on Pinky's patient haunches. 

“Aren’t you two the cutest? Merry Christmas,” she whispered. We’ll have sleighs full of fun tomorrow. After turning off the light, she listened to the wind howling in the yard and wondered whether it might snow. And as the light of the full moon crept under the window shades, she thanked God for all her blessings--even the furry, four-legged ones--now sleeping like angels.... 

Frozen Sisters Wish You a Happy New Year!

Three blogging buddies inspired me to write this post. Plus, I just finished reading Jack London’s book White Fang.What a marvelous book--White Fang moved from the snow in the North to California where he wasn't used to being warm.(See previous post for my review) My rescued dogs Pinky and Fiona moved with us from the California desert and though we only  moved one hour away, they are both wondering what happened.

Anyway, if you like dogs you'll love these blogs:

The first one: Two Fur-Peeps and A Writer-is a blog about author Shelly Arkon and her two adorable pups, Sir Poops A-lot and Hairball. It’s a wonderful, happy blog.

Fiona catching rays
outside and trying to sleep!

The second one: Two Little Square Black Dogs is where you can visit Hamish and Watson in the Sonoran desert.

Lastly, there’s the informative and funny, Pets and other Critters also about dogs, birds and turtles.

(I don't know how to add audio to blogs and someday I'll figure it out. Until then you'll have to use your imagination.)

 Here's a story about
 Christmas Eve Morning

“Mommy, Pinky ate all my kibble.” Fiona looked at me, tilted her little head and blinked.

“Yes, I know,” I replied. “I’ll give you a snack later. Her whiskers sparkled under the Christmas lights and though she had been a naughty little Chihuahua all year long, she still deserved to eat.

Pinky ran up wagging her tail. “I heard you complaining, you little snitch. What do you expect after crapping on the sofa, you moron?”

Fiona yawned.

“Mommy, let me explain,” Pinky said while wagging her tail. “I’m bigger, I need more food and she’s stupid.” Pinky put her paws on my lap and stared at me with her doe-like eyes.

“How about you go into the garage while I give Fiona some more food?” I tried to pick up Pinky who immediately snapped at my fingers. “I thought Fiona was the naughty one? What’s with you wanting to bite me?”

Daddy put down the newspaper and looked across the room. “Are you okay? If she hurts you then she’s going back to that same rescue facility she came from."

He stood up and put Pinky on a leash and pulled her into the garage while I refilled Fiona’s bowl. 

When I sat down to drink my coffee I watched Fiona staring at the garage door. “Is she in solitary confinement?”

“No,” I mumbled. “She’ll be back soon.” (This is where you play the song, "Love is an Open Door" from the Frozen soundtrack.)

Fiona kept staring at the garage door and wouldn't eat. She looked sad and missed her sister. After I finished my coffee, I stood up and let Pinky back into the house. Minutes later Pinky finished off the food in Fiona’s bowl. 

“Thanks mommy,” she said after scarfing it down.

Fiona yawned. 

Music:

(Let it go... Let it go....)

New Year's Eve we had a freak storm over our house which dumped several inches of snow all over everything. It's just not melting fast enough for Pinky and Fiona. Here they are checking out their first snow. 

Music:Do you Want to Build a Snowman?

 Yes, even Fiona wants to wish you a bright and sunny

 New Year and all of us hope your dreams come true!