Monday Musings

Today,  Memorial Day , we honor those who have died serving this country in the US military. Typical remembrances include parades. And visiting cemeteries to mourn loved ones. Unfortunately, many people have forgotten or chosen to ignore the intent of Memorial Day and consider the date one more long weekend off work and an opportunity to picnic and party. Please don’t wish others a “Happy Memorial Day.” The day has a solemn intent: to remember and honor. Do you have a family member or friend who gave all? Do you plan a unique way to honor them? You can follow the Author on her  Website  or on  Twitter .

My gardening has been on a hiatus due to health issues last fall that extended into early spring. I am back on my feet and eager to return to vegetable and perennial gardening. But first, I had to do much overdue fall garden cleanup: raking leaves, picking up downed branches, and pruning overgrown perennials.  The front porch is tidy and welcoming for humans and birds alike, with bird and hummingbird feeders, and hanging flower baskets. All three Clematis are in full bloom, Jackmanii the most prolific. A bright pink and light purple vine are recent additions that gradually fill their trellises. At the Clematis feet, a small birdbath provides water for wildlife, and Cannas leaves are beginning to emerge. In the orchard behind the carport, the hardy Rosa Rugosa and its clove scent welcome pollinating insects. Three Lavender shrubs are leafed and budded, and the bees are buzzing in anticipation. Perennial herbs are doing well: chives, oregano, dill, and borage. The asparagus is in its sec

Recently, I’ve experienced a surge of creative juices, resulting in a high output of written work. The outpouring is fortunate because a writing colleague shared an updated calendar of haiku submission deadlines. I was excited to discover new journal opportunities around the country and the world. The Twitter writing community shares a wealth of experience and resources, and I’m blessed to be a part of them. The most recent deadline is today, May 15th. The good news is that I write nearly every day, so I have a lot of work products to pull from. I always carry a Moleskin notebook for jotting down spontaneous thoughts, most of which occur while driving (don’t worry, I don’t write until I’ve pulled over into a safe location.) My pocket companion and a mechanical pencil are step one in the writing process. The next step is to transcribe my notes into Word documents, which may consist of exciting words, snippets of overheard conversation, lines, and phrases of poetry. I keep a set of files

Have you been apprehended yet? It’s time to incriminate yourself. Reading reduces stress by 68% and increases empathy. Reading allows us to become knowledgeable and gives us the capacity and potential to change the world. The act of reading increases vocabulary, memory, and analytic skill. Bored? Pick up a book! Suppose you can’t physically travel abroad or even to another area of your nation. In that case, you can visit other sites via a book and learn about other races, cultures, and ideologies. Reading enables creativity through exposure to new ideas and thoughts. You can read in a library or a bookstore. Books are a pleasant diversion in the comfort of your home or on a train or airplane. You can read a hardcover, paperback, or on an electronic device. What genre do you enjoy? What reading format is your favorite, and where do you like to settle in to read? You can access links to the Author’s books on her Website and learn about her recent publications online and in journals. You

Who knew there was a day dedicated specifically to Doodles? Our labradoodle, Paris, would certainly expect us to celebrate, especially if it involves treats. The first Labradoodles were bred by Australian Will Conroy, whose job was to breed the best Labrador guide dogs. When a blind woman requested a non-shedding dog because her husband was allergic, Mr. Conroy tried to train poodles (33 dogs over three years) to be guide dogs. His experiment failed. In 1989, he mated a standard poodle with a Labrador guide dog with the goal of the low shedding of a poodle and the trainability of a Labrador. He called the resultant litter of three “Labradoodles.” We adopted our male Labradoodle puppy, Paris, at six weeks. Labradoodles are hybrid or “designer” dogs who are friendly and HIGH energy animals. They weigh an average of 50–65 pounds and are 22–24 inches tall. They are generally easy to train, but you may encounter independence and stubbornness because they are very intelligent. We say Paris h