tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56130905059578692812024-03-12T17:03:19.542-07:00Data Et ErrataThis blog is about my life as reflected in rhyming poetry, observations and occasional rants. The title is Latin for "information and errs" or loosely translated "hits and misses."
Wilson Arch photo courtesy of James Muhlestein.Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-28800278164096764022019-02-08T09:03:00.000-08:002019-02-08T09:03:36.969-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Abundance Independence</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
23 January 2019</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel fulfilled and good,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keeping promises of my childhood.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Someday, maybe someday; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd dream and say</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Things'll happen one day."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Over time circumstances have changed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And my life's been rearranged.</div>
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Now I have the time and means</div>
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To give life to my dreams.</div>
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I no longer have to live in scarcity,</div>
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Lacking resources to overcome adversity. </div>
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Pulled up by my own bootstraps,</div>
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I'm the one setting improvement caps.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shifting paradigms have lead to abundance,</div>
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Empowerment, choice and independence.</div>
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I don't have to do as others will.</div>
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I get to choose my own nectar or swill.</div>
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In choosing I evaluate the odds,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is it nectar of swine or swill of the gods?</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-64278260181971432512018-12-26T18:18:00.000-08:002018-12-26T18:18:23.972-08:00Dnieper Rapids<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm in the middle of writing a historical fiction short story. The plot is about a British teen who is enslaved by Viking raiders, then taken to Kievan Rus'. Along the way a skald sings about rapids on the Dnieper River. The place names I've only seen in print and never heard pronounced. I hope they rhyme.<br />
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From the Valdai Hills, the Dnieper River flows.</div>
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Mostly south to the Black Sea it goes.</div>
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There are rapids all along with twists and turns.</div>
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The count is nine rapids where the water churns.</div>
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Most are quite a fall. Only two are navigable</div>
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And the rest of them only spell trouble.</div>
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"Don't sleep!" at the first named Kodatsky. </div>
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"Island Waterfall" is the second at Sursky.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After that Lohansk's quite a zinger.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dzvonesky's a real bell ringer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nenasytec's very naughty and violent.</div>
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At Vovnyzky the waves are turbulent.</div>
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At Budylo be sure to rouse</div>
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Or waves'll splash over the prows.</div>
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The term "rapid" is superfluous at Lyshny.</div>
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Finally, you're free at Vil'ny.</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-57528319138207205022018-11-08T11:52:00.000-08:002018-11-08T11:52:53.786-08:00Cry Awry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Cry Awry</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
21 Sept 2018</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You're losing sleep.</div>
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Cancer's the reason why.</div>
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The hurt runs deep,</div>
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So go ahead and cry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your life's been sideswiped</div>
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And it's direction has altered.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As you've been stereotyped,</div>
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Perhaps your step has faltered.</div>
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There's a new normal starting now.</div>
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You're not sure of what will be.</div>
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You'll manage to get by somehow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In spite of all the ache and misery.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unexpectedly life's different.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You're mourning the way it was.</div>
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Living has a new battlefront.</div>
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You don't care about dramas.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
People around you voice opinions.</div>
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Regardless of what splatters,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You stick to your guns</div>
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And focus on what matters.</div>
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The pain and hurt run deep.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For some relief, go ahead and cry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You're losing way too much sleep</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And cancer's the reason why.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-568669291359787572018-09-19T13:36:00.001-07:002018-09-19T13:36:36.302-07:00Detracts And Facts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWo2yRTpeKtUFK4L-UpfPlKG_3ZiNq3wdBiSjQfA6pfjWCNWq1smcJQddGiSYsOWHh45MVfUq71wsNrfi_dOQ_uaAzsFbMGmtTivtTq5r3KhCCkkyKBVyLNF5LtjrdREEkNse8gBmgbqY/s1600/061Bolts+2018July10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1600" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWo2yRTpeKtUFK4L-UpfPlKG_3ZiNq3wdBiSjQfA6pfjWCNWq1smcJQddGiSYsOWHh45MVfUq71wsNrfi_dOQ_uaAzsFbMGmtTivtTq5r3KhCCkkyKBVyLNF5LtjrdREEkNse8gBmgbqY/s320/061Bolts+2018July10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Detracts And Facts</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
13 Sept 2018</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From the way some people declare</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Frank unsupported statements,</div>
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There's no way to say they err</div>
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And point out how to make adjustments.</div>
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Frequently underlying conditions aren't stated</div>
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And little proof is asserted</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So nothing can be debated</div>
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And counter arguments can't be inserted.</div>
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That's the way people communicate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
About politics and religion.</div>
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There's no effort to educate,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not even a smidgen.</div>
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The expounders come across as propagandists,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not open to a different point of view.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the end they become sadists,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bleating my eardrums in two.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Convictions are intense opinions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Their energetic claim detracts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From logic, and the companions</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of faith and belief aren't facts.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-79784625358410431432018-05-23T10:59:00.000-07:002018-05-23T10:59:27.587-07:00Overdue #metoo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: x-large;">#metoo</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
Overdue #metoo</h3>
<div>
21 May 2018</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It used to be you could</div>
<div>
Blame the victim.</div>
<div>
Male privilege would</div>
<div>
Hand out the dictum.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now we're claiming</div>
<div>
Our worthiness by naming</div>
<div>
The perps and reframing</div>
<div>
The situation by proclaiming</div>
<div>
An end to blaming and shaming.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Giving credit where it's due</div>
<div>
And shining light on the issue</div>
<div>
With the hashtag #metoo.</div>
<div>
It's a topic that's long overdue</div>
<div>
And talking about it's not taboo.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As victims we felt all alone.</div>
<div>
Today we're setting a new tone.</div>
<div>
Old ways are being overthrown.</div>
<div>
Patriarchy isn't carved in stone.</div>
<div>
We're showing some backbone.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nostalgia doesn't cut it anymore.</div>
<div>
No going back to the way it was before.</div>
<div>
Our movement is too big to ignore.</div>
<div>
We're fighting with words; and more</div>
<div>
We're voting to make our voices roar.</div>
</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-47950736929761322332018-04-05T21:17:00.000-07:002018-05-23T10:47:37.090-07:00Ring The Bell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglREnG3Nuk4HKwBZq04qimuOwkDziihSeWFpSDflcdIAjdBxvkWFTKOJzyue8JBAY7PHCM5O_G7_MNahVtx3KXY528qZ1IbGZmz3Gq0bPWwT3d1Etgo509P4UZcTImFkmkdbAPz1umkfns/s1600/GraduationBell%2540UCSD+2018March4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglREnG3Nuk4HKwBZq04qimuOwkDziihSeWFpSDflcdIAjdBxvkWFTKOJzyue8JBAY7PHCM5O_G7_MNahVtx3KXY528qZ1IbGZmz3Gq0bPWwT3d1Etgo509P4UZcTImFkmkdbAPz1umkfns/s320/GraduationBell%2540UCSD+2018March4.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Ring The Bell</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
16 March 2018</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the end of chemo or radiation</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They call it graduation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All staff and caregivers congregate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With the patients to celebrate.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The young Mademoiselle,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With more meaning than she could tell,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cried as she rang the bell.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No polite decorum for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not about dignity,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nor preserving serenity.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm making the most of this opportunity.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After weeks of nausea hell,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With a rebel yell,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He grabbed the rope and rang the bell.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let the bell of hope ring loud and long</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As we celebrate becoming strong;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Strong enough to face cancer as beginners</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And come out the other side as winners.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hoping all would be well,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For quite a spell</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The child rang the bell.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-11019368077548176352018-03-15T12:06:00.000-07:002018-09-19T13:43:02.921-07:00Shoes Blues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQVcc5AQIPTy-lNhTQko-_q1oOW356zm7DwsHmsoaZHlvCb13D6p0D6xmqwwj-MJfmsRSptraWGF-Fy0bbq3Z7ziH7s9tAYJZPVxg06vD4oVHQmLQHwVKsFV9r7wc7xQs_d2yEH04v3fQ/s1600/IMG_3577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQVcc5AQIPTy-lNhTQko-_q1oOW356zm7DwsHmsoaZHlvCb13D6p0D6xmqwwj-MJfmsRSptraWGF-Fy0bbq3Z7ziH7s9tAYJZPVxg06vD4oVHQmLQHwVKsFV9r7wc7xQs_d2yEH04v3fQ/s320/IMG_3577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Shoes Blues</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11 March 2018</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holes in the soles of my shoes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Has me singing the blues.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After looking at the selection</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of shoes in the store's collection,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each with its own appeal,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I chose a pair close to my ideal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At first I liked the look and feel,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then the flaws started to reveal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holes in the soles of my shoes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Has me singing the blues.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cracks appeared where the uppers flexed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't see what happened next.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The tops seemed to go unchanged,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But the bottoms were becoming deranged.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That went unnoticed until it rained</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the wetness I felt was unexplained. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holes in the soles of my shoes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Has me singing the blues.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Much to my dismay, at home I looked at</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My shoe bottoms and could see that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The soles had a crack across the ball.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's why my socks were wet and all.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll have to buy some replacements,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Adding to my money disbursements. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holes in the soles of my shoes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Has me singing the blues.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-----------------------------------------------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Personal note: There's been a lapse in my postings. In December 2017 I got a sore spot on my tongue that made it hard to talk and chew, so I went in to see the doctor. On the 2nd January 2018 the doctor called to say I had medium squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. On January 21st I went to the hospital and fell among the surgeons. They knocked me out, yanked a tooth, cut out my tongue and slit my throat. The doctors were having such a good time they slit my throat twice, in front and down the side. After a week in Medical Intensive Care and 3 weeks in a skilled nursing facility, I came home. In the SNF I recovered enough to start talking again. On March 12th I started chemotherapy and radiation that will go on for six weeks. I get most of my nutrition thru a feeding tube. I can't wait until this is all over and I can come up with a funny way to tell my dramatic story.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-53705314890184928422017-12-04T09:58:00.000-08:002017-12-04T09:58:24.922-08:00Heart-warming And Charming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-XY2iVBoXymocAv7xuqv7BFS7U3M-D91GySC999H1wudYhxLqOjvUVXuAzz_i_72yU5qp4Db6Tg4CPFMHoRdwrHBQR5z3ZDP_i5REiK376zxDvXfMjPMV6Mx-j1vQKkFuXFGdpNNI4qd/s1600/Bellagio+2016Aug29cz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-XY2iVBoXymocAv7xuqv7BFS7U3M-D91GySC999H1wudYhxLqOjvUVXuAzz_i_72yU5qp4Db6Tg4CPFMHoRdwrHBQR5z3ZDP_i5REiK376zxDvXfMjPMV6Mx-j1vQKkFuXFGdpNNI4qd/s320/Bellagio+2016Aug29cz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Heart-warming And Charming</h3>
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28 November 2017</div>
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Your beauty welcomes me.</div>
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Your visual appeal touches me</div>
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And goosebumps manifest</div>
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To make me feel blessed.</div>
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Good looks come from symmetry, </div>
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Proportion and repetition,</div>
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Like in the marble parquetry.</div>
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All three are done to perfection.</div>
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Everywhere, underfoot and overhead,</div>
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Is elegance and loveliness.</div>
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Prettiness and grandeur are wed</div>
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Into luxury and courtliness.</div>
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The paucity of my treasury</div>
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Prevents me from staying long.</div>
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My enjoyment must be momentary,</div>
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Short, like I don't belong.</div>
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The fleeting moments are stowed,</div>
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In my memory where they won't corrode,</div>
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To warm my heart with grandness</div>
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From the sparks of beauty's flame.</div>
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In times of poverty and blandness,</div>
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I reflect back on your lovely acclaim.</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-52920358150791898572017-11-16T11:05:00.000-08:002017-11-16T11:05:30.925-08:00‘I Want To Write’ Rewrite<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcaCypdYlu4e6nkPIJ6Rd65crbJz52HrQQUCVa1tDKTtoJl5vntRH2xufXpbhvK6ife12W6VGM16Qw199gxcwpgK5xbbCTasqNYUNXfK8lR_02gXfML08QstCGciJ6pE8AdApmbPZ25Uv/s1600/Cloud+Patterns+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcaCypdYlu4e6nkPIJ6Rd65crbJz52HrQQUCVa1tDKTtoJl5vntRH2xufXpbhvK6ife12W6VGM16Qw199gxcwpgK5xbbCTasqNYUNXfK8lR_02gXfML08QstCGciJ6pE8AdApmbPZ25Uv/s320/Cloud+Patterns+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
‘I Want To Write’ Rewrite</h3>
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27 October 2017</div>
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Original by Margaret Walker</div>
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I want to write, not just anything.</div>
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I wanna write the songs of my folks.</div>
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I want to hear them singing melodies in the evening.</div>
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I wanna record the strains rising from their throats</div>
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As they form their dreams into words; their souls into notes.</div>
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I wanna catch their sunshine laughter in a bowl</div>
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As they fling dark hands to a darker sky and some</div>
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Reach to fill their hands full of stars.</div>
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Then they crush and mix such lights until they become</div>
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A mirrored pool of brilliance in Mason jars.</div>
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I Want To Write</div>
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by Margaret Walker</div>
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I want to write</div>
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I want to write the songs of my people.</div>
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I want to hear them singing melodies in the dark.</div>
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I want to catch the last floating strains from their sob-torn throats.</div>
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I want to frame their dreams in to words; their souls into notes.</div>
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I want to catch their sunshine laughter in a bowl;</div>
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fling dark hands to a darker sky</div>
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and fill them full of stars</div>
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then crush and mix such lights till they become</div>
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a mirrored pool of brilliance in the dawn.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-57797096685350229312017-10-29T11:43:00.000-07:002017-10-29T11:43:55.426-07:00Guidelines Road Signs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFodzkKoSm2yc2heVAFnyBFU2VKNCnftNlp4zdywdl8Daq1sED2zqr8CtDlAZMaC9aU1xaGRZmTgOfOEUK23rLb__R3XhgHXCOgcASvVWFqKLfFBNZvrsjGgaIkNAdtp9p5wH3WO6FMv2/s1600/Traffic+Signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1300" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFodzkKoSm2yc2heVAFnyBFU2VKNCnftNlp4zdywdl8Daq1sED2zqr8CtDlAZMaC9aU1xaGRZmTgOfOEUK23rLb__R3XhgHXCOgcASvVWFqKLfFBNZvrsjGgaIkNAdtp9p5wH3WO6FMv2/s320/Traffic+Signs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Guidelines Road Signs</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
27 October 2017</div>
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While traveling on vacation,</div>
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Anywhere across the nation,</div>
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Look for signs high and low</div>
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So you know where to go.</div>
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Hoping that by using GPS</div>
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You’ll avoid getting lost,</div>
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And steer clear of any mess</div>
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That would add to the cost.</div>
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In an unfamiliar location</div>
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It’s easy to misinterpret</div>
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The guidepost’s indication</div>
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And decide the right gambit.</div>
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In cities with multiple lanes</div>
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Sometimes it’s hard to see</div>
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Which way is right and pertains</div>
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Or leads to missed opportunity.</div>
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One wrong turn and suddenly</div>
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You have to get back on track.</div>
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The map app helps certainly</div>
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When you’re out of whack.</div>
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Still it’s a traffic matter </div>
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Of being in the right place</div>
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So you don’t go splatter</div>
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From being in the wrong space.</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-48667918658040125482017-10-20T23:30:00.000-07:002017-10-20T23:31:40.301-07:00Fit Benefit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-IK9Gdn2-6XgQ7Cmhd_UxLEk1_QB-9MoHwcDGqAI1OEymNvF1qXZcUwYUTVCd6ShyphenhyphenivTDYZch0o6SRsDt1SlZAd1GzfC7k21yY0iIVxe6JiDquoFoFPx1A0gcW2Ur-_K3nF5CpLdowmZ/s1600/White+Narcissus+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-IK9Gdn2-6XgQ7Cmhd_UxLEk1_QB-9MoHwcDGqAI1OEymNvF1qXZcUwYUTVCd6ShyphenhyphenivTDYZch0o6SRsDt1SlZAd1GzfC7k21yY0iIVxe6JiDquoFoFPx1A0gcW2Ur-_K3nF5CpLdowmZ/s320/White+Narcissus+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Fit Benefit</h3>
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9 October 2017</div>
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Today my personal power and wealth</div>
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Are indicated by my good health.</div>
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I’m strong enough that whatever life’s endeavor,</div>
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Today I feel like I could live forever.</div>
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This internal sense of superiority</div>
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Comes from my very own authority.</div>
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I don’t need any one else’s permission,</div>
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For sure I’m not bowing in submission.</div>
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I’m grateful for my physique’s agility</div>
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And all that gives me a sense of virility.</div>
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Even if I’m the one and only witness,</div>
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I’ll celebrate to honor my fitness.</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-45474466553973513942017-10-04T10:09:00.000-07:002017-10-20T23:31:25.480-07:00Xenophobia Phobia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz39mEu22vXPN-vhhuH9kl3DRvik-fWp2Q1lJV8BzrTGyRFP6lFqu-_DReq8OeOXopCTSU4ySKySsuk9Ihra9s4-1Ud9IQUhCufEqFztnKEfy7PeMnQbj-JPahuptF5Utq7zdFb0vYMpi/s1600/BlackLivesMatter_statefairprotest2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="650" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz39mEu22vXPN-vhhuH9kl3DRvik-fWp2Q1lJV8BzrTGyRFP6lFqu-_DReq8OeOXopCTSU4ySKySsuk9Ihra9s4-1Ud9IQUhCufEqFztnKEfy7PeMnQbj-JPahuptF5Utq7zdFb0vYMpi/s320/BlackLivesMatter_statefairprotest2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Xenophobia Phobia</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 October 2017</div>
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As I juggle my internal struggle,</div>
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Emotion says they’re strange.</div>
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Logic says it’s time to change.</div>
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It’s hard to predict my inner conflict.</div>
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One part gives an unalike sermon,</div>
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Another whispers we’re all human.</div>
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One idea that I wrestle</div>
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Is they’re not people to nestle,</div>
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Versus we’re all in the same vessel.</div>
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Eternally I grapple internally</div>
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With an urge of what I ought</div>
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Against all rational thought.</div>
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I have notions of conflicting emotions,</div>
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Of wishing others ill and harm</div>
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Or keeping them safe and warm.</div>
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By day and night, myself I fight;</div>
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Against impulse to ignore and deny</div>
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Hoping my better self comes by.</div>
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As I blunder, sometimes I wonder</div>
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If it’s innate, this instinct to hate</div>
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Or if I can overcome that trait.</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-47019769070004329292017-09-11T08:49:00.000-07:002017-09-11T08:49:48.665-07:00Jubilation And Appreciation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vuL-fGtNruLbL8cY_-YabMhPgUSv1AbLKrhgvqeR09C5wxiOsfxp0V4A5gItGaieYVARjGBq6zy-heVQ5LUgTNEohStTWaTlyM09BSXs_Nm3fLqd82boDHfT4l-RDOtnB98-LHEQ_m4R/s1600/Asparagus+Fern+2017June7c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1600" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vuL-fGtNruLbL8cY_-YabMhPgUSv1AbLKrhgvqeR09C5wxiOsfxp0V4A5gItGaieYVARjGBq6zy-heVQ5LUgTNEohStTWaTlyM09BSXs_Nm3fLqd82boDHfT4l-RDOtnB98-LHEQ_m4R/s320/Asparagus+Fern+2017June7c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Jubilation And Appreciation</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10 Sept 2017</div>
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My day began with joy and thanksgiving.</div>
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The joy in my heart comes from my inner child</div>
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And thanksgiving arises from this life I’m living.</div>
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Since my everyday ego and inner child reconciled,</div>
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There’s been an attitudinal and behavioral change.</div>
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I no longer have a compulsion for perfection.</div>
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I efficiently do my tasks and act to rearrange</div>
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My way of doing things and my personal direction.</div>
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One day I realized that it doesn’t matter,</div>
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How I dress doesn’t matter a lot.</div>
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Nobody will remember that stain or splatter.</div>
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My chore order isn’t the final upshot.</div>
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As long as the final result pleases me</div>
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Nitpicking doesn’t matter anymore.</div>
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I get to do whatever appeases me</div>
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And make the mundane less of a chore.</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-16158754300889426062017-08-16T15:52:00.000-07:002017-08-16T15:52:45.616-07:00Squirting And Hurting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGB5z2mcl3NhplFntvfoFs6gFdxZBM8AjOZzSJQpOKQLDqmPKm88fYFVaQEj36WOkO1uXMI0z4VfggAfR2hUbrHhrloyZyap5UW-NMsZYXmbmoO7i4_Q-pvUSR0LmOvVhqGfppMd0KUdd/s1600/2017+AntsInTubAug16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGB5z2mcl3NhplFntvfoFs6gFdxZBM8AjOZzSJQpOKQLDqmPKm88fYFVaQEj36WOkO1uXMI0z4VfggAfR2hUbrHhrloyZyap5UW-NMsZYXmbmoO7i4_Q-pvUSR0LmOvVhqGfppMd0KUdd/s320/2017+AntsInTubAug16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Squirting And Hurting</span></div>
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11 August 2017</div>
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My trigger finger’s itchin’.</div>
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I’ve got ants crawling everywhere</div>
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They’re all over my kitchen, </div>
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In my cupboards, in my silverware! </div>
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Insecticide has its own smell.</div>
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It’s not perfume that I can tell.</div>
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But I’m out squirtin’ fragrance</div>
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Doing my best to be hurtin’ ants.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What ants like isn’t for me to presume</div>
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They’re crawling in my bathtub.</div>
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And all over my powder room.</div>
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I’ll give that place a good scrub.</div>
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Insecticide has its own smell.</div>
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It’s not perfume that I can tell.</div>
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But I’m out squirtin’ fragrance</div>
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Doing my best to be hurtin’ ants.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ants are on my computer desk.</div>
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There’s one on my reading glasses.</div>
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It’s not gonna be picturesque,</div>
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When I spray to kill their asses.</div>
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Insecticide has its own smell.</div>
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It’s not perfume that I can tell.</div>
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But I’m out squirtin’ fragrance</div>
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Doing my best to be hurtin’ ants.</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-66656281749423995072017-08-06T11:05:00.000-07:002017-08-16T15:53:29.000-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHihGTKQxupBT9ELVrGEtnkSwp1735QHkA0tS5RPMaIT82wARR7EKMlY_-PAjZCp5hRUwVZFsdhYlqV_4NJyFgARYNfhe9jHuv2oaGE0OQ4CJrmP_pIGPQIZk-6QVQeEWCpQa8a-9yIuew/s1600/Recycle+Can.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHihGTKQxupBT9ELVrGEtnkSwp1735QHkA0tS5RPMaIT82wARR7EKMlY_-PAjZCp5hRUwVZFsdhYlqV_4NJyFgARYNfhe9jHuv2oaGE0OQ4CJrmP_pIGPQIZk-6QVQeEWCpQa8a-9yIuew/s320/Recycle+Can.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Can Keeper And Bottle Reaper</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
19 July 2017</div>
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<br /></div>
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Up and down the alleys and streets</div>
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The pedal-powered urban gleaners toil.</div>
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They seek and sort for their treats.</div>
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Although they don’t harvest from soil.</div>
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In the evening and thru the night</div>
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They pick thru curbside recycling bins.</div>
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Bottles and cans bring them delight.</div>
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The looted booty becoming bagged burdens.</div>
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The reprocessables are taken to be reclaimed</div>
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To be itemized by weight or count.</div>
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Then a store voucher can be claimed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And redeemed for food or a cash amount.</div>
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In a gray area, the urban gleaners</div>
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Search and sort for their livelihood.</div>
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They may be vilified for their demeanors,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But they’re good for the neighborhood.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-83526261546942826572017-07-23T11:09:00.000-07:002017-07-23T11:09:57.554-07:00Hair Care<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA3YVJDSS__N1Bc4IL4JMtZVpI5RVemprj_x9l0CXLtdLZDcQoV5fKSlv4NRvuBisvSx2ompsvvac7ewZ8zegLCYF_PkgzGvBI8VmzGq2lUw2M1NXeAdFqsLUC2rIjKSlXhK_W1bd3EY0/s1600/2017+SelfieJuly20c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA3YVJDSS__N1Bc4IL4JMtZVpI5RVemprj_x9l0CXLtdLZDcQoV5fKSlv4NRvuBisvSx2ompsvvac7ewZ8zegLCYF_PkgzGvBI8VmzGq2lUw2M1NXeAdFqsLUC2rIjKSlXhK_W1bd3EY0/s320/2017+SelfieJuly20c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Hair Care</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
14 July 2017</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fine hair floats down into my face.</div>
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After treatment by a brush and comb,</div>
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It doesn’t like to stay in one place.</div>
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It wants to wander away from home.</div>
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I don’t want to look too grubby</div>
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Even tho I’m thoroughly male.</div>
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One simple solution would be</div>
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To wear my hair in a ponytail.</div>
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Also, I could get all-day relief</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By restraining my hair with a handkerchief.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-89040642742270281832017-07-12T16:46:00.000-07:002017-07-12T16:46:59.421-07:00Healed Yield<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFGIXdQxesuyoyDjYcZHprqYbHtSOMlLjF093uoXdXW3Nf9gaHLdbIfDiUVqc_99s2X3NDSAwLFvOyjD3e9ib9Yng145C8IXAXpHKXekBoYzRO-yieVNmaJcjD7Szc_GvYY7nmtbvmC-V/s1600/Plumeria+2016Oct24d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="1600" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFGIXdQxesuyoyDjYcZHprqYbHtSOMlLjF093uoXdXW3Nf9gaHLdbIfDiUVqc_99s2X3NDSAwLFvOyjD3e9ib9Yng145C8IXAXpHKXekBoYzRO-yieVNmaJcjD7Szc_GvYY7nmtbvmC-V/s320/Plumeria+2016Oct24d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Healed Yield</div>
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26 June 2017</div>
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<br /></div>
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“You never want a drink until the well runs dry.”</div>
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You don’t miss something that’s always there.</div>
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Suddenly, one day it’s gone and there’s an outcry.</div>
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For me, symptoms came the same as wear and tear.</div>
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One, then another affliction came to my attention.</div>
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None, by itself, was important enough to mention.</div>
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After a road trip, my hearing was diminished.</div>
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One ear was partially, then fully blocked;</div>
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Making words and music on that side hushed.</div>
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It was hard to gauge my volume as I talked.</div>
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Also, a sore spot under my tongue</div>
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Made it hard to vocalize and chew.</div>
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My personal song of life went unsung.</div>
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I discussed with my doctor each issue.</div>
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My physician prescribed a medication</div>
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Because of the results of my lab test.</div>
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I took the drug for my edification</div>
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And it’s benefits quickly manifest.</div>
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Now my mouth’s better, so I can talk.</div>
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My hearing’s cleared up, so both ears function.</div>
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I move, so there’s no problem with my walk.</div>
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I’m grateful to be at a healthy junction.</div>
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There’s a feeling of well-being where I dwell.</div>
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It’s like there’s fresh water in my well.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-73744961319297072352017-06-20T09:13:00.000-07:002017-06-20T09:13:22.171-07:00a.m. Gem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD72yywfkRwpSrVR0H53s8Ha62iY3Zi_yy7c_I1Kg_R9cTNMFKvzK7HObTnDPLIzhfzGWt0jPAQaocElF8dk6Anns9iopZ0ckbVtkgnL3PcDfBbzStBNTMZ3uqlhR1xYrOjtw3mzinDIFA/s1600/Orange+Daisy+2016July10f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD72yywfkRwpSrVR0H53s8Ha62iY3Zi_yy7c_I1Kg_R9cTNMFKvzK7HObTnDPLIzhfzGWt0jPAQaocElF8dk6Anns9iopZ0ckbVtkgnL3PcDfBbzStBNTMZ3uqlhR1xYrOjtw3mzinDIFA/s320/Orange+Daisy+2016July10f.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
a.m. Gem</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
19 June 2017</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After the end of a dark night</div>
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Comes the gentle morning light.</div>
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The sun’s warmth feels like a shower,</div>
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Unlike midday rays that overpower.</div>
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I can enjoy exposure without concern,</div>
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Without risking any pesky sunburn.</div>
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It’s a peaceful, pleasant way </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To get going and start my day.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-58663818552980701852017-06-03T10:16:00.000-07:002017-06-03T10:16:57.863-07:00At Most A Toast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At Most A Toast</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
30 May 2017</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thoughts and a toast to the newlyweds!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hopefully, from your warmhearted parents</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You learned how not to be boneheads,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But life skills made their appearance;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like how to reconcile a bank account</div>
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And how to change a car’s flat tire.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From siblings, thinking of the amount,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of years spent fighting with fire,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You have now let hostilities cease.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With an armed truce, there’s peace.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A happy marriage extender</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Takes additional personal skills.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First you experience surrender,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When limerence brings thrills.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Surrendering to love has its importance.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Later, personal needs will surface,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So you’ll need to learn to balance</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To meet the demands of spousal service.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the future, adding a child will make </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For a triangular teeter-totter;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dragging more tests in its wake,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Making for a trial by fire and water,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And requiring powers of persuasion.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lastly, here’s to this happy occasion.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-1803661624643085392017-05-25T11:34:00.000-07:002017-05-25T11:34:13.802-07:00Love-In At Donovan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32RpnLSrBIoseC0dahjccS6wFbYhdh7mG-WYJtYaDGkvChIHYXpif4iMn0if0Vn-8PzYf-vQDfL0JGr_zZgRe19GtoWV1ayp_MZ5qtnD3rPOvbafguZ8m5OXgllRyzQjZ_0E13V2LkyOi/s1600/TEDxDonovan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="94" data-original-width="728" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32RpnLSrBIoseC0dahjccS6wFbYhdh7mG-WYJtYaDGkvChIHYXpif4iMn0if0Vn-8PzYf-vQDfL0JGr_zZgRe19GtoWV1ayp_MZ5qtnD3rPOvbafguZ8m5OXgllRyzQjZ_0E13V2LkyOi/s320/TEDxDonovan.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love-In At Donovan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
22 May 2017</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went to jail yesterday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was at Donovan state prison,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I didn’t have to stay.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The occasion was a TEDx exposition.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Half of the speakers were from inside</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And half of them were outside invitations.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All gave their speeches with pride</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In spite of the facility’s limitations.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The theme was “Beyond the Surface,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not judging a book by its cover;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking past another’s epidermis</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To find all there is to discover.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After the speeches was socializing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With guests and inmates freely mixing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Conversations ranged without specializing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or having authorities doing the fixing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For me the event was very positive</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I hope there’ll be repercussions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The impact’ll make all more sensitive</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And lead to productive discussions,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More dialog and experience exchanges</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That eventually cause policy changes.</div>
</div>
Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-62562258140433122832017-05-02T09:55:00.000-07:002017-05-02T09:55:46.248-07:00Yearning For Returning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNDg_GnHRDHSL3mvwKNtIGTGVkuhXDlv3NjroFUyJay7fmTDkpInLKd54LthudWwavHdahH0-85r-Kv6l_iRtcCz9SHPEZ15yXsLDiD1iB-jQdOALA-OHOIwBZP12VAeKAD4SuIek_zuT/s1600/BiltmoreHouse+2017Apr21g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNDg_GnHRDHSL3mvwKNtIGTGVkuhXDlv3NjroFUyJay7fmTDkpInLKd54LthudWwavHdahH0-85r-Kv6l_iRtcCz9SHPEZ15yXsLDiD1iB-jQdOALA-OHOIwBZP12VAeKAD4SuIek_zuT/s200/BiltmoreHouse+2017Apr21g.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biltmore House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm5jyVCWOlCIfuD0AmC-4xC_RiWEo8EVnv6l19OAOEn7pmI8S_CDWAqduayjr6lE_nBD-vaJhj34i_4_92PSEHE1rTS3nsV2hI-idOoDKvGYcGsFwdl1FgADvYwTV1jm87S-9WyIrvYIo/s1600/BassPond+2017Apr21p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm5jyVCWOlCIfuD0AmC-4xC_RiWEo8EVnv6l19OAOEn7pmI8S_CDWAqduayjr6lE_nBD-vaJhj34i_4_92PSEHE1rTS3nsV2hI-idOoDKvGYcGsFwdl1FgADvYwTV1jm87S-9WyIrvYIo/s200/BassPond+2017Apr21p.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bass Pond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRRoeN7G8geLQaBlYE-7ODz-ELPnllhdr5hiGA7XDIp05xRB3yQk9RF-GBPvRO1BwyXmeHPMpq-WWs4me_SSr4WYlSW90C6apF6ImAqPeWqoORjQYv0jCn09XHQ0tq_f_nkKqhrn1sJlo/s1600/Begonia%2540Biltmore+2017Apr19d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRRoeN7G8geLQaBlYE-7ODz-ELPnllhdr5hiGA7XDIp05xRB3yQk9RF-GBPvRO1BwyXmeHPMpq-WWs4me_SSr4WYlSW90C6apF6ImAqPeWqoORjQYv0jCn09XHQ0tq_f_nkKqhrn1sJlo/s200/Begonia%2540Biltmore+2017Apr19d.jpg" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Begonia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy59vB-octEzDZJOt7-kTlM4E45OeVV3LWjYW_d00OgKg-8wNleUlyLBjoNGC4jegckoiD9IDpmUx1R9NUwBgX2561AmRIC4Q96qmRcU_5243N-xLNl9KMaRJY1LUF6szV2NZdMZqXjcpu/s1600/Azalea+Garden+2017Apr21q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy59vB-octEzDZJOt7-kTlM4E45OeVV3LWjYW_d00OgKg-8wNleUlyLBjoNGC4jegckoiD9IDpmUx1R9NUwBgX2561AmRIC4Q96qmRcU_5243N-xLNl9KMaRJY1LUF6szV2NZdMZqXjcpu/s200/Azalea+Garden+2017Apr21q.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Azalea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3D5J4zcfZmp9ZK_gjoIpgyPmw5HPoAqpdFaQAj2WKf0WMLdmQvUPtoUJQVxJU04kJvAWOAB-0N14X2qVKI6mp5t4icXoRE-LyimPyaZICj9dVxbwsRKSaB9XI1qTdXR2Q8Z8yxpf4ZVP/s1600/Tulip%2540Biltmore+2017Apr19c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3D5J4zcfZmp9ZK_gjoIpgyPmw5HPoAqpdFaQAj2WKf0WMLdmQvUPtoUJQVxJU04kJvAWOAB-0N14X2qVKI6mp5t4icXoRE-LyimPyaZICj9dVxbwsRKSaB9XI1qTdXR2Q8Z8yxpf4ZVP/s200/Tulip%2540Biltmore+2017Apr19c.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulip</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSGg5TSV7nW8ttQwMgbM9ySiu4Zm6QpXh-IBYfTFzeCGvD7Q9ZWUgDjbwpRdhwUJypmUmOX298rrRgr6NPwlOdQHMxck2u2QHjJF7KT9NJBG9RrX24TZNgR7Egpr0E47y8Shmz_BjTmYr/s1600/Wisteria%2540Biltmore+2017Apr19f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSGg5TSV7nW8ttQwMgbM9ySiu4Zm6QpXh-IBYfTFzeCGvD7Q9ZWUgDjbwpRdhwUJypmUmOX298rrRgr6NPwlOdQHMxck2u2QHjJF7KT9NJBG9RrX24TZNgR7Egpr0E47y8Shmz_BjTmYr/s320/Wisteria%2540Biltmore+2017Apr19f.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisteria</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVTnnuk085tzZWdlYDZKRWaawEBU9E9x3T5iLykPkh4XkZypbpeHUq9lz40hFL9u6Ya8BFEcblYkf-yhSiRqgpAkdTrILgr6Cp1L_EBKGBdlpy0y0KKwxX5auSxfEEngZzQPLmbi4gg3Z/s1600/Pansy%2540Biltmore+2017Apr20b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVTnnuk085tzZWdlYDZKRWaawEBU9E9x3T5iLykPkh4XkZypbpeHUq9lz40hFL9u6Ya8BFEcblYkf-yhSiRqgpAkdTrILgr6Cp1L_EBKGBdlpy0y0KKwxX5auSxfEEngZzQPLmbi4gg3Z/s200/Pansy%2540Biltmore+2017Apr20b.jpg" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pansies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHJDgbgl_HgAo7NvxIbYFNkUTalUC3-xtBXNRW3nYIaQR7X8Wf247nk1SE7T4qyJ9RD8yKijIOdM20FW6KjG4kUMm9VpeTlAHKSIO0yMjKgCk-e8teqNyWen-14gGhuRn6OYMmTWHGNt7/s1600/Daisies%2540Biltmore+2017Apr20d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHJDgbgl_HgAo7NvxIbYFNkUTalUC3-xtBXNRW3nYIaQR7X8Wf247nk1SE7T4qyJ9RD8yKijIOdM20FW6KjG4kUMm9VpeTlAHKSIO0yMjKgCk-e8teqNyWen-14gGhuRn6OYMmTWHGNt7/s200/Daisies%2540Biltmore+2017Apr20d.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daisies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZegHEZCAROAVMj4eWK8pxbvxMv25OvzDheRVXNMa8JofikoCkkJaL_4MsA11LjEJ9s1nYq4mK68-j8RFXiaLSqIcZ_pNm8mYCdYprDleFoEudzqGL-kiaCZmMxZxM1YCdF0FEuczrll1/s1600/Orchids%2540Biltmore+2017Apr19c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZegHEZCAROAVMj4eWK8pxbvxMv25OvzDheRVXNMa8JofikoCkkJaL_4MsA11LjEJ9s1nYq4mK68-j8RFXiaLSqIcZ_pNm8mYCdYprDleFoEudzqGL-kiaCZmMxZxM1YCdF0FEuczrll1/s320/Orchids%2540Biltmore+2017Apr19c.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchids</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Click on photo to enlarge.</i></span></div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Yearning For Returning</h4>
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26 April 2017<br /><br />I’d like to go back once more.<br />Tell the Inn to save me a room<br />To see flowers at the Biltmore<br />When the azaleas are in bloom.<br />Let me visit when the tulips blossom<br />And the hanging wisteria’s awesome.<br />I love the colors of the pansies<br />That match to hues of the daisies.<br />I want to explore the conservatory<br />That shows off varieties of hybrids,<br />Including an amazing begonia variety<br />And bountiful sprays of orchids.<br />Let me stroll down to the Bass Pond<br />To see the brick bridge reflected,<br />The calm water and the trees beyond;<br />So my joie de vivre gets resurrected.</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-63298442912540854922017-04-25T11:03:00.000-07:002017-04-25T11:03:22.260-07:00Meal Appeal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmk36ajsfAOQLguWHDyCM1kr72hrcxTXvge8RCGd2jaerXqIHxtkRcOsc0ErQhLzJUBbapOCFUt0PFrElS_C0K4JaQJah5tE8M5ZVAUxyuRwuhGEm8rDjQBrdiFcc2upeCGJrnPZ_PzyvM/s1600/Dining+Room+2017Apr19c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmk36ajsfAOQLguWHDyCM1kr72hrcxTXvge8RCGd2jaerXqIHxtkRcOsc0ErQhLzJUBbapOCFUt0PFrElS_C0K4JaQJah5tE8M5ZVAUxyuRwuhGEm8rDjQBrdiFcc2upeCGJrnPZ_PzyvM/s320/Dining+Room+2017Apr19c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Meal Appeal</h3>
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19 April 2017</div>
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Dinner wasn’t normal comfort food</div>
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With the usual texture and taste.</div>
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This meal came with attitude</div>
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And it wasn’t made in haste.</div>
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The flavors were an attention getter.</div>
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The different presentation was no decoy.</div>
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Dinner wasn’t comfort food; it was better.</div>
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So my taste buds are dancing for joy!</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-2226611952536606042017-04-13T09:51:00.000-07:002017-04-13T09:51:01.046-07:00Body Haul On A Rock Wall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqssMN4aBqLYRyCpzZNFWRjf4jBQUUzO1ZAQ7qFxn5jsmhIotRHa5nT_c1zxwLry2mI3bGeqeEDl7kTG_fKo1Hm6W-C5XLwore2lO-Wz-sn_y5fURa5MhA007qywTZBSYHmUOdzSHA1T01/s1600/Red+Rock+Climbers+2017April8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqssMN4aBqLYRyCpzZNFWRjf4jBQUUzO1ZAQ7qFxn5jsmhIotRHa5nT_c1zxwLry2mI3bGeqeEDl7kTG_fKo1Hm6W-C5XLwore2lO-Wz-sn_y5fURa5MhA007qywTZBSYHmUOdzSHA1T01/s320/Red+Rock+Climbers+2017April8b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on photo to enlarge.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Body Haul On A Rock Wall<br />8 April 2017<br /><br />Fingers gripping and toes upholding<br />The climber rises like a slow kite.<br />With concentration and skill molding,<br />Defying gravity to reach a new height.<br />The crosswind erratically tugs<br />As the rock climber slowly advances,<br />On the way up positioning lugs,<br />Securing the climbing mate’s chances<br />Of a successful mountaineering.<br />The buddy retrieving anchors as she goes,<br />Sometimes requiring body engineering<br />And the shifting of equipment cargos.<br />At the top, another anchor will suffice,<br />Then long ropes are thrown down.<br />The descent is belayed thru a device.<br />With the ropes placed, they go to town.<br />Going up and down becomes child’s play<br />And a pleasant way to end the day.</span></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-67255745435007134742017-03-29T09:40:00.000-07:002017-03-29T09:40:17.661-07:00Old Friends’ Dividends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdMMdaduYF55YYQA7sw86nbBcMtMlBaV0owAcpwSm3XcUQq70yYKRDg_KoSZxauy6U4FdkeZ2iJFxyVHgJ703BSWh6DMkUgVKw-myZIfaDAUIInGl9eTUTgjekQLXlIJHxg9j0cSDvimu/s1600/Al%2526Teri+2017March25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdMMdaduYF55YYQA7sw86nbBcMtMlBaV0owAcpwSm3XcUQq70yYKRDg_KoSZxauy6U4FdkeZ2iJFxyVHgJ703BSWh6DMkUgVKw-myZIfaDAUIInGl9eTUTgjekQLXlIJHxg9j0cSDvimu/s320/Al%2526Teri+2017March25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Old Friends’ Dividends<br />27 March 2017<br /><br />Like a flower’s lingering scent<br />I remember the time we spent.<br />Like the candle’s smell<br />After it’s been blown out,<br />Mentally I rehash and retell<br />Of us having dinner out.<br />We spoke of days gone by,<br />And remembering with a sigh<br />Gravy over bread as humble pie.<br />Contrast growing up in poverty<br />To us here and now eating out.<br />We could take the liberty<br />To order shrimp as it turned out.<br />Love and goodwill were traded.<br />A good time was had by all.<br />Sympathy and friendliness pervaded<br />The good-byes at withdrawal.<br />The memory’s been enshrined<br />To a special place in my mind.</div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613090505957869281.post-87576345236101947412017-03-17T12:42:00.000-07:002017-03-17T12:42:31.646-07:00Bloom Boom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVDxmzNFWjW2e6Zw9cmoow0t472TGh7KHzE6-LBhGF_cWPDYrn5Ez_28qiMhwFaup5xVjiaBySX2CTfBW5_xC8sMkIKzu-xITQE7NCTOwQNyFcHt0_JVJFk5dq6Wfvo0cFND7rP0PV8qs/s1600/Desert+Flowers+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVDxmzNFWjW2e6Zw9cmoow0t472TGh7KHzE6-LBhGF_cWPDYrn5Ez_28qiMhwFaup5xVjiaBySX2CTfBW5_xC8sMkIKzu-xITQE7NCTOwQNyFcHt0_JVJFk5dq6Wfvo0cFND7rP0PV8qs/s320/Desert+Flowers+3.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Click on above photo to enlarge</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Bloom Boom</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">16 March 2017</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s called a super bloom</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By reporters in the newsroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Winter rain’s brought out desert flowers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There’s been enough to end the drought,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From barely sprinkles to thundershowers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nicer weather is bringing people out</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To see the verdant growth mushrooming</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the vibrant hues sprouting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It looks like a carpet blooming</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the perfect excuse for an outing.</span></div>
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Uncle Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07652105473686810572noreply@blogger.com0