Closing out 2009

Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Sharaf (Honor), 166 BE – Thursday, December 31, 2009 about 3:38 PM Pacific Time

An eventful and interesting year draws to an end. I end the year with one olive and two stone pine trees in my yard. I end the year without a vacation home parked in my yard. I end the year with a complete set of dentures.

During 2009 my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and my doctor found a lump in my breast. Mom now takes medication for Alzheimer's, which is supposed to slow the progress of the disease. I have an appointment with a breast specialist on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 12:30 PM, with an arrival time at 12:00 PM.

In some ways, 2009 was less stressful then 2007 or 2008, but in other ways more stressful. I am looking forward to 2010, but then I always look forward to a New Year. A New Year is like a new loaf of bread there are so many sandwiches that you look forward to making and eating them.

I never know whether a year is going to be good, bad or somewhere in between. I have to live it one day at a time. Some days are good and some bad, but all those days go into making the year. I am looking forward to 2010 with hope and faith.

More Clouds in Las Vegas

‘Idál (Justice), 19 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Wednesday, December 30, 2009 about 12:19 PM Pacific Time

It's cloudy again today in Las Vegas without any measurable rain predicted. We might get a few sprinkles, but nothing more. On the bright side, winds won't interfere with the fireworks on Thursday night.

New York welcomes a New Year by dropping a ball. Las Vegas welcomes a New Year by setting off fireworks. I guess every town and city has its own way of welcoming a New Year.

New Years Day and Black Eyed Peas

Fidál (Grace), 18 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Tuesday, December 29, 2009 about 10:04 AM Pacific Time

My grandmother always fixed black eyed peas on New Year's Day, so I'm keeping the tradition. I bought two packages of black-eyed peas at Food 4 Less a couple of days ago and I have a ham steak in the freezer. I'm attempting to remember Grandma's recipe, but it was never written down so I'm going to have to use my own creativity when it comes to fixing the black-eyed peas.

Ham and black-eyed peas
a New Year's Day sensation
keep the recipe.

The Last Saturday in 2009

Jalál (Glory), 15 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Saturday, December 26, 2009 about 4:34 PM

It's the last Saturday in 2009, an interesting and stressful year not as stressful as 2007 or 2008, but stressful none the less. I have a complete set of new dentures and still getting used to them. The dentures still feel alien in my mouth, I know that isn't a good description, but that's how they feel.

I eat just about anything I want; however, the dentures have slowed me down a bit. Actually I'm enjoying the taste of food better with the dentures then I did with my natural teeth. I still have issues with the bottom dentures moving around in my mouth, but I'm handling it. I usually just slow down a bit when that happens.

The problem is I can't find a denture adhesives that I can use and still hold the bottom dentures in place. I'm going to try something new this next week and see if that works, if it doesn't work then I'll just have to get used to the dentures moving around. I'll just have to take smaller bits and chew slower.

Christmas Eve 2009

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Thursday, December 24, 2009 about 1:44 PM Pacific Time

It's Christmas Eve, my birthday, and Thankful Thursday. There are about seven days left in 2009. Today I'm staying home, I'll go out for a birthday lunch or dinner next week. I thought about going out today, but I don't like driving in Christmas Eve traffic in Las Vegas.

I have a pumpkin roll in the cupboard and some chocolate ice cream in the freezer, so I can celebrate my birthday. It just doesn't seem like a birthday if I don't have cake and ice cream. All right, it's a pumpkin roll, but it's close enough to a cake to make me happy.

Chocolate ice cream
and a birthday pumpkin roll
Las Vegas living.

It was a good morning

When I got up, it was a good morning. Now I'm not sure, however, I reserve the right to change my mind about that. I don't know that I will change my mind because once the mood of the morning changes from good to difficult, it usually remains difficult.

After the morning
mood changes from good to bad
a long day ahead.

No White Christmas this year in Las Vegas

Fidál (Grace), 11 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Monday, December 21, 2009 about 7:47 PM Pacific Time

According to the weather report, which arrived in my e-mail box tonight there going to be no white Christmas. There might be a few flake, but that doesn't constitute a white Christmas in the Las Vegas valley. That means if I want to see snow on either my birthday (December 24) or on Christmas, I have to drive to Mount Charleston.

When I was growing up, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, I enjoyed playing in the snow. I still enjoy the snow, only now I enjoy sitting inside with a cup of hot chocolate and watching it snow outside. Since no snow is forecast for Christmas, I'll just drink hot chocolate and dream about the snow.

We don't celebrate Christmas, so we won't be going out Christmas Day. However, I think we'll go out on Christmas Eve. I have a gift card to one of the local restaurants and I want to use it before the end of the year. I think we'll go out for lunch rather then in the evening.

Fresh Fruit Salad for Christmas

Jamál (Beauty), 9 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Sunday, December 20, 2009 about 10:05 AM Pacific Time

I remember Grandma making fresh fruit salad. I'm not sure whether she made it for Christmas or Thanksgiving; I just remember watching her cutting up the fruit for the salad. When Grandma made the salad, she peeled the apples and then cut them into chunks. Grandma always peeled the apples because she couldn't swallow the peeling.

I picked up a Christmas fruit boxes from Angel Food Ministries yesterday. It has apples, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pears. I'm going to make a fruit salad this year. Sometime I have trouble swallowing the apple peeling, but I'm not sure whether I'm going to peel the apples or not.

In addition to the fruit, Grandma put tiny marshmallows, shredded coconut, and nuts. I have the nuts here, but I don't have shredded coconut or marshmallows. Therefore, I'm going to have to get both of those on Wednesday after my check arrives. I'm going to use yogurt for the salad dressing. I'm not sure if Grandma used yogurt for the fruit salad dressing, but I don't think she did. Grandma made her own dressing for the fruit salad and I can't remember how she made the dressing.

A beautiful December day in Las Vegas

Jalál (Glory), 8 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Saturday, December 19, 2009 about 4:18 PM Pacific Time

Beautiful December
feathery clouds hide the sun
no wind chill factor.

It's December in Las Vegas, chilly but not cold. The sky is covered by feathery clouds without ground level winds. It's a nice winter day in the desert.

Ski jacket ready
for the cold December winds
white clouds without snow.

Oversleeping in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 7 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Friday, December 18, 2009 about 11:33 AM Pacific Time

I don't like oversleeping because it starts my day out late. However, the past week or so I've overslept. The alarm goes off and I turn it off. I think the clock is too close to the bed. I need to put the clock far enough away so that I have to get out of bed to turn it off.

Most people wouldn't consider sleeping until 6:45 AM oversleeping, but I do. I have a prescription I have to take on an empty stomach and then wait an hour before I can eat breakfast. If I get up at 6:45, I take the tablet about 7:00 AM, which means I can't eat until about 8:00. I get hungry before then.

Overslept again
Friday so I started late
behind all day long.

Another Pink Sunset

Istijlál (Majesty), 6 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Thursday, December 17, 2009 about Sunset Pacific Time

Another sunset
pink clouds above the mountains
announce the day's end.

I looked out my window and saw the clouds transform from pale white to pastel pink. It reminded me of Oklahoma. Lately almost all sunsets remind me of winter in Oklahoma. This time of year, we woke up looking forward to seeing snow on the ground.

In Las Vegas, it seldom snows in the valley. Mount Charleston has gotten snow so the skiers are happy. I miss the snow, but not enough to drive to Mount Charleston to play in it. I'd rather use the gas for something else, perhaps a trip to the mall to buy chocolate.

Pink clouds at sunset

‘Idál (Justice), 5 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Wednesday, December 16, 2009 about 4:40 PM Pacific Time

Pink clouds at sunset
a weary day becomes night
tears wait to descend.

It's been a short and weary day. The long winter night approaches and I want to cry. Perhaps tomorrow will be better, so I'll make this entry short.

A December Sunset

Kamál (Perfection), 3 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Monday, December 14, 2009 about 4:11 PM Pacific Time

Shorter daylight hours
make December's long cold night
summer wishing time.

I look out my living room window and watch the descending sun. December sunsets make me long for summer. December sunsets bring back memories of Oklahoma and snow. It hasn't snowed in the Las Vegas valley, but Mount Charleston has received snow.

I don't miss the snow
I miss Grandma and Grandpa
homemade snow ice cream.

Winter in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 19 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Friday, December 11, 2009 about 1:07 PM Pacific Time

Today the sun hides
behind a fleet of gray clouds
another dreary day

It rained in Las Vegas last night

Fidál (Grace), 16 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Tuesday, December 8, 2009 about 4:00 PM Pacific Time

It rained last night. It was a nice steady rain lasting for more then an hour. This morning when I went out to get the paper, I noticed that it give my car a good bath. I'm still going to have to take it to the car wash because the rain didn't get the car completely clean.

A natural car wash
the cold December shower
washed away autumn.

The weather report, which arrived in my e-mail box this afternoon, said we could expect more rain this coming weekend. I guess I could wait until next week to take the car to car wash and see if the rain washed the rest of the dirt away.

Winter Storm Warnings

Kamál (Perfection), 15 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Monday, December 7, 2009 about 12:18 PM Pacific Time

It's cooler then normal this morning. Clouds cover the sky over Las Vegas. Snow is expected in the mountains. Winter has arrived.

Snow in the mountains
sends chills across Las Vegas
skiers are happy.

I think I'm in a rut

Jalál (Glory), 13 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Saturday, December 5, 2009 about 1:42 PM Pacific Time

Am I in a rut?
The same thing day in day out
An old calendar.

I received a new 2010 Water Smart calendar through the mail several days ago. I just started looking at it yesterday and realized I hadn't been to a poetry reading in over a year. I'm in a rut, I need to get out of my rut. Therefore, I'm going to start back to poetry readings next week.

I discovered YouTube

Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Friday, December 4, 2009 about 9:24 AM Pacific Time

I have DSL and recently discovered YouTube. All right, I've known YouTube existed for a long time, but when I subscribed to a dial-up connection there was not use accessing that website. However, now that I have DSL I can enjoy the videos.

Christmas time is a wonderful time to listen and watch videos because of the music. I don't celebrate Christmas, but I do listen the Christmas music. Christmas music brings back memories of my childhood. Christmas music encourages my muse to write poetry.

Christmas songs echo
through my mind encouraging
childhood's memories.

Thankful Thursday December 3, 2009

Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Thursday, December 3, 2009 about 4:11 PM Pacific Time

The idea behind Thankful Thursday is that, no matter how difficult life gets, a person can always find ten things for which to give thanks. Those gratitude items can be anything from a coffee maker working to waking up at dawn. Sometimes it's hard to find gratitude items, especially when life kicks you in the teeth. However, if a person keeps an open mind and looks hard enough there is always something to put on the list.

1. Today I am thankful that the neighbors (across the street) turned on their Christmas lights last night.
2. Today I am thankful that I have enough coffee in the house to last me the rest of December.
3. Today I am thankful that I have two coffee makers in the house. One is a peculator and the other is a drip coffee maker.
4. Today I am thankful that I have a clock radio to wake me up in the morning.
5. Today I am thankful that I remember to buy a filter for the central air unit when I went to Food 4 Less this afternoon.
6. Today I am thankful for online banking and the ability to pay bills from home.
7. Today I am thankful for the beauty of a desert sunset.
8. Today I am thankful that I have an entire set of dentures, so that I can eat homemade vegetable soup and crackers.
9. Today I am thankful that I was able to have a new digital thermostat installed before winder got cold.
10. Today I am thankful that today is Thankful Thursday and I can make my gratitude list.

A Beautiful December Evening in Las Vegas

‘Idál (Justice), 10 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Wednesday, December 2, 2009 about 4:20 PM Pacific Time

Sunset approaches turning the sky from blue to blueish-white. It is a warm 61 degrees at this time, but it will get cooler. I say cooler because it seldom gets extremely cold in Las Vegas. True it does snow on Mount Charleston, but Las Vegas is in the valley so we don't get a lot of snow down here.

I miss the snow. If I want to see snow or play in it, I have to drive to Mount Charleston and driving to the mountain when it snows means putting chains on the car. I have never bought chains for any car I've driven. I have never put chains on the tires of a car. Perhaps I've missed something, I wouldn't know.

I could fly to Colorado, I talked to my brother today (the one who lives in Colorado) and he said they're expecting snow. I have no intention of going to Colorado in December. Since I can't go to the snow and it isn't going to snow in the valley, I'll just have to dream or write about snow.

Making my Holiday Card List

Kamál (Perfection), 8 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Monday, November 30, 2009 about 11:11 AM Pacific Time

It's time to start making my holiday card list. It isn't very long, or at least I don't think it's long, but if I get cards through the regular mail or e-mail from friends or relatives I don't expect, I'll sent them one as well.

I remember my grandmother making long a long list of names and address to send Christmas cards. She would go to the store and pick out beautiful religious cards for all the relatives. After she picked the cards out, grandma would spend the first Monday after Thanksgiving addressing the cards.

Today is the first Monday after Thanksgiving. Today is Cyber Monday. Today many people are shopping online and looking for holiday bargains. My grandmother would go into Blackwell to find and buy Christmas gifts. On thing, shopping online does is save a lot of gas because you don't have to use the car to shop online.

A New Week begins in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 7 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Sunday, November 29, 2009 about 7:50 AM Pacific Time

It's Sunday morning the day of beauty. A new week begins in Las Vegas. I look out my living room window and see a cloud covered sky. No rain is forecast for today, in fact it's supposed to dry out.

It rained last night; I know this because I looked out the window before going to bed. There were puddles in my driveway. The puddles are dried up this morning, but they were their last night. They looked like dark mirrors reflecting a starless sky.

Dark mirrors reflecting
nothing but eternal night
morning dried them up.

Tomorrow is Laundry Day

Jalál (Glory), 6 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Saturday, November 28, 2009 about 12:14 PM Pacific Time

Sunday is laundry day. I was planning to go today until I realized I didn't have all the laundry gathered. I have eight laundry baskets, I'm not sure I have room in my car for that many baskets. I'll put in as many as I can and what I can't get done on Sunday will have to wait until Monday.

This is my own fault, of course. I need to do laundry every week, instead of once every two weeks, perhaps on Wednesday or Thursday because I like to do other business on Monday or Tuesday.

I need to clean out the backseat of the car and then start carrying laundry basket out. I don't want to wait until Sunday to carry them out. I've made the mistake before concerning not taking the basket to the car the day before. I have to go to the laundromat on Sunday if I put the dirty cloths in the car today.

A cloudy Black Friday in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 5 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Thursday-Friday, November 27, 2009 about 1:51 PM Pacific Time

Clouds on Black Friday
conceal the sun from shoppers
bargains are waiting.

The Christmas shopping
season has begun. Lines formed
yesterday, shoppers waiting
for today's bargains.

Thanksgiving 2009

Istijlál (Majesty), 4 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Thursday, November 26, 2009 about 2:33 PM Pacific Time

When I was a child in Blackwell, Oklahoma, I never thought much of the spiritual aspects of Thanksgiving. I knew history of the holiday, but I never really understood the spiritual meaning of Thanksgiving.

We gathered at my grandparents' house and ate turkey. Grandma would cook the turkey in the oven. Grandpa would say a prayer of gratitude at the table and then we would have our Thanksgiving feast. Now, at 62 the spiritual implications of the holiday are revealing themselves.

This year I had some devastating news before the holiday started. Last Friday, I took my mother to see her doctor because she was acting odd, acting unusual, not acting like herself. The doctor diagnosed Mom with Alzheimer's and put Mom on a medication that is supposed to have an effect on the problem. I'll know if it helps Mom in four to six weeks.

A person would think that something like this would make me doubt the love of the Creator, the love of God. It doesn't because I know God loves me. I know God loves my mother. I know God loves all of humanity. This is a test and like all tests, its intention is to draw those involved nearer to God.

A brisk 1 degree Centigrade in Las Vegas

It is a brisk one degree Centigrade in Las Vegas right now. The temperature is supposed to increase later today. In fact, Las Vegas will be warmer on Thanksgiving, but then it gets cooler again by Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Since I do not celebrate Christmas, I doubt I will shop on Black Friday or even Cyber Monday, all though, I do have to pick out a New Year's card to send to my sister. I have about three or four cards to send this year. At least, two of the cars will be e-cards, but I have to use snail mail to send a card to my sister.

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday

Fidál (Grace), 2 Qawl (Speech), 166 BE – Monday, November 23, 2009 about 8:39 PM Pacific Time

Thanksgiving is followed by two of the biggest shopping days of the holiday season, which Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Thanksgiving and Black Friday always bring back pleasant memories of my childhood. I have no childhood memories (pleasant or otherwise) of Cyber Monday, because it did not exist when I was growing up.

On Thanksgiving, we gathered at my grandparents' house to give thanks and eat turkey. On Black Friday, my grandfather bought the Christmas Tree, which we decorated on Saturday. On the Monday after Thanksgiving, we went back to school and waited impatiently for Christmas Eve and Christmas.

When I was a child living in Blackwell, Oklahoma, the Internet did not exist. No one shopped online. When my mother and grandparents bought us Christmas and birthday presents, they went into a brick and mortar store. They did not use a credit card or a debit card to pay for purchases, instead they used cash. Sometimes the advances in technology amaze me.

The blessings of a new week

Jamál (Beauty), 19 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Sunday, November 22, 2009 about 12:32 PM Pacific Time

Thanksgiving week 2009 has begun. The morning was difficult and I suspect every morning for the next 30 to 60 days will be difficult. Afternoons are better, easier, less difficult; I'm beginning to like afternoons. I wish I could sleep until noon, but I can't do that so I have to deal with the difficult mornings.

Difficult mornings
make for an interesting life
doctors' appointments.

This week is full of activity. Monday I peck up a new prescription for my Mother and then pick up a refill for myself. Tuesday I go to the dentist to have my upper plate adjusted. Wednesday we (my mother and I) doing laundry. All these activities are planned for the afternoon because mornings are difficult.

Difficult mornings
afternoon activities
Las Vegas awaits.

On Thanksgiving, I am not going to cook the turkey in the freezer. Instead, I will either fix the ham roast or the flank steaks we have in the freezer. I should fix the flank steaks since they've been in the freezer the longest.

Mom and I don't have a traditional Thanksgiving, unless we go out to a restaurant or to someone else's home. At present, I don't know what were going to do on Thanksgiving, except have a difficult morning. Since this entry is beginning to look like a rant and I'm not willing to go into why mornings are difficult, I'm going to close this post now.

All day in doctors’ offices

Jalál (Glory), 18 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Saturday, November 21, 2009 about 11:57 AM Pacific Time

Friday seems like a lost day because I got nothing accomplished at home. Mom had two appointments with two different doctors. One in the morning and one in the afternoon, as a results she was given two new prescriptions.

I picked one of the prescriptions up Friday evening and Mom is using the eye drops. The other prescription will be filled Monday because the pharmacy was out of the tablets. I will call the pharmacist about noon Monday to see when the presumption will be ready. I will also ask the price just to make sure there is enough in the account to use the debit card.

Mom's regular doctor ordered blood test, so we went to the lab and someone took blood. We will probably hear the results of those Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. That was my Friday in Las Vegas.

November Tranquility

Istijlál (Majesty), 16 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Thursday, November 19, 2009 about 9:17 AM Pacific Time


Thanksgiving's next week
childhood memories return
pumpkin pie whipped cream.

Memories of my grandmother's homemade pumpkin pie and whipped cream make November a time of memories. I wonder if anyone makes homemade whipped cream any more.

Las Vegas weather report

‘Idál (Justice), 15 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Wednesday, November 18, 2009 about 5:37 AM Pacific Time

I received the weather report in my e-mail box last night. I subscribe to a daily weather forecast from Channel 3 Las Vegas. A series of fronts are moving into the Las Vegas area, which means interesting weather over the next few weeks. We can expect warm, cool, breezy, and calm weather in the Las Vegas area.

Changeable weather
fronts make life interesting
Las Vegas autumn.

I recied a Good New newsletter

One of the daily newsletters I receive in my yahoo e-mail box is Gimundo Good News ... Served Daily>. In today's newsletter was the following video link about a Cockatoo and a cat. Take a look at Cat and Cockatoo in Love.

Oatmeal time of Year

Fidál (Grace), 14 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Tuesday, November 17, 2009 about 9:13 AM Pacific Time

Oatmeal time of year
my bones notice morning's chill
breakfast scatters cold.

I always think of autumn and winter as oatmeal time. When I was a child my grandmother always fixed oatmeal on cold Oklahoma mornings. I fixed oatmeal this morning; I think I have enough left to have oatmeal hot cakes tomorrow.

I just received weird call

The phone ring, I saved the MSWord document, then got up and went to the phone. I reached the phone before the fourth ring, which is an accomplishment since the phone (the voice mail picks up on the fourth ring) is in the breakfast room and my computer is in the living room.

I said hello and the only thing I heard was music. It was nice, pleasant canned music and I hung the phone up. I do not have a telephone to listen to music. If I want to listen to music, I have a radio, I have a television, I have a computer and can use one of those items.

I am presuming that whoever dialed my number will call back. When they do call back, a living human being had better be on the other end. I have not intention of listening to music when someone else calls me and then puts me on hold.

If I make the call, then yes I will wait on hold, at least, until the battery in my phone goes dead. I will not wait on hold when someone else calls me.

Monday morning in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 13 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Monday, November 16, 2009 about 6:19 AM Pacific Time

Las Vegas Monday
dawn transforms the gray morning
coffee's aroma

I can watch videos online

Jamál (Beauty), 12 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Sunday, November 15, 2009 about 11:21 AM Pacific Time

I have DSL, so its fun to watch videos online. When I had a dial-up connection, the download was so slow videos weren't fun to watch. I don't have a long wait for the videos to download, so now I'm enjoying watching them.

I want to check several website because they have some interesting videos. I'll do that in the next few weeks and post any interesting links I find. Now I need to get me a camcorder so that I can video the places of interest in Las Vegas.

Challenged Drivers in Las Vegas and Friday the Thirteenth

Istiqlál (Independence), 10 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Friday, November 13, 2009 about 3:10 PM Pacific Time

This is Friday, November 13; yes, it is Friday the Thirteenth. It is the last of three Friday the Thirteenths in 2009. I don't think there are any more or less challenged drivers on the streets of Las Vegas on Friday the Thirteenth then any other day of the week.

I encountered two challenged drivers today, which is one more then I normally encounter. I had to go pick up a bottle of meds this afternoon. I get my presumptions filled at the Food 4 Less pharmacy on Flamingo and Pacos. I was driving south on Eastern when I encounter my first challenged driver.

This person, I'm not sure if it was a man or woman so I can't gripe about male drivers. Any way this person suddenly decided to turn into my lane, fortunately the car behind me has as good a set of brakes as I did. I arrived at the Food 4 Less safely and got my prescription.

On the way back home I was going north on Eastern and encounter another challenged driver. This one seemed to think that the 45 miles per hour speed limit was the suggest speed rather then the posted speed. Anyway, what I'm getting at is that when driving in Las Vegas you need to be aware of the other cars as well as wearing your seat belt.

It's starting to look like Autumn

Istijlál (Majesty), 9 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Thursday, November 12, 2009 about 11:45 AM Pacific Time

Yellow oak leaves dance
across black asphalt at dawn
Thanksgiving is near.

It is finally looking like autumn in Las Vegas. The oak leaves from the neighbors trees are turning gold and falling into the street. The wind blows them across the black top. The leaves make an intriguing noise as they blow down the avenue.

Lately I've been thinking

I think I need to
more about my beliefs
proclaim God's Glory.

I think I need to write more about why I believe. This thought has come to me a lot lately. Normally, I write poems about my beliefs, but not prose. I don't know why this is so, but it is. However, I think I need to write more prose about my belief system. I need to answer the question “Why?”

Living Life in the Fast Lane

‘Idál (Justice), 8 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Wednesday, November 11, 2009 about 5:13 AM Pacific Time

I don't know why I waited so long to get DSL. It is wonderful. It is fast. I didn't know what I was missing before I installed a DSL modem. Now that I have DSL, everything I do online is faster.

This morning I updated my virus protection. It took less then five minutes to download the updates. Before I installed the DSL modem updating my virus protection took about ten or fifteen minutes.

This morning I did a survey, which said it would take about thirty-five minutes. It took about that amount of time. The survey was fun to do because the graphics downloaded quickly. I did the survey and then went on to something else.

Life in the fast lane
uninterrupted survey
Direct Service Line

Life is a learning experience

Fidál (Grace), 7 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Tuesday, November 10, 2009 about 5:24 AM Pacific Time

At 62, I am still learning. I decided to bundle my services with CenturyLink, the phone company in Las Vegas. I have telephone, with long distance, satellite TV and DSL. Someone installed the Satellite, which is with the DishNetwork, on November 2.

This morning when I got up, the receptor box was making an odd noise and the satellite would not come on. I called the 800 number and the young lady with customer service walked me through getting the box working again. It turned out all I had to do was reboot, that is unplug the box from the electricity and plugged it in again.

The satellite box comes with a built-in DVR, which I have not used yet. I will use the DVR to record Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Specials. I do not celebrate Christmas, but I do enjoy watching some of the Christmas Specials.

Back online

Kamál (Perfection), 6 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Sunday, November 8, 2009 about 7:02 PM Pacific Time

I am back online. I now have DSL and a new e-mail address. I finished setting up the DSL modem this evening. I am going to enjoy working online again.

Life is wonderful
so many new adventures
each day something new.

A weekend off line

Istiqlál (Independence), 3 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Friday, November 6, 2009 about Sunset Pacific Time

I'm probably going to spend the weekend off line. I'm connecting a new modem and it looks bit more complicated the I first thought. I have access to 24/7 tech support, so if I run into difficulties I'll just call the 800 number. My next post will discuss any difficulties I have connecting the modem and the filters.

I visited the North Pole two days in a row

Istijlál (Majesty), 2 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Thursday, November 5, 2009 about 8:13 AM Pacific Time

The temperatures seem like I was at the North Pole instead of doctors' examination rooms. On Tuesday, I went to my doctor and the room was so cold I had to put my ski jacket back on to keep warm. On Wednesday, I took Mom to an urgent care facility. The examination room there was arctic cold too. However, the urgent care facility provided blankets to their clients.

Arctic temperatures
in examination rooms
summer through winter.

Poem written at Feast of Qudrat

‘Idál (Justice), 1 Qudrat (Power), 166 BE – Wednesday, November 4, 2009 about 7:41 AM Pacific Time

Power flows through the
hair thin conduits of love
titanium strong.

NaNoWriMo Day 3

Fidál (Grace), 19 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Tuesday, November 3, 2009 about 7:55 AM Pacific Time

NaNoWriMo Day 3, I've completed the introduction to my 50,000-word novel. The introduction contains a little over 1,800 words, which isn't too bad. I have a lot going on in my life, so I'm probably lucky I've written that many words on this project.

I'm going to have to have at least one all night writing session this month to achieve the 50,000 words by November 30. At this point, I'm planning to start an all night session on Saturday, November 7. I'm also planning another all night session for Sunday, November 22.

In addition, to the all night writing sessions, I'm planning two all day reviewing session for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. I have to earn some more GPs to extend my premium writing.com membership another month. After November 30, then I will worry about extending the membership for another month.

Coffee Grounds and Egg Shells

Kamál (Perfection), 18 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Monday, November 2, 2009 about 6:04 AM Pacific Time

My grandmother used coffee grounds and eggshells to help fertilize her flowerbeds. Grandma had several flowerbeds, so she could rotate the ones she put coffee grounds on; it turned out that she put coffee grounds on the all the flowerbeds about once a week or so, the same thing with the eggshells.

The dirt wasn't that great, but my grandmother always had beautiful plants. The next-door neighbors went to the expense of removing the bad soil in their yard and replacing it with good soil. My grandparents never did that, instead Grandma used coffee grounds and eggshells. In addition, about once every two or three months, Grandpa would clean out the chicken house and put the chicken droppings on the flowerbeds. Grandma always had beautiful flowers and she never spent an excess amount of money to grow beautiful flowers.

I didn't remember about the eggshells and coffee grounds until yesterday when I fixed eggs for breakfast. It's amazing what a person remembers just doing a simple task.

Staying home on Halloween is fun

Jamál (Beauty), 17 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Sunday, November 1, 2009 about 2:13 PM Pacific Time

I enjoyed staying home last night and giving out candy. I gave away all the candy I bought, it felt great not to have any Halloween candy left over. The kids that came to the door were dressed in creative costumes. I had fun last night. I am going to stay home next Halloween and give away candy.

I bought two large bags of candy this year. Toward the end of the evening, I got a bit stressed that I would run out of candy for the kids coming to the door. Next year I think I'll buy three large bags of candy. That way I know I'll have enough and won't get stress because I'm afraid of running out of candy.

I enjoyed the costumes the children wore. Everyone said thank you after I put the candy in their bags. Every child who came to the house were with their parents. It's nice to see parents going with their children on Halloween night. It brought back memories of my childhood, when my grandfather would go with us on Halloween.

I am staying home and leaving the porch light on

Jalál (Glory), 16 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Saturday, October 31, 2009 about Sunset Pacific Time

Normally, we go out on Halloween night; however, tonight I'm staying home and leaving the porch light on. I bought candy (probably too much candy, because I always buy too much candy). I bought candy that Mom and I will eat, so if there is any left from Halloween night there won't be a problem. I'll put the leftover candy in the freezer and we will eat it a little at a time.

Halloween candy
brings back childhood memories
Grandma made cookies.

As a child, I enjoyed Halloween, but now it's just another day. When we were growing up my Grandmother would make cookies for the Trick or Treater's. All the neighborhood kids would come to our house because they knew they would get homemade cookies. Grandma enjoyed making the cookies. The neighborhood kids enjoyed getting the cookies and their parents didn't have to worry because they knew who made the cookies.

A hot chocolate day

‘Idál (Justice), 13 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Wednesday, October 28, 2009 about 3:17 PM Pacific Time

It's a hot chocolate day in Las Vegas. The wind is blowing lowering temperatures inside and outside the house.

Hot chocolate day
Las Vegas wind chill factor
sun and dancing trees.

Short autumn days and early morning trash collection

Fidál (Grace), 12 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Tuesday, October 27, 2009 about 7:35 AM Pacific Time

Tomorrow is Wednesday and the trashcans have to be on the curb by 7:00 AM. The days are getting shorter, so I am going to take the cans to the curb tonight before sunset. If I wait until morning, the trashcans will remain in the garage because in autumn and winter it is too dark before 7:00 AM to lug the cans to the curb.

The morning's darkness
lengthens evening's to do list
the trash must go out.

As I watch the sun set in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 11 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Monday, October 26, 2009 about 6:00 PM Pacific Time

I watch sunset in
Las Vegas remembering
sunset in Blackwell.

Sunset always brings back memories of Oklahoma. Sometimes I remember sunset at Lake Blackwell. Sometimes I remember sunsets in Blackwell. Today I am remembering a sunset I witnessed at my grandparents home.

It was autumn. I was outside playing in the yard. Grandma liked us to spend as much time outside as possible. It was getting close to dinnertime and Grandpa had just came home from work. I think it might have been a Friday because we always went to my Grandparents' house on Friday evening or Saturday.

I don't remember how we got to their house, perhaps we walked. We did a lot of walking when I was a child. My two brothers, my sister and me walked together. As I said, it was sunset and Grandma called us in for dinner. Why I remember that particular sunset I don't know.

Tests, Difficulties and Dentures

Jalál (Glory), 9 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Saturday, October 24, 2009 about 2:24 PM Pacific Time

I found out long ago that life is full of tests and difficulties, which assist in the development of my soul. These tests and difficulties help me develop spiritual attributes. These tests and difficulties come in expected and unexpected ways.

I never expected to encounter difficulties with my dentures. The problem I have is the denture adhesive; I have not found a denture adhesive I can use. I have to accept the possibility that I may not be able to use safely any type of adhesive to hold my dentures. If that is the case, I am going to have to learn to use my dentures without an adhesive.

The problems I am having with my dentures is to help me develop a spiritual attribute. I am not sure which spiritual attribute, but probably persistence. I still have a couple of different types of denture adhesives to try. I am also learning how to eat again; I am learning to chew my food slowly. One advantage of chewing slowly is enjoying the taste of the food.

Another Autumn Day in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 8 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Friday, October 23, 2009 about 5:07 PM Pacific Time

Another nice autumn day in Las Vegas, The inside temperature ranged from 72 to 78 digresses today. I don't know the temperature range outside the house. I have a new digital thermostat, which shows an accurate temperature reading and it's wonderful.

I don't have to guess at the temperature any more. I just check the thermostat to see precisely how warm or cold it is in the house. There are other things I need to get fixed around the house, such as the plumbing. Actually I think the plumbing will be the next item on the agenda.

It finally feels like Autumn

Istijlál (Majesty), 7 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Thursday, October 22, 2009 about 2:30 PM Pacific Time

Today felt like fall, it didn't look like fall because the leaves on the trees are still green. This morning the temperature in the house got down to 72 degrees, which is a nice fall temperature here in Las Vegas. I checked the thermostat a few minutes ago and it read 75 degrees. I doubt that it reaches 80 today. October is half over and it's just starting to feel like fall.

Fall in the Las Vegas
desert temperatures descend
winter approaches.

I put one heavy quilt on the bed, however I suspect I may have to put one of the lighter blankets under it before the end of the year. It doesn't get as cold here as it did in Oklahoma, but the temperatures do reach the freezing point of water once or twice in the winter. Therefore, I think I'd better prepare for it now. I don't like getting up in the middle of a cold night to find another blanket.

The door to the coat closet keeps coming open

‘Idál (Justice), 6 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Wednesday, October 21, 2009 about 9:30 AM Pacific Time

The door to the coat closet in the hall keeps coming open. We (Mom and I) find it standing open, close it and then find it open again. At first, I thought it was the cats, but now I've decided the reason is related to the change in temperature as the day and night progress.

I sure the issue has something to do with the fact that the entrance to the attic has no cover on it. I'm going to have to get a cover for that entrance. I don't know when I'm going to get the cover because I don't know how much it is. I'll call the people who service my air conditioner and get their advice.

The idea is to focus

Kamál (Perfection), 4 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Monday, October 19, 2009 about 1:27 PM Pacific Time

I have a lot of work to do in the next few days. Therefore, I am going to have to focus on the moment. Whatever I am working on at the moment is the focus. I get interrupted about every five minutes or less, so focusing is becoming difficult.

All right, this is my own fault. I am behind and have to catch up, therefore, I get interrupted more. The farther behind I am the more interruptions occur. The closer a deadline is the more interruptions occur. I suspect it might be a law of the universe or at least one of Murphy's Laws.

When interruptions occur I can ignore them, put them off and deal with the issue later, or deal with the issue immediately. Lately, the interruptions are the type I have to deal with immediately. Perhaps this is part of the process of transformation or dealing with tests and difficulties.

A cloudy Sunday in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 3 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Sunday, October 18, 2009 about 11:40 AM Pacific Time

It's a cloudy Sunday in Las Vegas. I haven't checked the weather forecast, so I don't know if rain is predicted. I doubt that it rains, the clouds don't look like rain clouds.

White clouds hide blue sky
morning becomes afternoon,
do I miss the rain?

Feast of ‘Ilm

Istiqlál (Independence), 1 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Friday, October 16, 2009 about 10:13 AM Pacific Time

Mom and I went to the Feast of 'Ilm, the Feast of Knowledge, last night. The drive to the 19-day feast was enjoyable. I found the location of the Feast without difficulty. Feast was a nice change after a stressful day.

The fruit of knowledge
consumed sentence by sentence
a new month begins.

How is the climate in your neck of the wood?

Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Thursday, October 15, 2009 about 7:06 AM Pacific Time

Climate and weather
warm, cold, hot, dry, in between
life lives in climate.

Is climate changing?
We have to ask the question
for our survival.

I bought some Halloween cookies

Jalál (Glory), 14 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Saturday, October 10, 2009 about 1:59 PM Pacific Time

I bought a tray of two dozen Halloween cookies yesterday. The cookies are chocolate and vanilla decorated like carved pumpkins. There are enough cookies to last several days because the only one's in the house are my mother and myself.

I had two cookies for breakfast this morning. I found one disadvantage to having false teeth and eating cookies. I can't seem to bit off a piece of the cookie. I think the issues is getting used to the dentures and I'm sure I won't have this problem very long.

I solve the problem this morning by dunking my cookies in my coffee. I like to dunk my cookies in coffee, so not being able to bit off a piece of cookie isn't a problem. Dunking a cookie in coffee changes the taste of the cookie and the coffee.

Chocolate cookies
and hot coffee for breakfast
morning happiness.

Morning Coffee

Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Friday, October 9, 2009 about 6:22 AM Pacific Time

Brand doesn't matter
it's the choice of beans, the blend
mornings aroma.

I realized this morning, while I sipped my first cup of coffee I realized it's the blend and not the brand I look for when I buy coffee. The coffee I'm drinking now is French roast, which I like. However, I don't always buy French roast sometimes I buy a different type of roast or even blend of beans.

Thinking back to my childhood and Grandpa, I'm not sure what blend he bought. I remember seeing a couple of different brands of coffee. I know Grandpa bought blends that were dark, rich, and strong.

I Want Halloween Cookies

Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Thursday, October 8, 2009 about 4:15 PM Pacific Time

I want cookies decorated for Halloween. I want cookies decorated with orange pumpkins carved to resemble smiling faces. I want cookies decorated with black cat designs. I haven't found any cookies decorated like that in the stores. Of course, I haven't went into very many stores this October.

Halloween cookies
smiling orange pumpkin frosting
coffee is perking.

I want Halloween cookies to eat with a hot cup of coffee. I want Halloween cookies to drink with a tall cold glass of milk. When I was a child, Grandma always baked us cookies and served the hot cookies with a cold glass of milk.

My Grandmother Baked Cookies

Halloween cookies
chocolate peanut butter
baked fresh by Grandma

I remember Grandma's cookies. She baked cookies for all the neighborhood kids on Halloween. Grandma celebrated every occasion by baking cookies, pies or cakes. She always made sure that there were cookies for the neighborhood kids who came to the house any time of the year. Grandma liked to bake.

I have too much work to do to sleep tonight

‘Idál (Justice), 11 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Wednesday, October 7, 2009 about 4:47 PM Pacific Time

I reset my virus scan to begin running at 11:00 PM. That's when I want to get off line and take a meditation break. If I fall asleep while I'm meditating then so be it. I feel like getting something accomplished.

This afternoon, I feel better then I have in a long time. I think that's because I'm eating more meat. Today Mom fixed chicken with carrots and green beans in the fry pan. I always feel better when I eat meat.

At the end of the day

My car doors are locked
street noises reverberate
planning tomorrow

After a windy morning

Jamál (Beauty), 8 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Sunday, October 4, 2009 about 2:08 PM Pacific Time

The wind blew this morning. The gusts were strong enough to rattle the letter slot on my screen door. It sounded as if someone were tapping at the door, but it was just a wind gust. I like sitting in the house and listening to the wind. The wind sounded happy as if it were laughing.

Wind blowing litter
down the middle of the street
perfume of laughter.

Monday I have techs coming in all day

The plumber is coming to fix the pipes to the bathtub on Monday. The guy who does the yearly checks on the central air unit is coming on Monday. I am staying home all day Monday, so this weekend I need to get a filter for the air conditioner. I am not sure what else I need to buy perhaps soda or a jug of tea. I have enough water, but we do not have soda.

This weekend between writing, I will clean the bathroom. I also have to go to the laundromat; however, I think I can put that off until Sunday. I have no desire to do much driving this weekend. I have to do some driving, but I can select where I want to go. I cannot drive and clean the bathroom at the same time.

The tub is the problem. The water is slow draining from it and when I used the plunger, it brought up stuff from the drain. Now I have to wash the tub, perhaps I should go to the laundromat on Saturday. That way I can wash the rags I want to use to clean the tub and while the cloths are washing, I can walk down to the supermarket to get a filter for the air conditioner.

A Cool Autumn morning in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 6 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Friday, October 2, 2009 about 6:17 AM Pacific Time

The thermostat reads 75 degrees, but it feels colder then that. The central air did not come on all night. If the temperature is like this the rest of the month, I will turn the cool air off. It is not cold enough for heat at night, so I will turn the unit off entirely. I need to contact the people who service it to see when they, but I don't think they do that until the end of October or the beginning of November.

Morning's pleasant chill
encourages exercise
warm the body up.

Three Months left in 2009

Where has the year gone
fleeting moments left behind
happiness is now.

Drinking coffee without my dentures in my mouth

Kamál (Perfection), 2 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Monday, September 28, 2009 about 7:47 AM Pacific Time

I'm not sure why I don't put my dentures in first thing in the morning. Perhaps it's because I'm still getting used to them. Perhaps it's because I need to go into the dentist for another adjustment. Perhaps it's because I can't seem to do anything complicated before my first cup of coffee in the morning.

Anyway, I've found out there are certain things I can accomplish without my teeth in my mouth. I can say prayers and I can drink coffee. The problem with drinking coffee without my dentures is that sometimes my coffee runs down my chin. I suspect there are other disadvantages to not putting my dentures in the first thing in the morning and I'm looking forward to finding out what they are. After all, life is an adventure and I'm going to treat the rest of my life as an adventure.

The Feast of Mashiyyat (Will)

Jamál (Beauty), 1 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Sunday, September 27, 2009 about 3:57 PM Pacific Time

Mom and I attended the Feast of Mashiyyat (Will) last night. The feast was spiritual and the reading were beautiful. I did have a little problem with my dentures when I was reading. This is the first time this has happened, my dentures shifted in my mouth while I was reading. Normally, the shift or move around when I am eating, but not when I am reading aloud.

Thinking about it, I have to admit it was humorous. After spiritual and business portion of the Feast came to social portion. The dentures stayed in place while I ate a couple of pieces of cantaloupe. Of course, I took small bites and ate slowly. I have found that is the best approach to the denture issue when eating. Now all I have to do is figure out what to do when the dentures shift while I am talking or reading.

I am not going to stop attending the nineteen-day Feast or agreeing to read when asked. I just have to figure out what to do about the denture issue. Perhaps I am using the wrong type of denture adhesive; maybe I should be using a powder instead of the type I am using.

I have a lot of catching up to do in Mashiyyat

Jalál (Glory), 19 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Saturday, September 26, 2009 about 12:53 PM Pacific Time

I have a lot of catching up to do in the next nineteen days. There are some thing I should just let drop and not go any further with them, but I probably won't. All right, it's my own fault that I'm behind and that doesn't make catching up any easier. I'm not sure what the problem is, at this point. I'll figure that out by the end of Mashiyyat.

Tonight is the Feast of Mashiyyat, my mother and I are going. I'm not letting attendance at the nineteen-day feast slide simply because I'm behind. Eventually I'll catch up and even get ahead, it will take a little time, but I will catch up and get ahead.

Friday at Last

Istiqlál (Independence), 18 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Friday, September 25, 2009 about 4:43 AM Pacific Time

When I was a child, Friday seemed a bigger deal then it does today. Perhaps it had to do with being out of school for two days and visiting my grandparents. We stayed with Grandma and Grandpa on the weekends. That's one advantage of living in the same town with one set of grandparents, you can see them more then once a year.

I remember weekends as special, perhaps because we (my brothers, sister and me) spent them with my grandparents. I don't think we did things differently then we did at home. In spring and summer, Grandpa took us to the Lake; I think it was staying with my grandparents that made the weekends special.

The weekends don't seem special anymore. Friday isn't as exciting as when I was a child. I think I'm in a rut. Today I plan to go to the bank, withdraw some money and pay a bill. Wednesday I went to the bank and did the same thing. Thursday I went to the dentist to get my lower dentures adjusted again. Friday just doesn't seem special anymore.

The first Thursday in Autumn

Istijlál (Majesty), 17 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Thursday, September 24, 2009 about 5:52 AM Pacific Time

It's the first Thursday in Autumn 2009. This morning there is a chill in the air giving Las Vegas an autumn feeling. Last night was warm. In fact, it felt more like a mid summer evening then an evening in early autumn. That's normal Las Vegas, normal desert autumn weather. Evening feels warm and morning chilly some times even cold.

It's too early in the season for a cold morning. It's too early in the season to consider turning the cool air off. I expect the day to warm up enough for the cold air to come on. I'll keep an eye on the temperature and perhaps in late October or early November turn the cool air off. About Thanksgiving, the temperatures will be low enough to turn the heat on.

Autumnal Equinox 2009

Fidál (Grace), 15 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Tuesday, September 22, 2009 about 5:52 AM Pacific Time

Today the sun cross the celestial equator at 5:18 PM EDT, which is 2:18 PM PDT. After the sun crosses the equator it begins to move southwest (at least in the northern hemisphere). On the first day of autumn day and night is of equal length.

I miss autumn in Oklahoma. The change in season is somewhat more noticeable there then in Las Vegas. The leaves on the trees change colors earlier in Oklahoma then they do here. I'm looking forward to my next-door neighbor's Oak tree changing colors, but that won't happen until late November or early December.

I have a choice of DSL speeds

Kamál (Perfection), 14 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Monday, September 21, 2009 about 12:49 PM Pacific Time

I have to decided on the DSL speed I want. The choice is between 512 Kbps/128 Kbps and 1.5 Mbps/384 Kbps. Once I decide which one I want, I'll e-mail my Internet service provider's techs. The costs of both speeds are within my budget, I just don't know which one to go with today. I'll have to decide by Wednesday, September 23, because that's the deadline I've set for this decision.

Perhaps I'm putting more effort into this decision then necessary. I just don't know which speed would be best for me at this time. The more I look at my options the better 1.5 Mbps/384 Kbps looks to me. My gut instinct says that's the one I should go with. When I listen to my woman's intuition, I make the right choices and when I don't listen I regret it.

I'm going to say some prayers about this decision today and tomorrow. On Wednesday, morning I will e-mail the techs with my decision. Even when my gut tells me to do something, I like to pray about it because it doesn't hurt to have a second opinion.

Sunday morning beauty

Jamál (Beauty), 13 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Sunday, September 20, 2009 about 6:10 AM Pacific Time

Sunday morning dawn
beautiful flower of a new day
Las Vegas wakes up.

I look out my living room window and watch the sky change from deep black to light blue-grey. A new week begins as summer ends. This morning the slow transformation from first light to dawn reminds me of a flower blooming.

My Grandmother liked the heels of bread

Jalál (Glory), 12 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Saturday, September 19, 2009 about 8:26 AM Pacific Time

My grandmother liked to eat the heels of the bread, so when we opened a new loaf we would pick begin with the slice behind the heel and live the end piece (the heel) for Grandma to eat. We did it this way and this is a habit I still practice, which explains why I find bread packages in the fridge with just the heels and nothing else.

I opened a new loaf of bread yesterday. I took the second slice of bread without thinking about what I was doing. This morning I took two more slices of bread and noticed what I was doing. As usual, I went past the heel and took the next slice. I stopped, took the end slice and made a peanut butter sandwich.

This incident started me thinking. There are many things I do without thinking because that's the way I've always did them. It's difficult to break old habits, however, there is no reason to continue doing something because that's the way I've always did it or that's the way I learned to do it as a child. The process of transformation requires change.

Looking forward to a sleepless night

Istiqlál (Independence), 11 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Thursday, September 17, 2009 about 10:38 PM Pacific Time

I'm not sure whether I'm going to write, do housework, say prayer, read, or a combination there of. The only thing I am sure about is sleeplessness. I'm not tired. My eyes don't want to sleep. My mind doesn't want me to sleep. Therefore, I'm going to stay up most of the night. There are times when it's better to accept the idea of sleeplessness then to go to bed. Tonight I'm accepting the fact I'm not going to get any sleep no matter how hard I try.

On Monday Evening I miss the stars

Fidál (Grace), 8 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Monday, September 14, 2009 about 7:08 PM Pacific Time

It's Monday evening, I sit at my computer glancing out my living room window at random intervals. The sky blushes pink, which indicates that the sun is below the western mountains. It will soon be completely dark in Las Vegas and Clark County Nevada or as dark as it ever gets in a city the size of Las Vegas.

Sometimes when I go out after dark, I can look directly overhead and see a few stars. This is on clear nights when there are no clouds. Normally I go out and check my car doors before night fall, but I'm going to wait until it gets a little darker to check them tonight. Tonight I'm waiting until dark because I want to look up into the night sky and see a few stars.

It's been a long time since I saw more then a few stars at night. I haven't seen the only two constellations I can identify in a couple of years. The only constellations I can identify are the big dipper and the little dipper and in order to see them it has to get a lot darker then it does in Las Vegas. To see constellations I have to go out side the city.

I miss the stars. I miss being able to go out my front door, looking up into the night sky and seeing hundreds of stars twinkling.

The Pets I have known

Jamál (Beauty), 6 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Sunday, September 13, 2009 about 9:33 AM Pacific Time

I've had a personal relationship with numerous pets during my 62 years. The pets I'm most familiar with are dogs, cats, and birds. When I was growing up in Blackwell, Oklahoma, we had a reddish-blond Cocker spaniel called Patsy, a black Cocker spaniel (Patsy's son) called Skizicks, and a black ans white cat called Mittens. Later my grandmother found a Siamese cat call Jay and she had a Parakeet called Pete.

Through the years, I've had other cats and dogs in my life. In Shawnee, Oklahoma, there was a little dog, called Peanuts and a mixed breed called Bonnie. In Las Vegas, Nevada, there was a Springer spaniel call Specks and numerous cats. All these pets gave me unconditional love and acceptance, in addition the taught me responsibility and caring for other creatures in the universe.

This morning I let grumpy sleep

Jalál (Glory), 5 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Saturday, September 12, 2009 about 7:29 AM Pacific Time

I woke up happy
and let grumpy sleep today
Saturday is good.

On normal mornings, it takes me several prayers and large mugs of coffee for me to see the beauty of a new day. This morning I wake up happy and let grumpy sleep. I prefer to wake up happy because it begins the day joyous and positive.

I used to enjoy doing surveys

‘Idál (Justice), 2 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Wednesday, September 9, 2009 about 6:42 PM Pacific Time

I realized today why I don't enjoy doing surveys anymore. It isn't that the surveys are less fun or interesting. I the problem is my Internet connection. My connection is slow and it slows down about 9:00 or 10:00 AM. Because the connection is slow the surveys take a long time to load and to complete.

I'm taking care of that problem. I'm going DSL, now all I have to do is decide the speed of the modem. I have a choice of three speeds at three different prices. The least expensive of those will double the Internet connection fee. It's affordable, but with a sacrifice. I'm not sure just yet what to give up. I have a choice of giving up bottle water or soda.

All right, the soda would be best to give up because water is better for a person. That doesn't mean I'm going to give up the soda rather then the bottled water. I've tried giving up the bottled water and I don't drink as much water if I get it from the tap. I have until the fourth Wednesday, when my check comes in to decide.

The first day of Might

Fidál (Grace), 1 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Tuesday, September 8, 2009 about 9:30 AM Pacific Time

It's the first day of Might, the first day of 'Izzat. We, my other and I, attended the Feast of 'Izzat (Might) last night. We enjoyed the Feast; we always enjoy the nineteen-day Feast. There were three announcements of upcoming events, so I have three items to add to my planning calendar this morning.

Because I over slept this morning, I got a late start. I'm not sure how much of my "To Do List" I'm going to achieve today. I'm going to have to redo some of the items for 'Izzat anyway. Another thing I'm going to do is calculate interruptions into my writing and housekeeping time.

I'm going to schedule writing sessions for five or ten minutes at a time. If my memory is working correctly, I can write only about five minutes without encountering an interruption of some type. The same thing goes with housekeeping chores. Therefore, if I schedule a job with the interruptions included then I might be able to get something accomplished.

Monday is Labor Day

Monday is Labor Day. Summer is over. The full equinox may not be here, but summer is over. Children are going back to school. Stores are having Labor Day sales. I'm thankful that the next power bill, which is due October 6, is under $300.00.

Summer is over
the neighbor's dog is barking
good-bye to hot days.

I did a load of laundry this morning and the neighbor's dog barked. I think he barked at me, but I'm not sure. He could have been barking at a bird or another neighbor's cat. There is a fence between my backyard and the neighbor's, so I could see what the dog was barking at.

Bird song echoing
sweet melody of summer
autumn approaches.

Heartburn in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 18 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Saturday, September 5, 2009 about 9:09 PM Pacific Time

I have a bit of heartburn tonight, I'm not sure why. I don't think it's anything I eat, but it could be. Heartburn isn't normal for me, therefore, I don't have anything in the house to take care of it. I'll try some milk and Dr. Pepper before I go to bed. I'm not going to the store this time of night to buy something.

Tomorrow, when I go to Food 4 Less or CVS, I'll get something to keep on hand. Of course, once I have the remedy in the house, I won't have heartburn again for a year or two. If I have heartburn again in 2009, then I'll talk to my doctor about it. If I get it more then once a year then there may be a problem. Otherwise, I'm not going to worry about it.

It looks like sunset

Istijlál (Majesty), 15 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Thursday, September 3, 2009 about 1:34 PM Pacific Time

It's only about 1:30 PM here in Las Vegas and it looks like sunset. The clouds have gathered, they cover the entire sky. I did laundry this morning, I brought the cloths into the house about 12:30 and they were dry. It's a good thing I didn't plan to do any more laundry today.

I don't know if it's going to rain or not. We don't have a T.V. that works, so I haven't look at the news in a while. I do get a daily paper, but normally I don't read the weather for cast. I also get weather information in one of my e-mail boxes, but I haven't read that either.

It doesn't matter to me whether it rains today or not. I'm home and I have no intention of going anywhere until tomorrow. I went to the store yesterday and bought several items. I bought a case of water, two twelve packs of Dr. Pepper, a large can of coffee and a large container of chocolate ice cream. I have meat in the freezer and potatoes in the fridge.

Most of the bills I can pay online, so I really don't need to get out of the house for anything. I have enough laundry detergent and fabric softener to last me a few days. The cats have enough dry food for two or three days. In addition, we don't have to get any of our meds refilled until Saturday or Sunday. There just isn't any reason to get out of the house today.

Today the Celebration Begins at writing.com

Fidál (Grace), 13 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Tuesday, September 1, 2009 about 8:27 AM Pacific Time

In September writing.com celebrates its birthday. In 2009, writing.com is celebrating its ninth birthday. I joined writing.com on a whim and I'm glad I joined. As a writer, my confidence has improved and my writing. I post to my port and other members give helpful reviews that help improve my writing.

Visit writing.com, the birthday celebration begins September 1 and last through September 15. Click on the link and sign in as a guest or get a free membership. I began with a free membership to writing.com and upgraded my membership twice since joining.

Good-by August 2009

Interesting August
hot beautiful desert days
praying for rain.

All right, I couldn't resist writing one more haiku in August. September begins at midnight and September always brings back intriguing memories from my childhood. Labor Day is always a day to remember my grandparents and Blackwell, Oklahoma.

On the last Day of August 2009

Kamál (Perfection), 12 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Monday, August 31, 2009 about 6:41 AM Pacific Time

On the last day of August 2009, I'm remembering Grandma Newland and applesauce. I opened a can of applesauce for breakfast this morning. The applesauce brought my Grandmother to mind because she made her own applesauce.

When Grandma made applesauce, she would peel the apples, core them and then cut them into slices. After preparing the apples in this way, she would put them in a large boiler, add sugar, and cover them with water. I'm sure Grandma added sugar, I also think she add ground cinnamon. I don't remember how much sugar or cinnamon Grandma added.

After the applesauce finished cooking, Grandma would let each of her grandchildren have a small bowl of hot applesauce. I will eat homemade applesauce hot; however, when I open a can of store bought applesauce I want it cold.

A windy Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 11 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Sunday, August 30, 2009 about 1:44 PM Pacific Time

It's a windy Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas. The wind is blowing the limbs on the two pine trees that remain in the yard. The moving limbs cast shadows on my living room wall. I catch the movement out of the corner of my eye and see the shadows of the pine trees dancing on the pale blue wall.

The oleanders in the back yard are waving in the wind. I don't have to go outside for anything so I can enjoy watching the movement of the trees and oleanders without worry about my allergy to the oleander pollen. I wash two loads of cloths today and brought the cloths in just as the wind started.

The wind in the trees
carry a message of peace
beautiful August.

Four months left in 2009

Jalál (Glory), 10 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Saturday, August 29, 2009 about 4:04 PM Pacific Time

There's about four months left in 2009, it seems the older I get the faster the year passes. When I was young a year seemed to go on forever. Now a year passes in the blink of an eye. It seems that the year just began and now it's more then half over.

The year is a hare
racing toward the future
yesterday a dream.

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast

Istiqlál (Independence), 9 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Friday, August 28, 2009 about 8:00 AM Pacific Time

It's time for breakfast, I took my thyroid table over an hour ago now it's time to eat. This morning, I'm fixing one or two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to eat. I still don't have denture adhesive in the house I can use. However, I'm not going to let that stop me from enjoying a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

It's been a difficult morning, so I need a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Babying myself because my lower denture plate moves around in my mouth when I eat isn't going to make the morning or the day less difficult. This morning, I'll make myself two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, one sandwich with grape jelly and one with strawberry preserves.

A beautiful Thursday in Las Vegas

Istijlál (Majesty), 8 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Thursday, August 27, 2009 6:39 PM Pacific Time

At the end of a beautiful Thursday in Las Vegas, I am thankful for the nice weather lately. It rained over the last weekend. Today felt cooler and it was nice to get out of the house this afternoon.

At the end of a beautiful Thursday in Las Vegas, I am thankful that I live in Las Vegas. It's an international city, when I go out I meet people from all over the world. It's nice to live in a city with so many interesting citizens.

Just when I’ve decided to give up I get an e-mail

From time to time, the stress gets to me and I decide I'm going to give up writing and blogging. Today was one of those days. It doesn't matter what made me want to decide to give up. What does matter is that I received an e-mail, which changed my mind.

The e-mail was from the Blog Action Day team. The e-mail contained a link to a survey that ask for my input about the theme. I clicked on the link and responded to the survey. I can't give up blogging until after Blog Acton Day on October 15.

Blog Action Day began two years ago. I've participated in it every year so I have to participate in it again this year. Since I can't give up blogging until after October 15, I can give up writing either. Writing is blogging.

Midweek reflections on my Dentures

‘Idál (Justice), 7 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Wednesday, August 26, 2009 about 8:31 AM Pacific Time

It's Wednesday and time for midweek reflections. Time to review the past three days to see what changes are required. It's been a stressful three days, I expect the next three days to be just as stressful. My stomach and/or ulcer hasn't acted up for three days, I'm beginning to suspect the problem isn't my ulcer.

The past three days I haven't used the denture adhesive to prevent my teeth from moving around in my mouth. The bottom plate gives me a problem when I eat because it moves and slips. I have eaten almost anything I want, but I've had to take my bottom plate out.

I can't continue taking the bottom plate out when I eat. At home that's fine, but when I go out to eat it's a problem. I can't use the denture adhesive I have because it causes me to feel ill. My stomach hurts after I've had the adhesive in for a while. I'm going to have to figure out someway to keep my bottom plate from slipping when I chew without using the adhesive.

I need to get the sowing machine fixed

I need to get the sowing machine fixed. I moved it out of the spare room and put it in Mom's bedroom. It turns out some of the parts are missing. The missing parts have to do with holding the thread. I'm not sure what happened to those parts because no one in the house has used the machine since 2007.

I think Mom used it two or three months before she went into the hospital in March of 2007. The sowing machine has set in the spare room ever since, waiting for someone to use it. The first thing to do is look in the spare room and see if the parts are in there. Even if I find the parts, I'm going to have to have the machine serviced.

Wednesday is trash pick up day in my neighborhood

Fidál (Grace), 6 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Tuesday, August 25, 2009 about 10:01 AM Pacific Time

Wednesday, August 26, the Republic Service trucks come through my neighborhood. They start there run through my section of town about 7:00 AM. Sometimes they empty the trashcans along our curb between 7:00 and 8:00 AM, other times the can set there until afternoon waiting for them to empty it. Once or twice in the past ten years, they missed our block.

Anyway, today I'm going to have to go through the house and find all the indoor trash baskets and empty them. I suspect I'll miss on trash basket today because I always miss one. Republic Services does a better job of emptying the trashcans along the curb then I do emptying the indoor trashcans.

I think my problem with the trash basket has to do with one getting moved. There are two people living in my house. One of us moves the trash basket periodically, I think that's why I miss one every week. Fortunately, the trash basket I miss is one that doesn't have garbage with an odor. My goal is to get every trash basket in the house emptied either on Tuesday or Friday, so I can take the stuff to the curb the next morning.

Hanging out Cloths

Kamál (Perfection), 5 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Monday, August 24, 2009 about 6:57 PM Pacific Time

We did laundry today and Mom helped me hang the cloths out. Mom enjoys hanging cloths on the line. Mom said she likes the smell of cloths when they dry outside. I don't know about Mom, but hanging cloths out brings back memories of my childhood.

I've waited two days to do one load of laundry because Saturday it rained and Sunday it looked like rain. That's one of the disadvantages of hanging cloths outside to dry. The only time you can do laundry is when it's not raining and the sky is partly cloudy.

The advantage of living in Las Vegas is most of the time it doesn't rain. Laundry hanging on the line is an interesting sight. I like to look at the kitchen window at the laundry drying. I must get that from my grandmother because she liked to see cloths hanging on the line.

Cloths on the line hang
limp when there is no wind to
blow the line around.

The first Sunday after Labor Day

In 2009, Grandparents' Day falls on September 13. Marian McQuade (1917-2008) championed the idea. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents' Day.

I always remember my grandparents because the helped Mom raise us. I have two brothers and one sister. My mother has (I think) ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Mom and I are going to celebrate, but I don't know what we're going to do. I'll have to check the local events to see what's going on locally.

It Rained in Las Vegas today

Jalál (Glory), 3 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Saturday, August 22, 2009 5:05 PM Pacific Time

It rained in my Las Vegas neighborhood today, I'm not sure about the rest to the city. I'm not even sure if the rain we received was official. Las Vegas is a huge, spread out city and it can rain in one section of town and not other. If it rains a McCarran air port, where the official rain gage is then the rains is official.

Gray cloud covered sky
promised rain in the morning
an afternoon shower.

I didn't know it rained until I went outside this afternoon to bring the trashcan back from the curb. When I took the can to the curb this morning, the sky was covered with rain clouds. Since sun didn't peek through the clouds, I didn't do laundry today. When I brought the can back to the garage, there were puddles in my driveway and I felt raindrops on my arms.

Raindrops on my arms
Oklahoma memories
gentle summer rain.

Afternoon nap

Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Friday, August 21, 2009 about 4:30 PM Pacific Time

I took a nap. It wasn't a long nap just about an hour, but I feel refreshed. Before the nap, I was sitting at the computer and I could hardly keep my eyes open. So I turned the computer off, took my teeth out and went to bed. Before I went to sleep, I said prayers.

I'm not sure whether I dreamed or not. I suspect I probably, but I don't remember the dreams. Sometimes, I remember the dreams that accompany my afternoon naps and sometimes I don't. I suppose if I took a nap more often I'd remember my dreams.

I have to go put my teeth in again. When I woke up I came directly to the computer without stopping to put my teeth in my mouth. I always took my teeth out when I lay down for a nap or when I go to sleep at night.

Sometimes I set on the couch or love seat and doze. I don't take my teeth out then because I don't sleep for more then five minutes. However, laying down for an afternoon nap is different because I usually sleep for more then thirty minutes. My afternoon naps usually last about an hour, perhaps a little more. I think today's nap lasted about an hour and a half.

Sleep refreshes the
mind and body like prayer
refreshes the soul.

An afternoon nap
allows my mind to relax
the day goes better.

My Grandmother Canned Fruit and Vegetables

For breakfast today, I had a strawberry preserves sandwich. As I was eating the sandwich, I remembered my grandmother canning vegetables and fruit. Grandma would make jelly out of the fruit and then put the jelly into clear jars. The vegetables she would peel, cook and then put into clear jars.

After canning the food, she would store the jars in a root cellar. I always liked to go down to the cellar and look at the jars of food. The food always looked colorful and beautiful. I couldn't wait for Grandma or Mom to open the jars so I could enjoy their contents. When winter came and we needed fruit or vegetables for a meal, then either Grandma or Mom would go down to the cellar and get a jar of vegetables or fruit.

Windows into love
jars of food in the cellar
winter's survival.

The Feast of Names

Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Thursday, August 20, 2009 about 9:43 AM Pacific Time

It's a beautiful warm day in Las Vegas. My mother and I attended the Feast of Asmá’, the Feast of Names, last night at the Baha'i Center. The nineteen-day Feast was spiritual and refreshing. I feel renewed and optimistic this morning.

I woke up about 6:36 AM a bit later then usually. I normally wake up between 4:00 and 5:00 AM. Since I attended, Feast last night the day started out good. Already in Asmá’ I have written two poems, one for a contest on writing.com and the other about the Feast of Names.

Joy reverberates
across my soul echoing
the Feast memory.

: Midweek reflections on the last day of Kamal

‘Idál (Justice), 19 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Wednesday, August 19, 2009 about 9:43 AM Pacific Time

Monday I went to United Blood Service and gave blood. Tuesday I did one load of cloths and cleaned out the refrigerator. I've written over 100 poem in Kamal and submitted 27 items.

Tonight I'm planning on going to the Feast of Asma (Names). Tomorrow is Thankful Thursday, I had planned to go pick up some food, but I think I'll hold off on that until Friday. I fixed beans yesterday and I have leftover beans in the fridge, so I want to eat them up before I get any more food. My fridge is too small to keep a lot of items in. If the leftovers get pushed to the back of a shelf they are forgotten until the fridge is cleaned out again about nineteen days from now.

I think I'm going to have to put the leftovers on the top shelf. Mom usually puts away the leftovers and she can't reach the top shelf, but using any other shelf hides the leftovers behind something.

Kamal is drawing to a close

Fidál (Grace), 18 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Tuesday, August 18, 2009 about 12:48 PM Pacific Time

The Feast of Asma (Names) is Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM. The month of Kamal 166 BE is ending. I have written over 90 poems so far this month. My poetry journal contains 90 poems, but I know I've written more because I've post poems to my blogs that I haven't put in the poetry journal.

I have did a lot of writing this month because I know I've submitted about 27 items to contests on writing.com. I completed the August fantasy newsletter on Sunday and submitted it. Now I have to decide on a subject for my edition of the September newsletter. However, I think I'll let the newsletter subject rest for a while and focus on other things.

Right now, I'm tired. I think it's because I gave blood yesterday and I just need to build myself up again. Today we're having beans, I hope that helps build up my iron count. Since I'm not scheduled to give blood again until December I'm not going to worry about the iron count and just eat what I want for a few days. Today I want beans, seasoned with pigs feet. Tomorrow I may want something else.

I went to United Blood Services today

My iron count was up high enough for me to donate blood today. I know it's the results of eating more meat in the past few days. Sunday morning we had hamburgers and eggs. Today we had hamburgers and eggs. I have avoided the cheese and milk for the past three or four days. Since I donated today, I won't be able to donate again until December.

For someone who is afraid of needles, I enjoy giving blood. I think it's the wonderful people working for United Blood Services. They are friendly and helpful, they explain the entire process of the blood donation. After donating, I remained in the office, ate chocolate chip cookies and drink grape juice. I came home with a purple bandage around my arm.

Midway through August

Kamál (Perfection), 17 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Monday, August 17, 2009 about 7:26 AM Pacific Time

It's midway through August,
I want crisp bacon
and over easy eggs for breakfast,
I will settle for
hamburger patties and over easy eggs.

Sunset approaches in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 16 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Sunday, August 16, 2009 about 6:48 PM Pacific Time

Bright white hazy sky
the sun approaches mountain tops
Las Vegas wakes up.

My poetry count so far in August is 82 plus poems. Most of the poems are short. Many are haiku or tanka. This entire month I've written poems about almost everything in my life.

At the end of the workweek

Istiqlál (Independence), 14 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Friday, August 14, 2009 about 7:37 AM Pacific Time

Friday and the traditional end of a workweek, I remember my Grandfather coming home on Friday afternoons. Grandpa worked in a zinc smelter and every evening when he came home, he would take a shower and drop his overalls in the cloths basket, after he showered, we then sit down at the dinner table and ate supper.

In summer, we usually went to the lake on the weekends. Sometimes we drove up on Friday night. If we were going to the lake that night, then Grandpa packed the car and we got started. The Lake wasn't very far away and Grandpa could sleep in the next day.

If we drove to the lake, then we didn't eat supper on Friday evening until we arrived at the "trailer house" as we referred to the Mobile home that Grandpa kept at the lake. On Saturday, after Grandpa got up we would go boat riding, swimming and skiing. Grandpa wouldn't let us swim unless he was there to act as life guard.

Haibun

Haibun is a journaling method which combine prose and haiku.

ancient tradition
Japanese method combines
entry prose Haiku

I haven't attempted this method before. It requires being in the moment, requires paying attention to my life. I'm going to attempt this method in some of my up coming posts. I'm always on the look out for something new to inspire my muse.

I like writing haiku. I suspect I will enjoy making haibun entries as well.

About frustration

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Thursday, August 13, 2009 about 7:19 PM Pacific Time

This morning was extremely frustrating. My Internet connection slow down to stagnant water. I was frustrated to tears attempting to make entries that took five to ten minutes to save a draft and longer to post. I finally turned the computer off, went into the prayer room and said prayers.

I did learn one thing. When I get to the point of tears, I need to back away, pick up my prayer book and read prayers until my mood changes. After this morning's frustrating situation, I know I am definitely getting DSL in September.

I'm just not patient enough to use a telephone line connection. I need DSL. It is an essential. Of course, learning something about oneself is a part of the process of transformation. Still being so frustrated that you want to cry isn't good.

I'm not changing providers, I'm just changing the type of connection. I'm changing from a regular phone line connection to DSL. My provider will send some techs over to install the modern. Therefore, I have to change computer desks. I have a regular computer desk I want to use, I just haven't gotten around to making the switch. I will make the switch next week.

The rest of this week is devoted to writing and other business. I still have a newsletter to finish. In addition, I have a short story and a poem to complete for contests on writing.com.

I’m weary this morning

Fidál (Grace), 11 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Tuesday, August 11, 2009 about 10:50 AM Pacific Time

My weariness isn't physical. It's been a difficult morning. My Internet connection slowing to a snails pace, actually I think snails crawl faster. The connection is faster at night and early of a morning, so that's when I'll have to work. I'll do it this way until I get DSL and the house cleaned up.

I don't need to sleep anyway, not that I can sleep once I lay down. I don't sleep well, when I go to bed. I can fall asleep at the keyboard, but when I go to bed I'm wide awake. A nap during the day gives me more rest then sleep at night.

Monday Reflections

Kamál (Perfection), 10 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Monday, August 10, 2009 about 7:10 PM Pacific Time

It's Monday and the beginning of a new work week. At least, it would be if I did something besides work online. I get up in the morning, turn the computer on and make coffee. I then work at my computer writing. This morning I got up at 1:00 AM because I heard three raps on the door. I woke up, went to the door and no one was there.

This happens about once a month, either the door bell rings about three times or there are three raps on the door. I get up, go to the front door and look out, but see nothing except the front porch light shining on my front porch. I open the front door and check the screen to make sure it's locked. After that, I check the patio by looking out the sliding glass door. I also check both locks on the patio door. They are always locked.

It could be someone knocking on a neighbors door. It could be a dream, but I doubt it because it wakes me up. Noises in my dreams normally don't wake me up completely. Anyway, I got up at 1:00 AM and couldn't go back to sleep. I worked on some poems for contest. Finished the poems and submitted them. I have two more poems to finish by August 30 and a short story by August 24. In addition, I have a newsletter due on August 15. I have a lot of work to do this month so I really don't need to sleep.

A Transformative Books and movies

What books or movies have changed your life?

The books I've read lately have to do with poetry writing. I haven't been to movie in over a year. I don't go to movies to be transformed. I go to movies for entertainment, to forget for a few minutes the stress in my life. The movies I enjoy are fantasy and science fiction.

This week I'm going to start reading the Dawn Breakers. I've attempted to read it several times but haven't gotten all the way through it. I've just got to sit down and read it; I'm going to have to ignore the interruptions, which isn't easy since I don't have a place to withdraw, relax and just read or write.

Morning on the day of Beauty

Jamál (Beauty), 9 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Sunday, August 9, 2009 about 6:36 AM Pacific Time

It's morning on the day of beauty and the sun is lighting up the inside of my garage. Illuminating the doors waiting for me to have them reinstalled, if I'm going to have them put on the master bedroom and bathroom entrances. The master bedroom had one of those accordion-like doors, which was removed a few years ago.

The bathroom is divided into the vanity part and the bathroom. The vanity room has a curtain in front of it while between the vanity and the bathroom is another accordion door. The door doesn't lock, but it closes. We broke the lock on that door four or five years ago when it was inadvertently locked and we couldn't get in.

Every morning the sun comes up and shines into my garage illuminating those doors. Every morning I consider having the doors reinstalled and that's as far as it gets. I guess if I haven't had them rehung by now, I'm not going to do it. Therefore, I should move them so I can put something else in that spot. Perhaps I should investigate how much it would cost me to have them rehung, there must be a handy man in Las Vegas that can do that type of work.

I changed my mind about bottled water again

Jalál (Glory), 8 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Saturday, August 8, 2009 about 5:53 PM Pacific Time

I've changed my mind about bottled water again. We're going to buy it and keep it on hand. I thought it was too expensive; however, both Mom and I need to drink more water. Apparently, we won't drink water if we have to get it out of the faucet and then put ice in to cool it down. In addition, the bottled water is more convenient. The bottled water also seems to taste better at room temperature then the water out of the faucet.

This morning I took Mom in for a CAT scan of her abdomen and on the way home stopped at Food 4 Less and bought a 35 count case of 16.9 FL. OZ. of bottled water. I'll see how long this last us, then decided if I want to get two cases each time I buy it.

When I loaded the water into my car, I noticed it was heavy. It's the first time I've noticed the weight of the water, so I'm not sure if I have a problem or what. I didn't feel well today, which may be why I noticed the weight of the case of water. In addition, I usually buy a 24 count case of water instead of a 35 count case. When I arrived home, I did manage to get the water into the house, but it was a struggle.

Now I’m sure summer is here

I've know for sometime this would happen. It happens every summer, I don't care how careful we are about turning lights off and using as little electricity as possible. This moment always comes, I've dreaded it for a couple of months now.

Every time the power bill came, I held my breath until I opened it. The earlier bills I felt relieved when I saw them under $200.00, but I knew it wouldn't last. It never last because this is Las Vegas and it's summer. It happened today, the power bill came and I opened it.

I opened the bill, looked at it and was relieved because the expected happened. The power bill was over $300.00, not very much over that, but it was over the dreaded $300.00 mark. This bill is due September 6, so I have some time to figure out how to raise the money.

The odd thing is that I'm not upset. I'm not worried, I'm relieved that it finally happened and I don't have to hold my breath every time I open the power bill. The bill due on September 6 is the July power bill. The August bill won't come until after September 6 and it will be due October 6. I expect it to be over $300.00 as well, but I will deal with that when the time comes.

I need to go to a play

Istiqlál (Independence), 7 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Friday, August 7, 2009 about 2:55 PM Pacific Time

What is your favorite musical or play? What is it about that production that you like?

I need to go to a play, specifically a musical because when I see a musical, I relax, listen and watch the action on stage. I forget about my problems. At a musical the only thing I need to do is sit there and watch. I don't have to worry about anything or think about anything except the action on the stage.

The last play I went to was Sweeny Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which was several years ago. In fact, it was before 2007 when my mother went into the hospital. I haven't been to a musical play since and think I need to go. I need to get out more ofter. My mother needs to get out more often. We both enjoy plays; therefore, I need to find one that we can go to within the next couple of months. My favorite musical play is Sweeny Todd and I enjoyed the songs.

We went to a Farmers’ Market this afternoon

Mom and I went to a Farmers' Market this afternoon. Today was cooler so I decided that after I took my prescription to Food 4 Less, we would drive to the Farmers' Market in Henderson. The one we went to is on Boulder Highway where the Old Roadhouse stands.

After not getting out in the afternoon because of the heat, it was a nice outing. Anyway we bought potatoes, asparagus, oranges, and avocados. Tomorrow we'll cook the potatoes, I like fried potatoes and it's been a long time since we fried potatoes. The avocados aren't completely ripe yet, so we won't eat them for a few days. That will give Mom or me a chance to figure out what we want to go with them.

I'm thinking of an avocado sandwich myself, but I may change my mind when they are ripe. There are so many ways to fix an avocado that it's sometimes difficult for me to decide how I want to eat one.

The first Thursday in August 2009

Istijlál (Majesty), 6 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Thursday, August 6, 2009 about1:45 PM Pacific Time

It's the first Thursday in August 2009 and cooler today in Las Vegas. I know it's cooler because the air conditioning hasn't came on as much today. I went to the doctor's this morning, got my meds refilled and made an appointment with an eye doctor. I need new glasses and I have to have a referral from my regular doctor.

I still have to take the prescription to store; I'm going to do that this afternoon. This morning I came back home because I didn't eat breakfast before I went to the doctor. After I ate breakfast, I got busy online, so now I have to take the prescription in and have it filled.

The first Tuesday in August 2009

Fidál (Grace), 4 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Tuesday, August 4, 2009 about 6:09 AM Pacific Time

It's the first Tuesday in August 2009 and the morning sky is mostly cloudy, with a few patches of blue sky peeking through. I awake about 4:50 AM in a good mood. True my knees hurt, but my knees always hurt when I wake up in the morning. It has to do with sleeping curled up in the fetal position. My knees hurt when I stretch my legs out in the morning.

I've said my morning prayers. My mother is awake and getting ready for her day. I haven't made coffee yet, which is unusual. However, I was thirsty this morning so instead of making coffee immediately, I drink water. I rinsed my mouth out with salt water last night before I went to bed, so I think that's why I'm thirsty this morning.

The first Tuesday in August started out well. I haven't put in a load of laundry yet, but I will do that when I go into the kitchen to make coffee. I think I'll have eggs today for breakfast and perhaps toast as well. All though, the toast I'm not sure about since my gums are still sore from my false plate. I had the plate adjusted yesterday and the sore spot on my gums hasn't healed yet.

I am a friend To Earth

I am a friend to…

I am friend to Earth
I recycle everything
I can possibly recycle.

That poem could be about my Grandma Newland. Grandma was good at recycling. Grandma was an expert at recycling. She had a ragbag in which she put worn out cloths and used them as cleaning rags. Grandma threw stuff away that couldn't be used or she couldn't think of a way to reuse.

Grandma grew up on a farm. When she and Grandpa Newland were first married, they lived on a farm. Grandma learned to recycle items when she was growing up. I don't remember Grandma calling it recycling, she just called it reusing.

I recycle, but I don't think I'm as good at it as Grandma. I have a long way to go before I'll be as good at recycling as Grandma and Grandpa, but I'm working on the issue.

Another Day Another Adjustment

Kamál (Perfection), 3 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Monday, August 3, 2009 about 3:06 PM Pacific Time

I went to the dentist this morning and had my lower plate adjusted again. The sore spot was on the right side this time instead of the left side. I'm going to eat with the plate in for the next few days and see how it goes. I'm also rinsing my mouth out with salt water a couple of time a day.

I know that eventually I'll get used to the dentures. I know that eventually I'll be able to eat anything I want. I haven't had the dentures very long and it takes a while to adjust to the lower plate. Everyone I've talked to say there are issues getting used to the lower plate. It's just a matter of patience and persistence.

Once in Lifetime

List all of the things that have happened to you only once in your entire life.

I was born.

I shut myself in a refrigerator playing hide and seek (my grandfather rescued me).

I learn about my father's death on the Internet.

I moved from Blackwell, Oklahoma to Las Vegas, Nevada.

I got my Master's degree.

I stepped on a nail chasing chickens.

I declared my belief in Baha'u'llah.

I turned 60, then 61, and then 62.

NOTE: These are not in chronological order.

Summer Driving in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 2 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Sunday, August 2, 2009 about 2:41 PM Pacific Time

It's summer in Las Vegas. It's hot in Las Vegas. I have to have the air conditioner in my car serviced, but other things take priority. Therefore, I drive with my windows down. I attempt to do all my business in the morning, so that I can get back to the house before noon.

Today I need to pick up a prescription for my mother, but the Walgreen's where she get her meds didn't open until 10:00 AM. We left the house about 9:30 AM, went to the AM/PM to get gas and the to pick up the prescription. After that, we went to Petsmart for cat food and then to Fresh & Easy for ice cream and soda. We arrived back home about 12:30 PM before the day's heat began to set in.

I took so long because I had to drive across town to get to Petsmart. The only stores which were close to the house was AM/PM and Fresh & Easy. The other two are on opposite ends of Charleston Ave. However, with the exception of the ice cream and soda, the other purchases were essential. I'm home and I doubt that I will go anywhere else today, it's too hot to be driving any place.

We attended the Feast of Kamal last night

Jalál (Glory), 1 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Saturday, August 1, 2009 about 1:30 PM Pacific Time

We (Mom and I) attended the Feast of Kamal last night. The feast was spiritual and we both enjoyed ourselves. I enjoyed the drive to the nineteen-day feast and back home. I'm looking forward to the next Feast as well.

I always enjoy going to the Feast, sometimes the drive is an issue, but it wasn't last night. In fact, I'm considering a poem about driving to feast. I'm just not sure how to start it, so I will pick out a poem form and use that to write "Driving to Feast". That's the working title of the poem, I may change the name after I finish writing. I'll have to check my poetry books to see what form I want to use.