Dreaming of My Grandparents

A chill in the morning air
brings back memories of last night's dream
of my Grandparents
working together on a farm in Oklahoma.

I never saw the farm!
I remember once
Grandpa point out the land
where where the house and out buildings
once stood,
but in the dream
they were working together
and the buildings were standing
as the must have stood
when my Grandparents were first married.


Visit My Portfolio @ Writing.Com

Winter Clouds

Winter clouds gather
bringing back memories of
snowy Oklahoma winters,
when Grandma made hot chocolate
and baked pumpkin pies.

Visit My Portfolio @ Writing.Com

Memories Return

What is it about autumn
that brings back memories
of childhood joys and tears?

Is it something in the air
that causes me to miss
those carefree days
in Blackwell, Oklahoma,
when to Sunday School
or The Lake
with Grandma and Grandpa?

Visit My Portfolio @ Writing.Com

Autumn in Las Vegas

The autumn chill in the air
causes me to turn
the heat on at night.

I look out my window
and see green leaves
dancing in the autumn breeze.

I miss Oklahoma
and the changing shades
of autumn leaves.

Visit My Portfolio @ Writing.Com

Summer in Las Vegas

Have I written this poem before?
Summer in Las Vegas
is triple digit temperatures,
sometimes with rain
and sometimes without it.

Sometimes I miss Oklahoma
with its tornadoes,
rolling thunder,
and crisp bolts of lightning.

Sometimes I prefer Nevada
with its dark storm clouds,
crisp lightning bolts,
rolling thunder,
and triple digit temperatures.

I also posted this in the journal, Writing in Snow, under the folder Awardicon Items, in my writing.com portfolio. Visit My Portfolio @ Writing.Com

Red Skies: Memories of a December Dawn in Oklahoma

Rust colored mornings 

Eased the boredom of waking as 

Dawn scatted its joy. 

Sun caressed clouds, 

Kissed the firmament blue as 

I stepped onto the cold linoleum 

Expressing my gratitude and 

Singing light's praises. 

December Thoughts: A Poem

December is a cold month, 

Even in Nevada, 

In Oklahoma it was a snowy month, 

But I was a child, 

I spent Christmas and New Year's Eve 

With my grandparents. 

In December my memories smile 

At the sight of building snow people 

And snowball fights. 

If I want to play in the snow here 

I have to go to Mount Charleston. 

Oklahoma Memories

The thin-green carpet 

Breaks slowly through the rich soil 

Refreshing the air 

Black clouds gather in 

a sky of deepened blue 

And the warm rain falls 

Orange and gold leaves 

Fall slowly to the ground 

Making a carpet 

Swiftly the snow falls 

Making a carpet of white 

For me to walk on 

Memories of my Mother

Jamál (Beauty), 19 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 173 BE - Sunday, March 19, 2017 CE about 12:32 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

My mother was born 96 years ago  today on a farm in Oklahoma. Mom grew up in a farming community. She met and married my father sometime during World War II. Dad was stationed at Nellis in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Mom worked at a maid at the county hospital here in Las Vegas. The hospital she worked at is now University Medical Center located on West Charleston Avenue. 

After my parents divorce Mom worked as a waitress at Bob's Grill in Blackwell, Oklahoma. We lived in a house on West College in Blackwell and I attended the grade school just down the street from where we lived. In Blackwell, we attended both the First Southern Baptist Church and the First Southern Baptist mission, which was located in the Smelter Heights. Eventually we moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma, where I graduated from  high school. 

We eventually moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. In Las Vegas, Mom worked at the Showboat Hotel Casino as a waitress in the coffee shop and later in the employees dining room. It was in Las Vegas that Mom and I heard about the Baha'I Faith and declared our belief in Baha'u'llah. Mom ascended into the Abha Kingdom on February 29, 2012. 

A Cold December Day

Kamál (Perfection), 9 Masá’il (Questions), 173 BE - Monday, December 19, 2016 AD about 10:31 AM Pacific Standard Time 

It's a cold December day in Las Vegas. 

It's a day that reminds me of Oklahoma 

Without the snow. 

On days like this 

The cold seeps into my bones 

Chilling the marrow 

And sending shivers up my spine. 

It's a cold December day 

In Las Vegas 

Causing me to layer 

My sweatshirt and sweaters 

Like my Grandmother did 

On snowy days 

In Oklahoma. 

Independence Day Memories: A Poem

Jalal (Glory), 11 Raḥmat (Mercy), 172 BE - Saturday, July 4, 2015 about 12:53 pm Pacific Daylight Time

We always celebrated Independence day
around water.

Grandpa either drove us
to Lake Carl Blackwell
or to The Lake,
outside of Blackwell, Oklahoma.

The sights and sounds
of exploding cherry bombs
and Roman candles
decorate memories of my childhood.

Each time I see
a fireworks display
because the patriotic colors
bring back fond memories.

Spiritual Sunday: A Beautiful Sunday Afternoon

Jamal (Beauty), 2 Mulk (Dominion), 171 BE - Sunday, February 8, 2015 about 12:13 pm Pacific Standard Time

It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon here in Las Vegas. The birds are singing, the sun is shining, and the sky is a cloudless blue. It sort of reminds me of Sunday in Oklahoma. I remember when Grandpa Frank and Grandma Mary took us to church on Sunday morning and then in the afternoon we would play outdoors. Grandma always fixed fried chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed peas or spinach, and homemade apple or cherry pie with ice cream for desert. I loved Grandma's creamed spinach and homemade pies.

I remember that on Sunday morning we would attend Sunday school classes and then church services. I enjoyed singing in the choir. Grandpa Frank always smiled when he saw one of my siblings or me singing. This morning, I was on YouTube listening to different renditions of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". The memory of singing that song came back and I had to smile because I know that my singing voice could never do justice to it, but I like to sing it anyway. I always sing it enthusiastically, which may have been one of the reason I made the choir.

I have not been back to Blackwell, Oklahoma since I left years ago. I used to want to go back and visit, but now I am not sure. I would compare the city the way it is now with the way I remember it. I know if I did that I would be disappointed because the city, like myself, has changed. I am 68 years old and I no longer practice the same religion I did when I was in Blackwell. I still enjoy hearing the songs I sang in church, but I am no longer Southern Baptist.

Spiritual Sunday: Why do I title Sunday entries Spiritual Sunday?

Jamal (Beauty), 7 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Sunday, January 25, 2015 about 11:06 am Pacific Standard Time

Spiritual Sunday is a leftover from my childhood. Every Sunday Grandma Mary and Grandpa Frank would take us to church where we attended Sunday School. The church my grandparents attended was the First Southern Baptist Mission located in the Smelter Heights in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Every Sunday morning we would put on our best clothes, usually the new Easter dresses Mom or Grandpa bought us, and go to church.

At church we would listen to the preacher, singing in the choir, and attend Sunday school classes. In the classes we would learn Bible verses and hear stories take from the King James version of the Bible. Perhaps this is why today I prefer to read the King James version or translation of the Christian scriptures. In the Sunday school classes I remember memorizing the Lord's Prayer and Psalm 23. I am sure we learned other scripture verses, but those are the only ones I remember today.

As I grew up, I began to realize that the spiritual feeling I got from "going to church" should be carried over the other six days of the week. I also began to realize that this did not always happen. Sometimes I did not feel the Sunday spirit carried over to the other six days. Sometimes I witnessed the way the people in church acted when they were not attending church services. As I grew up I began to understand that neither of these things should have an effect on the way I live my life. That I should live my live, no matter how other people live their lives, according to the scriptures, which meant treating everyone equally and as member of my family.

I will continue to title Sunday entries Spiritual Sunday. Sometimes the entries will be meditations on scripture verses from various scriptures. Sometimes I will write a prayer or supplication in the form of a poem or prose entry. Sometimes I will write about something that I encountered during the week which caused me to think about a scripture verse.

Meditation Monday: Be Still

Kamál (Perfection), 15 Jamál (Beauty), 171 BE - Monday, May 12, 2014 about 2:25 pm Pacific Standard Time

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalms 46:10 The King James Bible

 
It is beautiful Monday here in Las Vegas. I woke up when the alarm went off this morning and pressed the snooze button because I stayed up later then normal last night. After pressing the snooze button a couple of time I finally got up, took my first morning medication, put the dishes away that I washed last night, and made a carafe of coffee. I could not think of an entry for today's theme, so I did some other work on-line before fixing myself something to eat. After eating, meditating, and I think a short nap, I turned the computer back on to do some more work.

As I was waiting for the computer to boot, the verse from Psalms 46 popped into my mind. The only part of the verse I could remember was "Be still, and know that I am God;" I could not even remember in which book it was located. I found several different translations, but chose the King James because that is the version I prefer to read. Every time I read it, I remember growing up in Blackwell, Oklahoma, and going to Vacation Bible School and memorizing this verse.

Meditation Poem

Breath in
Exhale

Silence surrounds the peaceful mind
Tranquility comforts the lover of God
In stillness and silence my soul
Listens for the music of the spheres
Listens for the whispers of faith

I like evening clouds

Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Asmá’ (Names), 170 BE - Friday, September 7, 2013 about 6:04 PM Pacific Daylight Time

I like evening clouds,
they make a refreshing end to the day.

Their gray beauty
reminds me of summer showers
in Oklahoma.

I need to drink more water

‘Idál (Justice), 7 Kamál (Perfection), 170 BE – Wednesday, August 7, 2013 about 4:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time

I have heard that a person should drink water before they get thirsty because thirst is a sign of dehydration. The problem is that I do not think about drinking water before I am thirsty. When I do get thirsty, I usually fix myself a glass of iced water or drink a soda. I know that I should drink water or juice instead of soda, but water or juice do not always quench my thirst. Water alone does not always quench my thirst.

In order for water to quench my thirst, it has to be very cold. I do not like to drink water that is room temperature. I do not mind drinking hot tea or coffee, but water has be iced cold before I can drink enough to quench my thirst. I know this probably sounds silly, but I do know where it came from.

When I was a child growing up in Oklahoma, my Grandmother always kept cold water in the refrigerator. If she did not have cold water in the fridge then she would get an ice cube tray out of the freezer and make us ice cold water. As a child, I never drink water directly from the faucet and I think that is why I do not like to drink water at room temperature.

August Approaches

Fiḍál (Grace), 18 Kalimát (Words), 170 BE - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 about 7:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time

August approaches
triple digit temperatures:
Can we expect rain?

August is the start of school, at least that is the way I remember it from my childhood. Now August means more triple digit temperatures. Now August is just another hot month with worries about the power bill and staying cool. Sometimes I miss the Augusts of my childhood, but them I remember the Oklahoma heat and humidity. I was miserable! I did not like the heat rash and I could not get rid of it throughout August.

July is ending
wind and monsoonal moisture:
Will I miss the rain?

The heat and humidity does not bother me as much  in Nevada. During monsoon season, I notice the drop in temperature that come with the clouds and the rain. Is this because I am older? Is this because I can cope better with the heat? Is this because I have more important things to worry about? The answer to all three of those questions could be yes.

Midweek Reflections on Weather

‘Idál (Justice), 14 Mulk (Dominion), 169 B.E. - Wednesday, February 20, 2013 about 6:50 A.M. Pacific Time

According to weather.com the temperature in Las Vegas will be in the high fifties with A.M. showers. I can remember when the only way to get the daily weather forecast was to turn on the television or radio and listen to the news. Now I can find out the weather for Las Vegas or any other part of the country or the world by turning on my computer and going to a website.

I also checked the weather across the country, especially in the central plains. The weather map of that area indicated snow for Kansas and norther Oklahoma. My father's family lives in Kansas, while Mom's relatives live in northern Oklahoma. I was born and raised in Blackwell, Oklahoma, which is close to the Kansas border. I can remember snow storm from my childhood that closed roads and caused brown outs.

I think, the snow storms I remember took place around Christmas or New Year and not in late February. Of course, that was a long time ago and I was a child. Children remember snow storms and bad weather conditions different from the way adults remember them. Still, I think the weather patterns and conditions have change a great deal since I was a child.

Monday Meditation: Washing Dishes by Hand in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 17 Jamál (Beauty), 169 BE – Monday, May 14, 2012 about 10:40 AM Pacific Time

There is nothing like washing dishes by hand to focus my mind on the moment. The feel of the hot soapy water on my bare hands is an invigorating experience. I have to scrub clean each dish and then rinse each bowl, cup, plate, or fork. After that, I place them on the drying rack. Through out this process, my mind remains focused on the utensil and nothing else.

After finishing the dishes, I look out my kitchen window. The play of light and shadow appear fresh. The white, pink, and red oleanders seem to glisten in the morning sun. Today, the neighbor’s cat did not walk across the backyard or along the top of fence. However, the birds were singing and the sunshine seemed brighter then usual, perhaps my imagination or just the feeling I get after focusing on one thing for five or ten minutes.

I do not know how long it took me to wash the dish this morning. I did not look at the clock on the microwave. I focused exclusively on getting the dishes clean. Now I know how my Grandmother felt when she washed dishes in the kitchen sink in Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Family History Friday: Grocery Shopping with my Grandparents

I remember going grocery shopping with Grandma and Grandpa. My grandparents went grocery shopping once a week. On Friday, Grandma would make the shopping list and then on Saturday, when Grandpa was off, they would go to the “grocery store”.

On Saturday, morning Grandma would get up and make breakfast. After breakfast, she and Grandpa would go grocery shopping. They always went to Safeway in Blackwell, Oklahoma. I can’t remember for sure, but I think Safeway was the only grocery store in Blackwell at that time. There was another privately owned market in Blackwell, but Safeway (I think) was the only supermarket in town.

When they arrived at the grocery store, Grandpa would push the shopping cart while Grandma picked the items from the shelves and put them into the cart. They would start at one side of the store and go up and down every isle until they had bought every item on Grandma’s shopping list. Since Grandma always wrote a complete list, they didn’t have to buy anything that wasn’t on the list.

The only exception my grandparents ever made was when one or more of their grandchildren went with them. Grandpa always bought something for the kids, even if it wasn’t on the list.