Earth Day is Coming Soon

Istijlál (Majesty), 2 Jalal (Glory), 165 B.E. – Thursday, April 10, 2008 about 5:06 PM PDT

Earth Day is coming soon. There will be a lot of talk about planting trees and recycling among other related topics. The approach of Earth Day got me to thinking about my grandparents. We never thought much about recycling when I was growing up. However, my grandmother was good at recycling.

My grandmother recycled as much as she could. Instead of buying rags to clean the toilet, she used warn out underpants for that. My grandmother would not throw out the coffee grounds, instead she put them on her flowers. When grandpa cleaned out the chicken house, he used that for fertilizer. My grandmother's flowers were beautiful.

My grandfather planted trees, which were appropriate to the climate. He didn't plant a tree that took a lot of care to grow in Oklahoma. If he had lived in Nevada or some other desert he would have used desert landscaping. Of course, my grandparents were farmers before they moved into town. That may have had something to do with the care they took of the environment before it became fashionable.

Butterflies and Milkweeds

‘Idál (Justice), 1 Jalal (Glory), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, April 9, 2008 about 3:19 PM PDT

One of my fondest memories of my childhood concerns butterflies and milkweeds. Every year milkweeds would grow in my grandparents' yard. Either my grandmother or my grandfather would remove them, but one or two would return. No matter how hard my grandparents tried to get rid of the milkweeds, there would be at least one in the yard all year.

The milkweed that remained always had a butterfly chrysalis hanging from it. After the chrysalis formed my grandparents would never remove the milkweed. The let the milkweed remain until the butterfly emerged. We would watch the chrysalis everyday until the butterfly emerged. It was a struggle for the creature to emerge from the chrysalis, but when it did it was beautiful. The wings were dry and the butterfly would take off and fly away.

The tenacity of the milkweed to continue to grow, even after they were dug up always amazed me; however, the butterflies efforts to emerge from the chrysalis that brought tears to my eyes. Perhaps that's why I can't give up, perhaps that why I keep trying and struggling even when life gets difficult.

I find myself missing Oklahoma

Fidál (Grace), 19 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, April 8, 2008 about 12:36 PM PDT

Lately,
I've found myself missing Oklahoma.

Maybe it's the carefree existence of my childhood I miss
and not the state of Oklahoma;
to be young and worry free
without debts or responsibility.

Perhaps that's what I miss
or is it something else about my childhood
that makes me want to see my grandparents again.

Mother's Day is approaching
and I remember not saying good-bye to my grandmother
before she died.

Lately,
I found myself dreaming of my grandparents' home,
the dream is reoccurring
the location is always the same,
but the people are different.

My mother and I
are always in the dream,
but sometimes its my grandparents' house
with cousins and distant relatives,
but not my grandparents.

At other times my grandparents
are in the dream,
with every pet I've ever had.

Four Months into 2008

Kamál (Perfection), 18 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Monday, April 7, 2008 about 2:24 PM PDT

Four months into 2008
and I know how a butterfly larva feels in its cocoon
while its wings are growing,
while its body is transforming from a creature crawling on the ground
into a creature of the air.

Four months into 2008
and I am still in the process of transformation
of becoming my true self.

Four months into 2008
and I know that the process will continue
at varying rates of speed the rest of my life
and into eternity.

My Brother's Blog

Jamál (Beauty), 17 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Sunday, April 6, 2008 about 2:20 PM PDT

My brother has a blog Eclectic Writer. The entry for April 5 is about the gene for ruthlessness. I find my brother's writing interesting and inspiring.

The ruthlessness gene has some interesting implications. Humans are dual natured creatures; we have both a body and a soul. The idea that many of our actions have a genetic basis gives us or rather our souls a great deal to overcome.

A Cloudy Day in Las Vegas

Jalál (Glory), 16 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Saturday, April 5, 2008 about 5:38 PM PDT

It's a cloudy day in Las Vegas
patches of blue sky show through while clouds
the temperatures are warming
highs in the 80s,
lows in the 50s,
and variable winds
moving the stone pine tree's limbs.

April bring poetry
and not showers this
early in the month,
while the triple degree temperature
are weeks away.

Spring and Butterflies

Istijlál (Majesty), 14 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Thursday, April 3, 2008 about 5:19 PM PDT

I always associate spring with butterflies.
Maybe it is the beauty of the season
the flowers,
brightly colored birds building nest,
cottonwood trees and lilac bushes,
but I always associate spring with butterflies.

Now I really am Worried about my memory

‘Idál (Justice), 13 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, April 2, 2008 about 6:53 PM PDT

April is poetry month, I forgot about it being poetry month. So now I really am worried about my memory. I didn't remember April being poetry month until I read a newsletter on the subject today. I'm a writer and a poet, so you would think I'd remember April was poetry month. I suppose it could be stress or not reading the newsletter until today.

April Showers and Poetry

April showers bring more then flowers

poetry grows

with every drop of rain

angels carry from heaven.

Happy April Fools Day 2008

Fidál (Grace), 12 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, April 1, 2008 about 3:26 AM PDT

Have a happy April Fools Day.

April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day received its name because in 1582, the Gregorian Calendar replaced the Julian Calendar and the date of New Year's Day changed from Apil 1 to January 1. Not everyone was happy about this date change and continued celebrating New Years' Day on April 1. Those who celebrated on January 1 made fun of those celebrating on April 1, thus the name April Fools' Day.

There are problems of course with this explanation of April Fools Day because it doesn't explain the spread of the custom; ror more information see April Fools' Day: Origin and History. Personally, I think that having a day to celebrate foolishness is a good idea because it helps relieve stress.

Is this a sign of a short-term memory problem?

Kamál (Perfection), 11 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Monday, March 31, 2008 about 7:42 AM PDT

I worry about my memory sometimes. Is my short-term memory is going or am I just distracted? I have no problems remembering login names and passwords not even when I change the password. The problem this morning is coffee. My coffee cup sets on a wooden T.V. stand beside my computer desk.

Anyway, I reached for the cup and started to drink the coffee in it. However, there was no coffee; I drank the entire cup of hot 100% Columbian brew and didn't remember drinking it. Now I'm worried about my short-term memory. Not that I don't have other, probably, more important things to worry about.

I'm a writer and a coffee drinker so does not remembering I drink the coffee in my cup a sign of a problem. I don't know, I certainly hope not. I guess as long as I can remember my login names, passwords and bank pin numbers, I'm all right.

An Evening in March

Kamál (Perfection), 11 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Sunday, March 30, 2008 about 7:15 PM PDT

The days grow longer
as spring movers toward summer
and March moves into April.

This year the lamb of March bleats
waiting as sunset
announces the coming rain.

March winds are past
we wait for April's showers
and look forward to flowers
on an evening in March.

Family and Transformation

Jamál (Beauty), 10 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Saturday, March 29, 2008 about 10:07 PM PDT

I haven't written much about transformation lately. Most concerns family memories and events in my life. On the surface family doesn't appear to have much to do with transformation or a butterfly emerging from her cocoon. However, if you think about the way a family influences a person growing up or living from day to day, you realize that they have a great deal of influence on a person becoming his or her true self.

We all have memories from our childhood that we would just as soon forget. Events happened in everyone's childhood that effected the person adversely. As we grow up we realize that we can control the way those memories influence our present situation. We do not have to hold onto the past, we can put the bad memories in the hands of God and let the divine guide us through the rest of our lives. A person can learn to forgive him or herself and everyone else. Just because we forgive doesn't mean we have to forget.

I need a new pair of shoes

Istijlál (Majesty), 7 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Thursday, March 27, 2008 about 5:09 PM PDT

It's spring and I haven't gotten a new dress or a new pair of shoes. I'm not talking about second hand shoes, I'm referring to a brand new pair. It's been several years since I bought myself a brand new pair of spring shoes. I don't even know what colors are in fashion this year. Not that it would matter when it comes to buying the shoes. I don't get the colors that are in fashion this year.

I'm much to practical to buy the in fashion colors. I take after my grandmother in that respect. She always bought dark brown or black shoes. That way the shoes went with any dress she had in her closet. Grandma would buy the colors of dress that were in fashion, but not shoes. Grandma grew up in a time when shoes had to last a long time, so black shoes were the proper color to buy because they went with everything.

I remember one Easter my grandparents or my mother, bought me a pair of white "Mary Jane's" to go with a pink dress and bonnet. I wore those shoes all year, but when Easter came around again I needed a new pair. I don't know what happened to those shoe because my sister got a pair of new shoes as well. My dresses were handed down to my sister, but I don't remember the shoes being handed down.

When I do get a new pair of shoes this year, I'll get either flats or a pair of sports shoes. Probably the sports shoes since they're more comfortable.

There are times in my life

‘Idál (Justice), 6 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, March 26, 2008 about 4:12 PM PDT

There are times in my life when I wish my grandparents were still around.

I miss them very much.

I miss my grandfather's advice and my grandmother's laughter.

I miss the security the presence always gave me.

I'm 61 years old, so my grandparents would be over 100 probably closer to 200, which means I'd probably be taking care of them. That doesn't stop me from wishing they were here sometimes. Grandpa would find the gas prices outrageous. He would wonder how people could afford to go any where.

There is one thing that I know my grandfather would like and would have. Grandpa would have a computer and internet access. How do I know? Because when he was alive he always made sure he had the latest technology. He didn't buy it when it immediately came out, but would wait a little while to get it; when my grandfather was a farmer he had the first Fordsen tractor in the the area.

On a Late March Evening

Fidál (Grace), 5 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, March 25, 2008 about 5:57 PM PDT

On a late March evening
when the sun approaches the western horizon
I look through my prayer book
at all the prayers revealed by the Bab,
at all the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah,
at all the prayers written by 'Abdu'l-Baha
and realize
that as my life advances toward its western horizon
and my fortune changes
like the pendulum of a Grandfather clock swing
back and forth
these prayers give me comfort and joy.

The Long Way Around

Kamál (Perfection), 4 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Monday, March 24, 2008 about 6:12 PM PDT

Daily Writing Prompt for March 22, 2008: Write about taking the long way around

I always take the long way around because I have no sense of direction. I am probably the only person in the world that can follow MapQuest directions and get lost. It's frustrating and amusing at the same time. I don't see the amusing part though until latter.

I remember going places with my Grandfather, he never got lost. It didn't matter where we were going he always got us there without getting lost. That didn't mean not taking the long way around. Grandpa always took the rout with the best view. I remember driving through Oklahoma and Kansas. The country was always beautiful and Grandpa always took the long way around.

All though with today's gas prices, he might not have taken the long way around. I remember Grandpa gripping when gas prices increased from, I think, $0.50 or $0.75 a gallon to about $1.00. He gripped about the increase in prices, but didn't stop taking the long way around when his grandchildren were in the car.

Easter Memories

Jamál (Beauty), 3 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Sunday, March 23, 2008 about 7:49 AM PDT

Easter morning, the sun dawns bright over the eastern mountains and memories of East return. As a child, growing up in Blackwell, Oklahoma, my grandparents would take us to church for Easter services. After the services, we would go on an Easter egg hunt and each of us would get an Easter basket.

In the Easter basket were colored eggs, candy eggs and a chocolate Easter bunny. Before lunch my grandparents allowed us to eat one items from the Easter basket. I would eat my chocolate bunny with a glass of milk. It is interesting what traditions stayed with me and what traditions I let drop as I grew up.

I do not celebrate Easter, this time if year I celebrate Naw-Ruz and a New Year. However, every Easter morning I eat a chocolate Easter bunny. I do not eat the bunny with milk any more, instead I have a cup of coffee with my Easter bunny.

We bought an electric skillet today

We bought an electric skillet today. I can now cook my own hamburgers and fix chicken without putting it in the slow cooker. I am happy, at least for a little while. We bought one of those large family size skillets that you can cook a entire meal in at once. Life if wonderful and I didn't get caught in a traffic jam today.

I really like modern conveyances like electric skillets. They make life so much easier. The next thing I have to get is a working Microwave. I have a Microwave, but it doesn't work. I'm going to have to take it out to the curb next Tuesday, but it's too heavy to carry out so I'm going to have to figure out a way to roll it to the curb.

I got caught in a Traffic Jam today

Jalál (Glory), 2 Baha (Splendor), 165 B.E. – Friday, March 21, 2008 about 10:21 PM PDT

I got caught in a traffic jam today. Mom and I were returning home from going to the pet store on Charleston and Nellis. Charleston was closed down at the freeway and traffic was redirected onto the west bound lanes. I finally got onto 95 and then off on Eastern Ave.

It took us about an hour and a half to get onto and off 95. After we got off we stopped to get something to eat. I had not intention of coming home and putting something in the slow cooker. Tomorrow we're going to get an electric skillet. At least with an electric skillet I don't have to wait an hour for something to cook in the slow cooker.

We had planned to go to a poetry reading tonight, but the traffic jam took care of that. By the time we got home and ate, it was 7:00 PM ant the time the reading started. To get to where the reading is held on the third Friday, takes about 35 to 40 minutes so we stayed home tonight.

I Miss Spring in Oklahoma

Istijlál (Majesty), 19 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 164B.E. – Thursday, March 20, 2008 about 3:38 PM PDT



I miss spring in Oklahoma,

I miss the new leaves of the cottonwood trees

as they appear in early spring.



I miss the lilac bushes

the lavender blooms decorating

Easter gardens.



I miss spring in Oklahoma

the winter wheat in the fields

sedectively beckoning.



I miss the Easter pageants

telling the story of resurrection

and eternal life.