Panama 15

 

Sailing day again

Painted orchids, walked, and ate

Canal tomorrow

Panama 14

 

Jamaica

 

Four very black people

wearing green and yellow

pounded on their drums

and danced,

welcoming our ship.

 

The hills were green,

the water blue.

 

I found the bus for our tour.

Once at Dunn River Falls,

we met our guides.

three friendly Jamaican guys

in their thirties or so.

 

We walked down many steps

to a lovely beach,

but we didn’t stay there long.

We started up the falls.

 

At first, I couldn’t imagine

walking up slippery rocks

in the rushing water.

 

We started up the falls.

The rocks were light brown,

probably sandstone.

Mostly we made our way

through ankle deep water,

but some places were waist deep.

 

I was glad for the water shoes Judy gave me.

I could feel where to put my feet.

We had to make a human chain

to help each other up.

Surprisingly, this method worked well.

Most of us would not have made it on our own.

 

It was quite a work out.

We’d look up and think that was the top,

but when we got there

we saw that there was more to go.

 

It was quite a project to get us all up there.

We all made it without major mishaps

and it felt good.

 

One man said, “We did well

for a bunch of geezers.”

Most of us were retirement age.

I can’t wait to get the pictures.

Panama 13

 

Second Day of Sailing

 

Water and sky, still.

But then saw a bird,

then land.

 

I took pics of sunset.

Also painted one.

Was supposed to be beach scene.

 

I turned mine Southwest

with a mesa, pine tree and lake.

 

I’m from Colorado,

what do you expect?

 

Panama 12

 

Cruisin’

 

I love being pampered on a ship.

I ate chocolate today, three times.

Yes, the diet I will have to skip.

I love being pampered on a ship,

Though when it moves we rock and tip.

We explored 9 decks, following signs.

I love being pampered on a ship.

I ate chocolate today, three times.

confusion, poetic asides Panama 11

 

Combatting Confusion

 

Mix lack of direction with eight-deck ship,

We wander from atrium to sun deck.

And with our room-number-memory slip,

Our schedule becomes a mess and a wreck.

Where we should be and when, we often check.

I missed an event because I forgot,

Have speaker and earbuds? No, I did not.

On our sailing day, there’s a long-time gap.

So we walk, play, view the ocean with thought,

Then we stay in our room and take a nap.

Panama 10

 

Flight Day

 

B22, B13, B7. Shame.

Its not a Bingo game 

A4 now at the gate 

Departing 3 hours late.

 

Every one's patient 

At least we're warm

We're here in Phoenix 

Not in the storm

 

Headed to Florida

Where we'll catch a cruise

I hope I get there 

And don't make the news.

 

Sis is waiting in Florida

At the Hampton Inn 

When I get there tonight

It will be a win

 

I checked my bag

Maybe not smart 

Hopefully it will make it 

And be a good start.

 

Just like my daughter said

Everything will be fine

Now I’m headed for bed

And I say it’s high time

 

 

 

 

Plenty, Poetic Bloomings, Panama 9

 

Day 4 in Mesa

 

We got to church in plenty of time;

We had looked at the wrong date.

We had to wait 45 minutes.

We definitely were not late.

 

The church is just a few blocks away,

So we wheeled hubby there in his chair.

A sunny Arizona day and a nice service,  

With plenty of warm greetings to spare.

 

After lunch, I packed my carry-on.  

Plenty or not enough, I don’t know.

Sis packed some extra clothes,

So we should be good to go.

 

Soon I’ll say goodbye to hubby and kids

And partake in a four-hour flight

Sis and I will have plenty of fun.

A cruise is such a delight.

Panama 8

 Day Three in Mesa

 

We had a family outing,

Hubby, the kids and I,

To the market in Mesa

To see what we could buy.

 

 I bought a hat with a string,

So it will stay on my head.

And a blue capris set,

Didn’t fit as I did dread.

 

We walked for two hours,

Until we were wore out.

Then we went to Chili’s,

Left full without a doubt.

 

Then off to Walmart

To buy a battery pack.

Ended up with a charger.

Tech know-how I lack.

 

But the charger I got,

I needed that, too.

So I have no reason

To be down and blue.

 

Lori and I played cards.

We’re tied two to two.

I’m sure we’ll play more,

Before we are through.

 

We watched Wheel of Fortune

And, of course, Jeopardy.

The kids answer a lot.

I may have gotten three.

 

I still need to repack.

The cruise is getting close.

I’m glad I’m not back home

Where it often snows.

Panama 7

 

Day Two at Mesa

 

Feeling a bit nutty

While I’m on this trip

Excited about the cruise

Sailing on a ship

 

But at the same time

I’m planning more vacays

I bought plane tickets to Canada

I’m set to go many ways

 

I called my friend Lavon

Scotland is our destination

Add to that Wales and England

Nation upon nation

 

And the Philippines

Will be before that in June

I’m sure that trip

Will be over way too soon.

 

Shannon Family Reunion

Is at the start of August

Then Alaska in September

It’s Seattle first or bust

 

After that is Alaska

And then maybe Egypt

The year twenty twenty-six

Is the year to take a trip

 

So here in Mesa

I plan, play and clean

And I cut my hubby’s hair

So I don’t mind him being seen.

Panama 6

 Arriving in Mesa

 

We do the same three stops

On the way to see the kids

Gallup, Holbrook, Payson

I sip on tea from cups with lids

 

The castle rocks are majestic

Along New Mexico’s highways

The mesas and the sagebrush

Lie like western movie set displays

 

We roll into Mesa, Arizona

Among cactus and rocky hills

The ups and downs, dips and curves

Offer up some thrills.

 

Daughter and son were home waiting

They helped take our stuff inside

One of their cats is lovey dovey

The other runs and hides

 

We ate this and that on the road

And rounded up some more

We had enough to eat

Since daughter went to the store.

 

Lori and I played Canasta

And wonder of wonders I won

We’ll probably play a few more games

Before we call it done.

 

I have three days in Mesa

And then off too Fort Lauderdale

Where Sis will be waiting

 She’s my traveling pal

 

 

 

 

food, Poetic Asides, Panama 5

 One more Day

 

I have three days of to-dos in one,

Plus do caregiving for eight hours

Plus deal with the food in the fridge

So when we’re gone nothing sours.

 

Snacking on an eight-hour drive,

Dropping Hubby off with the kids,

And then fly to Fort Lauderdale

Where I plan to meet with my sis.

 

That’s where we will board a cruise ship,

Eating yummy food the whole way

South to the Panama Canal.

I bet we will wish we could stay.

 

First things first, get these to-dos done.

Breakfast, then off in morning sun.

 

Panama 4

 Two More Days

 

Two more days, and then we will drive

Get to Mesa well and alive

With Loren in tow

Yay, no snow

Onward go

Then revive

 

Drove up the hill to the center

We teachers greet as we enter

Do last minute prep

Ready? Yep!

Come with pep

Remember

 

Share at morning circle to start

Then music, poetry and art

And then we all hike

Forts they like

Chaos spike

Be a part 

Panama 3

 Three More Days

 

Now three more days and then we go

Rejoicing that there is no snow

I’ll take time to pray

Plan my day

Have His way

To and fro

I planned my class, NCBC

What the kids did learn, I will see

I’ll give them a quiz

Who’s a whiz?

Will all fizz?

Woe is me

No Time Poetic Bloomings, Panama 2

 

Four More Days

 

Now, four more days and life goes on.

And soon we’ll wonder at time gone.

Try to get things done,

Then we run.

To have fun,

We are drawn.

Sunday and we enjoyed His presence

At church, we all felt His essence

Eat lunch, but first pray

Phone call day

Come what may

TV hence