Day 17 of Italy trip
Today--last day of Write Away,
A bit of sadness in the air.
We all may wish that we could stay.
Oh, times like this are very rare!
We wrote and learned and shared and ate,
Walked through the automatic gate.
For writing we got such release.
Perhaps, we’ll meet again in Greece.
Day 16 of Italy Trip
Sis Judy stayed in bed today.
She has a cold and so do I.
May she complete this trip, I pray.
If she does not, I think I’ll cry.
Today I got some writing done.
I took a walk and that was fun.
Yes, Tuscany’s a pretty place.
But time, it seems, is in a race.
Day 15 of Italy Trip
The leaves are green in Tuscany,
But the chills promise fall’s approach.
The castle on the hill, we’ll see;
We’ll travel there by private coach.
We’ll go to Ohio too soon
To see the colors in full bloom.
In Colorado, we’ll be late,
Since Aspens fade at early date.
Italy Day 14
Woke up to lights out and water off.
My quiet time, too quiet, dream on.
Prayers against sniffles and a cough.
It didn’t pay to rise at dawn.
Croissant and back up to the room.
Lights still off, so a bit of gloom.
Which of ten ways should my book go?
So many ways! I just don’t know.
Day 13 of Italy Trip
The first full day at Write Away,
The rooms are great, the food is, too.
Il Gelso, wondrous place to stay.
Eight ladies writing all day through.
Sis Judy and I took short walks.
We viewed fall scenes and had our talks.
Ate Chef Marco’s food till past full.
It’s getting cold, we’ll wear our wool.
Italy Day 12-2 Write
Away Begins
W e’re gathered together as writers
R evealing who we are,
I nspiring each other,
T eaching inadvertently,
E xpecting new adventures,
A nticipating growth in
W riting and as individuals.
A wkard, maybe, but
Y ou always have to take the first step,
B elieving we each have gems to offer,
E ncouraging each other,
G iving in valuable and unexpected ways.
I maginations fired up.
N ew thoughts and new ideas.
S o here we go. Write Away!
Day 12 of Italy Trip
Goodbye to our cute little home.
We drug our luggage to the train.
We hung out until we would roam
To Tuscany. (It’ll soon rain.)
We met the ladies from retreat.
Before we had a chance to eat,
We talked about selves and writing.
This week will sure be exciting.
Day 11 of Italy trip.
The Piazza is where we met
To take a tour to see David.
Angelo was a sculpture vet.
Was great to see the works he did.
This afternoon we learned to make
pizza in class we chose to take.
With the dough, we learned to wrangle.
Mine turned out a big rectangle.
Back to Touring, Day 10 Italy Trip
Back to touring; today was great.
First Cinque Terre on five hills.
We stopped with special friends and ate.
Then Pisa Tower with a tilt.
Many rows of thin Cyprus trees.
A boat ride with a gentle breeze.
A van ride to Air BNB.
In Italy, so much to see.
Day 8 and 9 Italy Trip
Day 8 and 9 all blurred to one.
Flight delayed, that was no fun.
But it turned out for the better.
We had good seats, felt unfettered.
Arrived in Florence in good time.
But I’m almost too tired to rhyme.
And then to add good to the deal,
An authentic Italian meal.
Day 7 Italy Trip
Today was Italy trip eve
With a flurry of things to do
Tomorrow will be time to leave
Online things we had to work through
While Sis got her nails and toes done,
I had many errands to run
My meds were all at last replaced.
So hungry I ate lunch fast paced.
Day 6 of Italy Trip
In Adams the last day with Sis
We walked the town and got some drinks
I practiced With my GPS.
It doesn’t matter what one thinks.
We played some games and had some lunch.
My sister was stressed, had a hunch.
From Adams’ sis to Lincoln one.
Preparing for trip, still not done
Day 5 of Italy Trip
It was a family fun day
First church, then met at nephew’s place
Where six children all liked to play
We all packed in with little space
Our pot luck was a yummy mix
We passed out gifts to all the six
They painted with water and paint
It was so great to reacquaint
Day 4 of Italy Trip
Goodbye to hubby and our two.
I took the Phoenix/Lincoln flight.
The first flight was so quickly through.
The second got there before night.
So glad to see Sis. I ate crepes,
Then drove to second sister’s place.
I’ll have two days with family.
Then we’ll go on to Italy.
Day 3 of Italy Trip
Last day in Mesa, biding time.
Bought groceries and packed my case.
I will be glad for cooler clime,
One hundred four no more to face.
Checked in for the Nebraska flight.
I hope I get some sleep tonight.
I’ll soon see baby and the kids,
If I can open tired eyelids.
Day 2 of Italy Trip
To-dos have seemed to follow me,
Housework and paperwork and such.
Forgot my meds so stupidly.
My tasks today, a little much.
Phone calls and texts, get things in line.
I trust it all will turn out fine.
Still need to pack to make things light.
Lufthansa’s limits—strict and tight.
Day 1 of Italy Trip
Before I travel very far,
I rally those who like to pray.
Today as I packed up my car,
I have some faith to go away.
I’m now in Mesa safe and sound,
With cactus, heat, and hilly ground.
Here with my daughter and my son,
We’ll spend some time and have some fun.
One More Day
Today is Tuesday, almost done
Tomorrow, is the day we leave
I doubt I’ll get up with the sun
An early start, I can’t conceive
I had a busy day today
I did help teach at nature school
Then ran errands every which way
I’ll go to bed or be a fool
Connie Stuckman
C hrist Jesus, please bless Connie Stuckman
O pen doors for her that no man can open
N ow, close the ones that need to be closed
N urture her by Your grace and Holy Spirit
I ntervene in all that she goes through each day
E nvelop her in Your loving kindness, always
S pirit move on her as she reaches out to others.
T each her Your ways. Grant her wisdom and
U nderstanding. Do a good work in and through her.
C ontinue to create in her a heart that seeks after You.
K eep her in Your loving protection and healing power.
M ay her days be sweet and full of joy and peace.
A lways, let her feel Your presence and hear Your voice. May
N ew adventures and opportunities be given to her.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Two More Days
Today is Monday, two more days
So much to do before our trip
I’m trying not to go acraze
Nor leave some tasks undone or slip
The yard, the laundry, dishes, trash
I hope my nerves don’t yield a rash
Gas up the car, some posts and pack
Twill be a month before we’re back
Three More Days
Today is Sunday, soon we’ll go,
For Wednesday is the day we leave.
I thank God there will be no snow.
Perhaps, this journey we’ll achieve.
We plan four countries and three states.
Our journal’s marked
with many dates.
Cortez, Phoenix, Lincoln, and Rome,
And Pittsburgh, Youngstown then we’re home.
Octobers
O pening eyes to glorious colors
C olors of oranges, yellows, reds
T easing and tempting to jump in leaf piles
O pening senses and filling our heads
B eckoning all to come outside and play
E ssence of cider and pumpkin sweets
R eminding us of fun-filled childhoods
S cuffling through leaves and begging treats
A Year
January long, cold month
February short, cold month with Valentine’s Day
March a little hope forming around St. Patrick’s
Day
April Sunshine and snow and was that a robin?
May I believe we made it through the winter—
one last snow storm
June Long, hot days but where did the time go
July Feeling alive, as long as we have good AC
August Days are getting shorter,
are those leaves tinged yellow?
September hot and cold and one last trip
October glorious colorful month
except we know what’s coming around the bend
November Yes, let’s be thankful, but here comes
winter
December Hurry Scurry Christmas month, let love
lead
Today’s Hike on Priest Trail of Colorado
Up and down mountain paths
Pines, aspens, wild flowers
Snapping photos
Two chipmunks chattering,
chasing each other
Tap, tapping with trekking poles,
informing bears of our presence
Clambering over roots and rocks
Resting by a creek to eat,
listening to its soft gurgle
Huffing and puffing on steep inclines
Leg muscles tightening on the way down
Glad to see the truck at the end of five miles.
Wash off hot and dirty feet in the creek
Ride home, hobble up the drive
Relax and nap in the recliner
What a great time,
but, oh, I can feel it!
Labor of Love
May all we do be a labor of love
Helping others along the way
Whether caring at home
Or on the job for pay
May all we do be a labor of love
May all we do be a labor of love
No matter what we do, we serve
Whether teaching a child
Or dancing with verve
May all we do be a labor of love
May all we do be a labor of love.
To better life for all around
Whether we’re creating
High up or on the ground
May all we do be a labor of love
Labor of Listening
Young and newly married,
when I was around a group of moms,
inevitably they’d break out their birthing stores.
All of the moms had one or more
and were eager to share,
which I found slightly boring and annoying.
Now, I have two birthing stories,
I attempt to keep to myself,
for fear of birthing boredom.
God’s Smile
As I labor, I feel God’s smile on me,
Whether it’s simple or requires skill.
It makes work easier to know He’s pleased.
As I labor, I feel God’s smile on me.
Knowing He loves me makes life sweet.
It pays to listen and, in His presence, be
still.
As I labor, I feel God’s smile on me,
Whether it’s simple or requires skill.
Hot Springs
Colorado blue sky
overruled by fluffy white clouds.
Pined mountainside
with a fringe of oak brush,
which offered a place to change into swimsuits,
often regarded as optional.
Rustic benches.
Two yellowish pools, one slightly higher,
trickling into the lower,
as a tiny waterfall,
both cradled in orangish earth.
Orange rocks scattered about.
The smell of sulfur.
The soft, continuous roar of the rushing river.
The chatter of the Steller’s jay.
We found our footing across the uneven bottom
and inched our way
into the warmer-than-bathwater pool.
Relaxing in a bit of Heaven on Earth.
Mistake by Design?
We knew better
But followed the GPS
Perhaps new route?
Maybe it knew what was best.
We felt like fools
Saw two trails had the same name
We turned around
With only ourselves to blame
Two hours later
We headed up the right trail
Not discouraged
At our previous fail
Thinking of bears
We were glad about the time
Missed their foraging
Our hike turned out fine
Miracles
M iracle are what only God can do.
I mpossibilities made possible
R eality turned on its head
A ll things are possible with God.
C reation, healing, protection
L ove in action
E ndless supply of hope
S o, I will trust Him.
