Cool Poetic Bloomings

 

Cool

 

Ninety-five degrees

I did not pack shorts for Wales

But it was still cool

Extra Trip Poem

 

 

Urquhart Castle

 

From a high level 

in Urquhart Castle,

I tried to imagine

what it would be like

to look out over

the silvery Loch Ness

under the pale blue sky

and fluffy white clouds

back in the 1200’s.

 

How grand it was!

After centuries,

of English and Scottish powers

fighting over it,

 in the late 1600’s,

the government forces blew it up

to keep it out of the hands

of the Jacobites.

 

Now, thousands of tourists

explore the ruins,

click photos

and joke about

catching sight of Nessie.

A first day of summer

inspiring imaginative dreams.

Silence of the night, Poetic Bloomings

 

Urquhart Castle, Scotland

 

The Urquhart Castle on a hill,

Solemnly bordering Loch Ness.

If after tourists were all gone,

I imagine, I must confess.

 

If I were there all by myself

On a shadowy, moonlit night,

Would my mind be calm and peaceful,

Or filled with nervousness and fright?

 

And would I swim out in the lake,

Where’s said a monster is about?

I’d like to think myself as brave,

but I’m glad I need not find out.

First Day Back in Cortez

 

July 10, 2026

Getting Back to Normal

 

Laundry, groceries

Texts and calls

Poems and pictures

To fill the walls

 

Make to-do lists

Step by step

Aim to do them

Lacking pep

 

Build up strength

Get back in sync

Travel again?

What do you think?

 

Reunion in August

Long drive to PA

But that is later

And now for today

Mesa to Cortez

 

July 9, 2026

Drive Home

 

Beautiful summer day

Blue sky, fluffy clouds

Miles of cactus, rocks, scenic cliffs

Usual stops

Peyson, Holbrook, Gallup

Home

After a trip to the UK

A visit with son and daughter

A hospital stay

Nice to sleep in my own bed

Mesa

 

July 8, 2026

Last Day

 

Last day in Mesa

Canasta, dishes, poetry

Plus a good night’s sleep

 

Good old college try

To win games with my daughter

Twenty-one to three

Mesa

 

July 7, 2026

Preparation

 

Drove to Walmart

To see if I could drive post hospital

Will go home soon

 

Worked on poems

Played Canasta with Lori

Ate three big cookies

 

Staying up late

Can’t go to bed full of sugar

I’d get a headache

Mesa

 

July 6, 2026

Recovery

 

Woke up with a snore

And got up at four

And began the day with prayer

I worked on each poem

I write when I roam

To record what I did over there

 

I played Canasta with Lori

Losing’s my story

Did dishes, went back to my room

Went over things to do

When this vacation is through

Mesa

 

July 5, 2026

A  Bit of Celebration

 

We walked to church at the usual time.

Not our home church, but here in Mesa.

With few cars in the parking lot,

we knew something was up.

 

We went into the foyer half full of cupcakes,

Red, white and blue, and a 250-years banner.

I spoke to the lady at the desk.

The three services had been combined.

 

We missed it, but we could watch online.

We thanked her and took cupcakes.

His was red, mine blue, extremely sweet.

My little bit of celebration of a great event.

Mesa 4th of July

 

July 4, 2026

Quiet Celebration

 

While others played, picnicked,

and watched fireworks,

I stayed quietly inside,

listening to music and stories,

recovering after my hospital stay

and thanking God for our country--

just Him, my family and me.

Thank You God for my country,

my family and all that You provide.

Mesa back to Lori and Eli's

 

July 3, 2026

Thankful

 

I’m thankful for Lori taking care of me.

Taking off work to spend time in the hospital.

Clarifying what the doctors told me.

Playing Canasta and helping me to the bathroom.

 

I’m thankful that this didn’t happen

While I was in the UK.

I’m thankful I had a wonderful trip.

 

I’m thankful that the stroke was small

And I’m pretty much back to normal.

 

I’m thankful that I was discharged.

 

I chose a GIF,

a cute white kitty

doing the Macarena,

to describe how I felt

being released

from the four-day stay

in the hospital

that ended my vacation.

 

Mesa Baywood Hospital

 

July 2

 

Unexpected Tour

 

We went to Scotland

And toured castles, some in ruins.

We went to England’s Lake district

And heard the ducks sing their tunes

 

In Wales, we toured the gardens,

Rode a train, ate some food.

I avoided the blood pudding,

Though they said it’s very good.

 

This all was in the plans

For the trip to the UK,

But what I didn’t expect

Was at Mesa for a stay.

 

I woke up rather dizzy,

With my head off kilter.

My daughter said your pulse is low.

In the hospital, you’ll get better.

 

So there I was in an MRI

With a board for a bed,

Listening to the bangs and clangs

To see if something’s in my head.    

 

I was poked and prodded

All through my four-day stay

I’m bruised like I’ve been fighting

An evil enemy all day.

 

Then I’m walking down the hallway

With gown flapping in the breeze.

And I’m sure that all that showed

Wasn’t just my knobby knees.

 

Tomorrow I’m headed home

And then a new trip is in store

But I pray next time I’ll skip

The hospital’s four-day tour.

Mesa Banner Hospital

 

July 1

Sam

 

His name was Sam

He was an old man

Hobbling along with his cane

He gave me a gift

Gave my spirit a lift

And joy I could not contain

 

An Afghan, crocheted

Volunteers had made

With loving kindness and prayer

Red, white and blue

So soft and new

I’m glad they showed that they care

Mesa Banner Hospital, PA "enclosed"

 June 30, 2026

 

Enclosed

 

I woke up at one AM

With the room spinning around.

I walked like the town drunk.

Bradycardia was profound.

 

Admitted to the hospital,

I was ordered an MRI.

In a cold room, on a stiff board,

They were trying to find out why.

 

I fought claustrophobia

As they wheeled me in the tube.

They played Despicable Me

As the minions were pursued.

 

My back was sore and hurting.

Didn’t know how long I’d last.

The MRI with all its noise

Certainly wasn’t fast.

 

They learned I had a small stroke,

But I was not to fear.

The problem I experienced

Was in my inner ear.

 

So now I am unenclosed

And breathing and walking better.

I’m in Phoenix at one hundred ten,

No longer in need of a sweater.

 

 

Mesa

 

June 29, 2026

First Day Back in USA

 

Post-trip laundry

One hundred six, stay inside

Read trip journal

Back in Mesa

 June 28, 2026

Back with My Family

 

Eli picked me up

A good meal at Cracker Barrel

Slept for ten hours

From Caernarfon to Manchester to Dublin to Boston to Phoenix to Mesa

 June 27, 2026

A Longer Day

 

Up at six in Caernarfon,

And we left Wales at nine.

We drove to Manchester, England

Airport in lots of time.

 

We went through the airport process

And waited by our gate.

For the hour flight to Dublin,

We had to calmly wait.

 

The flight to Dublin was delayed.

We opted for some lunch.

Though we would miss our connection,

No panties in a bunch.

 

In Dublin we formed a long line,

For those who missed our flight.

Boarded a bus for a hotel.

Yes, it seemed only right.

 

But before I could go relax,

To Boston, they sent me.

Seven more hours of flying,

Nice flight and a movie.

 

Then things took another bad turn.

Overnight at airport.

This makes three times in last six months.

Do I do this for sport?

 

Six AM, on my way again,

Between two men, my seat.

My backpack fit as advertised,

But no place for my feet.

 

This was a new kind of torture,

While I dozed and awoke.

Continually in discomfort,

A time when no one spoke.

 

At last, we made it to Phoenix,

And waited to deplane.

Flying UK to USA,

Eight hours, we did gain.

 

So up most of forty hours

Coming from the UK.

The delays and misconnections

Make a very long day!

Last day in Wales

 

June 26, 2026

Pleasant Day in Wales

 

We all met at nine

Rode in the van a long way

Tried to get good pics

 

Stonewall-lined highway

Greens and rocks of rolling hills

Clear blue sky of Wales

 

A round shimmering lake

embraced by two green hills

reflect the pale blue sky

 

White sheep, dark bushes

Dot the emerald green foreground.

Puffy clouds like sheep

 

Went to woolen mill

A weaving demonstration

Beautiful products

 

Did some shopping there

Wales dragon, Wales fridge magnet

Woolen hat—family

 

Welsh Cymru for Wales

Learned it is pronounced Kum ree

From the nice cashier

 

Drove to Betws-y-coed

It’s pronounced bet oos uh coyd

Had to look it up

 

Two river boulders

Cooling off with rocks around

A hot day in Wales

Lavon and I shopped

Found Santa pulled by dragons

Christmas ornament

 

Went down in the depths

Rough going in the slate mines

And rougher stories

 

To work in the mines

Virtually a death sentence

Heroes of that time

 

Dinner at restaurant

But must we talk politics?

Concentrate on beef

 

Last game of Splendor

Squeezed everything in suitcase

Goodbyes tomorrow

Second Day in Wales

 

June 25, 2026

Feeling at Home in Wales

 

Usual breakfast

An early walk by the bay

Walk to train station

 

Train clackity-clacks

Through rolling green hills of Wales

Never mind the heat

 

A lone tree, like a sentinel

Perched upon a slate cliff

Looks out over the Welsh valley

 

A shiny red and beige train

Meanders through lush greenery

As curious tourists snap photos.

 

Ninety-five degrees

So glad to see Snowdonia

Hello Porthmadog

Large stone rectangles

Spread across expansive lawn

Roman fort remnants

 

Afraid to get lost

Tagged along with Lloyd/Lisa

Caernarfon Castle 

 

A squawking sea gull

Protesting the passers by

Nest by castle stairs

 

Up spiral staircase

Admired the seaside view

Carefully back down

 

Back to the hotel

Cooled down in a cool shower

Lavon and I walked

 

Phone booth, new red paint

Now, just a UK landmark

And so be careful!

 

May have other use

For wandering, homeless vagrants

In need of toilet

 

Delicious dinner

We had fun playing Splendor

I will miss Lavon