A Tidings of Magpies

                             Well, it's January and it must be done. Yoga pants must be dug out of the bottom of a pile of clothes in the bedroom, a short sleeved T shirt must be wriggled into, and I must sweat amongst strangers. Hubby and I have never quite recovered from our last visit to New Orleans and let me simply say two words. Creole. Rabbit. We believe we were placed on earth to eat and drink every two hours while wandering around listening to fabulous music. Alas, that is not meant to be and January is here and my jeans are not as comfy as my work scrubs, so sweat it shall be today. Turn it up and burn it up, my friends!    Flowers by Linda Pastan The deep strangeness of flowers in winter— the orange of clivia, or this creamy white rose in its stoneware vase, while outside anoth...

In the White Sky by William Stafford Many things in the world have already happened. You can go back and tell about them. They are part of what we own as we speed along through the white sky. But many things in the world haven't yet happened. You help them by thinking and writing and acting. Where they begin, you greet them or stop them. You come along and sustain the new things. Once, in the white sky there was a beginning, and I happened to notice and almost glimpsed what to do. But now I have come far to here, and it is away back there. Some days, I think about it. Hubby and I are sitting here this morning drinking our coffees and listening to WWOZ out of New Orleans on the computer and trying to decide what to do with our day off. If anything. It's cool and grey here. Good day to curl up and read or watch more episodes of Treme in our vigorous and studious attempt to learn about our daughter's new home. I...

Order up a large bucket of boiled shrimp with some green onions, a little beer, a little beach music --till you're busted. I suggest to lather, rinse and repeat as needed. What's the order at your corner of the bar??