Tag Archives: #newblogpost

To Sign Or Not To Sign (poetic dilemma)

Dilemma

How to sign?

Signing autographs feels alien

Full name?

First initial and second name?

Signing autographs feels alien

First name and a kiss?

Decision made.

A short poem inspired by the real life dilemma I faced ahead of my recent book signing in aid of Ardgowan Hospice.

The Measly Jar of Motivation – Breakfast time!

The Measly Jar of Motivation has thrown out two phrases that scream “Breakfast!”

Breakfast is a meal I’ve had a difficult relationship with over the years. I’m not great at eating first thing in the morning. A big, cooked breakfast would be totally wasted on me.

Those followers of this blog who know me personally might be somewhat surprised that hot coffee is not the first thing I need every morning. At a push, I can make it to lunchtime without my caffeine hit but I cannot function without my orange juice. It’s a vital component of my morning routine. I love the taste of oranges although I would never sit and actually peel and eat an orange. I hate finding “bits” in my OJ so its smooth/pulp free all the way for me.

After OJ then comes hot coffee – hot, strong and black. I can’t stand cold or even cool coffee. I like my Americano piping hot.

As for food… well, that’s either a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel or hot buttered toast. If I’m in the office, it’s a cereal bar.

On a Sunday, I like to have a more leisurely start to the day and treat myself to some crispy pancetta with my cinnamon raisin bagel and my coffee. We all have our weaknesses…

Last summer, when I returned to visit Rehoboth Beach, I became a regular at a local diner. I also became a creature of habit despite their extensive breakfast menu- OJ, coffee and a short stack of pancakes. Delicious! I can’t wait to go back this summer for more of the same.

So, what’s your breakfast guilty pleasure?

The Measly Jar of Motivation – Snowfall

Most days I walk by the house I grew up in…well, grew up in from the age of nine to seventeen. I look fondly at its steep driveway and smile.

I have many memories associated with that driveway by my favourites are of playing on it in winter in the snow. As an adult, I hate snow. I hate being cold. But as a child, that driveway was the best place for sledging and for sliding.

After one memorable snowfall, I recall playing for hours with my childhood friend. I didn’t own a sledge, but she did. The best I had was an old metal tea tray that I waxed with a candle to make it run faster.

We spent ages that day smoothing out our “run” down the driveway. I should explain that at this point in time, under the several inches of snow, the driveway itself was unsurfaced. Blaze had been spread over it to provide a surface for future tarmac and at the bottom there was still a pile of several tons of blaze. With a bit of work and some snow packing, it made the perfect ramp at the bottom of our “run”

With clumps of ice clinging to our woolly gloves and filling our wellie boots, we spent hours sledging on the driveway, getting closer and closer to becoming airborne off the top of that ramp.

If memory serves me right, my friend managed it at least once on her sledge before we realised it was better fun sliding down on the metal tray as it went faster.

The closest to the luge as I’ll ever get!

Precious childhood memories that were rewarded at the end of the day with red icy cold fingers wrapped round a mug of hot chocolate.

Happy carefree days….

Shavasana (poem)

In meditative repose

I lie in shavasana, corpse pose.

Breathing quietly in and out through my nose.

Did I feed the cat?

Should I put on the washing before work?

Need to remember to call the dentist.

Oh.. and I need to add milk to the Tesco list.

And so my mind whirs on…

No quiet thoughts to be found

I focus on my breathing…in  and out…

Seeking the stillness of the pose.

Need to remember to post that birthday card.

And I’ve to call the garage about the car.

Wonder what time my first meeting is today?

And so my mind whirs on

In meditative repose.

photo sourced via Google- credits to the owner