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Friday, January 30, 2015

Mom

My Mom passed away this week.  My younger sis and I came up with the following obituary.  Please, know I feel a great relief for Mom as she suffered several complications the last two months.  The real problem started 11 years ago when her husband of almost 70 years died.  She just never recovered completely.  She continued to survive in a ever more lonely existence as her siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, dear friends and even grandchildren and son in law preceded her in death.  Mom was ready to leave the confines of a body that no longer could be trusted as a worthy vessel for her soul.


shattered silence
announcing life.s end
hearts broken

a cardinal leads the white doves
into the morning sunrise

©  Janice Adcock

Mary Helen Chandler Rogers, 96, formerly of Allen, Texas passed away on January 28, 2015 in Flower Mound, Texas.  Mary was born near Weston, Texas on September 11, 1918 to Marvin and Maggie Chandler. She grew up in the communities of Weston and Chambersville where she was schooled.   Mary met and shortly after her graduation from Chambersville School married her husband Arleigh Rogers. Their four daughters were raised in Chambersville and Allen.

A life-long member of the Methodist Church she was always pleased to share that her name appeared on the cradle role at Chambersville Methodist Church at birth. She served in volunteer and leadership roles in both Chambersville and Allen United Methodist Churches.  Mary lived her faith by ministering at work, in local schools, 4-H, civic and other community services.

Mary had three outstanding achievements in her various careers outside the home.  In 1947 she was the first female bus driver in Collin County, running the bus in all weather for 13 years. In the 1950's, as a farm wife, she brought in the first trailer of cotton at the Weston gin. In 1958 she began a 20 + year career at Texas Instruments, where in the mid 60's she was awarded an Incentive Recognition Award for outstanding work.  Above all, her number one job was wife, mother, grandmother and home maker.  A natural cook, she was always prepared for Sunday dinner’s company. You knew the doors were open, the pies were cooling and all were welcome.

Mentored as a young girl by her grandmother and a neighbor, Mary became an expert in textile, fiber and needle arts. Honing her skills as she clothed four daughters she became renown for her sewing ability. She created both every day garments, special occasion ensembles and wedding gowns. Her spare time was spent knitting, crocheting and fashioning every kind of craft for fund raising bazaars, friends and family.   She was a very active member of the Chambersville Community Harvest Festival quilting bee after her retirement.

Mary had a quick wit and sense of humor. Always ready with a good joke or funny quip, her motto was, "Sometimes we have to laugh to keep from crying."  Her memory held large amounts of family and community history and she shared it freely. Mary took pride in being a third generation Texan.  Trace her roots back, you will find pioneering families of Collin County and the state of Texas. You could always count on her to remember some detail of a long-ago event. But she wasn't just interested in the past. She had a keen interest in pop culture and politics, staying very current.  She was a life-long proclaimed "yellow dog" democrat, often campaigning and voting in every election. She took pride in the fact that as a child she once sat on the lap of Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn and he encouraged her interest in politics.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers Ross, Arl, Jim, Fred, Tommy (Bud) and Clay Chandler, sister, Opal Chandler Lentz, sister-in-law Amelia Rogers Tuton, son on law, Jack Baldwin, great grandson, Michael Paul Baldwin, and her husband of 70 years, Arleigh Edgar Rogers.

She is survived by her daughters Margaret Calhoun, Suzie Littrell and husband Royce, Janice Adcock and husband Gene, Arlene Powell and husband Doug. Also, 10 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great grandchildren, sister-in-law Billie Rogers Stone, a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Mary never met a stranger.  She will be missed by all who love her.

Pall bearers and grandchildren - Michael Baldwin, Don Littrell, Steven Littrell, John Baldwin, Kathy Baldwin Edmonds, Leigh Ann Littrell Womack, John Roger Adcock, Matthew Powell, Elaina Powell Beckman and Andrew Powell

Sunday, January 25, 2015

If You Are Wondering

If you have wondered where my posts are it can be summed up in two words, Mom's health.  Mom's edema became so bad that her leg split open in multiple places. She was transported to the hospital in Denton.  She was there from Jan. 16 - 22.  On the evening of the 22 she was transferred to Hollymead skilled nursing.  I am here watching her sleep today, Jan. 25. In addition to the loss of eyesight in one eye, a fractured wrist and the wounds on her leg, Mom has now been diagnosed with delirium.  This is a result of the multiple traumas she suffered in rapid succession. 

Before we left the hospital Mom was being able to feed herself.  Friday morning she was sitting up  and eating.  She has become progressively agitated over the last two days, talking constantly in non sense babble.  She is no longer wanting to sit up and eat.  We or the staff are having to feed her.  I t is being a challenge to keep her hydrated.  Not sure where this is all going as her vitals are all still good.

This is where I am for at least another 6 or 7 days.  If you were wondering.

Friday, January 16, 2015

Lost

This week's prompt from Ginny over at The Spin Cycle is 'lost'.  With the move and downsize of the last year  more than a few things are lost.  A box of Christmas decorations with an antique creche from Husband's Mom is one thing I still have not located.  Or maybe it is in one of the two boxes I did not use at all this year.  I am still not sure where a couple of the decorative sleighs are.  Well, for that matter, there is an engraved plate used for printing the cover of a cookbook made in 1972.  I have not found that since the 1992 move.

There are always little items I cannot find.  Again, since the move, I never know for sure if it is an item we donated or sold or if it is lost.  That particular quandary makes me feel I have lost my mind.  The mislaid keys in December did show up the next day.  That was too late to help as I had to spend the night in a hotel since Husband would not answer the door.  He sleeps very soundly.

The thing that is the most painful today is my Mom's mental stability.  The back to back major medical problems have taken a huge toll on her mind.  She stays confused and frustrated.  Mom has never had a very positive way to deal with frustration and disappointments.  Her 'go to' reaction is angry actions and words.  It is not the most fun to reach a point in life where one is praying for a person to be allow to pass away peacefully.  Mom really hates having lost her independence.  It will be a tough day when I reach that phase.

The thing the keeps me going is one thing I have not lost, a sense of humor.  Pretty much anything can be handled if a person can laugh about the situation.  I mean, not being able to get my husband to wake up really is funny when one thinks about it.  Even my 96 year old Mom cursing like a sailor is pretty amusing.  And as for the lost items?  Well they are just stuff anyway, no need to lose a nights sleep over one of them.

So have you lost something?  Think it up, write your spin on it and join us folks over at The Spin Cycle.

crocus

Carpe Diem Time Machine #2 
"Crocus"

Crocus. This prompt to "play with again" will inspire you for sure and here are my haiku which I published in that episode back in January 2013:

fragile crocus
blooming in the ice wind
how strong will it be?

snow falls gently
covers fragile crocuses
purple disappears

early Spring feeling
a snowman melts in the sun
reveals crocuses

© Chèvrefeuille

How strong will they be those little crocuses?

snow has gone
colorful crocuses blooming
longing for Spring

© Chèvrefeuille

summer's heat
one longs for ....
crocus' spring

©  Janice Adcock


Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



hazy mist


The goal is to write an all new classical haiku (following the rules of the classics, you can find those rules in Carpe Diem Lecture 1 in the menu) inspired on the one given.


kaerimireba yuki-aishi hito kasumi keri

Credits: Morning Haze
when I looked back,
the man who passed
was lost in the mist

© Masaoka Shiki


familiar bird
she searches in vain for name
in mind's hazy mist

©  Janice Adcock

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



Thursday, January 15, 2015

Little New Year


Koshogatsu - A Time of Celebration

New Year is the largest, and perhaps the oldest celebration in Japan. Having both religious and secular associations, it is much like Christmas in Canada.  In A.D. 604, the lunar calendar used in China was adopted for use by the Japanese government. This calendar had both a lunar component which regulated civic events and a solar component which was used for agricultural purposes.  The new moon marked the beginning of the official months but date discrepancies existed between official celebrations and folk celebrations. Using the lunar calendar the New Year was to begin at the second new moon after the winter solstice.  This was the "Great New Year" or shogatsu. At the full moon two weeks later, there was another celebration called "Little New Year" or koshogatsu. Traditionally, these dates would occur sometime from the end of January to the middle of February. However, when the government adopted the Gregorian calendar, shogatsu became associated with the first day of January and koshogatsu fell on the 15th of January.

lunar calendars
usurped by politicians
daylight savings time

©  Janice Adcock

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



a misty night -
moon's shrouded light
tires' wet pavement hiss

a misty night
geisha wears weeping willow
spongy path beneath

moon's shrouded light
leaves only fireflies glow in
the darkness

tires' wet pavement hiss
announce the cab's approach
doorman tips his hat

©  Janice Adcock
Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



Tuesday, January 13, 2015

onomatopoeia


This is what an amateur writes: 
flapping flags
are snapping songs 
decreeing dedication

perpetuating prayers
with glistening gongs
monk's muted meditations

©  Janice Adcock

This is how the masters do it:

he ambles along
with his man-servant:
cherry-blossom viewing

© Kigin

the Stony River rippling,
the lightning
flickering

© Issa

osoki hi no tsumorite toki mukashi kana *)

slow days passing, accumulating,
how distant they are,
the things of the past!

© Buson

*) Buson uses the k sound to portray the bitterness of the passing of time



Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI


lion dance

Carpe Diem #647, 
Lion Dance (Shishimai)

lion dancers visit --
from the lion's mouth
plum blossoms

© Issa


fierce looks
as the folks form a line -
cotton eyed joe
©  Janice Adcock

Did we not all love being graded on our dancing abilities in gym classes!



Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



What Happened to Christmas?

As I have noted, it just did not feel like Christmas happened this year.  I am having to force myself to take the decorations down this week.  There is really no reason to feel that Christmas did not happen.   I hosted our son and his girlfriend for Christmas Eve dinner.  I attended parties, multiple gift exchanges and gained 10 lbs.  The last being an annual tradition followed by the useless attempt to lose the 10 lbs.  I did not go to church not get to sing carols at a candlelight service.  Though I did sing Christmas music for 3 hours on my trip to Dallas to help with Mom.  Hope that counts in the good bad list.

For several years I was away from my side of the family who made a big deal about Christmas celebrations. Us four sisters would talk between us to determine if it would be a dress up Christmas or casual dress.  One year Hubby decided to have some fun with us sisters.  After we had changed our minds from dress up to casual he said to Sissy, "And I had already picked out my dress!"  Well, we managed to pull together just the thing for him for Christmas.  It is part of family lore, he wore a skirt to Christmas.

Back to the question of why it did not seem like Christmas happened this year.  The only thing I can come up with is I did not watch Christmas movies like Christmas Vacation, Elf or Miracle on Thirtysomething Street.  I watch one Rudolph cartoon while making yeast bread.  I missed watching those movies.

But more that anything I missed sisters planning and laughing while planning.  I missed my oldest sister at the family gathering as well as Aunt Opal.  I must take time next year to relish each moment of the season.  Not get swept away in preparations and shopping to the point I fail to enjoy the season.  To take time to light those candles at church on Christmas eve and laugh one more time at the scene when Will Farrell tries to ride the elevator.  It is not too late so I think I'll watch Elf tomorrow when I take down the last of the decorations.  Except the greenery, snowmen and penguins.  It is still winter!

dance




The dead leaves swirl
into the corner of the yard
gracefully
the young ballerina's dance
sweeps me along in joy

©  Janice Adcock




Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI


Sunday, January 11, 2015

Card Games



Playing a card game centered around knowing the great poetry of the Japanese masters is another New Years tradition.  To learn more about this game click here and here.

haiku card games
ancients' verses recalled
future honors past
©  Janice Adcock



Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI


Saturday, January 10, 2015

tanka


Jane Reichhold is an artisan of many mediums.  We participants of the Carpe Diem Haiku Kai have the honor of her being our teacher.  We can send questions and she graciously answers in depth our queries. The most recent of the lessons is in regard tanka, a forerunner of the haiku.  To learn more of this click here.

SOMBER GIRL

She never saw fire
from heaven or hotly fought  
with God; but her eyes
smolder for Hiroshima
and the cold death of Buddha.

(c) Philip Appleman


Here was my first run at the tanka.

the cardinal couple        (set outside, nature, a pair)
share the feeder
icicle air                        (is the a bridge or not?)
lonely husband              (juxtaposition to the couple but the over used loneliness)
prepares a single meal   (change of location but nor really a change of voice)

the cardinal couple
share the feeder
in the cold air
while he winces as angry words
fly from my cruel mouth

the patio feeder is host
to the cardinal couple on
a cold gloomy day
we share jokes and laugh
while preparing a beef pie

©  Janice Adcock

Oh, well.  I gave it a try.

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



sacred arrow


Kanjuro Shibata XX, Sendai at Kai. (ca. 1990)
Hamayumi - Ceremonial bows
Sacred Arrow is another season word given as a prompt for a haiku.  An archer was used to save the first Emperor from evil spirits.  The arrow he used was declared to be a Hama Yumi, a sacred arrow.  You can see the full prompt here.  Additional information about the origins and current forms of Japanese archery can be found on the website Oko Europe.  This particular site will discuss Kyudo as the way of the bow and in practice.  It is an interesting read on using the discipline of archery to learn life lessons.

Most all cultures have talismans that may have properties to give luck, joy, love, prosperty, fertility, etc.  Even scientists look for DNA markers to resolve issues of human diseases and abnormalities.   Can an arrow be sacred?  Can an arrow in a case on the wall bring good luck?  It is not for me to judge, only to ponder.   

Inspiration:

I bow for the Buddha
holding up the Sacred Arrow of Jimmu
blessings for the New Year

© Yozakura

feathers guide flight
punctures the heart of evil
sacred arrow 
©  Janice Adcock

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



Friday, January 9, 2015

mud-snails


mud-snails:
a few remain uncaught
under the evening moon

© Yosa Buson

the mud-snail
crawls two or three feet, -
and the day is over

© Gomei

wriggling in mud
the snail moves - sluggishly
mocking grasping hands

©  Janice Adcock

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



first market

Carpe Diem #644, 
First Market (Hatsuchi)

Another first in Japan that requires a celebration is First Market. The First Market is the day to purchase a daruma doll for good luck.  One, also, is to return last year's daruma doll but not before thanking it for all it did for you last year.  The monks will later burn all the returned dolls in yet another ceremony. Japanese culture is rich in traditions, customs, ceremony and celebrations.  

Husband and I went to the market for the first time this year last Sunday.  We had become the 'out house', lacking many of daily necessities like milk, eggs and bath tissue.  We did not take a daruma to be burned by a monk nor did we buy a new daruma for good luck in 2015.  We did take the plastic bags for recycling and purchased said essentials plus some other stuff, lots of other stuff.  We placed the newly purchased items in reusable bags thus eliminating the need to bring plastic bags for recycling the next time.  Guess we have some traditions in our daily life, too.

shelves bare
shopping for luck
daruma 
up in smoke
new one winks
©  Janice Adcock


PS:  We did purchase nuts, meats and fish for Husband to cook in his egg shaped smoker.  Yummy good stuff.
Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI


stars


the endless night
unable to count the stars
in the frozen pond                      (c) Ese

contemplations at an end
shivering monk turns to leave     ©  Janice Adcock

icy crunches
he walks in deep thought of stars
how do they hang there?           ©  Janice Adcock

hung by God on golden threads?
ageless question                        ©  Janice Adcock


Read about these images here 

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI


Thursday, January 8, 2015

butterfly home


Inspirations for theme:

abandoned house
the garden taken over -
butterfly home

© Iio Sogi (Tr. Chèvrefeuille)

broken windows
after the bombing - spiders spinning
their cobwebs

© Chèvrefeuille

giant redwood -
laid low by bear claws
bee sips violet wine

©  Janice Adcock

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Word of the Year 2015 - The Spin Cycle

Last year on The Spin Cycle we bloggers chose a single word for our year.  Click here to see my process if you would like.  The word was refresh and I accomplished all of the goal except a small amount of the book(s).  Actually, I am not sure where I put the second book as I continued to downsize, unpack, redefine and generally settle in to a new life style.  It seemed to help to have the word and acrostic poem on my fridge door as a reminder.  That is the only thing on the front of the fridge.

What shall I choose as my one word this year?  The last several years much time was spent reducing living area, possessions and expectations.  I have been in a state of contracting for too long.  When muscles are left in a contracted state they lose elasticity and shrivel.  My Dad once held up his hands and showed me how he could not straighten his fingers.  The tendons and ligaments had lost length and flex.  "Kid, you need to stretch out those fingers or you won't be able to straighten them some day."  So a least a couple of times a day I flex and stretch my fingers.  that is about I have been stretching lately.

With Dad's advise in mind, I am thinking stretch is what I need to do this year.  Stretch my mind.  Stretch my world, my understanding.  Yes, stretch my body and soul.  Stretch my compassion and outreach.  Test my limits in both writing and physical abilities.  Even our family is expanding with the addition of our son's girlfriend and her children.  I will be looking to her Dad as I learn more about birds and birding.  I sit hear with a smile on my face thinking about stretching in this new year.

© 2015 Janice Adcock

S eek
   T ravel
      R esearch
         E xperiment
            T est
               C are
                  H elp




Thanks to The Spin Cycle Host Ginny Marie



Mirror Rice Cakes


source:  google search

The host of the Carpe Diem Haiku Kai meme is taking the group through a series of New Year season words.  Having not been a student of the Japanese culture I was ignorant of the existence and  importance of 'kigo' (season words).  The way I have come to look at these words is a sound/word that brings to mind a particular season of the natural world or the cultural traditions.  In the USA farming community of old I could say butchering time.  That would typically call to mind late fall.  In the more northern parts of the USA I suspect snow shovels and tree tapping would bring seasons to mind.  Or how about income taxes?  Would that bring to mind spring and the scurry to file your taxes by April 15?  

What season do you think of with the word reindeer, rabbit, frog?  How about foods like ice cream, watermelon, pumpkin pie?  When I say biscuit to my husband or any of his first cousins there is a single response.  They are in the presence of Grandma Edith.  In a kitchen with wood stove warmth and aroma.  They are eating the unequaled biscuits made by Grandma.  In my family banana ice cream brings to mind my Mom in her kitchen mixing up the best ice cream in the world.  Daddy always got the dasher.  See how it works?

Now with the prompt of mirror rice cakes my mind went to the rice cakes that were introduced into the US market a few years back.  Those dry sort of puffed rice patties that tasted of pretty much air.  These were used by folks on a weight loss diets to replace the beloved, greasy fried potato chip.  For the Japanese the mirror rice cake is a food that is solidly connected to The New Year and surrounding traditions.  The process of making the mirror rice cakes is fascinating.  If you click here you can learn more about the tradition and process. 

traditional preparation of the mochi rice for the mirror rice cakes.
This is a video that approaches the subject from a first person sharing:


This is one of the inspiration/example haiku for the rice cake prompt.

o-fukuro ga fukude wo chigiru shinan kana
Mama's way
of shaping rice cake offerings...
a lesson 

© Issa

crisp, fluffy discs
made every day for breakfast
taste of Grandma's love
©  Janice Adcock

banana sweetness
formed in an icy brine..
summer's Sunday treat
©  Janice Adcock


Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Juxtaposition


planning for the future
aged woman makes her choice
baby blue coffin

©  Janice Adcock

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI



rainbow


source:  www:sacredmists.com
 
colors dance on walls
prism shatters morning sun 
rainbow in her hand

rainbow in her hand
chandelier crystal sparkles
dumpster diver


dumpster diver
hoping for the daily bread
finds a rainbow

finds a rainbow
hangs from the cardboard ceiling
colors dance on walls
©  Janice Adcock

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI








Monday, January 5, 2015

wreath


Today our classical kigo from New Year is based on a Shinto tradition which our host explains in this episode. Today our prompt is Sacred Rope (Shimekazari). 

source:  http://www.kcpwindowonjapan.com/tag/shimekazari/
evil spirits lurk
traditions tied in belief
new year's wreath smolders

  Janice Adcock


Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

©

Sunday, January 4, 2015

first sun


First Sun (Hatsuhi)

The first day of sun in the new year was noted in Japan as something special.  If Japan was anything like this area of the world, winter brings cloudy weather.  The moisture comes as snow, ice and/or rain for days at a time.  Sometimes it can feel like weeks of bleak, dreary skies.  It may not have been weeks but it surely feels that way with all the grey.  Here is an example of one poet's reaction to the first sun.

planting my (walking) stick
in the mud: the rise of
the first sun

© Issa


©  Janice Adcock
shapes diffused in mist
a shroud of gloom consumes joy
first sun delight!
©  Janice Adcock
©  Janice Adcock
Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI


Saturday, January 3, 2015

Harugi


spinning yarn
 for a spring kimono -
creats a poem

©  Janice Adcock

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/k/kimono-decoration-symbols-motifs/

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI


fruit salad


The host of Carpe Diem Haiku Kai has given us the challenge of the word 'orange'.  Kristjaan provided lovely photos as well as his own haiku to add inspiration.  You can read the full post here

ah! that sweet perfume
oranges and lemons -
a cool summer night

(c) Chèvrefeuille

all day sunrise
what a joy to live in
my orange house

(c) Chèvrefeuille

Both of these are such lovely haiku.  So full of images and sensory stimulation.  the aroma of the fruit, the cool of the night, sunrise beauty and joy of the soul.  I am certain the other folks that contribute to the meme will have gorgeous haiku.  As with Kristjaan, who writes as Chevrefeuille, one will be swept into another dimension surrounded by orange.




Unlike the real poets that will post their stunning work, all I have running through my mind is the old knock knock joke.  I have been thinking on this for at least 24 hours.  Now I must rid my brain of the joke:

Knock, knock
Who's there?
Banana
Banana who?

Knock, knock
Who's there?
Banana
Banana who?

Knock, knock
Who's there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn't say banana?!

source:  http://imgur.com/gallery/m1Sdy6g
childhood game
played over and over -
orange and banana

©  Janice Adcock

My muses are so embarrassed!

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI