By the River

Once upon a time where the water flowed, and the fish swam, there lived Freddie the Frog. Freddie was mad, for his supper had just been snapped away by another frog.  Now he waited impatiently for another dragonfly to fly by, his stomach was rumbling, so it better come quick!

Ahh! He saw one and it was coming close. Gulp! It was tasty as it went down his throat.

Savannah was sitting by the river watching the frogs, and she saw how the one snapped up the dragonfly in the blink of an eye. She had come to the river to write, but she wasn’t getting very far. She had 4 words on her paper so far. “There once was a ….”  and that was all that came to her mind, as she sat on the river bank, with her chin in the palm of her hand.

She watched the frog who had caught the dragon fly and was now appearing to be smiling as he floated down the river on his pad.

She stared back at her paper, “There once was a ….”

Oh look at that pretty fish that just popped his head out of the water, looking straight at her, as if to say ” HI!”

Nature was so beautiful, that’s what she loved about being out in it. It was so peaceful, listening to the water flow, the frogs croak, and the splash of the water, as the fish jumped.

Savannah watched the river a little longer, and then the idea struck her! A smile spread across her face. She wrote and she wrote, and the gentle breeze blew. At times she would pause and watch another dragonfly fly by and smiled as it flew right by the dozing frog and up into the sky.

The sky was starting to get dark, she should be starting for home, soon she told herself, real soon, just a little more to go. Her head was bent as she kept writing. Finally she let out a contented sigh, looking into the sky. One more thing left to add, “The End!” she wrote with a twinkle in her eye, and another dragonfly flew by.

 

 

Tuesday’s Thoughts!

Happy Tuesday! Its another warm day in the forecast today, but rainy. A perfect day for a cup of tea, and perhaps reading my book inside today, without any spider visitors! After yesterday’s “Miss. Muffett” experience I still did get to enjoy the outdoors. My husband and I went on a hike in our nearby woods,  after he got back from his bike ride. It was very nice, and not a spider in sight!

I hope you can find some peaceful moments in your day today, even if you can’t be by a creek.

 

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3. thanks to Linda for this quote that I read on her blog and wanted to pass on the smile to all of you. http://charmedchaos.com/2020/03/08/silent-sunday-calendula/
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The Surprise in the Woods

He was taking his dog for a walk in the woods and they were enjoying walking through the crunchy leaves. His dog had his nose to the ground reading all the messages left by the other critters that had walked the path ahead of him. Every now and then Sebastian would stop to leave his own reply to a message.

Craig was patient as he waited for Sebastian, he wasn’t in a hurry, just enjoying a leisurely stroll, admiring the beauty.  Breathing in the silence of the woods, Craig felt peace in his heart, and wore a smile upon his face.

They walked on and Craig was getting lost in thought about what his plans may be for the night. Suddenly Sebastian pulled on his leash and Craig was knocked off balance. He stumbled as he went over to the side of the path. Sebastian stopped and Craig tried to regain his balance when Sebastian took off in a full force run as Craig got pulled along.

What was his crazy dog after? “Sebastian stop!” he yelled. They went around the corner and came to a sudden stop as they saw ….

Yes, you read it right, I stopped. I am not trying to leave you hanging, just thought I would have some fun! What do you think brought Sebastian to a sudden stop?  It can be absolutely anything that your imagination comes up with. 

What is the autumn winds blowing into your mind right now? 

The Secret Recipe

                                       credit to Pinterest for this and the following pictures

The birds were singing in the trees.  A lovely spot to sit and write. Tabitha was so glad that she had this little hideaway in the woods. A place where she was only surrounded by the sounds of nature and could shut the rest of the world out.  A little, white bunny had been curiously looking at her a few moments ago,  but he didn’t stay for long, before he scurried away to his hole in the ground.

What would she write today? Would it be a daring adventure or a simple story of two people in love and lost in time? Perhaps a mystery will abound, or maybe a comical story about a pair of clowns. Perhaps elves would even appear.  A sentimental story she may choose to write, or maybe not a story at all, but a  thought provoking piece that would stir people’s thoughts.

She glanced up to pour herself another cup of tea and saw a bushy tailed squirrel scampering up a tree.

She thought of some of the past stories she had written and a smile crept onto her face. Tabitha thought about some of her characters and how perhaps their names had been cleverly disguised.

That is part of the mystery and fun in writing, she thought. The writer never knows what may inspire them. Real people and real events that can be woven into a story with some dashes of  creativity , and perhaps several large scoops of imagination. Mix in a generous portion of humor and depending on the story, sometimes an overflowing cup of heartfelt emotions. With all those ingredients a most unique recipe can be baked.  One that at times may have a few missing ingredients or accidentally get some ingredients confused. A recipe that may not be perfect, but that can still be enjoyed by all for the unique, flavorful taste it brings.

One that hopefully leaves a sweet taste behind, never a sour one.

One that is meant for all to partake of and enjoy. For when enjoyed by others, it adds a delectable flavor.

Pouring herself another cup of tea, Tabitha now knew what to write. She smiled with a sigh of contentment and stared into the eyes of the deer, that was peeking out from around the tree.

 

Sunday Smiles at the Lake

We took a hike around the lake today. The lake brought to mind a story from “The Odessa Chronicles.”  A story that brought a smile. Dewey, the cat, gives in to his curiosity and falls for a trick, when he is with his friends at the lake.

When have you fallen for something? What’s a big joke that was pulled over on you or that you pulled on someone else?  What would it take to lure you into a trap? With Dewey, its just about anything, for his curiosity gets the best of him! Jaxon, the jackalope. is a little more smart about being cautious, though he may follow a trail of crispy vegetables to a trap. Odessa is a wise barn owl, as she will let you know repeatedly, but even the wisest ones can still be tricked. The man-servant may be sly, but if you are clever enough, you just may be able to pull one over on him.

You never can be too sure about what may happen with our Moonbeam gang! If you would like to know more about Dewey’s adventure at the lake, just click on the book cover in the right hand margin.  The perfect book to enjoy while sitting by the lake on a beautiful Fall day!

Warning: You will need a healthy dose of craziness in you before reading, and you need to love to laugh! A desire to become childlike again, as you take a visit to Moonbeam Farm. If you are not sure how crazy you are,  just find your birthday month on the “scientific” chart below. Can’t say I totally agree with this chart, but … I am sure there are some people that may. If you don’t rate too high on the craziness scale, don’t worry, you obviously need this book then. It will help raise your score, which will help you relax, taking a break from the stresses of life!

What do you think of the chart? Did it get you right? 🙂

 

 

 

Friday’s Super Short Stories!

In a crowd of a thousand, your heart can feel lonely, but being the only one sitting by a lake can bring warmth to your heart.

Hiking in nature is exercise for the heart and mind.

The ordinary can become extraordinary depending on one’s perspective!

 

Celebrating Nature

I was sitting out on our porch swing this afternoon taking a moment to read and enjoy the sunny weather. I looked up from my book and was struck by the brilliant blueness of the sky. We live in such a beautiful world and being that this is Earth Day, I thought would snap some pictures to share. We should always care about taking care  of the earth, for this is the only one we are going to get!

This is a Eastern Redbud tree, AKA a miracle bush for when we first got it, it did not look good at all. I faithfully watered it every day and I am pretty certain that there were drivers passing by wondering why I was watering something that looked very small and pitiful. But now every Spring I love looking out into our yard and seeing the lovely blooms.

This is our Gold Rush Red Wood tree just starting to bud once again. The leaves are so very soft.

Surprise! This is on our back porch Yes, there may be times I like to keep my readers in suspense. 🙂 Just what do you think we have in this thing at times??

Friday’s Super Short Stories!

When you back out of your parking space VERY SLOWLY, due to being a little too close to the shiny, black sports car beside you. Afraid of the magnetic pull once again!

Poetry expresses through words, the dance of your heart, anywhere from a happy jig to a tender waltz and all of the emotions in between!

Flowers are emerging from  hibernation,  bringing  beauty to the eyes, and the ocean is starting to call,  bringing one of the most beautiful sounds to my ear!

 

Under the Same Sky

It was a calm night, the air was still. The only sounds that she so far had  heard, was the annoying chirping of the crickets. Clarissa stood there and waited as time seemed to stand still. She was waiting  for the sign, she knew it would come, but what was taking so long?

Everything was too still. Where was the giant flash in the sky?  She had hoped that she would see a shooting star.  Not one shooting star though did she see amidst so many of the other stars in the night sky.

A shooting star surely would be a sign that she was doing the right thing, making the right decision.  Perhaps she would get serenaded by the call of the nightingale. It would also be such a delight to hear a hermit thrush sing, that could be her sign.

With anticipation she strained her ears to hear. She  heard a sound, but it was far from melodic. Where was it coming from?  Clarissa  turned and saw the swamp in the distance  and the shadow of the heron, it had one of  the most raspiest  calls she had ever heard. It hurt her ears.

Sighing, she hung her head, this wasn’t working. She had come out into nature to find an answer but it appeared futile. No shooting star, no rolling thunder, no beautiful birds singing, just a raspy heron and bull frogs croaking.

“Whooo-whooo- ”  Clarissa looked up and saw a  barn owl perched up high in a tree.

She shook her head in despair. . Not “who-who” she thought to herself,  her heart was asking where-where? Where was the clear sign to the answer she sought? Clarissa turned around, frustrated, she headed home wondering why she had come out tonight.

 

The stars were out in the bright night sky and the air was still as Pamela stared at the glorious sight.  Millions of stars twinkling above her, and the crickets symphony she heard. She took in a deep breath of the fresh air and felt peace surround her.

No nightingale’s did she hear, but  what was making that sound. It was unique, she hadn’t heard it before. She took a little walk over towards the swamp where the sound was coming from and then she saw it. It was a Black-crowned night heron. How cool to see one of them!

She sat down on a log to watch it call out to its mate with a raspy voice. The bullfrogs joined him in a croaky chorus and she couldn’t help but smile. The heron and bullfrogs were calling out as loudly as they could. They may not sound as sweet as the hermit thrush, but they didn’t care. Slowly Pamela started singing a song of her own. One that she usually sang in the privacy of her room, wanting no one else to hear.

After singing she sat there for awhile lost in her thoughts. She was so glad had come out tonight to clear her head. She felt refreshed from the decision that had been weighing her down, she just  had to be alone with her thoughts for awhile.

As she started to head back home,  she heard “Whooo-Whoooo..”  Oh, how her heart jumped at the sight of the beautiful Barn Owl perched high in the tree. Her eyes  watched it as it spread out its wings. She gasped at its beauty taking flight into the night.

Pamela’s heart was full. A clear answer she may not have, but she felt more confident and trusted that in time her answer would come.

She sighed with contentment, continuing her walk and listening to her heart speak.

 

Reflections

My husband and I took a relaxing, lovely drive today after dropping our teens off at work.  We are entering the beginnings of a new season of life, within 2 years we could be empty nesters and it feels strange!  We reflected on the past and wondered as so many parents do, where did the time go? Our children are letting go, becoming more independent.

It used to be that we needed to get a sitter for we just needed a night out from our dear little children that cried “Mommy” 200 plus times a day and begged Daddy to give them just one more piggy back ride or throw them in the air again!  Now its “Oh,  the kids have plans again,  this house is too quiet!”  The road of life just keeps twisting.

We enjoyed chatting as we drove, taking in the scenery and planning what we wanted to do for the next half of our life. We will always be parents, but it really does take on a new meaning the more independent your children get. We passed a lake where to our joy a group of ducks and swans were out swimming.

Life may be changing, but there is still so much beauty to be found in it!

 

 

No matter what, you just keep swimming, embracing the beauty, appreciating and loving the wonderful memories of the past and ready to keep making more in the future.