nature

What Happened to the  Week?

/ Ajmorse / Leave a comment

May is almost here, and the days are flying by like a bird caught in a storm. It’s not been smooth sailing here, unfortunately. Dealing with some mental health issues and with a chocolate lab who is recovering from TPLO surgery and who wants to run and play but can’t. Energy levels have been low.

The sun is out, though, and spring is definitely here! I snapped these on campus the other day. Soo pretty outside!! Annd I’ve included some pictures of poor Koda in his cone. Hopefully, the doctor will give us good news at his check-up next week. 🙏

I hope everyone has a good weekend! I hope to post more next week!

Walking The Dogs On a Snowy Evening

/ Ajmorse / Leave a comment

Whose yard is this? The dogs. (I know)
They both like it covered with snow
And lake-like puddles on the ground
And squishy grass that’s hard to mow

They will chew their sticks to the sound
Of wind blowing their ears around
With snow that bites with winter’s chill
They chew, oh — another stick found!

And the dogs always get a thrill
Smelling bunnies and things to kill
Noses to the ground, at my side
They sniff until the world grows still

The yard is icy, cold and wide
And I continue to abide
Please, it is time to go inside
Please, it is time to go inside

This poem is inspired by Robert Frost’s Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, but obviously with a less serious and sillier theme. I had the pattern of this poem in my head while out walking the dog one evening and I thought it might be fun to play around.

Wishing everyone a meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

If you’ve liked what you’ve read, check out my poetry book, Walking in Cemeteries available for purchase here.

Unlucky

/ Ajmorse / Leave a comment

Said the elk to the zebra, “It just isn’t right that I have the horns, and you have the stripes.”

Said the zebra to the bear, “I think it is wrong that I am so thin, and you are so strong.”

Said the bear to the hippo, “It must be quite fun to stay in the water and out of the sun.”

Said the hippo to the fish, “I wish I was free, to swim in the ocean and live in the sea.”

Said the fish when I caught him, “This just isn’t fair! I wish I was an elk, a zebra, a hippo, or a bear!”

For some time now, I’ve been considering writing a poetry book for children. 🤔🤔 Hmm.

For more poems from me, check out my poetry book, Walking in Cemeteries, now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/72YgJ1O

Vacation Highlights: 7 National Parks Over 6,000 Miles

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Monument Valley

Mike and I took a long vacation his year, and it was fabulous. Last year we were in Utah, and we just didn’t get enough of the West, so this year we headed out there again…

We were gone 18 days, drove over 6,000 miles, passed through 16 states and visited 7 national parks in total. It was a whirlwind of an adventure…and although, it was a TON of driving which I think we might pass on for next vacation…it was a lot of fun.

Grand Canyon

Arches National Park

We purchased one of those annual passes for the National Parks, and we visited:

  • Badlands National Park
  • Yellowstone National Park
  • Grand Teton National Park
  • Grand Canyon
  • Bryce Canyon
  • Arches National Park
  • Black Canyon National Park.

Fountain View from our room at the Bellagio (26th floor) Las Vegas baby!

Paonia, Colorado

Hoover Dam

Attractions we got to see (not in order):

  • Hoover Dam
  • Las Vegas strip
  • Colorado Mountains (annd Mike’s Grandma on our way through)
  • Mount Rushmore
  • Grasslands of South Dakota
  • Titanic Exhibit (Luxor in Las Vegas)
  • Tournament of Kings (Las Vegas)

States we passed through:

Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana

This was the first thing we saw upon entering Yellowstone. Just a buffalo trotting down the opposite side of the road. Like, no big deal, guys. I’m just here, doing buffalo things…

Old Faithful

Falls in Yellowstone

Animals we saw (some we’ve never seen before):

Black Bear, Grizzly Bear, Elk, Moose, Prairie Dog, Buffalo, and deer.

This trip made our relationship stronger, we learned how to be more aggressive drivers (you gotta be in some urban areas), and it reminded us that life is short and you must enjoy it where you can. Life can be stressful, and it really shouldn’t be. Don’t let work (especially work) weigh you down. All the money in the world is not worth your heath or your happiness.

Badlands National Park

Morning Star Pool in Yellowstone

Yellowstone Lake

Bryce Canyon

This is my favorite picture out of the whole vacation, guys. Lake Jackson in Grand Teton National Park.

I hope everyone is having a great summer and enjoying life’s little joys where you can.

Happy Writing and Vacationing!

All The Happy Little Trees

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I am appreciating the outdoors today and the sunshine, even though it’s pretty cold outside! It’s as if Bob Ross were here painting all his happy little trees…

Mike took this picture on our walk today. This up and down weather is taking its toll on the small streams and canals in the area. There’s been some flooding from blockages from ice floes.

I somehow caught pink-eye over the weekend; and the handle to my driver’s side door snapped off when I tried to open my frozen car door last night, but I am choosing to remain positive. Was actually a great triumph for me to laugh about it, instead of let my anxiety take over.

Plus, I’m inside and warm, and that always helps, too. Hope everyone has a great Sunday and keep safe out there!

Happy Writing all!