A rare Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff interactive zoom workshop is going on this weekend. Minimalist couple Zoe Kim (Raising Simple, Minimalism for Families) and Matt Paxton (Hoarders, Legacy List, Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff) head this. They don't have any plans at this point for future live events -- So methinks this is a moment to seize. Read (or watch) all about it 😌 (Image from here.),
(Wendy Cabell, August 28, 2024, feast day of the Dormition of the Mother of God (old calendar), Our Lady of Kiev, Saint Anna the Prophetess, Saint Agnes of Cologne (companion to Saint Ursula), Saint Junipero Serra, Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Joaquina Vedruna Vidal de Mas, Several Martyrs in England and in the Spanish Civil War, Saints Theodora and her daughter Theopiste, Martyr Susanna, Queen of Georgia. On Jewish calendar today is Hasmonean Holiday (circa 100 BCE) (Hellanist secular law replaced). Image from here.)
Mini Miracles
Friday's disappointment
Is Sunday's empty tomb
–from “Rattle”, Bethel Music
1. Lonliness
(lioness before the hunt)
spots movement across the plains, soft blink of a golden eye.
Neighbor’s cub it turns out. The lioness turns towards.
There'll be jubilation, no doubt, upon the little one’s return –-
to the warm and welcoming fur of her mother,
to the warm and welcoming fur of her mother.
2. With Kin
(once buried, begins)
up, out -- blade, ear, grain. Love Herself
She tends, brings map –- magic Land.
And our seed, so dark-familiar
finds! a Heart Who understands,
finds! a Heart Who understands.
3. Meander Sunday
(Portland, Oregon, 2006)
once volcano, we hike mount’s rim.
A hawk circles. Draws us in.
Onto library, spy ancient lore
grants us passage, new kindly shore
grants us passage, new kindly shore –-
*From prompt: Write of something longed for, past, present, or future (in this case the longing for miracles). Daisy Barrett-Nash’s Legacy Lines (Writers at Play), August 28, 2024. As material, reworked past pieces:
1) free association based on various words given as prompts (later set to structure inspired by Radclyffe Hall) , and 2&3) freewrite then structure as inspired by (respectively) Hall’s “Tramping Poem” (with an eye to using the comfort of rhyme scheme to make the expression of charged issues easier for readers to receive), and her “Tradition” (with an eye to how one spends, has spent, or would like to spend their Sundays). From Daisy Barrett-Nash’s Legacy Lines (Writers at Play), Summer, 2024.
(Wendy Cabell, July 11, 2024, feast day of Our Lady of Carmine ("painting shows the infant St. John the Baptist pointing to the Child Jesus"), Our Lady of the Le Puy ("one of the oldest sanctuaries dedicated to the Mother of God"), the (above) Rzhevsk Icon of the Mother of God (connected with Pentecost), the Three Hands Icon of the Mother of God (or June 28 Julian calendar; also July 12 / 25), Saint Benedict, Saint Euphemia and Saint Olga. On Jewish calendar today is Ezekiel's Vision of the "Chariot" (429 BC). Image is from here.)
Green Above
Green Below
(a blackout poem*)
When I first
saw the land
fresh land
I cracked
open my soul.
I am now distinctly aware,
a forcefield —
a
field
of
stars
defending,
comforting,
healing.
*Blackout poem created from article “Green Above and Green Below” by Eve Grubin, from Lubavitch International, Spring-Summer issue, 2024. From prompt given to do a blackout poem, from Kim Malinowski’s Poetry Salon class of July 8, 2024; poem revisited/revised July 11, 2024.
(Wendy Cabell, June 29, 2024, feast day of Our Lady of Linares, the (above) Kasperov Icon of the Mother of God (also connected with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Tatiana), Madonna of the Milk (miracle predicted by Saint Charles Borromeo), Saints Peter and Paul, Saint Mary the Mother of John Mark. Image from here.)
Going Organic
Nature does not hurry,
yet everything is accomplished.
― Lao Tzu
Snap! unfurl of umbrella. Outside, a neighbor huddles as she sprints. Me, I’ll finish up that social studies report today. Maybe. Grandma Dee is of an odd mind that sick days are for resting, getting well.
She’s at the stovetop now, I wander over. A rare thing, this having her to myself. No full house soundboom, everyone’s off -- at work, school. “Potato soup”, Grandma says, slipping the lid on the pot. Its cozy steam draws me near.
“Are you putting in any chicken for protein?” I ask, anxious to rebuild some strength. “No, that would make it something else. Your Grandma Otten always gave us plain old potato soup when we were queasy.”
“How about some carrots and celery for the nutrients?” “No, just potatoes and sea salt. Don’t confuse your body with a bunch of other things. Starch settles your stomach. Salt balances the electrolytes. That’s what you need when you’re sick, you know — for things to just be very simple.”
All day long I’m sipping that potato soup, nibbling on saltines, and looking out the window. It’s become a movie theater of sorts. I nestle in. Sun’s slow slide between glow and hide the main feature. Thunder an intermission. A squeal from the toddler next door brings comic relief.
I suppose the homework can wait awhile. For the moment, I am home.
Fifty years later now, it's a perpetual sick day — severe neck injury, Complex Regional Pain, vision issues, GI distress. Every day I’m at home. Outwardly such quiet, peace. Inwardly still my penchant for elements, to do lists, toppling pile of causes, effects.
That is till I feel a presence, scoots me close sometimes. Points to moon’s languid rise out the window. Inner tide, she feels a tug, readies for the rain…
*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by Li-Young Lee's “Persimmons", with an eye to remembering a conversation that has stayed with you, noting its setting, experience, and impact. From Robbi Nestor's Generative Writing class (the Poetry Salon), June 29, 2024.
(Wendy Cabell, June 25, 2014, Postfeast/Octave of Pentecost, feast day of Our Lady of Medugorje and (above) Our Lady of Grace (Our Lady of the Bowed Head). Image from here. "The words ‘Monstra te esse Matrem’ (Show thyself to be a Mother) are traditionally added to every copy of the image. They are taken from the hymn Ave Maris Stella.")
For the feast day of Our Lady of Medugorje/Grace, June 25, 2024
Our Mother entreats us pray
for peace in heart-home-world
while mind she tries to forget
her squabbles with Joseph this morning
while soul she winks, whispers:
A Mother will understand
*From prompt: Free write as inspired by “We Never Stop Talking about Our Mothers” by Daniely Antigua. From Lisa Freedman's BreatheReadWrite, June 25, 2024.
(Wendy Cabell, June 20 ,2024, Summer Solstice, feast day of Our Lady of Consolation/Grace (Saint Therese's help for entering Carmel), the Hodegetria Icon of the Mother of God, and Blessed Margareta Ebner ("a leading example of what is termed 'mother-mysticism'"). Jewish calendar today commemorates Jewish Books Spared (1510). Image from here.)
Meander Sunday
(Portland, Oregon, 2006)
As we wake to hot milk, toast and jam, scrambled eggs
As we hike Mount Tabor after Mass, once a volcano —
red tail hawks circles in welcome
As we comb the Main Street shops for glints of gold:
Little Colonel books, Waverly
As we nap near sun’s flame, soft set against the window
As we awaken in stars’ embrace,
Joseph’s voice now — he reads chapter one as I swirl the tea
*From combined prompts: List elements of your Sunday routine (Sunday as is, as was, or as is desired), to be set to structure in future class, from Daisy Barrett Nash's Writers at Play, Legacy Lines series, June 20, 2024; and freewrite as inspired by excerpts from “Wandering Beyond” by Shuri Kido. From Lisa Freedman’s Summer Solstice BreatheReadWrite, June 20, 2024.
(Wendy Cabell, June 20 ,2024, Summer Solstice, feast day of Our Lady of Consolation/Grace (Saint Therese's help for entering Carmel), the Hodegetria Icon of the Mother of God, and Blessed Margareta Ebner ("a leading example of what is termed 'mother-mysticism'"). Jewish calendar today commemorates Jewish Books Spared (1510). Image from here.)
Light builds a home
1. Walk your ground
2. Determine ratio of welcomed Sky
3. Orient to Jericho’s echo
4. Stone upon stone now, a pantry at the entry -–
5. Stock with honey, milk
*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “Solstice” by Tess Taylor. From Lisa Freedman’s Summer Solstice BreatheReadWrite, June 20, 2024.
(Wendy Cabell, June 18, 2024, 2nd day of special nine day Peace Novena to Our Lady of Medugorje, and feast day of the Appearance of Our Lady to St Agnes of Montepulciano, Our Lady of Garabandal, (above) Our Lady of Igor/Icon, St. Theneva of Glasgow (mother of Saint Kentigern/Mungo), Saints Edburga and Edith of Aylesbury, Blessed Marina of Spoleto and Saint Elizabeth of Schönau (friend of Saint Hildegard of Bingen). Image from here.)
.jpg)
(Wendy Cabell, first half of poem is from October 7, 2022, feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary, of the “Tenderness” Icon of the Mother of God, and of Saint Osith and Saint Pelagia of Tarsus. (Revisited June 8, 2024, June 13, 2024 Feast of the Ascension, and June 24, Saint John’s Day). Second half of poem is from June 17, 2024, 1st day of special 9 day Peace Novena to (above) Our Lady of Medugorje, feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (traditional date), Our Lady in the Forest “Ave Maria!” miracle), Our Lady of Perpetual Help (weeping Icon, Palestine) and Saint Nectan of Hartland. On Jewish calendar today Rebbe's Parents Wed (1900). Image from here.)
When born a wave (still am)
May, 1992
Awaken.
Everything else?
It can wait.
Stroll three blocks from this rented room.
Meet shock of sky, silk tide, with bare feet.
Stash the blue dress by the rock — and dive.
Note your lessons, learned by kind neighbor’s side:
dip under, not over, a coming wave
infinite space here in which to glide
fellow rovers, they cruise in tandem
(though can’t see them),
there! down where sun resides —
cordial dolphins sweep below
ride their whisper tide
mend a path for moon to glow
she sends her delegates:
osprey
otter
golden goose
and shakes a few stars to settle
into waiting heart, new
loose
*From combined prompts: Freewrite as inspired by Arvid van Maaren’s photo of “Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura”, and “Beaches. Why I Don’t Care For Them” by Wanda Coleman, from Lisa Freedman's BreatheReadWrite, October 7, 2022 ;“Roadside Attractions with the Dogs of America” by Ada Limón, from Robbi Nestor's Poetry Salon class of June 8, 2024; "Pineapple Sage" by David Rosenheim, from Kim Malinowski‘s Poetry Salon class of June 24, 2024); and Dick Altman's "Scenes From a Chalice of Waters/Victory, from Kim Malinowski’s Poetry Salon class of June 17, 2024 -- her take on editing: “Revision will add creativity."
(Wendy Cabell, June 9, 2024, National Children's Day**, feast day of (above) Our Lady of Ligny/Our Lady of Virtues, Our Lady della Fontenuova / Our Lady of the Plain, the “of the Passion” Icon of the Mother of God (in Catholic Church called Our Lady of Perpetual Help), Saint Ephrem of Syria, Blessed Anne Marie Taigi, On Jewish calendar Moses ascended Mount Sinai for the first time/Chosen people (1313 BC). (Image from here.)
Raise us, Your children
(after the Akathist to the Mother of God Nurturer of Children*)
Most Immaculate Merciful Mother
raise us your children
in the purity of childhood
Raise us to be poor in spirit
that we may inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise us to weep,
that we may be comforted.
Raise us to be meek,
that we may inherit the earth.
Raise us to hunger and thirst for righteousness,
that we may be filled.
Raise us to be merciful,
that we may obtain mercy.
Raise us to be pure in heart,
that we may see God.
Raise us to be peacemakers,
that we may be called the sons and daughters of God.
O Mother, raise us, Your children,
to be made worthy of the Kingdom of God
and heirs of eternal blessings.
Amen.
*The above is complied/adapted from the Akathist to the Mother of God Nurturer of Children.
**"The second Sunday in June rewinds time for a moment to celebrate National Children's Day. This day honors the children in our lives by slowing down our fast-paced lives, turning off the tech, and refocusing on the important things. Taking one day may not be enough, but using it as an opportunity to redirect our family life is an important way to stay connected with our children."--National Day Calendar
A rare Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff interactive zoom workshop is going on this weekend . M inimalist couple Zoe Kim ( Raising Simp...
