There was a rumor in my family when we were growing up that the soil in the south was red. A couple of my siblings had traveled from our home on the coast of Massachusetts to Florida to visit our grandparents, and they insisted it was true. Of course, we didn’t use the word soil [...]
1. This is the mailbox that used to belong to a man named Cleopis whose nickname was “Cope,” and it now belongs to my son, Josh Copus, whose nickname is also “Cope” (dog). 2. This is the old house that Josh un-built. 3. This is the crew that helped Josh un-build the old house. 4. [...]
1. My new pink sneakers were a compromise. I was going for ruby red slippers. 2. THIS is why I keep my hands in my pocket when I go to town. 3. I don’t like to use toxic pesticides. When the flies, hornets, and ladybugs crawling around my window panes get out of hand, I [...]
There once was a ladybug … who lived in my shoe … She had so many children … She didn’t know what to do It’s not science fiction or a nursery rhyme tale. Alfred Hitchcock couldn’t have dreamt this up. Neither could Mother Goose. In a cartoon gone cruel scenario, we have been invaded by [...]
Tell me a story of things that smell lovely … Jasmine … Patchouli … I love you truly … ~Colleen As a blogger, I don’t need to know that Janet likes Johnny Depp, Naomi has a sweet tooth for chocolate, Rick grows hot peppers in his back yard, or that Terri drives around her island [...]
I worked all weekend. For nine years I provided full-time foster care for an adult with physical and developmental disabilities. Now I do it occasionally to give other providers respite. On Sunday I put in a full day. We went to the Beaver Pond on the Blue Ridge Parkway with a packed picnic lunch. After [...]
These are the stats: 96 beers, 12 pounds of hamburger, 8 meatless patties, 9 tomatoes, 2 blocks of cheese, 24 buns, 30 best friends, 1 videographer, 1 band, and 2 dance performances. The whole house is coming down in one day. Siding, roof, and floors. We’ll salvage what we can. The rest: We’re gonna burn [...]
Daylight Savings in the bank is a glorious free commodity ready to spend to dispel the dark deficit of winter’s poverty ~ Colleen
The following originally appeared in “The Floyd Press” newspaper on March 22nd. “Say Green!” someone called out as Max Charnley snapped a photo of spoken word performers at the Café Del Sol this past Saturday night. Because the Open Mic, scheduled every third Saturday, was on St. Patrick’s Day this month many in attendance were [...]
1. I have spring fever, literally. In the Chinese Medicine tradition it’s called a tidal fever and has something to do with a yin or yang deficiency. For me it’s related to Chronic Fatigue. Every year when the sap is rising, so does my temperature by a few degrees. More on that HERE. 2. I [...]
The big event of the day yesterday was the Stanley Steemer guys coming over to steam clean my twenty-three year old burnt orange carpet. In the fifteen years we’ve lived in our cabin, I’ve washed the carpet once. After renting a steamer and doing the work myself, I decided I didn’t want to do it [...]
1. A Penny for your thoughts. 2. I can not tell a lie. 3. I want to be alone 3. Home is where you hang your hammer. 4. Oh, so that’s where I left the car door. Photos: 1. Found by my clothesline. 2. Seen while walking to the mailbox. It used to be my [...]
The following is Part II of “My Love/Hate Romance with Writing.” You can read Part I HERE. On the very last day of the Roanoke Times columnist submission deadline, I sent in the requested three samples of writing. I was still ambivalent, but rather than not submit at all, I decided to lower expectations by [...]
Mara called. I picked up the phone because my answering machine was full from the sonnets she had left on it the day before. I encourage those who call me up to speak in rhyme if they’re so inclined, and Mara is a particularly prolific poet. When she asked me how I was doing, my [...]
The boasting crocus woke us for spring The dandelions are next ready for roaring! Post note: I’m still working on the conclusion to Wednesday’s entry, “My Love/Hate Relationship with Writing,” which I thought would be ready today. My new plan is to post it for Sunday/Monday.
1. Between early Day Light Savings and just the thought of St. Patrick’s day, I have to say, I’ve been feeling a little hung over. 2. My blog is wearing green because I’m Irish. 3. This blog was born on St. Patrick’s Day. See HERE. 4. I can’t decide if blarney is a bunch of [...]
AKA: She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not As soon as I hit the SEND button, emailing my letter of application for a possible Roanoke Times columnist position, I started to come up with excuses for why I couldn’t do it if I was chosen. In early January 2007, when the “Call for Columnists” was [...]
There’s no rest for the wallflower Scrabble players at the Café Del Sol during lunchtime. Kathleen and I set up the board at a kitty-cornered table tucked behind a large fir plant. We hadn’t even picked our seven letters or found out who would go first when visitors began to come over to greet us; [...]
