With the Bears ― Day 18 of NaPoWriMo 2015

“The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.”
― Terry Pratchett, Diggers

. . .  Easy Selling

Not gullible you, yet polite
Your open mind listens to them

Crackpots, serious all, abound
They'll corrupt your mind with their 'truths'

Believing in earnest, you fall
Next day with honest face, you'll preach

So plug your ears or close your eyes
Looks silly but you could do both

Take a clue from Mom Nature's beasts
Turn your back, quickly get away
. . .  _ _ _ 
 Photo and Poem copyright © 2015 Jimmiehov, All Rights Reserved

I am linked with  Kerry O'Connor  at Real Toads, The Legacies of Nimoy & Pratchett
and  NaPoWriMo 2015, both for Day 18 of National Poem Writing Month

Terry Prachett is most known for his Science Fiction and Young Adult publications.  I not read any of his works but I do have on request at our library Prachett's last published book, "THE LONG UTOPIA: A NOVEL."

My photo is a picture of two of Mrs. Jim's much asked for "Bear Pancakes."  She has been making these for children and grandchildren for forty-two years.  She also makes them for me if I ask.  You can see, they aren't hard to make and the kids love them.

Out with Nature ― Day 17 of NaPoWriMo 2015

Pleasant eating out with Nature

 

Fast food, lunch on deck

Little green friend, eats bugs, lunch

White flower grows bugs

_ _ _ _

 

 

Green by blue water

Canoes, fishing, party boats

White herons soaring

 

 

_ _ _ _

 

 

Sunshine, sit and chat

Hours later time it's to go

Pick up trash, some don't

_ _ _
 
Photos and Poem Copyright © 2015 Jimmiehov, All Rights Reserved

I am linked with Hannah at Real Toads, Transforming Fridays with Nature's Wonders

and  NaPoWriMo 2015, both for Day 17 of National Poem Writing Month

and  also the National Haiku Foundation blog (link) for National Haiku Poetry Day 

Notes:
 - Our assignment was to write Haiku about the expression of nature – we’ll celebrate and recognize haiku today because today is NATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY –April 17!! -- National Haiku Foundation blog (link)
 - We’ll speak in the tongue of nature…any facet of the wild-natural-world that we choose. Express your poetry today in the traditional style of haiku or step into a modern manifestation of haiku in English.
 - In my three-set poem, I probably started with Haiku and ended with Senryū.

 - Wednesday was such a nice day, with showers before dawn.  After mailing my tax stuff in Montgomery P.O. (Texas, our county seat)(second in line!!) we decided to eat at our Subway fast food restaurant across Lake Conroe on State Hwy 105.  For sure it was a day for top-down driving and sitting on the deck beside the water.  Mrs. Jim and I sat and ate and talked for more at least two hours. 
 - There was a White Heron trying to catch fish but I didn't get its picture.

Visionary Art Observations ― Day 16 of NaPoWriMo 2015

"I've posted some photos (not mine) of various works at AVAM. Let them speak to you and then choose one or more to compose a new poem. Your poem may be about the art itself or about feelings/thoughts/memories/stories the art inspires. It's wide open. Let your inner voice express itself!"(continued in part below)


Super Powers
by Howard Finster

Birds Nest by David Hess




MADGrowth by
Beatrice Coron



The Gallery a Go Go
by Nancy Josephson

 
  


Always by Jim Doran



Horse Dress
by Anonymous

Cosmic Galaxy Egg
by Andrew Logan



Untitled "Doodle"
by Ted Gordan

 

. . Visionary Art Observations; . . .

 . . .So  which do I pick?  How do I relate? .  .

 

The Cosmic Galaxy Egg is nice, reminds me
of the lava rock I have collected, saved
from Mt. St. Helen's disastrous eruption.
 

The "Horse Dress" intrigued me some.
Mostly felt were remembrances of riding my pony
to high school for my first two years.

My old saddle was older than me as well.
I was fourteen, the saddle may have been
twenty, if Dad had bought it new.
I have a feeling he didn't.

Dad played a "Horse Whisperer role?"
Call him up and by tomorrow your wild,
never-ridden pony would be a fine riding steed
of which you could be proud. 

How about the Galaxy Go Go? 
I would proceed with Grandmother Squirrel,
how I love her colorful wrap around headband. 

How she in her younger day would play chase
with the younger dogs.  Always the dogs 
would win, chasing her up the tree. 
Grandmother Squirrel knew if she stopped,
well, in reality they would not bite her,
not even a nibble. 

Easter Rabbit would be next for my small dissertation,
followed by Child Squirrel. 
Child Squirrel loved his grandmother but
would not be seen anywhere near her out in public.

But my heart was set from the beginning
on letting you know what my feelings are
when I look at those six "Doodle" guys.
 
First of all I am envious, envious of the
talents that Mr. Ted has shown. There's
no comparison to my drawing,
my guys all look alike featuring
unsophisticated stickman qualities.
 
You can have My Man all in less than a minute
if you're good.
 
My Man looks nothing like Ted's Doodle men. 
He is an artist of sorts, I am not. 

If you leave a blackboard or whiteboard,
or a tablet or sketch sheet, unattended
you might find My Man drafted into
one of your empty corners. 

My Man is of the stickman art
 
My doodles aren't faces, although
once and a while I will leave a My Man
on the page when I'm finished. 
Like a trade mark, an e-signature,
or a silver bullet.
 
That's all, not very deep stuff here. 
If I could doodle faces like Ted,
I would frame every one.

How do you relate?
_ _ _
 
Poem Copyright © 2015 Jimmiehov, All Rights Reserved
Photos are from Lolamouse's post, described below.  They originated with the AVAM.
 
I am linked with Lolamouse at the Real Toads, What's Your Vision? and with  NaPoWriMo 2015, both for Day 16 of National Poem Writing Month

 - Lolamouse tells us about visionary artists.  Its a concept which I don't understand, perhaps her writing will help.  I will copy a part of her work here:
 - "The American Visionary Art Museum, or AVAM, is located in Baltimore, Maryland and is one of my very favorite places to visit.
 - They have a permanent collection of works by "visionaries" as well as special exhibitions. The art in this museum can evoke so many different thoughts and emotions in visitors. It can range from whimsical, comical, and clever to thought-provoking to downright disturbing.  If you ever get the chance to visit Baltimore, do check out this museum. If you can't visit in person, here is the link to their wesite: AVAM"
 - Her instructions for us are at the beginning of this post (at the top)
 - Per Wikipedia (link), "Visionary art is art that purports to transcend the physical world and portray a wider vision of awareness including spiritual or mystical themes, or is based in such experiences."

Boater's Dream ― Day 15 of NaPoWriMo 2015

 

A Landlubbers Envy

 

There once was a young man, yearned to have a boat.  As he grew older the boat never came near.  Then in his older years a slick salesman sold him his dream.  He thought.

 

Now stuck with a narrow boat barge and a once a year jaunt down the canal.  That's what was waiting for him.  Petrol was high, insurance through the roof.  He saved for a year, that jaunt cost him nine hundred pounds a day.

 

To save his pennies for a later day the young-now-old man lived on his barge.  His wife would have no part of that and left, back for her city life.

 

His only joy in life now was the annual Little Venice boat show over the early May Bank Holiday weekend.  Others he'd also attend, some taking his boat and others he'd walk or catch a ride.

[click on a picture for larger view, back button to return]

 

 

 

_ _ _

 

 Photos and Poem Copyright © 2015 Jimmiehov, All Rights Reserved

 

I am linked with  hedgewitch at the Real Toads, History Is Twistery: The Folly and with  NaPoWriMo 2015, both for Day 15 of National Poem Writing Month -- Phew, April is halfway over.

 

"The challenge is broad--we are in the middle of April,  and I don't intend to be picky about minor details. As long as your poem or prose poem is influenced in some way by the concepts discussed here (of the folly of the dreams of a classic snake-oil salesman J Whittaker Wright), please feel free to run with it as your Muse takes you." (instructions for the day)

 

YouTube look, video of IWA's 2014 Canalway Cavalcade:

 

My muse's ex-landlubber above had the dream and was now enduring his folly.  Mrs. Jim and I attended London's Little Venice Canal Boat Show in 2013.  It was an elbow to elbow affair with a carnival atmosphere. The canal boats were stretched and parked in probably a mile stretch. You might like to attend this year? 

Links: 

Canal Events & Festivals 2015 - 2016, http://narrowboats.org/features/canal_events.aspx ;  and

Little Venice Canalway Cavalcade - 2nd - 4th May 2015

https://www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/canalway_cavalcade_2015/iwa_canalway_cavalcade_2015

  

Lightning Strikes ― Day 14 of NaPoWriMo 2015

 

. . When Lightning Strikes

When lightning strikes where should you be,
Under your bed, before the storm?

Dark clouds will warn, vacate your boat
Take cover before lightning strikes

Get out of water, that's not safe
Don't stand beside a window glass

Scary thunder follows the strike
After the light, no help at all

Rain is sure to follow, stay dry
under cover, worst is over

Our troubles can be lightning's strike
Dark clouds will warn, not thunder's claps

Troubles can come before we act 
Big ruckus comes after the strike

People will point, gossip abounds
True friends will stay, comfort in grief

Doctors of kind will be your help
Medicine, shrinks, and lawyers they

Take your meds, follow doctor's say
Lightning is over, peace returns

[click on a picture for viewing it up closer]

_ _ _ _
 

Photos and Poem Copyright © 2008 and 2015 Jimmiehov, All Rights Reserved

 -I am linked with Marian at Real Toads, The Tuesday Platform and 
to NaPoWriMo 2015, both for Day 14 of National Poem Writing Month
 -Per Marian. "today is the Tuesday Platform, your unprompted free-range day of the week."

shopping, a Limerick ― Day 13 of NaPoWriMo 2015

. . . [click on the picture to enlarge it, one or two times]

. . . The Lady Shopper

Lady fine goes to town, loves to shop
Nothing there that she knows she would cop
She likes to walk the aisles
Pretty things come from miles
Doesn't know what she wants 'til it drops
_ _ _ _
 

Photo and Poem Copyright © 2015 Jimmiehov, All Rights Reserved

 ― I am linked with Susie Clevenger at the Real Toads, The Poetry In A Quote

 ― and to NaPoWriMo 2015, both for Day 13 of National Poem Writing Month

 ― Susie introduced a writer named Joan Didion (born December 5, 1934).  She is an American author best known for her novels and her literary journalism (Wikipedia).

 ― I chose this quote of hers to get me started: “I don't know what I think until I write it down.” ― Joan Didion
― Right away it reminded me of this, familiar to me, quote:"I don't know what I need until I see it." ― Mrs. Jim (her favorite saying when she's shopping)

About Carrying bags -- Day 12 of NaPoWriMo 2015

 Eight Ways of Thinking About Carrying

Three Grocery Bags

I

Look them over carefully

Could be rips and tears in the bags

Any Plastic? 

You know, when they ask, "Paper or Plastic?"

II

Pick them up and mentally weigh

No man should carry over twenty pounds

Women can carry a little more.

III

How far are we going to carry these

To the Tube will be fine

Rest along the way as needed

IV

A bus is different

Have to keep them out of the isle

or risk getting kicked off by the driver

Remember, your lap is only so big

V

Will it be raining or snowing

Use your large umbrella,

the sacks can't get wet
Most times they weaken
Rip themselves in despair

VI

Put the lightest on your arm

Carry the other two one in each hand
Can't wipe or rub your nose

VII

How about the wind

Got to keep stuff from blowing out

This would be the day to ask for an extra sack

Four won't be filled so near the top as three
If it blows out get a passerby to retrieve

VIII

Sit them on bench and call the kids

That son of yours thinks nothing of

carrying his cello strapped to his back
(Be nice, he isn't a spring chicken any more)

[click on pictures to enlarge, one or two times]

 

Photos and Poem Copyright © 2015 Jimmiehov, All Rights Reserved

 

 - Today I am linked with Heaven (aka Grace)  at the Real Toads, Sunday's Mini-challenge: Wallace Stevens

 - and to NaPoWriMo 2015, both for Day 12 of National Poem Writing Month

 - Her Challenge was to write a new poem or prose poem inspired by a line, title, verse or style of Wallace Stevens.  I was not familiar with Wallace Stevens.  If you would like you can read more about his here.  Or search to read about him at Wikipedia.  I recommend both for a rounded view.