My Drunk Kitchen

Welcome to my kitchen. Well, this isn't exactly my kitchen, but it is much like my kitchen...on a good day. You don't want to see it on a bad day. Ever.

As I become well aged like a good Cabernet Sauvignon, my culinary instincts have become keen and savvy. Who needs a recipe? All one really needs for a gourmet meal is a corkscrew...or a box with a spigot. Depending on how much money you made being a street performer the night before. Not that you are a trained street performer, but you were out of wine. You know the routine. 

When one has enough mastered the art of being mistress of the kitchen, one doesn't even care if her nouns, pronouns or verb tense actually match. That is just a side benefit. Like writing in incomplete sentences. Oh, the joy of cooking!

If you are on your way to Texas, stop by and I'll fix you an omelette or something scrambled. If you are not headed this way, just watch the video and then go check out all the other kitchen stories at 30 Days of Writing hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work For Cheese. Like me, if you having trouble seeing the keyboard, just click HERE.

The Bee Gees and I Aren't Doing Too Well!

Today's topic for 30 Days of Writing is "A Sense of Accomplishment". Nicky and Mike of           We Work For Cheese have compiled a list of topics and you are invited to participate! All you have to do is write your post and link it up HERE. It is a fun group of people and what else do you have to do? Sleep is overrated and online shopping costs money. Save money and write! Want to read the other entries, just go HERE.

I have had the pleasure of experiencing some great moments of accomplishment in my life. Hopefully, my life will offer me the opportunity to have many  more accomplishments. However, at this particular point in my life, my accomplishment is mere survival.

I don't know how I got so lucky, but life has offered challenge after challenge after challenge for my life the last couple of years.  Just when it seems that I have one challenge kicked in the butt, there is another kicking at my door. Right now, I feel like the chick in the photo. I'm doing my best to keep the door closed on those pesky challenges, but I've got some major leaks, friends, some major leaks.

Can anybody come hold this door for a few minutes while I run away?

For Polly...

For today's topic, best friend, I am rerunning a post I wrote two years ago. The words are about my best friend, Polly, who left this world ten years ago. I carry her in my heart and I know that she is always with me...sometimes more than others.

Want to read some cheerful stories today? Go HERE to find a list of all the participants in 30 Days of Writing hosted by the point giving Nicky and cat loving Mike of We Work For Cheese.

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When I woke up Thursday morning, she was there. I never know when she is coming, but I definitely know when she is there.

Her spirit is like a light weight on my shoulders. I always think of it as an antique, fox shoulder wrap. Despite its beauty, it is not always pleasant to wear.

We were best friends for thirty years. The brain cancer won the battle eight years ago. I wasn’t there for the end. She kept me from it. Protected me. Things were left unsaid.

She doesn’t visit often. Once or twice a year. Some years, she doesn’t visit at all. Her visits are different than those of others. Her weight on my shoulders is heavier.

One day, maybe I will understand.

Excessively Concise

Okay, I admit it. I have lived a life of excess. I guess I never really bought into that theory of 

"having too much of a good thing". I have never been known for my frugal nature. No one has ever accused me of being subtle.  I have lived large, lived dramatically and lived on the edge.  I liked what I liked in excess. 

Getting older has made painfully aware of my life of excess. Paybacks are hell. 

Too short and sweet? Sorry. I don't have an excess of words today. But hop on over to We Work For Cheese and visit Nicky and Mike. They are entertaining. If they aren't entertaining, you can at least see a photo of a cat. While you are there, check out the list of other participants in 30 Days of Writing and read their entries for today. They will all have marvelous stories, but none of them will have a kick ass photo of  Nicky Mae West like I do. Is that good for a few extra bonus points, Nicky?

I Don't Melt Under Pressure!

I was behind the wheel and under pressure to catch up with my writing assignments. The Avett Brothers were on the radio and I mean they were literally on my radio. They played my song, "Laundry Room", but then suddenly stopped because there was a roadblock. The road was closed due to a giant cheese dip in the road.  Thankfully, a big grater came to the rescue.

See, I told you I would catch up!

What is all this nonsense about? Oh, it's the 30 Days of Writing contest sponsored by Nicky and Mike at We Work For Cheese. Since I Work For Wine, Nicky and Mike are good friends to have! Now if I could just find I Work For Hot Crusty Loaves Of French Bread, I would be in good shape. Stop reading my ramblings and go over HERE to read the other writers. They are the talented ones. 

Black Widow Heart

I am joining Nicky and Mike and a fun bunch of friends on 30 Days of Writing. Of course, it is already day five, but that's the way I roll. Yet, most of you know that I am a teacher pleaser and I will make up the first four topics I missed. I have to. It would drive me crazy if I didn't.

I don't have a particular story about a spider. I really don't like them. I really don't like any insect for that matter. I admit it. I am a spider killer. I am an insect assassin. No scooping them up and gently carrying them outside. Squish. Splat. It's over. I wasn't always like that. As a child, I would cry real tears every time my parents swatted a fly. Guess I got that out of my system early.

I created this altered art for today's topic. If you could shine a spotlight on my heart right now, you might see something very similar. Unfortunately, I am in a dark place but have been surviving with the help of a few special friends. You know who you are.

Through my experiences of late, I have learned a few things:

1.  For once, it is okay to put myself first. Such a strange concept for me.

2.  Life is too short to be compromised.

3.  You can't drown the spider in your heart with wine. That sucker can swim!

Want to read all the other writer's creepy stories about spiders? Sure you do! They are all listed on the host page at We Work For Cheese. Just go HERE to find a link to all the participants' entries!