Rant In "55 Words"

Bloggers!  What is up with the enhanced word verification

function?  It takes me three, sometimes four times, to get it  right.  Letters are squiggly, piled on top of each other .. and  very frustrating .. especially when a post deserves a 

comment.  
I am not a robot ~ nor will I ever be a robot!


Check out the G-Man for more 55ers

Love, Helen

Friday Flash In 55 Words

To read more Flash 55s .. head on over to
Mr. Know It All

As young women we obsess

Over hair

Over clothes

Over makeup

Over men

Mostly we obsess

Over our bodies

How much we weigh

How thin or not thin we are

I am no longer young

And I realize that hauling a few

Extra pounds around

Means something nice

Fewer creases in my face

Very nice

Teaser

Headin' Out

See you mid-February

Oh Boy!!!!!

Happy New Year 2012!

Baby New Year is primed to launch 2012 ... 

Get ready, get set, go!

Happy New Year

Scanning The Globe

State-of-the-art body scanners were recently installed at my city airport!  Though many folks have a problem with the technology … I willingly embrace it!  I’ve grown weary of a routine that goes something like this:

Me to TSA – both of my hips have been replaced.

TSA (shouting) – we need a female assist over here!

I travel more than several times a year and could probably recite, verbatim, the script TSA females use as they pat me down!  What a relief to bypass those standard metal detectors, the endless patting and posturing ~ the hassle. 

The new scanners feature millimeter wave technology … not the peek-a-boo technology that sparked public outrage a few years ago.  Tiny radio waves are bounced off a person’s body in search of irregularities.  No pictures ~ just generic outlines of a human ~ with any abnormalities marked on the outline with a yellow box. 

The machine picks up on metallic and non-metallic items, from cell phones and belt buckles to the more ‘nefarious’ objects. 

Scanners are not for everyone, for me they facilitate the move through security .. others may continue using the standard metal detectors.    


It’s all good.  That is, when planes aren't overbooked, babies don't cry, departures and arrivals are in sync and passengers actually smile!

She Has A Gift

Happy Holidays


I am blessed to live in one of the most beautiful areas in all of America.  

Photograph, Jaime

During a recent Google search for sculptor Greg Congleton, I stumbled onto Jaime's photography blog.  I was awestruck by her ability to capture the splendor that is 

Bend Oregon!  

Photograph, Jaime

With her permission I have included several photos ... please pay Jaime a visit by clicking on her name.  

Photograph, Jaime

You won't be disappointed. 

Photograph, Jaime

160 For Sunday

Howdy-do you rascal you

Long time no see.

I thought you might make an appearance

So I baked you a cake

A Better Than Sex cake,

Cause you and I both know

We’re through

BETTER THAN SEX CAKE

1 (18.25 oz) package German Chocolate cake mix (and the eggs, oil and water it calls for)

1 can (14 oz) Sweetened Condensed milk

1 jar ice cream topping /  Caramel Sauce

1 Bag chocolate covered Toffee bits

1 (8 oz) container frozen Cool-Whip, thawed (optional)

Directions: Bake cake according to package directions for a 9×13 baking dish. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Using a fork, poke holes all over the cake.

Pour the caramel sauce evenly all over the top of the cake. Then pour the can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top of the cake.  Sprinkle toffee bits evenly on top. Place cake in refrigerator and let chill for a few hours to cool completely.

Remove cake from refrigerator, and spread (if you dare) the thawed cool-whip evenly over the top.  Serve!

Friday 55

Shoe to Helen: 

I’m brand new! 

Barely out of my box

You have damaged me, modified me, customized me, humiliated me… 

For what? 

To keep that malformed foot of yours comfortable?

Helen to Shoe: 

Now wait just a minute! 

I’m seventy years old ~ I need to keep walking ~ whatever the cost! 

Stuff it! 

What's In A Dream

Dreamland

Where the rules of reality and logic do not apply ...

Dreams!

Lately mine have been

Mysterious, dark, funny, fascinating!

In black and white

In living color

I awake, attempt an interpretation

And I write ... haiku!

 

My pet elephant

Lives with me in a penthouse

Elevator down

 

I’m no threat to you

Suppose I should feel flattered

Too old for these games

Hitting the jackpot
Making all your dreams come true
Highly unlikely

Creeping and crawling

So hard to make it over

What is stopping me

 

Mommy guilt is tough

Dreams of abandoned babies

Awaken in tears

 

Paralyzed with fear

Orchestra ready to play

My throat is closing

 

 

Really terrified

Trapped under English Channel

No way in or out

 

Mom and Dad alive

Overwhelming emotion

Don't awaken me

Possibility
Older woman younger man
Hard to make it last

Sunday 160

Prince Harry

Prince Charlie

 

As my grandson Charlie matures, he looks more and more like England's Prince Harry!

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Harry or Charlie?

The reddish hair

Mischievous look in their eyes

Impish grins on their faces

Look-alikes maybe not precisely

Close enough 

Giving Thanks

Created by me ~ just for you

Sunday 160 - Oh Baby!

Oh baby!

Lying there

All relaxed

Arms propped behind your head

Amidst gemstones and geodes 

Not a care in the world

Don't you know

Time is fleeting

2012 is almost here!

Flash Friday ~ 55

Summer of 1994, Anchorage Alaska

I'm standing on stage

With Don McLean

Microphone in hand, trembling

We sing about American Pie

Transporting ourselves back to the 50s, the 60s

We were happy for a while

We dreamed of rosy futures ..

Watching, as our dreams

Faded into memory

Bye, bye Miss American Pie

Batter Up

I wrote this poem last year before the start of the World Series .... Time to post again

Photo taken in 2009 ~ Busch Stadium St. Louis MO

Batter Up!

When summer fun has ended

And autumn leaves begin to fall

Baseball takes the center stage

For the greatest show of all

Frenzied fans will pack the stands

They scream and shout and cheer

It's time for the World Series

The best games of the year

Fans keep track on scorecards

Pitch by pitch and run by run

Through each of the nine innings

Or 'till the game is done

They boo the home plate umpire

Its three strikes and you're out!

No spit balls, scuff balls, mud balls

Umpires must leave no doubt

And when the games have ended

The champion has been crowned

They know they've been a part of something 

Something quite profound

Carl Turns 50!!!!

My son Carl ~ Happy 50th

Willow Manor Ball

 I can't believe a year has passed ... time to choose a perfect gown for the

Willow Manor Ball!  

Which one do you like?  They all have full twirly skirts ...

the better to dance the night away, don't you think?  

# 1

# 2

 # 3

# 4

Can't wait to see all of you in your ball gowns ... and tuxedos.