I, Am a Writer

I am a writer. Big deal. So I sit at the computer and type all day. Stare into nothing, frown, ponder write some more. I get paid nothing, get published rarely, and feel that my family, while they listen, don't really appreciate my poetry.

I am a writer. Big deal. I'll never be famous, unless sometime in the future, (far, far into the future) someone unearths a notebook, reads my poetry and ponderings, and declares them an invaluable find, one that sheds light onto how life was during this century. "A brilliant mind", "Truly remarkable", would be the raves of the critics.

So perhaps I will yet have the accolades due me, maybe not now, but sometime would be nice.

Coded Love Letter

A dear friend sent me a copy of a "Curious Love Letter" - it was filled with things far beyond love. (If you're curious about it, Google Copy of A Curious Love Letter)

After reading the explanation - The girl's father would read dislike - good, and the girl would read love - good.

The code, which only the girl, and writer knew, was every other line was to be read by the girl. This made all the sense in the world.

I figured I try it! This was one hard writing exercise. Here is my attempt at a curious love letter - I have followed the same rule, read the first, third, fifth, etc. lines for the true meaning of the note. My attempt is fair, and I am going to keep at it, hoping to get a really good coded love letter.

Sir,

Your intentions toward me are exceedingly

loathsome. They are not in the least

acceptable . I cannot wait until the day you

no longer turn your head in my direction.

Take my word for it - I will never love you

as you wish.  I could not love you

any less. My heart only  grows with love

for another. Release me from your mind,

your future plans should include someone

else, someone who could truly love you.

A priest for confession, quickly, as I cannot wait

for your dishonorable actions to wane.

To marry the one I love. This is uppermost in my heart.

Please, I beg of you, leave me alone. I dislike

your heart, your eyes, your hair. They are a dream,

a nightmare in the making. Remove them from

my eyes, eyes that long for a glance of my one true love.

I am on my knees, pleading with you to desist.

My love grows daily, hourly, by leaps and bounds.

Nothing will stop my feelings of hatred of you.

My feelings of adoration for my lover will never abate.

Signed: The Lady

Ladybugs, Again

The ladybug numbers have grown! I've counted as many as 18 beauties, all crawling around the bathroom. They huddle in a corner when the days and nights are a little cooler, but when the side of the house warms up, they swarm!

I love watching them, and have been finding them in the bedroom and kitchen. My question is what do they eat? There is plenty of water around the inside of the house, but what are they doing for food? Do they have an exterior exit so they can eat?

I'd love to have more of them, so if I place a mail order, will the new ladybugs fight with the ones that are already here? Are they territorial? Will they all come to live in the house?

Many years ago, we were moving into a house in Northern California, standing in the front yard, checking out our new surroundings. All of a sudden a huge cloud of lady bugs swept past us from the back yard area, around the side of the house, enveloping the family, then flying off to who knows where. We never did see a swarm like that again, but I am happy with our little family of ladies, living in our bathroom.

These little ladies (gents too) are so fun to watch. They crawl all over the walls, up and down the shower curtain, and when the sun hits the window, they race! I love watching them.

It is interesting to note how they die. The first time I tried to help one, my efforts were rebuffed. She was on her back, so I turned her over thinking I was helping. She immediately flipped herself onto her back, so I let her be. The next time I looked in on her, she was gone. Some bugs, push their wings out from underneath their shells, sometimes one wing, sometimes both. No discernible  reason.

We now have to turn the light on in the bathroom when we have a midnight call. No stepping on these creatures at night, or sitting on one if it happens to be on the seat! There numbers are shrinking, I'm sure by the end of March they will be gone. Only to turn up again next spring.

Or, Nov. or Dec. depending on the weather.