As October exits, I’m gearing up for participation in November’s NANO.   I’m looking forward to the fun and madness.

I’m also closing out the month by giving a little time to one of my favorite charities HfH.   YAY, I really enjoy this!   Then like so many of you, I’ll be plunging into the holidays.  A reminder: amidst all the chaos and economic crunches, don’t forget the charities.  There are so many ways to pay it forward whether by donating your time and or monies.   I’ll be once again filling up boxes for needy teens who reside in state group homes.  I enjoy finding creative ways to fill the boxes.

ps. don’t forget to set your clocks back and change your smoke alarm batteries this weekend. <3

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What’s playn’ on my Ipod:  Good Riddance, Green Day

poverty’s grin

bait house giggles

 a bend in road

off beaten paths ridge

lies stairways soul

ripple of water

povertys grin

natures quiet

 music within 

A place in the bend from where I’m sitting.   Lovely weekend to you, peeps.

Before I begin my post, I’d like to take a minute and recognize Angie and Kat’s hard work over at the Rose & Thorn and remind all: You are cordially invited to attend an “open house” beginning now, in honor of the newly renovated Rose & Thorn Journal: http://www.roseandthornjournal.com 

 It’s Wednesday, which means my thoughts are ahead to Thursday.  And back to 13 Thursdays; a plan I initiated years ago for my family.  Basically it’s all about  simplifying.  And a chance for me to declutter, have a little balance (I’m Libra)  and bring in positive rhythm to my enviroment and also prepare for the season’s holidays.

Enjoy!!!

Discipleship Journal May/June 2009

Each member of my household must bring me 13 objects every Wednesday, things such as their ‘toys,’ clothing etc … items which they no longer use, preferably their ‘wants’ not ‘needs’.   No whining allowed.   It is then separated into two piles; donations and trash, then donated or put out to trash Thursday morning.  13 Thursdays!

My family has come to enjoy the challenge as they scramble about Wednesday evenings, in search for old toys, baubles, tools etc.  Even more so, the clutter-free space they give back to themselves. 

How do you declutter and bring balance back into your life? 

What’s playn’ on my Ipod:  soundtrack, Sweet November

…  this may explain why the trouble shooting guide doesn’t work anymore.

Who doesn’t like fall?!   With all its gorgeous colors, picture-perfect weather, great football and kick offs to the holidays: what’s not to like!

When the season crayolas and cocoons me, I grab the paint can and color my world pink.  I’ve been doing this for over a decade in honor of October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to teach my daughter. 

Our pumpkins are always pink.

And, even my kitty’s nesting box gets a fresh makeover — a new Vicky Secret’s box, courtesy of my daughter.

How about you; what are your fav’ characteristics of fall and how do you paint them?

What’s  playn’ on my Ipod:  Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Iz

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Just in case

… just in case there’s just one link left. 

Lovely and carefree Holiday to my peeps!

What’s playn’ on the Ipod:  Joshua Bell, The Red Violin Anna’s Theme

This summer, like so many before, I received sunflowers from my luv.   Normally, he plants rows and rows of my favorite flower in an open field, but this year life got ‘busy’.

So yesterday my luv had a bouquet delivered by the local florist.

I love these beautys.  Did you know the head of a sunflower can have close to 2,000 flowers compacted within and it is traditionally known as the fourth sister?   I, too, am the fourth sister.  And at sunrise the sunflower raises its head to the east. 

A truly beautiful flower, which serves many purposes and deserves tribute.  I’m once again posting sunflower elegy.

sunflower elegy

i told him

i care naught for roses

it is sunflowers i love 

so he labors under summer suns

knees set on earth’s naked field

carving out row after row

where his heart plants ovals

of hope, faith and love

to honor our love

hundreds of seeds grab root

in dirt pocket homes

soon rich black soil

will bare its face and

birth tender green shoots

and i will laugh, chastise him

and say you fatten the wildlife

but he will not listen

he is determined

he envisions rows of sunflowers

that will lift brown pancake heads

to the sky in homage

to his love

but the deer will come,

feast under cloak of darkness

and on the ‘morrow

he will curse the beasts

i will take his hand in mine

and lead him to

two unscathed plants

he will smile because he knows

seeds of hope, faith and love

will flourish

and he will say to me

i know it is sunflowers

not roses you love

————————————

We are heading into the full moon shortly, and I wanted to share my latest attempt of capturing the previous full moon. 

What’s playn on my Ipod;  Swinging On A Star , Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello

Winners of Lucky Kentucky give-a-way:

Sandara bc

Jeanne T. Va.

THE UNBREAKABLE CHILD in the September 2009 issue, WRITER’S DIGEST, Writer’s Workbook feature, available at newsstands and online and in bookstores.  ‘Master The Memoir Basics: 5 Essentials’ references Kim’s story as a wonderful model of how to craft a hopeful ending.  “It’s a gut-wrenching book, but two things save it from being merely depressing… It delivers what the title promises…”

 ”Excellent endorsement, and a helpful example to those in the throes of their own life’s story.”  –J.M. AuthorScoop

Cross Posted : AuthorScoop.

And I’ve been busy with BIH working on my WIP at the cottage. The field of wildflowers is gorgeous this year.

Hugs and hi to all my peeps and hope you’re having a great summer wrap-up!

x0

-Kim

*waves to Trinity Rocs*

BIC

WIP