Anxiety attacks An anxiety attack comes like a... ...stab in the solar plexus...punch to the palette...tightening of the torso...a feeling of fear An anxiety attack leaves me... ...desperate for deliverance...eager to escape...hoping for heaven...numb to what's "now" An anxiety attack disappears when... ...its source surrenders...I surrender...time progresses...a heart collapses An anxiety attack can return if … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #124
Film Review – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
There's a scene in the film biopic "A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood" (2019) that's so sudden and violent, you wonder if the filmmakers forgot that this film centers around mild-mannered and famous US children's TV show host Mister Rogers (played flawlessly by two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks). The scene? A wedding reception. The sister … Continue reading Film Review – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
My Monday Metrical Musings #123
Memories Blue skiesNothing but blue skiesAll my lifeDaffodils and hummingbirds Who am I kidding?! Dark cloudsHeavy rainBeating down My window pane That's all my lifeThe memories I RememberOr I should sayPrefer to forget Give me the sweet lifeThe chocolates and the ice cream conesRemove the grey skiesThe misty airThe ochre polaroidsThe dusty recessesOf my childhood … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #123
Of accidental carpools and autism conversations
As Autism Awareness Month (April) nears, I realize of late I've not posted much about autism, one of my blog's cornerstone topics. But having said quite a lot since 2019, is there really anything new? The answer? Of course! There always is, in my ongoing journey as a parent with a special needs kid. At … Continue reading Of accidental carpools and autism conversations
My Monday Metrical Musings #122
The Dolphin Song When I first heard his callIt came from a secluded bayEchoed off the cliffs like a whisperWhile stars twinkled off each sea spray Grandpa didn't hear itNeither did my momMaybe I dreamt it upYet each dawn I hear his song Every day a little closerTelling me about the oceanSometimes uplifting WholesomeSometimes sorrowfulDespondent … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #122
Writers need “attention collectibles” to write well #2 – Reading Resources
A couple of weeks ago I started this mini-series to share what I call "attention collectibles" for reading and writing. These are any and everything we tuck away in a safe place to reference when writing. Like a "creative well" that never runs out. A lifeline for dry spells or the dreaded writer's block. And … Continue reading Writers need “attention collectibles” to write well #2 – Reading Resources
My Monday Metrical Musings #121
Life is not just a promise Life is not just a promise, It is what each day we seek. Our footsteps, not merely a stumble But how we progress or retreat. The lies we often say, In opposition to truths we think. Our legacies, all but stolen Never floating, only sink. But I want to … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #121
Film Review – Apple TV Documentary “Dads”
Parenting documentaries are a dime a dozen. All feature kids of course. But while most profile both the dads and the moms (mostly the moms), few focus primarily on dads. Unless it's religious in nature. Like the excellent 2014 documentary by Focus on the Family called "Irreplaceable." As well as most films (War Room; Courageous) … Continue reading Film Review – Apple TV Documentary “Dads”
My Monday Metrical Musings #120
Drilling All day longLike a swarm of beesOne retaining wall awayNo "don't mind us please." When you live in a nationIn constantConstructionDeconstructionReconstructionYou gotta expect unending periods ofConsistentDisruptionsFrustrations But when it's one wall awayOver ten hours nearly every dayThis endless swarmOf unending humdrumStays well in one's mindEven after the workers' Knock-off time Oh why oh whyAre … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #120
Writers need “attention collectibles” to write well #1 — Intro
For the longest time, I've blogged about how paying attention to the small things in life is what truly matters. Especially when it comes to novelists and memoirists. In fact, pretty much all kinds of writers. Now I've learned there's actually a term I can use to refer to these small things. It's called "attention … Continue reading Writers need “attention collectibles” to write well #1 — Intro