The difference the absence
Of one little voice makes.
No harping or whispering
No screaming or whining
A peaceful place
Without that sound.

The joy of sharing
Laughter and opinions
Sighs and giggles
Wine and parsnips
And a wonderful group of friends.

Presidents
Set presidence
For future generations.
Leaders have a role
To aspire to
A vision to create
An idea to envelope
And mail into the next term.

The moat
Outside my door
May as well be filled
With alligators.
I don't want to cross
Over into the wetlands
Of February's demise.
Let down the drawbridge
And step gently into spring.

And the award goes to...
Best picture- The scene outside my window
Best actor- The student who didn't finish their homework
Best song- Whatever is on the radio
Best directing- Teacher's on Monday morning

Sun weaving through the branches
Like a needle
Trying to pierce
The quilt of white fluffy snow.

Local author, Jeremy DeBruzzi

There's nothing like throwing up
To remind you
How good it feels
When you stop.

The Wizard of Oz
Was always on this time of year.
I think it's because we need
To think that we can close our eyes
And believe in Over the Rainbow.

Facebook friends
Like an imaginary childhood playmate
Are there when you need them.

Laughing at February at Minnihaha Falls

The worst part of a migraine
Is not the eye piercing pain
Or the mind numbing throbbing
It's the persistent thought
That it might never end.

Shimmer of icicles
Like sunbursts
Sending rays of light
Into the blue of winter
Trapping and reflecting
Long forgotten memories
Of Spring.

TGI
Long Weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day

Thanks to Jenny!

What seems to take center stage
And all of our energy
Soon fades into the background
As the spotlight focuses on the people.
The rest is only props
And timing.

Dream Job:
Touching people's hearts
By stirring their minds.

February Snow

Sort and toss
Pile and throw
Making order out of chaos.
Cleaning lets me pretend
I can put my life in order too.

Lunch Bunch

Slowly sliding into sleep
Shedding worries
Like clothes upon the bed.
Dreams lie in wait
To caress my senses
And send me softly
Into oblivion.

Little Angels

?

Layers of clouds
Like the layers of thoughts
Drifting out to expand the universe
To build upon the known
And touch its mysteries.

Why is it
That my Monday morning headache
Doesn't bother as much?
My wake up call
Can't be ignored?
The energy level doesn't matter?
My travel not as hard?
Maybe I just have more time
To complain
On the weekend.

It's only the beginning of February

Former W7th area resident, Mark Weber, shares his wisdom in his new book, Tell My Sons. From his early years in the W7th neighborhood to his special assignments in the Army and his current battle with cancer, Weber’s love of life and family provide hope and humor.

The opening chapters set the scene with mention of Palace Playground, Cosetta’s, St Francis de Sales Grade School and Cretin High School.  It was at Cretin in the JROTC program that Weber heard his calling to join the Army. His path took him across the US and all the way to Iraq where he worked with Iraq’s Chief of Defense, General Babakir Zibari. In spite of all his awards and honors, Weber refers to his wife, Kristin, as the true hero and inspiration in his life.

Each chapter starts with a quote from General Douglas MacArthur, followed by Weber’s real life experience living up to the challenge. He chronicles his successes and failures in life including his battle with Stage 4 intestinal cancer as a way to share his experience. Originally started as a letter to his 3 boys, encouraged by friends and family it became a heartfelt sharing of wisdom that touches anyone who’s read it, including Robin Williams who wrote the foreword and writer, David Murray who helped Weber craft his story.

Though dealing with serious subjects, Weber sense of humor helps us all appreciate life’s “Bufords”- the name he gave his surgical wound. To quote Weber, “If Nietzsche had had a better sense of humor, he would have said, “Anything that doesn’t kill you makes you funnier.” A wry and wise look at life.

Tell My Sons is available through http://www.tellmysons.com

End of CSW

PJ Day tomorrow