Book of Past Challenges (Book) https://www.Writing.Com/main/books.php/item_id/2171679 Trapped Confined within the hemisphere dispensed A stroke while forming in her mother's womb. A damaged global center, commander's room to signal body parts to function hence. The intellect and empathy are held within its mass to compliment her life Her brain was halved as if cut by a knife. The living side stepped up and excelled. Born paralyzed, her right side a dead fish, unknowns, her speech, her thoughts and so much more. Yet her s...[Read Full Post] Sat, 04 Jan 2020 17:13:31 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/972660 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/972660 #1 Convenience Amazing products manufactured in the US and abroad zero shipping cost online shopping now. Priced for value real deals immediate service multiple choices easy return. ~~Judi Van Gorder *Notes* Sat, 04 Jan 2020 17:11:15 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/972659 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/972659 Mollyâs First Christmas She joined our home months ago, her kitten play charmed all. In my memory I donât recall ever owning one quite as entertaining. She can be sleeping like the dead one second and the next dancing across the kitchen floor on her hind legs. Now with Christmas looming the tree went up glorious in lights and silver shiny globes and instantly it came down toppled by a flying cat clinging to its branches. Tinsel scattered and ornaments tumbled everywhere gratefully only one shattered into tiny sparkling ...[Read Full Post] Sat, 22 Dec 2018 10:06:15 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947921 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947921 Slamming the door behind me I shut out cheer and care and enter my very own pity party. Follow if you dare. I crumple into a heap upon the dusty floor "You sow what you reap" Oh Ginchy, hear me roar. I smash the looking glass into splintering shards. Your effigy I punch and bash and shred your business cards. Don't tell me what to do. Gender doesn't make you right. I'm the pro, not you. Get the F*** out of my sight. I&#3...[Read Full Post] Fri, 21 Dec 2018 00:40:46 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947864 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947864 Dear Trinity, Merry Christmas Sweetheart, Standing on the cusp of womanhood your possibilities are endless. Keep your eyes wide open, explore each opportunity, and always stay true to yourself. Life is an adventure to be embraced Live with the same fearlessness you display on the soccer field. Train your body and mind and when you are in the game trust your teammates and play balls out. There are going to be many difficult challenges...[Read Full Post] Wed, 19 Dec 2018 11:08:25 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947797 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947797 From the Heart Exhausted from his midnight trek Old Nick collapsed in a fold. These annual Christmas trips were harder and harder each year. While his hips got larger and larger and he became less quick. To Santa with Love. He drug his almost empty sack from the sleigh and said, "What ho? What is this that I missed?" It tumbled to the snow. Had he been remiss? A gift to whom? He'd like to know, but wait ....[Read Full Post] Tue, 18 Dec 2018 15:31:12 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947738 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947738 Tinker's Toy Academy Welcome, step right in join with me, let's begin. Right here on windy Joy Road we just received a brand new load. Toys of every kind for everyone who loves to play and treasures fun. From slimy, gooey silly string to a giant playground swing. And of course, what can be grander than a green, fake salamander? Over there are crying b...[Read Full Post] Mon, 17 Dec 2018 22:15:48 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947637 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947637 The calendar marks another Christmas, 100 years from that of my birth. Gratefully my mind is still here. The body may be checking out however. The number of years left for me is in question. But I believe love and the written word live on. calendared pages declare another Christmas on this day of hope I share the Father's promise through my actions and my words Despite our world's for...[Read Full Post] Sun, 16 Dec 2018 20:33:56 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947598 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947598 Haven't we been down this road before? Of my 76 Christmases what's my most memorable? I honestly don't know. They blur together until a comment a photo, a song or a person, something draws me back. So I'll simply share my 77th with you, which hasn't yet happened, but only one week away so things are fresh in my memory. Favorite, probably not, but who knows, I'm alive, my family is well and I'm truly grateful for ea...[Read Full Post] Sat, 15 Dec 2018 15:32:04 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947534 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947534 I enter the hobbit-like domain of antiques and curiosities. This peculiar place is out of the way, almost hidden. I peruse, glass topped ornately carved display cases and witness crooked wire spectacles from another era, a moldy, mauve feather boa that makes me sneeze, an oriental yellowed-ivory chess set that my son would love, and a tiny gold baby...[Read Full Post] Sat, 15 Dec 2018 03:30:09 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947480 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947480 Ring Joyful An angel called to Mary one day. "You will have a baby," she heard him say, Now not yet married was Mary - however The obedient girl just said, "Whatever." [Link: 'The Christmas Story'] by William Holmes A time, 2000 years ago a young girl, Mary, thought to be 15 or so, would skip and jump and danced to the joyful rhythm of the tinkling bel...[Read Full Post] Thu, 13 Dec 2018 22:51:48 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947394 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947394 It was just a couple of weeks ago, November 30, 2018 we celebrated our wedding anniversary, well sort of. It was a quiet celebration just the two of us. It had rained all day, I had to go into the office so I was tired. Bob said we should go out for dinner but I didn't want to. So we stayed in, it was a night like most every other night. A far cry from 55 years ago, 1963, and the hustle and bustle of a formal wedding. I say th...[Read Full Post] Thu, 13 Dec 2018 11:51:01 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947345 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947345 Frosty snowbound village with garland all around cozy candle lit cottages where love of family abounds. Enveloped in Christmases of old were homemade gifts and sweets and sleigh bells in the narrow streets. Holiday sights and sounds untold. Every person went to church Currier and Ives sold a brand A cardinal watches from his perch. Were things really all that grand? Kids enjoyed a ...[Read Full Post] Wed, 12 Dec 2018 11:08:58 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947279 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947279 palpable whisper replete with muted symbols heavenly music heralds new babe on straw bed our promised Savior is born ~~Judi Van Gorder *Notes:* Mon, 10 Dec 2018 11:24:02 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947226 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947226 I'll Miss You Tears held in check a battle rages inside, anger and sadness war. "Iâm not made out of steel" "If youâre going to break my heart, just break it" and still I'll miss you. "Youâre running out of time" To salvage any hope of Christmas past, the laughter gone. "I got this feeling inside my bones" we end now. and I'll miss you. "Everywhere I go I see your face" Your ta...[Read Full Post] Sun, 09 Dec 2018 18:41:04 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947167 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947167 A Lifetime Life can be but a blink of an eye, a short sprint or a decades long marathon. Whatever minutes granted they are on loan. Live each day in gratitude, fill your hours with kindness and service and when night falls you will r...[Read Full Post] Sat, 08 Dec 2018 14:20:34 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947061 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947061 TaquerÃa Tacos Oh yes, there are many others but only one hole in the wall, So Cal, cocinero can create them mean and lean. Fire on my tongue, addicting, leaving me craving more. Not now, but when I head south again, You will be sure to find me standing in line to place my order. Taste of Mexico, no slime, just succulent freshness that...[Read Full Post] Fri, 07 Dec 2018 18:38:48 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947008 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/947008 Rainbow of Possibilities Waking light fills my rose dusk mind with golden thoughts. I see familiar tree tops change to forest towers and open sky becomes a wash of powder blue possibilities. Prinked by prompts and bold âmust doesâ I begin my day. I flip on TV for company and see a starburst stained glass window beaming down a rainbow welcome upon a simple casket, wrapped in red, white and blue, remembering a ...[Read Full Post] Thu, 06 Dec 2018 16:45:36 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946945 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946945 Unlikeable He sat there, slumped, arms crossed in petulant pose among dignified leaders to honor a great man in repose. Clearly he'd rather be off playing golf in flamingo land or creating mayhem for coal miners, or to be anywhere he can grandstand. I'm reluctant to deem him damned, his office demands our respect. Why, some supporters are my...[Read Full Post] Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:20:59 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946903 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946903 Christmas Blurred Over my 77 years, no one Christmas stands out. Most of my childhood years are pretty much a blank slate. I do recall one Christmas morning sitting on the policeman's desk my legs dangling while Mama bailed out Daddy. And another Christmas the police brought Daddy home, the cuts on his face and his guilty smirk scared me. I know I have cooked the holiday meal the giant portion of my years, sometimes more than o...[Read Full Post] Tue, 04 Dec 2018 19:37:12 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946825 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946825 Returning Home Back from my trip planning a route, preparing landing I give out shout, thankful children believe without doubt. I've always loved the golden glow reflecting off pale, silver snow. Welcoming warmth waits below. Fluffy ambrosia-like mounds circle love's little compound. Holly berries, mistletoe abound. Helpers bustle, polish yon sleigh next to rustic stables, there reindeer stay, so abl...[Read Full Post] Mon, 03 Dec 2018 16:46:05 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946756 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946756 Wonderland Dreams I'd love to hear "Sleigh bells ring" and I've listened. "snow is glistening" a rare sight here but I can dream. "A beautiful sight" The pristine magic of a white, sparkling sheet blanketing autumn's messy fallen leaves and muddy earth sparks a cleansing, refreshing and ready. In my mind snow looks like the song, I admit, I don't really want to deal with the slush and mu...[Read Full Post] Sun, 02 Dec 2018 15:12:08 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946726 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946726 'RÃÃmsaid JÃulupÃhi', Merry Christmas The Winter Solstice ignited the light, traditions honored through Christmas night. The pagan, PÃkapikk transformed to Christmas elf, I wonder if he modeled our Elf on a Shelf. Straw crowns from long ago are still around through Advent, candles on graves will abound. Of course feasting, blood sausage, sauerkraut, pork, potatoes and gingerbread, prescription for gout. But best of all happens on Chr...[Read Full Post] Sun, 02 Dec 2018 00:43:30 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946644 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946644 I'm missing you. Hermano to my son Godfather to my grandchild Gentleman Familia of choice and friendship. I'm missing you. Your laughter fills a room Your teasing with a twinkle Your sincerity I trust Your tall tales that so entertain Your generosity with all you have Your BIG smile Your traditions so different from mine. I'm missing you. My chest fills My smile broadens My mother tiger wakens My toes tap My family grows ...[Read Full Post] Fri, 30 Nov 2018 16:55:04 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946601 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946601 When the Light Went Out Once her brilliance lit up the stage, the premiere ballerina. Now shards of fractured memories haunt the fragile lady in orange as she dances alone in her cell, hearing their song play over and over in her mind. His betrayal extinguished her flame. Some say, he displayed his heart like his shiniest ornament...[Read Full Post] Thu, 29 Nov 2018 14:34:32 EST https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946528 https://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/946528