The line snakes across the front yard, slithering slowly at first. The leader picks up speed, tugging the line left, pulling suddenly to the right, wrapping quickly into a tight circle and then yanking forward at a full run. Little feet push to keep up the mad pace, fingers painfully vised hand-to-hand, fighting to stay clasped. A whip to the right and feet leave the ground, the last three in line somersaulting into a jumbled dog pile. The leader, powered by an adrenaline rush, darts now. She spins to the second in line, grasps with both of her hands, and twists. She uses her momentum to crack her whip one more time. The tail breaks off with explosive yelps as the leader laps the yard in victory.
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Friday, July 19, 2024
"Theme Song"
Recently, I’ve noted several friends refer to their “theme song.” They have one special melody or lyric that harmonizes with significant events in their lives. I’ve tried to think of my one special piece, but instead I hum out tunes from different periods of my life. In high school, it was Elton John’s “Daniel” playing on my 8-track. In college, I remember singing “Some Day Soon” by Firefall when I studied. After I got married, my music mixed with David’s—Eagles, Beatles, Heart, Billy Joel, Kansas, Yes, Rush. I didn’t listen to any one particular group, let alone have a “theme song” that represented my life at that time.
Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman
Thursday, July 18, 2024
"Pet Peeves"
In August of 2011, I decided to generate a list of the top ten behaviors that irk me—just because. It AMAZES me that not a single pet peeve has changed all of these years later! I haven’t ordered my list in any way. I wonder, though, if any of you also share the same irritants. Feel free to add to my list with your comments!
I hate it when people:
greet me like I’m a long lost relative with effusive hugs when I know it’s all for show
agree to be at a certain place at a certain time, show up late (or not at all) and then act annoyed because I’m upset
swear (usually in front of other people) that they’ll gladly help, and then cancel when it’s too late for me to line up someone else
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
“Endangered”
behemoth fossil fuel
guzzlers
pitted against
efficiency
threatened by
diversity
weakened by equality
petrified by
inclusion
they worship their
perfect world
white males,
subservient females
power through
intimidation
power through
manipulation
power through deceit
their lies pile upon
each other
thicken their hides
with false security
they are terrified
rhinos
dangerous in their
fears
excluded by a
changing world
endangered
Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman
Monday, July 15, 2024
"Butterfly Rainforest"
One
small house in the San Antonio Zoo nurtures butterflies. Stepping into this exhibit
brought immediate delight to us. With all of the sorrows in today’s world,
sometimes pausing long enough to play with butterflies brings wonder and joy.
Sunday, July 14, 2024
“Unsafe States of America”
CaliforniaTexasFloridaColoradoWashingtonPennsylvaniaWisconsin IlliniosNewYorkMarylandOhio VirginaMichiganNevadaKentuckyNorthCarolinaGeorgiaTennesee ConnecticutMissouriMinosota SouthCarolinaOregonIndianaOklahomaKansasMississippiIowa NebraskaNewJerseyAlabamaNewMexicoMaineLouisianaUtah MassachusettsHawaiiDCArizona