Welcome Home

Back from holidays

Phew!

I love visiting with friends & family,

but get me my coffee,

my vacuum

and lets suck the last of the life

out of Christmas

for another year 

That is my 160

for Monkey Man

to say goodbye to 2010

and the holidays.

I am hoping to get back into

some kind of routine again tomorrow.

simple thoughts on life

simple thoughts on life

changing year, changing patterns

new fires bring in light

This is the last Wednesday of the year.

This is my last offering for OneShotWednesday.

I am hoping that bright and beautiful things will be ushered in 

in the new year

~2011~

*photo from http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/image_galleries/fireworks07_gallery.shtml?8

The Last Journey

More goodbye hugs were upon us. Oliver faded into memory behind us, as Brett and I set out on our last journey in Arnie. Recollections from our last game drive in Chobe would be held close to heart for a long time to come, but Zimbabwe was in our sights now. It was time for us to shed Arnie, our metal companion, and set out on foot.

Bulawayo served as a resting stop to make a plan and regroup. We inquired as to how to go about selling a South African baby blue Kombi and were met with shaking heads. Try as we might, we would have to return to South Africa to sell the van. It was too complicated to try to sell a South African vehicle in a foreign country. Trying to save miles would add more headaches than we cared to fight with.

We took advantage of the city’s amenities  and decided to take in a movie while we were in Bulawayo. A couple we had bumped into on a few occasions in our travels was going to see “Babe”, so we tagged along. We grabbed popcorn and sank into some lumpy seats to let the African continent slip away. For two hours we watched barnyard friends climb into and out of trouble, and I for one was transported.

Upon leaving the theatre, I blinked at the surreal feelings that lingered. I was in Zimbabwe, Africa. Only days before, I had watched a pride of lions stalk a herd of buffalos across the plains of Botswana, yet had just had a two hour taste of North American life. Canada and home were over 6000 miles away though. God only knew how many more months it would be till I saw my native soil again.

An odd feeling of nostalgia niggled at the back of my mind as we walked the city streets back to our hostel. This was a city and despite feeling dated, it was closer to home than I had felt in a while. Thoughts of home and what waited there still left me with questions though. I could feel a frown around my eyes and shook it off as I re-engaged with my travel companions of the moment.

I was in Bulawayo. I was on an adventure of a lifetime that was transforming me with every mile under my belt and every African breath that I took. We were about to sell our beloved van and a vital companion in our travels. For now though, I rejoined the group’s energy sphere and walked this African city’s streets home. 

Dinner Time

Meal time at my house;

Yeah, not a fun thing at present.

I make a meal,

any meal, be it liked or no

and then commence to nag!

I take a bite of my food,

then say "eat".

I take a sip of a beverage,

then say "Eat".

I stare at my daughter,

then say "EAT!"

and at some point thereafter

I lose it

again.

I have threatened no dessert.

I have threatened no stories.

I have stated that this meal

will be served for dinner tomorrow,

but no one cares.

Do I?

Hell yes, as I am beginning to feel like 

the Wicked Witch of the West!

Eating my meal

with fire in my eyes

and evil in my heart

ready to screech out my hollow wrath

at the drop of a fork

She says she will eat her dinner 

"when she is a Mommy"

I tell her she will never grow to be an adult

without food in her belly,

but unblinking eyes register

NOTHING.

She is not a Mommy yet

and will eat when she is good and ready

apparently.

and apparently

my battles that I wage alone

are not so uncommon,

but I still wish

that this phase would pass...

Christmas Day

Christmas comes,

but once a year.

The house is filled

with warmth and cheer.

A heavenly scent

of  turkey and pie

Saturates the air;

Mmmm, oh my!

The gifts once wrapped

now litter the floor.

With glee and mirth

children scream for more.

The stockings are limp

and so are you

So cheer and rejoice

because now you are through!

Merry Christmas 

To one and all

From 

Katherine

at

A New Day!