Friday, April 27, 2018

Affable Alliteration

When I write, my mind becomes a river of words flowing through me and out my fingertips to land on the page. There is a modicum of pre-planning, but rarely a hard and fast outline or even rough draft. This IS the rough draft, what you're reading. Granted, I've previewed it and rearranged a bit, but for the most part what you read from me is raw.

You may notice a few things about what you read.

First, it's as much a surprise to me as it is to you what makes it to the page. Again, flying by the seat of my pants is pretty much my norm.

Second, and in no particular order of course because, well, see above. I have an annoying (to me) habit of using a perfect word--one that has JUST the right meaning and emphasis--and then reusing that same word almost immediately. It's like my brain pulls out this gem, then has to show it off over and over like a newly engaged woman with a sparkly diamond. I generally catch it on the rebound and grab a thesaurus to derail the train. If I don't and you see a sparkly word that becomes annoyingly obvious, overlook it, please. Sparkly or not.

Third, I adore alliteration. For those of you who are unaware of the dangerous descriptors, in these two sentences, I've alliterated (is that a word?) twice. Alliteration is repeating a consonant or vowel sound two or more times back to back. Adore alliteration. Dangerous descriptors. It's a subconscious thing that somehow calms my churning mind as I let the thoughts and words flow on that little tumultuous river of prose. 

Fourth, WARNING: RANDOM SPOILER ALERT. I am not a fan of poetry. I refuse to apologize for it. As much as I cringe at the thought of reading lilting phrases designed to elicit deep thought and abstract or exact images, I will deign to listen to musical lyrics or watch a Shakespearean play. What does not kill you makes you stronger. 

And finally (final for this post, anyway), open that box of Forest Gump chocolates. Pull one out and flip it over. Scratch at the coating and reveal what's inside. Caramel? Mmmm. Yum. Enjoy. Orange cream? Shove that baby back in the box and remember where the hell you put it. Do the same with my posts. Read what you like, leave the rest for someone else. I encourage and enjoy feedback so come at me, people. It's about to get sticky and sweet in here. Mind the orange cream, will you?

It's Been A While

I'm back at the keyboard. The hiatus I took was long and eventful with many changes both good and not-as-good-as-it-could-have-been. I choose to look at it all as experience, adventure, growing pains or, simply, the tide of life.

Job change, career change, household change, spouse change, change of heart, change of financial and social status, dead car, dead parents, dead ends. 

Through it all I've had the proverbial good days and bad, but it's not as black and white as that. A rainbow of color developed in varying shades of emotion from one event to the next. Angry and empowering reds, maddening yellows, bruised blues and lavender, tinges of energetic orange, pristine and peaceful white, warm and welcoming ivory, and serene swirling green and aqua. 

Gains and losses. Not looking at balance because one will outweigh the other from time to time. But. How lucky are we? To feel deeply and learn from success and sorrow.

It's another day to draw back our bow, aim high and release an arrow as we listen to the whisper of feathers as it leaves our view, then follow its path. 

Where will we go?

Follow me...