Playing with the “Zeno” Poetry Form.

Pat Lewis introduced the world to his new poetry form, the “zeno” on Monday at The Miss Rumphius Effect.  It is a mathematical pattern featuring syllables of 8-4-2-1-4-2-1-4-2-1 with an “abcdefdghd” rhyme scheme.  While this is considered a “hailstone” sequence, Lewis didn’t want to confuse it with the classic book, Hailstones and Halibut Bones by Mary O’Neill so he named it after the philosopher, Zeno.

Here is mine:

night wind howls through skeleton trees
elusive voice
evokes
tears
memory haunts
many
years
long forgotten
silent
fears

Ahh, and since I used the word  “elusive”, it counts for One Single Impression.

Poetry Friday is hosted by Jennie at Bibliofile.  My students tried this form and they are posted here.

It’s October! Time for Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a cookie which my friend Randy and I made every October in our first years of teaching.  I make them every year because they are sooo yummy!

Here’s the recipe:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.Cream together:
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup shortening
Beat in 1 egg

Mix in and alternate with 1 cup pumpkin:
1 & 1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 & 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Stir in (except for the chocolate chips other things are optional):

6 oz chocolate chips
1 cup raisins ( I use the yellow ones)
1 cup chopped nuts

Spoon on cookie sheet.  Bake 14-16 minutes.

Surprise Package and Three Generation Photo Show

“The Surprise Package, Marcelle, Aunt Betty, and Moi”

Time flies.  Cannot believe that it has been two weeks since I left for New Jersey.  I arrived in record time and waited for the surprise package (AKA my niece, Marcelle) from Los Angeles.  Her flight was early as well. 

Well, our aunt was shocked at the package and laughed hilariously when I announced that in the luggage was an air mattress for me to sleep on. (She has accommodations for a visitor  but not much more than that. 

Our time together included a trip to see the Cezanne and artists inspired by his work (which makes me wonder why artist are allowed to be inspired without it being a case of plagiarism), a trip to the old cemetary behind the First Reformed Church( another post soon), and lots of laughter.  We also visited  Ringwood State Park and see more trees in full autumn color. Missed the peak season by a week.

Sunday, we rose early.  This is not an easy feat for my aunt. She likes to sleep in.  But we needed to be at the church gallery to meet and greet the parishioners.  The gallery had thirty photos displayed.  It was really wonderful to hear that people like our photos.

Church House Art Gallery

 

My niece’s photos

Some of my aunt’s photos

Some of my photos.

Historic Pompton Plains First Reformed Church. Build before the Revolutionary War.

three generations
three geographies: shore, coast, beach
graced with love

Off to New Jersey

Last year, my aunt’s friend encouraged us to have a two generation photography show at the Church House Art Gallery in the First Reformed Church, Pompton Plains, NJ.  Over tea and talk, my aunt and I decided to include a third generation, niece/great niece, Marcelle.  There are thirty photos on display.

Here it is that  day which I board a plane bound for the “Garden State.”  What it not known by my aunt is that Marcelle is arriving with me.  A weekend of “Rush MacCulloch” women.

It is possible that my computer won’t be out much. My aunt does not have Internet.  I have not gotten Internet service for my Blackberry.  I may be the only person in the world like that.

Journal  I have.  I will keep notes for posts when I return.

On another note, the beginning of the school year has been challenging.  Later start time means later get home time.  I am still adjusting.  Do you know how many posts I have written in my head?  It didn’t help that in September there were two deaths in our family and news of  family/ex-family that have terminal illnesses.  Brings you up short, makes you think about what is important.

Have a wonderful fall weekend.