Author: rugby843

I am a widow since 2013 and live by myself in a small apartment. I use a wheelchair to get around, but I wouldn't consider myself disabled. I'm 11 years away from having bladder cancer resulting in a urostomy and I'm doing well. This cancer was a result of having radiation in 1995 because of uterine cancer. So have faith in yourself, a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. My first try at blogging was an attempt to help other people with my condition. I am a mother of three married children, and a grandmother to eight gorgeous kids, featuring them often here, and a great grandmother to two as of today, 6/7/25! I enjoy exploring my feelings and like to try the challenges. I like humor, music, movies, games, and some sports. I absolutely appreciate your reading and commenting on my blog. I am happy to read all of your blogs and learn more about you. Please comment however you like, ask whatever, and I'll answer honestly. Thanks for reading! Cheryl

The Writer’s Workshop

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

Here are this week’s prompts:

  1. Write a post bsed on the word Facebook.
  2. Write a post in exactly 11 lines.
  3. Grab the closest book. Close your eyes, open to a random page, and point at a random sentence. Write a post starting with that sentence.
  4. You wake up to find yourself in your five-year-old body and back in time. How do you spend your first 24 hours in this situation?
  5. What is the question that best defines your internal struggle to understand life? Do you think you’ll ever be able to answer that question? Why or why not?
  6. This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lenten season. If you observe Lent, what is your voluntary act of penance (e.g. giving up candy)?

I chose number 4:You wake up to find yourself in your five-year-old body and back in time. How do you spend your first 24 hours in this situation?

***

At five years old I was enrolled in first grade so most of my day was spent in a one room schoolhouse. But after I got home, I had chores to do and then I was free to enjoy the country life, running and playing on our two hundred acre farm that included great meadows, stone formations, streams and brooks, berry bushes and strawberry patches, and a huge forest. This was ideal for me and if I was to stay close to the house, I could investigate above the garage where newborn kittens never ceased, take a swing (which was my favorite) and watch the variety of birds in the tree.

***

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dVerse Poets

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
Without further ado, today we write about cycles of transformation. Anything will do, but your poem needs to have a beginning, middle, and end. Here are some ideas to get you started, but feel free to think up your own. Get creative!

caterpillar to butterfly
tadpole to frog
life cycle of a jellyfish
life cycle of a coral reef
life cycle of a car battery
life cycle of a star
your favorite sweatshirt

***

She said “‘course you can wear that color”, purchase was made

Your burgundy color was permanent, never started to fade

I wore you through the seasons, ‘cause I never liked a coat

You are the perfect covering and upon you I do dote

Now years later, your soft yarn stretched, making holes

But I always choose you, no matter what the weather doles

The sleeves are nicely long and you might expect

I use them as gloves, the extra length I respect

Sadly now your worn, soft fiber bulk that was used

Shows careless use of hangars – certainly abuse

Still you are my favorite and I will always choose

You as my comfort, if deciding to take a snooze

Someone may say, you need to toss that sweater, dear

But no new one could compare, and I’ll keep you always near.

***

Metamorphosis of Sorts

dVerse Poets Poetics

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

The style and form of your poem are up to you. I would just like you to be in your chosen element: run barefoot on the earth; fly through air; burn with fire; or swim in water.

***

Refreshing summer breeze

Tearing autumn leaves from trees

Bending harvest grains in a dance

Going outside you take a chance

Gifting you a new hairstyle

Taking your breath running a mile

The wind is a tyrant or a blessing

When your plans it’s addressing

It’s always good to be aware

Winds start or stop anywhere

At once a hot day’s reprieve

Or icy cold on winter eves

Gentle or strong, soft or harsh

This airy element is in charge.

***

Tuesday Poetics: The Four Elements

The Sunday Whirl

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
***

It seemed we were locked in time. We all gathered outside when the power went out and all my friends and I could hear were echos of our own voices. It only lasted a few seconds, showing us (It’s power) and then it started to fade. It didn’t take us long to run back to our tents, shivering with fear. Someone else will be in charge of Senior Night next year!

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Simply Six Minutes

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
***

He simply could easily find it. Knowing his reputation as the best cardiologist in the land, she relied on his judgment. Little did she know that he was a magic scientist. In order to diagnose a person’s condition, he would put the patient under a special spell and perform his magic. Of course, it was not truly acceptable and no one would believe it if they were even told, but as she lay there, fast asleep with heavy sedation, he found he could diagnose heart conditions easily. X-ray machines and anesthesiologist equipment and heavy big bright lights above had nothing to do with his diagnosis. He simply made a tiny incision, then shrank down, hopped inside, and got a very good look into a person’s heart. Thus solving the problem much more easily.

***

Simply 6 Minutes – Welcome to the Challenge: 02/25/2025