Just Nuts... or Not

It’s just a candy bar.

Chocolate, sugar

And crushed nuts.

What could be the harm?

People with allergies

Just need to be

More careful.

Take responsibility.

That’s what they said.

That’s what they thought.

Until she collapsed

Just in front of them.

Red faced and

Gasping for life.

Just because someone

Couldn’t imagine the harm.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingas_gems/3269998918/

55 Flash Fiction Friday: Compose a story in 55 words and report back
to the G-Man at http://g-man-mrknowitall.blogspot.com/ …every Friday.

This week a woman I work with experienced a second near-fatal allergy attack. While we don’t know exactly what triggered it, we suspect it had something to do with the large amounts of food, which are constantly circulating within our office area.

I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to live with a condition like this. Or be the parent of a child with such an allergy. I do know, however, the next time I begin to feel inconvenienced by any nut free rule, I will remember my friend and instead feel fortunate that this is the only thing I have to worry about. 

He's Leaving

I signed the papers… but only now is it really sinking in. With bags packed, my baby glances back as my heart bleeds, “Don’t worry mom. I’ll be home Wednesday.”

Sunday 160 is a creation of Monkey Man. If you’d like to participate or check out other 160s visit him at http://petzoldspracticalprose.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow morning my 11 year old is going away on his first overnight school trip. I know he’ll be fine, but even thinking about not having him nearby is difficult for me. As parents, we try to do what’s best for our children and sometimes that means letting go. I’m sure, by the time he comes back, we’ll both have benefitted from the experience.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21261498@N05/2067803903/in/photostream/

Spring Blessings


And Spring arose on the garden fair,


Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere,


And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast


Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.


~Percy Bysshe Shelley, from "The Sensitive Plant"

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fourseasonsgarden/3362687128/

Battle Cry

The chance to love and laugh,

To truly learn and grow,

Watch our children’s children

Run and play and know

Human expectations

Surpassed because we dared,

United in the glory

Of this planet we all shared.

Before another moment

Slips away into the night

Hold up the torch of wisdom

And project it into light.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/raggioblu/2357815947/

55 Flash Fiction Friday: Compose a story in 55 words and report back
to the G-Man at http://g-man-mrknowitall.blogspot.com/ …every Friday.


And now, just for a little inspirational fun (because being hero should occasionally be fun):

What You Don't Know

Thank you, Jingle, for this lovely award. In keeping with its tradition, I have posted it along with a list of 7 things you don’t know about me – linked it back to Jingle – and nominated 7 other blogging pals for the award:

Roxy
Sir Thomas
Ronda
Dulce
Otin
Mimi

Maha

And now for my list:

1. I’m a certified practitioner of various healing modalities including Reiki, Blue Star and Ruach.
2. I am passionate about the environment. 
3. I’m almost as passionate about my MAC.
4. I am obsessed with crystals… and have amassed quite an impressive collection, including 2 skulls.
5. If tetherball was an Olympic sport, I’m certain I’d have won a gold medal at the age of 12 (yep, I was THAT awesome).
6. I’m addicted to Nutella and will happily eat it with a spoon.
7. I’m constantly accused of wearing too much black… but, really, can there be such a thing?

Only 6 More Sleeps

...until Spring!

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"  ~Robin Williams

It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.  ~Terri Guillemets


Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.  ~Virgil A. Kraft


The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.  ~Bern Williams

Images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/claudio_ar/2644023246/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/braaphorst/3533256797/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjasha/3321398029/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisdoc/431285814/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maggiesworld/428998515/

Hope Renewed

Winter winds

So carelessly blown:

A harsh and

Penetrating assault

On a heart

Wide open and true.

Too long

Over-burdened,

By chilly disregard,

A presence left bare,

Vulnerable

To the elements,

Becomes

Tightly cloaked.

Then hope,

In another form,

Alights with Spring.

An alluring warmth

Procuring promises

Of tender days,

And love is

Welcome, again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenhouse/3493797678/

55 Flash Fiction Friday: Compose a story in 55 words and report back
to the G-Man at http://g-man-mrknowitall.blogspot.com/ …every Friday.

The Web

“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” 

~Chief Seattle, 1855

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonjazz/4098115993/