All Loved Up

Teddy is not new,
But he feels just right.
His eye is missing -
A button's sewed tight.

His fur is thread bare,
His paw-toe stitched up...
Nothing's better than
Teddy, all loved up!

Magic Rainbow Touch

Red thumb,
orange pointer,
yellow middle,
green ring,
blue pinkie...
each fingernail a different color.

Every
handshake,
hand-hold,
and
pat on the back
comes with
the
magic rainbow
touch.

Sprained Ankle

Step.

Twist.

Pop.

When will the swelling ever stop?

Galloping Horse

Mane
flowing.

Hooves
flying.

Muscles
rippling.

Nostrils
flaring.

Nothing
is
more
awe-inspiring
and
breath-taking
than
a horse
galloping
at
top speed.

Happy Rodeo Days, Tucson!

The Taste of Yellow

The taste of yellow
can be mellow
if it's butterscotch
or a summer squash.

The taste of yellow
can be sour
if it's a shower
of lemon power.

The taste of yellow
can be sweet
if you love to eat
a banana treat.

The taste of yellow
is like
sunshine
on your
tongue.

Saguaro Cacti Observations

Saguaro Cacti stand so very tall
Standing next to one I feel very small.

Saguaro Cacti hold their "arms" up high -
It is like they are waving to the sky.

Saguaro Cacti are covered in spines -
Some are super thick and some super fine.

Saguaro Cacti are the comfy den
To many families of Cactus Wren.

Saguaro Cacti dot the desert land
Green spikes poking through the sand.

Who Am I? (busy version)

I should not be able to fly, but I sure can.

They say my body is too fat for my wingspan.

I'm stylish with fuzzy, yellow and black stripes.

I also have quite the amazing set of pipes.

BuZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

Who am I?

Dog Communication

When we are all busy...
Dad in the kitchen cooking,
Mom at the computer writing,
Big sister on her bed reading,
Little sister on the floor playing,
...something happens.

Our little dog, Smidgey...
our lay about the house dog,
our sleeping on the couch dog,
our curled up like a lump dog,

...transforms...

into Smidgito the Perrito Bandito!

Stealing stuffed animals...
off of shelves,
out of beds,
or out of little girl's arms.

Chewing on...
couch pillows,
the actual couch,
or the occasional wrist.

Then we know it's time for...
a walk,
a trip to the dog park,
or a puppy cuddle.

Who says dogs don't communicate?

Grocery Shopping

I ride in the shopping cart at the grocery store because Mom makes me.
At least that's where I start until I set my plan in motion...

I start with "Can I have that, Momma, pleeeeease?"
Then I move on to "But I want it...I want it...I want it..."

When I get to "Gimme...gimme...gimme..." at the top of my voice,
Mom has had it.

"Time out, mister!" is what Mom says as she swoops me out of the cart.
"You're holding my hand until we get out of this store."

Which is what I wanted all along...

Must. Finish. Book.

First, my little sister asks me to pick up the clothes I left on her side of the room.
I aim to…when I finish this paragraph.

Next, Mom says to do my homework.
I plan to…when I finish this page.

Then the dog reminds me to feed her, “Bark!”
I have every intention to…when I finish this chapter.

Dad comes home and calls me for dinner.
I mean to go…when I finish the next chapter.

Later Mom tells me to go to bed.
I aspire to…but I only have 3 chapters to read.

Then my little sister asks me to turn out the light.
I intend to…but I only have 2 chapters to read.

Finally Dad shouts at me to go to sleep.
I will…but I Must. Finish. Book.

Ode to the Quail (Part 2)

A covey
of
quail
wander and peck
in our
front yard.

Quick steps,
quick pecks.

Always
stirring.

Always
alert.

One loud noise
or
sudden movement
and
they all
scat.

Dispersing
in
all directions.

Some run,
some try
to fly.

Then...
BAM!

One flies
into
the window
of our
house.

I'm
not sure
quail
have the best
eyesight.

Recipe for a Candy Coma

7 boxes of conversation hearts (leftover from the kids who were absent)

1/2 bag of chocolate kisses (unwrapped but not used in the peanut butter cookies)

1 lb. unopened bag of pink/red/white m&ms (forgotten in the pantry)

5 boxes of red-hot candies (the miscalculated amount bought for the cupcakes)

Mix together or keep separate.
Serves one or more than one (depending on your situation)
Eat at one sitting or pace yourself throughout your day...
Enjoy?

Ode to the Quail (Part 1)

A covey
of
quail
tibble
across the road.

Their
short legs
barely
a blur
as they
try
to keep up
with
the forward motion
of their
roly-poly
bellies.

The dangling
dingle
feather
on their
forehead
is their
antennae -
tuned
into their own
alien bird
frequency...

dibbledobbledibbledobble....

BFF

A best friend
keeps it
real,
tells the truth
even if it
hurts
because
ultimately
it will
help.

A best friend
laughs
with you,
about you
and
about themselves -
but never
at
you.

A best friend
cries
with you
because when
you hurt
they hurt.

Happy Valentine's Day, Joe U.!

Birthday Haiku

Birthdays come once a
year. Enjoy! It's better than
the alternative.

Happy Birthday my Love!

Smiles

When you flash your bright pearly whites
You might be very much surprised.
What may come back around to you
Is another smile...super sized!

Naptime (Mom's Perspective)

All morning I've been watching the clock...
Willing it to speed up its tick-tock.

Yay! It's really finally that time
When I may get some time that's all mine.

Book+bear+baby+bed= a little break...
To do the dishes, laundry and bake.

Naptime (Child's Perspective)

Uh-oh, Mom has that look.
She has my bear and book.

I know it must be time,
Oh I wish it weren't true.

Naptime is happening...
I want to scream boo-hoo!

Ninja Kitty

Kitty perks,
jerks,
and stalks my toes.

Kitty frisks,
whisks,
and kicks my feet.

Kitty creeps,
leaps,
and attacks my sleep.

*sigh* "I guess it's time to get up..."

*Purrrrrrrrr....*

Half Birthday Song

H_p_y _i_t_d_y _o _o_!

_a_p_ B_r_h_a_ t_ Y_u!

Hap__ Birt____ De__ M_u_e_n!

__ppy ____hday _o Y_u!

*sung half off-key*

Monday Mornings

Monday mornings
always feel
colder
darker
earlier.

It's harder
to get up on
Monday mornings
than on any
other
day of the week.

But Monday mornings
are also
a clean slate,
full of possibilities,
and
full of promise
for the rest of the week.

Thank goodness
for
Monday mornings -
the gateway to
the week.

Super Bowl Champs

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
The Packers won,
Woo-hoo!

Open Letter to Wandering Dog

Wandering dog,

You've got a collar
but no leash, dog.

You look well fed
but you're not with your people, dog.

Please go home -
just not past our home, dog.

Because OUR dog becomes
a yapping - acrobatic - hysterical dog
when she sees you.

Thanks wandering dog,
we appreciate it.

Cacti Crossing

Cacti
poke,
sting,
jump.

All without
fingers,
stingers,
or legs.

Cacti
remind us
to watch
our
step.

Sicky Day

Sicky day
Snoozy day
Lay about and feel woozy day

Yucky day
Puky day
Can't wait to stop feeling this way

Pondering the Groundhog

Is a groundhog
part pig
and
part dirt?

Or just a
dirty pig?

If there is a
groundhog,
is there a
skyhog
or a
waterhog?

And what does
an animal
who spends its life
underground
know about
the coming of
spring?

Just wondering...

Names Matter

Spike, Pooch, or
even Bubbah
sound better
than
my name:

Tizzy Tu-tu.

Seriously?

Doesn't she know
I am a
boy
dog?

Doesn't she care?

Just because
I am a
Teacup Poodle
doesn't mean
I don't
have

dignity.

Hair Today

Long hair
Short hair
Straight or curly

Braids
Pig-tails
Can look girly

Wash it
Rinse it
Blow it dry

Brush it
Smooth it
Snarls go bye-bye