Category: writing

writing

Down Under

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

Mindy swirled in the current, flipping her iridescent tail in the streams of sunbeams from above. This was her bliss, being moved without much effort in the ocean streams. such was the delight of mermaids.

Finally the current slowed as it ran into the coral reef. She spun like a spinner dolphin then used her tail to brake and float in a small alcove. She giggled as her stomach fluttered.

A small pod of parrot fish surrounded her, hoping for a little chum. She lifted her finger to her lips and shook her head no. Disheartened, they soon scuttled away.

A deep voice from above bellowed down, “Mindy, what have you found?”

She looked up at the gigantic whale shark floating above her. He was the guardian of this reef. Swiftly she swam up and booped him on the nose, just like he was a cat. “Hey there Blue!”

“Hey now, enough playing!” He protested, then laughed at the impish nature Mindy displayed. “Okay, now, what do you find?”

“Look, have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” Her voice carried her amazement as she moved to his eye so he could see. She slowly opened her hand, which held a sparkling green gem.

Blue released a stream of bubbles from his blowhole and with wisdom in his voice announced, “My dear, that is the gem of happiness. I believe our collection is almost complete with this addition. It will fit perfectly with the pearls and diamond. Soon we will have all we need to protect the reef.”

Mindy flipped with joy. “So I found the right one, eh! Thanks Blue!”

“Now, go store it in the cavern with the others.” The whale shark flicked his tale and began to move on. “More reef to patrol. Later Mindy!”

“Bye, Blue!” She waved at him then swam to the cavern.

Inside, it sparkled of platinum and gold. The sun streaming in from above bounced off the metals and lit it up from all angles. A small treasure box waited on the shelf.

Mindy opened it and looked at their collection, then gently set it down between the black pearl and clear diamond. “Soon, this will be complete.”

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writing

Spring Forward – Part 1 – The Invitation

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

Dawn parked her car in the drive and exhaled. “I need a break!” she huffed under her breath. She turned off the car and stepped out of the car. Her foot splashed into a puddle. “Ugh!” With her soaked shoes squishing with each step, she walked to the mailbox and opened it. She pulled out the pile of bills and a kraft paper padded envelope. She blew a stray curl out of her eye as she made her way to the front door.

She opened it and two fluffy creatures sat on the other side waiting on her. Finally, a smile came to her face. She set down the mail and gave each a welcoming pat on each precious head.

The kraft envelope from the pile slipped out and hit the floor, causing the cats to fluff their tails and scatter. She winced and picked it up from the floor. “What is up with this envelope?” she muttered to herself as she flipped it over and unsealed the wrapped string. Inside set an invitation which read:

ReUnion

Join us as we reconnect
with friends of long ago

Friday, July 18 – Monday, July 22
Glenwood Springs, CO

More information to follow

Dawn flipped over the invitation, puzzled as to why she received it. On the back, a hand-written note was scrawled.

Dawn, please come. All accommodations are handled except the flights. Meet at the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool on Friday after 3 PM. We have much to discuss.

She rolled the memories from decades before. It couldn’t be, could it? She found her way to the sofa and sat down, looking at the emptiness that greeted her. So much had changed. So much had not.

Her cats headbutted into her thighs, begging for her attention. “Well, should I go?” she cooed as she petted each of them. One rolled over, exposing his belly while the other rested her head on her thigh. “I think I might…”

She wondered who was invited, why now, and what the weekend would bring. She looked back over the invitation and in the envelope for any additional details. There were no instructions how to RSVP. There was a small envelop however inside. She pulled it out and untucked the flap. Inside was a single aspen leaf, dipped in gold.

She hung the invitation with the leaf on the refrigerator to keep it in plain view, to remind herself to look into tickets. She still had a few months ahead of her to plan the trip. But first, she had much work to do on herself.

That work starts now.

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writing

You’re Gonna Get It!

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

His large hand pressed into her forehead

As his laugh echoed through the hall.

She was short and no match for him,

She knew it, as did he, but still she pushed on.

She wanted to teach him a lesson,

Him and his six-foot three frame.

Her straining continued as her face reddened.

His laughter grew louder the more she tried.

Finally she huffed and stopped to his surprise.

In that moment, he loosened his extended arm.

She took that moment to propel herself.

“Tickle fight!”

… and they fell down together laughing.

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writing

Skin

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

An image reflected back as she walked across the breezeway,

A red oversized shirt, faded blue jeans, and sneakers…

She smiled and realized…this is me.

She wasn’t a thin beauty, never was her thing,

Oh, but how she tried desperately at times.

Now, she could stand to lose a bit of weight,

And she knows she must for her life,

But she isn’t angry about it, or sad.

She sees herself in the reflection,

Her curly brown and salt and pepper hair

Bouncing in curls and waves atop her head.

Aging lines on her face seem faded away.

For now, she is comfortable in her own skin.

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poetry, writing

Widow’s Plight

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

Frantic, wanting to run, to escape, but frozen.

Eyes move rapidly, looking for a way out,

But there is no way without movement.

No restraints are holding her back,

She’s free to go, but the bonds are invisible.

Unable to depart from this place called home.

The ghost of love haunts her, so she stays.

She would be lonely any other place than here,

Despite its aging foundation and walls,

Maintained but oh so familiar for her.

So many signals to find something else,

From him saying it is okay to move on,

But still she stays…likely to her dying day.

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writing

Moonlight Dance

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

Dust and smoke dance in the moonlight,

Swirling in a samba upon the sand.

A beachside bonfire increases the heat,

And they entwine themselves tighter,

Until they appear as one in the flames.

Slowly the fire dies down and dawn arrives.

The dancers fade away with the sunrise,

Hoping to twirl in each other’s arms again.

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writing

Florida Winter

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

The rain trickled down on the green canopy

While the ancient calls of cranes echoed.

A mating dance ensued, wings and necks contorting.

The squawking faded as the crunch of leaves continued.

Soon, distant grunting came into earshot.

Pausing, looking down, a brood of little gators waited.

The sprinkles continued and flowers danced.

All just part of wild Florida on a winter day.

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writing

Ode to Oz

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

Contagious laughter echoed down the hall.

The cackle soon turned from hearty,

Falling into a sinister tone.

Her plan came together better than hoped.

The television flickered the movie,

Soon glitter and color replaced the dullness.

A yellow road, and creatures on two instead of four.

A field of poppies covered in snow,

And an emerald city sparkled and glowed.

I loved this movie growing up,

Pausing each year as it flickered on the t.v.

What little girl wouldn’t want to go,

Somewhere over that colorful rainbow?

Only to realize how special home is,

And wish to be back there once again.

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writing

Tea for Moi?

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

This year, the holidays bought to me an advent calendar full of tea forte teas. This post tracks my thoughts as I sip each one of these little treats, one for each day leading up to the big day.

Day 1 – Caramel Nougat Black Tea – Sweetened with brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk. Delicious tea to end the day by the fire…okay, it’s an electric box with a “flame” light pattern…but that’s what works in Florida!

Day 2 – Strawberry Apple Herbal Tea – Sweetened with sugar. Light and crisp, tasted like apple cider with a hint of strawberry. I could see drinking this on a sunny spring day.

Day 3 – Citrus Mint Herbal Tea – Sweetened with sugar. Not for me. The mint tingles the tongue, but the citrus doesn’t shine through.

Day 4 – Cherry Marzipan Green Tea – Sweetened with Sweet-n-Low. (I hear screams of noooooo!?) Prior to today, I have only had green tea in ice cream. Today’s flavor was good, but wouldn’t be a regular for me. It balanced nicely with some sweet treats from Starbucks however.

Day 5 – English Breakfast black tea – Sweetened with brown sugar and a little sweetened condensed milk. This is one of my standard go-tos for tea at breakfast; just as good for after dinner.

Day 6 – Cherry Blossom green tea – sweetened with cane sugar. Light taste and pleasant smell. Still not a fan of green tea though.

Day 7 – Ginger Lemongrass herbal tea – sweetened with cane sugar. The ginger is strong with this one. I enjoyed the first few sips, but the burn of the ginger got to me. Good palate cleanser after a sweet dessert.

Day 8 – Raspberry Ganache black tea – sweetened with brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk. Dessert in a cup! I enjoyed this with a slice of cheesecake, but to be honest, I could have just enjoyed the tea.

Day 9 – Jasmine Green green tea- sweetened with sugar. I love flowers, don’t get me wrong. I even love jasmine rice. But no, just no. I felt like I was about to inhale a floral bouquet and tasted soap as I brought the cup to my lips. A couple drops made it to my tongue, then I slowly took the cup away. This is not a tea for moi.

Day 10 – Earl Grey – Added a drop of vanilla, brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk to make it into a London Fog. Yes!!! This is almost like my daily tea from another tea company. The bergamot is stronger in this variety, but not to an overpowering state.

Day 11 – Black Currant black tea – sweetened with sugar. Lovely gentle taste of currant. Not tangy, as currants can be. May consider as an occasional tea. Enjoyed with a nice little slice of stollen for the holiday.

Day 12 – Belgian Mint – did not try. I know I do not enjoy mint tea, so I will be passing this pyramid on to one of my tea lovin’ coworkers.

Day 13 – Blueberry Merlot herbal tea – sweetened with sugar. This tea brews to a merlot color. It has a nice berry taste; I wouldn’t equate this to a typical tea, but it is a nice alternative for a fruity drink.

Day 14 – Apricot Amaretto herbal tea – sweetened with sugar and sweetened condensed milk. I want to like this tea, but I don’t. I believe the amaretto flavoring is off a bit.

Day 15 – African Solstice herbal roobios tea – sweetened with sugar. Hints of berries and rose. The rose is not too overwhelming but it is definitely there. I prefer to see and smell fragrant flowers, not really drink them. Good tea if you like that kind of thing.

Day 16 – Winter Chai herbal roobios tea – sweetened with brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk. The winter chai has hints of vanilla..now I know! That’s how I order it at Starbucks! This variety has a bit more spice (ahem, kick) to it.

Day 17 – Green Mango Peach green tea – the journey through teas this season just confirmed for me I do not care for green tea. I really wanted to, but I’m opting to save this for a green tea aficionado at work.

Day 18 – Masala Chai – sweetened with brown sugar, vanilla, and sweetened condensed milk – Chai tea was one of the first teas I enjoyed when I started drinking tea. It is still a favorite way to relax and decompress after a busy day shopping or working!

Day 19 – Sweet Orange Spice black tea – sweetened with honey – holidays in a cup. The cinnamon and clove was bright and fragrant. I’m not a crazy spice girl, but at the holidays, this was a real treat to improve my spirits.

Day 20 – White Ginger Pear white tea – sweetened with sugar – enjoyed the hint of pear, but I can’t get past the ginger….

Day 21 – White Ambrosia white tea – sweetened with sugar. The package says coconut and vanilla…I need to go to a tropical isle where it’s warm and sip on this by the lapping waves on the beach! It’s a gentle tea, pleasant and not overpowering.

Day 22 – Peach Brûlée- sweetened with brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk. Peaches and Cream…what could be better? It’s peach cobbler in a cup with a hint of tea.

Day 23 – Chamomile Citron – sweetened with brown sugar. Smooth and calming. Nice way to end the evening while wrapping presents.

Day 24 – Harvest Apple Spice herbal tea – sweetened with brown sugar. Smells like a spiced up apple pie as it brewed. Tastes like a warm apple pie…and I love apple pie!!! Great way to finish off my advent calendar of teas.

I hope you enjoyed reading my taste journey. Now the year is coming to a close and new adventures will soon be upon us. Have a wonderful 2023!

2
writing

Backsliding

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

A slow spiral back down after working so hard.

At least it was not an immediate ballooning.

The past 18 months have not been easy.

Dimming my light, cocooning into myself.

My phone became my escape, also my jail.

Work demands shifted, adding stress.

No longer wanting to stroll outside,

The goal dimmed and faded from sight.

The drive vaporized as reality set in.

Can I refocus and rediscover the path?

Will the creaks and groans disappear,

And clothes fit better once more?

Not a New Year’s resolution though,

Those never really stick, do they?

I need to do something though,

Something to rediscover my light,

And fight these pains that came along.

Wish me luck!

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