Why do I now like guacamole?

Avocados were always gross.

But now I find myself carving them up,

And creating the mushy stuff every other week!

I did this with tomatoes too,

Falling in and out of love with the red fruit…

Yes, that’s right, I called it a fruit!

Once a year we get to go pick them,

I love when there’s a bumper crop.

However, the acidity still burns my hands…

How else can you seed the darn things!

But back to those silly avocados,

Slimy and squishy and all of that..yuck!

Now I find myself almost craving them, huh?

Did you know if you get a red one,

The flesh might be yellowy-orange,

And topped with a little sugar, it’s good to go?

Or add in some onions, tomatoes, garlic, salt and lime,

Maybe even a little Cotija to make it cheesy,

And it’s the perfect pairing with lime tortilla chips.

Others might say, yay! Bring on the margaritas,

But nope, that hasn’t moved yet to a like,

but I’ll take a limeade or sangria, it’s all right.

With what foods have you had a love/hate relationship?

I hope one day to climb your mountain,

The one in the Nantahala National Forest.

Watch the peregrine falcons soar in the skies

And breathe fresh crisp air into my lungs.

Stare out over the sheer cliff drops

See the ice sheet like rocks glisten in the sun,

Enjoy mountain laurel and wood lily in bloom.

Take in all this beauty and so much more.

Maybe we’ll meet one day at the NOC store?

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.