Curves

An easy type of quilting 

Is to sew two fabric squares 

Which are pinned and lined up neatly;

Nothing else, for ease, compares.

Once you make the shapes more complex,

Like a triangle or curve,

Things might get a little tricky

And you need a bit more nerve.

I’ve been sewing several years now

And still have a way to go,

For when stitching points or circles,

There’s a lot you have to know.

Curves have always proved a challenge

And frustration is no fun.

Every time I had to sew some,

I would backtrack to square one.

But I’ve lately had a breakthrough, 

Which I hope my brain preserves,

For my latest little project

Has a lot of sneaky curves.

Yet I’m tackling them slowly 

And they’re falling into place.

Something clicked - you know that feeling?

And a smile is on my face.

Now my project, when I finish,

Will be far from error-free,

But if you check out my curves, I think

That you’d be proud of me.

Birthday

Texts and phone calls,

Gifts and cards,

All conveying

Best regards.

 

Took my walk and

Zoomed my class –

My quilting project’s

Kickin’ ass.

 

Had a candle

Which I blew.

(Instead of cake –

Tiramisu!)

 

Soon a dinner –

Mussels, fries,

I.P.A. and

Lemon pies.

 

First New Orleans –

Golly gee!

What a birthday,

Just for me!

In the Swamp

In the swamp the raccoons romp

And gators ply the waters.

Wild boars snuff and strut their stuff

And eat their sons and daughters.

 

Take a ride but stay inside

The boat, both feet and fingers

Or else your zeal provides a meal

(And teeth hurt more than stingers!).

 

On the boat, when gators float,

The captain calls them closer

With marshmallows tossed at little cost

Or meat that’s raw (much grosser!).

 

The gators know this little show

Provides a snack quite tasty,

So use their tail to some avail,

Their movements smooth but hasty.

 

The swamp’s a place I’d hate to face

On any daily basis,

Yet to its beasts it’s never ceased

To be a true oasis.

In New Orleans

We try to do some local things

Whenever we’re away,

Although we’re clearly tourists 

On a short and jam-packed stay.

So we signed up for a cooking class

And watched a chef prepare

Gumbo, jambalaya and pralines,

Some Cajun-Creole fare.

It all was most delicious

And Chef Austin was the best.

We left there more than satisfied

And happily impressed.

Not needing any dinner, 

We checked out some local jazz,

Where Tom Hook, a piano player,

Entertained us with pizzazz.

It’s wonderful to have a chance

To try out something new 

As a little break before you’re back

To what you always do.

Rain or Shine

The walking tour said “Rain or Shine;”

We booked it nonetheless,

Although in pouring rain, I won’t 

Be happy, I confess.

The sky looks quite foreboding,

Plus there’s thunder and we heard

On TV, tornado warnings,

Not the weather I’d preferred.

Right now the rain’s still falling,

But it’s lessening a bit.

In my younger days, I’d head on out,

Not caring but a whit.

But my spouse and I both feel the same -

If it’s more than a drizzle,

We’ll catch the tour group later

Or we’ll let the plans just fizzle.

The World War II Museum

At the World War II Museum,

There were crowds in every hall

And so much to see and read

You couldn’t quite absorb it all.

Yet the visitors, so varied,

Were attentive and polite,

Everybody so intrigued with

Every battle plan and fight.

There were artifacts and movies,

Interviews with those who fought,

Which enhanced the schoolbook knowledge 

That each one of us was taught.

Hours went by until the closing 

And we saw all that we could.

Most Americans won’t get there,

But I think all people should.

A Film on a Plane

Watching a film on a plane

Is the perfect distraction for me,

For aside from the pleasure I gain,

From anxiety I am set free.

If I’m lucky, the movie is one

That I’ve wanted to see but had missed,

So as soon as the picture’s begun,

It gets crossed off my need-to-see list.

When it’s over and time has flown past,

I won’t think about what lies ahead 

But reflect on the excellent cast 

And director and story instead.