Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Childhood Summers

I loved my childhood summers

In the mountains, where we stayed

In a small, one-bedroom bungalow 

Where memories were made.


We didn’t mind the lack of space;

Outside were fields of grass

With lots of friends to hang with -

Oh, how quickly time did pass!


In day camp we had arts and crafts;

We swam and ran around

And played on teams in every sport 

Where balls or nets were found.


Specifics now have vanished 

From the cells inside my brain,

But the happy feelings overall 

Still powerfully remain.


We had such freedom then as kids;

Our days belonged to us.

So when our moms yelled, “Suppertime!”

We bounded home, no fuss.


The youth today, on hearing this,

Would not know what I mean,

For summers now are supervised 

Or spent before a screen.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Reunited

I never knew exactly how

They went their separate ways

And somehow months accumulated

Since their coupled days.

 

It made me sad to know how much

I missed those moments where

They’d spend their time entangled,

Such a cozy, comfy pair.

 

Yet just this morning, I was in

For quite a big surprise

When, in a folded t-shirt, there was,

Right before my eyes…

 

The missing partner to the sock

That’s waiting in my drawer –

The best reunion ever

From all garments I once wore!

Monday, July 14, 2025

Sufficient

Before there’s an auction,

I visit the site

To check out the artwork

For my own delight.

 

I don’t plan on bidding,

With prices so high,

But look to see what,

In my dreams, I might buy.

 

Today, saw a sculpture

By someone whose art

Is familiar and always

Brings joy to my heart.

 

He’s Tom Otterness – please

Google him for a peek

At the various people

He sculpts – so unique!

 

For a mere $20,000

The bidding will start.

Well-worth it, for anyone

Savvy ‘bout art.

 

Yet I’ll be content with

The chance that I got

To get close enough so that

I got a great shot.

 

The photo’s sufficient,

Right there in my phone; it

Provides the same smile

As if I did own it.

Sunday, July 13, 2025

A Waiting Game

Life between the highs and lows

Is stable, or one would suppose,

Yet that might not be true at all –

When high, you’re waiting for the fall.

 

And naturally, when you are low,

There is no way for you to know

How long until your saddened state

Will vanish, so again you wait.

 

So life becomes a waiting game.

If being stable is your aim,

When on a high, I’d answer hah!

When low, more likely, I’d say bah!

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Regional Theater

Living in New York, I see

A lot of Broadway shows

And most of them have stars on stage

That everybody knows.

 

Yet often in the lesser roles

Are actors out to make

The audience acknowledge them –

To earn that hoped-for break.

 

In local theaters, all the cast

Performs from that same place,

While dreaming that the world will know

Their name or voice or face.

 

And thanks to that, they try their best

And give it all they’ve got,

Providing all who watch them

With a show they’ll like a lot.

Friday, July 11, 2025

Sudden

With a snap of the fingers,

The drop of a hat,

A life can be altered

And that will be that.

 

Though positive changes

May happen that way,

It’s mostly the bad things

That heavily weigh.

 

For something that’s sudden

That no one expected

Casts ripples of grief

To each person affected.

 

Yet life must go on

In an alternate way,

Though survivors remember

The terrible day

 

That divides all their lives

Into two equal parts –

The before and the after,

When sufferance starts.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Consequences

Some events throughout our lives

Have consequences that

Reverberate for years and years,

No matter where we’re at.

 

A childhood trauma or a jab

That cut us to the quick,

Emotional or physical;

A hurt that seemed to stick.

 

Or else an injury incurred

To leave a lasting scar

Or the remnants of an illness

Which hangs on in ways bizarre.

 

There’s not way to know just what

Will have a permanent effect

And at times we may react to what

We never would suspect.

 

The only thing that we can do

When looking to the past

Is to realize we are stuck for good

With what the die has cast.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Meeting Old Friends

When you meet with old friends

After months, even years,

There is comfort in having

No need to switch gears.

 

For the groundwork’s been set

And the basics are known,

So there’s just catching up –

How the grandkids have grown!

 

But most likely you’ll talk

About health or its lack

And the surgeries done

On the hips, knees or back.

 

There’ll be notes to compare

About travel and shows

And each exercise class

And acquaintances’ woes.

 

Still, it’s lovely to spend

Time together again.

There should be a repeat,

But who knows where or when.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

I Couldn't Live

I couldn’t live without A/C

Though people all through history

Made do with fans or else before,

They sweated through the clothes they wore.

 

I’d hate to live without my phone;

Attached to it I’ve somehow grown

Though I’ve survived, let’s not forget,

When it was not invented yet.

 

I wouldn’t want to live without

The wheels that take me all about,

For without car or bus or train,

I’d feel so stuck I’d just complain.

 

I’m glad I never had to live

Without appliances that give

The means to keep us clean and fed,

Allowing us to get ahead.

 

I’m grateful that these things exist

Though we can’t know what we’ll have missed

By living in this current age

Before the future turns the page.

Monday, July 7, 2025

When to Replace

When to replace something 

Which will expire

Is a question all homeowners face.

Is it better to wait 

‘Til a problem comes up

In the item you need to replace…


Or perhaps it makes sense,

When that item is old,

To just ditch it and buy something new.

If it works but you’ve had it

A really long time, then

You know what’s the right thing to do.


It’s a gamble to hope that 

Your item will last 

For if suddenly, it starts to break,

You must deal with the consequence

And chalk it up

To a classic homeowner’s mistake.





Sunday, July 6, 2025

Buying Clothes

When choosing clothes, some people buy

Whatever seems to catch their eye.

They always pay the asking price 

No matter what, and don’t think twice.


That isn’t me, for without fail 

I’ll check to find out what’s on sale

And if it’s pricey, I might splurge 

If on that day, I get the urge.


As far as stores, the upscale shops

Will not be on my frequent stops,

But nor will be a tacky store,

With schlocky clothes you can’t ignore.


I guess I like the middle range

When I decide I need a change,

So when I feel it’s time to go,

I’ll check out clothing stores I know.

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Letters from Camp

I found a bunch of letters

Dated 1993,

Which were written by my son from camp

And forwarded to me.


It was his first time staying there,

For one month, in a bunk.

He was away, with new routines

And he was in a funk.


His letters said he missed us

And was homesick just at night.

Aside from that, it seemed that he

Was managing all right.


A theme that was recurring

Mentioned we should send him stuff.

It sounded like, to him, our parcels

Weren’t filled enough.


This summer, his own son’s at camp - 

First time, a different place,

But now in photos sent

We see his mostly smiling face. 


His emails sound more upbeat

(Just a tiny “miss you” cloud),

Though he can’t request a package

Since today, they’re not allowed.

Friday, July 4, 2025

On the 4th of July

Today, they’ll fire up the grill

For burgers, hot dogs, ribs 

And hungry guests will gather ‘round

To point and claim first dibs.


I will not be among them,

Though I’ll not be too forlorn;

My husband mashed potatoes 

And made chicken and some corn.


At night there will be fireworks 

But we will not attend.

We’ll watch a Netflix series

Where we’re almost at the end.


We might hear firecrackers boom

When we are close to sleep. 

I’ll think of Independence Day

And hope we’ll somehow keep


The promises the founding fathers

Set in ink back then,

But fear those words will not be honored,

In our lives, again.


Thursday, July 3, 2025

Some People

Some people are smarter than others,

While others are better at sports

And then there are those 

Who own all the right clothes 

Or whose homes look like fancy resorts.


Some people have talents like singing

Or playing an instrument well,

While others are skilled

Making crafts that have filled

Shops and sites where such items will sell.


Some people reach out to help others 

And know how to listen and care,

While others explore,

Always looking for more -

Seeking answers for problems we share.


Some people choose lives very simple,

Without any goals to achieve,

For the playing field’s not

One that’s equal, so what

We become’s tied to what we receive.


Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Fixing a Leak

The plumber is fixing a leak;

The pipe’s needing more than a tweak.

So for things to improve 

He will have to remove 

Some wood panels - I’m starting to freak.


Our house, built in ‘80, is old

And it’s paneled, which is, truth be told,

Now considered passé 

But was cool in its day,

Though with changing it, I’ve not been sold.


So I’m listening from the next room

As he hammers and drills; I presume

That he knows what to do 

For we haven’t a clue

If more leaks, in the future, will loom.


But voila! He just finished and yes,

I’m relieved of a lot of my stress,

For he came well-equipped

To replace what had dripped

And he didn’t leave much of a mess.


On the wall, all the panels survived 

And the handyman, once he’s arrived,

Will nail down what is loose

And, as you can deduce,

Of my kitchen, I won’t be deprived.


Tuesday, July 1, 2025

July the First

Today rockets won’t glare

And the bombs will not burst

For, although it’s July,

It is only the first.


Still, the calendar flips 

And the stores are stacked high

With the burgers and hot dogs

That customers buy.


The humidity’s up,

The mosquitoes a’buzz,

So to get in the swing,

As most everyone does…


Find your sandals and shorts,

Grab the sunscreen and Deet

And accept that it’s summer,

With sunshine and heat.


Take a break from routine;

Have some chips and some beer

For we’ve somehow surpassed 

The first half of the year.



Monday, June 30, 2025

The Little Things

When I buy paper towels,

I don’t care about the ply.

I just don’t want boring white ones 

And perhaps you wonder why.


Well, a towel with a picture,

Printed on each rolled-down sheet,

Seems to brighten up my kitchen -

Same with napkins, I’d repeat.


Some have flowers, others veggies,

There are those with bright designs -

Any type of printed image

With my preference aligns.


Lately in the supermarket,

All the choices have been white.

While I looked, another customer

Agreed it wasn’t right.


It’s the little things in life

That pick me up and make my day.

Even something insignificant

Can help me feel okay. 

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Standing Out

 Riding on a highway,

As the cars go streaming by,

I notice varied brands and styles 

I can’t identify.


To me, they mostly look the same,

The SUV’s and such, 

With different shapes of taillights

Which don’t really matter much.


The vehicles are mostly dark,

Though quite a few are white 

And sometimes there’s a burgundy 

Or red that one can sight.


Yet once in a great while,

There’s a sports car or a jeep

In a neon green or orange 

To which every eye will leap.


That attention’s what the owners

Wanted, like a little spark,

But it sure must come in handy 

When in crowded lots they park.







Saturday, June 28, 2025

Checking out the Tats

Sitting by the river

There are lovely urban views,

But it’s more fun to people watch

And check out the tattoos.

 

A dragon snaking up an arm,

Some flowers on a calf,

An eagle near an elbow

And a wizard with a staff.

 

A Yankee logo on a neck,

Some words etched on a chest,

A tiger and a postcard with a stamp,

Neatly addressed.

 

A bird, an anchor and a leaf

And much more, I suppose,

Well-hidden from the public,

Meant to privately expose.

Friday, June 27, 2025

Finding Our Strengths

It’s nice to think that each of us

Possesses certain skills

Or talents or abilities

Which, maybe, life fulfills.

 

The lucky ones discover theirs

Perhaps when they are young

And if they’re able, nurture it

From when their hopes have sprung.

 

For many, strengths stay hidden

And then gradually appear,

At times to even influence

One’s choice of a career.

 

Yet others never have the chance

To tap into that vein

Where aptitude awaits,

So unaware they might remain.

 

To those who are unfortunate

And struggle to proceed,

It might be that a little boost

Might help them to succeed.

Thursday, June 26, 2025

At American Family Field

We used to be huge baseball fans

(The Yankees, but, of course!)

And followed all their games and cheered

Until our throats were hoarse.

 

Our fervor somehow waned and now

We couldn’t even name

The players on the team, although

We still enjoy the game.

 

While visiting Milwaukee,

We learned there would be a match

Of the Brewers and the Pittsburgh Pirates

Which we (pun!) could catch.

 

The Pirates pitcher, we found out,

Had quite an arm to wield,

So my husband got us tickets

And we headed to the field.

 

Their ballpark is a beauty

And we joined in with the crowd

Rooting for their favorite Brewers

As instructed – very loud!

 

At inning six, a race is held;

Five “sausages” compete.

The winner was Chorizo,

Bratwurst,* sadly, in defeat.

 

The final score was 4-2,

The Brewers with the prize,

The Pirate pitcher taken out,

Which was a big surprise.

 

Despite not being N.L.**fans,

We had a lot of fun,

For certain sayings hit the mark

And “When in Rome…” is one.

 

*The others include Hot Dog, Italian and Polish

**National League

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

At the Bobblehead Hall of Fame

A museum filled with Bobbleheads

Is not your average art,

Although that precisely is the thing

That makes it stand apart.


What started with a giveaway

To baseball fans has grown

To a huge collection, in the thousands,

That two friends now own.


Their gallery is organized

By categories, so

You can view your favorites from the teams

Of now or long ago.


Aside from every sport, there are

The dolls that represent

TV characters, both current

And the ones that came and went.


There are cartoon figures, too,

And also singers and their bands,

Plus a host of politicians,

Even some from other lands.


We had lots of fun exploring

The nostalgia they’re providing,

Though we never did find Waldo,

The one Bobblehead in hiding.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

A Public Market

A public market lures you in

With local food and drink.

From farms to people it provides

A most delicious link.


The booths are filled with produce,

Meats and dairy (lots of cheese!)

And often freshly-captured seafood,

All arranged to please.


Of course, there will be ethnic food, 

Enticing with its spices 

And sandwiches and pizzas

Offered at amazing prices.


My favorites are the baked goods -

Cupcakes, cookies, cakes and pies 

And the home-made candies, ‘specially 

The chocolates (no surprise).


There may be hats and t-shirts

Advertising local pride,

For a public market’s sure to leave

Us all quite satisfied.


Monday, June 23, 2025

Touring a Mansion

My husband and I love to visit 

Old mansions once home to the rich.

It’s cool to see wealthy folks’ manors,

With which most people wish they could switch.


I admire the woodwork and paintings,

The furniture and the decor,

Though it’s often too showy and fancy,

Since ornate’s far from me at my core.


So I guess it won’t seem too surprising

That the rooms where at home I could feel

Are the quarters that house all the servants,

Which to me have the greatest appeal.

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Milwaukee in the Heat

Visiting Milwaukee

And the sun is blazing hot.

Our tolerance, as we get old,

Is something we ain’t got.


So yesterday, the river walk

Enticed us and we went,

The temperature’s effects not really 

All that evident…


Until, with nighttime tickets 

To a huge James Taylor show,

The heat affected us so much,

We almost didn’t go.


We made it, though we didn’t stay 

Until the ending part,

Since other bands played first and James,

Much later, got to start.


Still, it was great to see him

And to hear how good he sounds.

Today, though, being in the heat

Was strictly out of bounds.


Instead, the Art Museum was

The destination where

We spent four delightful hours

And I froze my tush off there!



Saturday, June 21, 2025

No Butts About It

I’m surely not the only one

Who finds this hard to use

And whether it is needed

Will produce conflicting views.


Yet when in a public restroom

I will often face defeat

When I try to use the paper cover

For the toilet seat.


As I peel one from the package,

In the process it might tear,

But it still could serve its purpose

If it only ended there…


Though the bigger problem happens,

Even if there is no rush,

When I place it on the seat and then

The toilet starts to flush.


Of course, the cover’s sucked away

So do I start again?

I do not because what I was taught,

Since I remember when


Is to simply crouch above the seat -

No contact should be made. 

Therefore even with no cover,

No one’s cooties can invade.

Friday, June 20, 2025

Packing for Camp

The grandkids are heading to sleepaway camp,

Their clothing all labeled and packed,

Plus all of the extras they may or not need -

Way too much, as a matter of fact.


They bring pillows and blankets and flashlights and fans

And shin guards and sandals and cleats 

And towels and bug spray and sunscreen and stamps 

And shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste and sheets.


They need rain gear and sleeping bags, books and canteens,

A laundry bag, backpack and socks,

Plus sweatshirts and jackets and underwear (lots!)

And their sneakers and rain boots and Crocs.


Of course there are bathing suits, t-shirts and shorts

And sweatpants and PJ’s and fleece,

But there are no iPads or Switches or phones

So some wonders, I guess, never cease.


The days spent at camp will fly quickly until

All that stuff gets repacked to go home,

With some missing or ruined or filthy, but that

Is a topic for some future poem.

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Thunderstorm

The fury of a thunderstorm

Should not be a surprise,

For prior to its sudden booms

Come dark-as-nighttime skies.

 

The wind whips up, the branches sway,

The air cools down a bit

And lightning zigzags right before

The thunder seems to hit.

 

Then with a crash the storm attacks,

The booming close and loud,

Which causes shrieks and running feet,

Dispersing any crowd.

 

Umbrellas open, wipers snap

And car alarms might beep

While anyone caught napping

Will be jostled from that sleep.

 

Most typically, the storm won’t last

As rumbles move away

And rain lets up to save itself

For yet another day.

 

Quite often, then, the sun appears

And brings with it the heat,

The only proof of the event

The puddles on the street.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Waiting for a Genius

I’m waiting for a genius

At the Apple store today

Where most customers are younger,

Knowing all will be okay.

 

At the counter, though, a woman

Who looks older than my age,

Sits and struggles with the agent

Who is helping her engage.

 

She, like me, is pretty clueless

(Though she seems a little worse)

And she’s viewed with some derision,

Though it once was the reverse.

 

Older doesn’t equal wiser

Like it used to long ago,

For with age comes new technology

Most older folk don’t know.

 

It’s a subject I’m repeating

And I realize it’s a bore,

But it’s really hard to handle

All I can’t do anymore.

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Fair Trade

I’d gladly trade technology

For life before A.I.,

When brains and effort were the things

On which we did rely.

 

When human contact helped to solve

Our problems or our fears,

Without the witch hunts which today

Can sabotage careers.

 

When children got to play outside

And passwords weren’t used

And many things did not exist

That get me so confused.

 

When cars had keys and tv stations

Shut down for the night;

When even angry politicians

Fought a civil fight.

 

The world was never perfect then

But I was more content

When life felt simple and secure,

At least to some extent.

Monday, June 16, 2025

The Man and his Dog

They walked very slowly,

The man and his pet;

The dog, with a harness,

Was ailing and yet

 

Each morning I’d see them,

Both inching along,

The limbs maybe weak

But the life force still strong.

 

You saw their connection,

The man leaning close

And giving support

In a much-needed dose.

 

We never conversed,

At least not ‘til today,

When I spotted the man,

All alone, on his way.

 

“Where’s your dog?’ without thinking,

I just blurted out,

Though the answer, “She passed,”

I’d expected, no doubt.

 

When I said I was sorry,

He thanked me and said,

“She was near 17,”

Then he lowered his head

 

And he walked away slowly,

But not like before,

Having no one who needs

His support anymore.

Sunday, June 15, 2025

By the Bunch

Fruits are good for snacking,

Like an orange or a plum

Or a peach or nectarine

Or pear or apple, even some

 

Within the melon family,

Where even just a slice

Of a cantaloupe or honeydew

Or crenshaw would suffice.

 

Most people are content with one

When looking for a munch

Except, of course, for grapes because

With them, you’d want a bunch.

 

I wonder why, when Mother Nature’s

Plan for fruits was hatched,

She came up with the strange idea

That grapes should be attached.

 

There must have been a reason

Why on stems they’ve gotten stuck,

But it’s kind of fun to eat them

‘Til you find you’re out of pluck.