The Forum - Knights in Shining Armour

Dear Forum Online Newspaper:

You have given me a voice! In 1980, after high school graduation, I immediately left for my new life with the U.S. Air Force. I trained and worked as a dental assistant. At the young age of eighteen, had I known that my life's passion was creative writing, I would have requested working for the base newspaper.

It wasn't until many years later that my novel writing was something at which I felt competent. Taking a break from romance novels and wanting to jot down less demanding endeavors, I chose to create my blog. A few years ago, I was looking for an avenue to share my work. Just like a knight in shining Armour: there you came!

Now, you are giving me an audience. You have also been very kind to allow me to be published in your hard copy. With your mass mailing to the local towns twice a year, many of my family and friends can not only see some of my work, they can see for themselves how useful and productive your newspaper is.

Self-expression is wonderful! Because you so kindly visit my blog, like what you read, and include many of my pieces in your Voices column, you've helped me feel great success and pride. I enjoy talking about my feelings and life in general. I think people should wear their feelings on their sleeves. I enjoy reading other creative writer's works. Whether it's poetry, news items, or New England tidbits, The Forum is very entertaining.

Even though life is busy, I always make time to visit The Forum, because I know I can get up-to-date information on issues concerning not only my town, but neighboring towns, too. During the natural disastrous storms we've had in the past few years, your volunteer crew has done an outstanding job of collecting facts, reporting news, and helping the community. Thanks for all your successful efforts!


Warm regards,
Lisa (Allen) Kennard
Nottingham, NH
www.blogginglisaslife.blogspot.com

Getting Away with a Miracle

Nearby, I keep my wedding photo
of hubby and me
cutting our wedding cake
and smiling like we
just got away with a miracle...
sure
enough,
we
did.

I am still amazed at how we met in church and skipped
bible study one afternoon. We sat in the parking lot of the
Edgerly Chapel. Across the street, the church bell rang
as each hour slipped passed. As each hour passed, Ray and I
grew closer and lost some of those inhibitions that can
worry those who are closing the door on one phase of life,
and trying on another friendship,
as
though
buying
a
new
pair
of
sneakers.

Those precious hours have now passed into
seventeen years of blissful togetherness.
No more secrets, no more living lies,
pretending all is well when it really wasn't.
Pretending all dreams had come true,
when they'd actually crashed and burned
just moments after flight.

A fourteen year age gap is but a hiccup.
A soft touch on the cheek is rewarding.
Holding hands brings simple joy and the time shared
becomes
more
precious
as
life
slips
by.

My husband is my best friend, as many have said before me
and many will say long after. That is a wonderful imitation.

But the fact that it is ME saying it, is one of life's miracles.
I am happy to report that many times these days I sit back
with no worries and my lips curve up in a satisfied smile.

It is true ~~ I'm getting away with a miracle.
Please, miracle, last forever!

It is a long time coming, this pleasant life of mine.
For all those years I wandered in the wilderness,
sad, scared, and scarred,
I'm giddy to report
that my wonderful husband and I
are still happy
after
all
these
years!

In Your Hands

I am torn:
each direction calls my name
and if I chose one or the other, or none,
am I to blame?

I am wondering:
in a world where parents'
pay out-the-nose to see their kids' succeed,
if my past alliances failed to swing open the door to my future,
does that mean I have been cemented for not pursing doors myself?

Even if I have not cemented like a statue,
can I whip-up the energy and piece of mind to excel?
To go places, see things, and challenge myself to live out some dreams?

Can I push the buttons of complacency and go to a fantasy place?
A place with no time ticking, no misguided results, only calm.
If my response is negative, am I a slacker, a settler?

At times my spirit is willing
tho' more often my body is weak.
Am I to start and gain momentum, consistently,
only to fizzle, crash, and burn on some mountainside?

In Your hands I place my contemplations,
knowing You alone have charted my course
and You have free rein to solidify it, or alter it,
to meet Your ultimate plan. It is all in Your hands!

I will do my best to ask,
I will do my best to seek,
I will do my best to accept Your answer,
for it is in You that I was once lost, but now am found.

It is in You who keeps me grounded
tho' I am happily heaven-bound.

Melancholy Military Friend

Today, this is the most important news I received:

David Michael Mosley

David lost his battle with cancer Tuesday morning.

He will always be with us.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

I knew Michael when he called himself Michael, not David. Michael and I were stationed at Edwards AFB in California together in 1981-1982. He was one of my closest friends.

For years, Michael was long lost to me...as were all my other Air Force friends. (Though I recently found Dwaylon Calhoun in L.A.)

Dwaylon knew Michael, too, but he did not approve of Michael's preferences. That was his choice and his loss.

I found Michael on Facebook a few months ago,
was elated,
and then deflated,
when Michael told me he was at the end of his life span.

Cancer had sneaked into him, ravaged him, waiting to withhold his final breath and kill him.

At this moment, I am sad for those he left behind. Those who have lived in his world since the last I saw him. I am sad for those who darkly mourn him now.

Me, I still envision him the clean cut, blond airman from Mississippi who befriended the small town girl from New Hampshire. In our own ways, at that point in time, we were two souls drifting in melancholy, military time, far from childhood homes, and rooted to a desert where our friendship grew amid the cacti.

He'd knock and barge into my room to play to me the new tape of some hot new band he liked: The Go-Gos; Joan Jett & The Blackhearts; David Bowie. I'd stay up all hours of the night on weekends and play billiards with Michael in the dorm's rec. room. Michael drove me to L.A. once and we climbed the desert hill up to the famous HOLLYWOOD sign. I have pictures in a old photo album.

Michael Mosely was a friend put in my life for a season and for a reason, but not for a lifetime. My loss.

(Photo: Michael Mosley on left with high school friend)

Ouch! EGG

Ouch!

 

One of our chickens has a sore butt!

We're thinking this is at least a 3-yoker!

We'll let you know when Ray fries it up in a pan!

 

The Farmers,

Lisa & Ray

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Picasa Web Albums

To: LisaRayK@comcast.net

Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 10:32 PM

Subject: Invitation to view a photo from Lisa (Allen)Kennard's Picasa Web Album - EGG

You are invited to view a photo from Lisa (Allen)Kennard's photo album: EGG View Photo Message from Lisa (Allen): OUCH! If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=LisaRayK&target=PHOTO&id=5439050136243229010&aid=5439050089735317409&authkey=Gv1sRgCP_9moavwq73PA&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.

No Such Thing as Circumstance

Have you ever loved someone deeply and then lost them?

How did they get lost?

Did you lose them to heaven, or hell,

or did they disappear from your life to the unknown?

Did they go unexpectedly,

or did you hope they would fade away

and save you the trouble of instigating

their disappearance, whether fast or slow?

Have you ever despised someone deeply, lost them,

only to have them show back up in your life?

Did you purposely do all you could

to keep them hidden from you

and your current loved ones?

Did you think that by closing your eyes

you would summon the power

to make them stay out of your sight?

Did you think that closing your heart

would make them stay at bay...

...stay far, far away?

Making people stay away is not in your power.

Making people resurface is not in your power.

Making situations turn in your favor is not always

in your power. Sometimes you just have to let go.

You may take baby-steps with intention,

but you should know

there is no such thing as circumstance.

I believe

the Source

orchestrates

whom in your little life

comes and stays for how long;

and whom goes away for moments or unfathomable forever.

I have found that

wishing someone would come or go -- don't make it so!

Gardiner's Maze

HURRY SPRING!

BRING THE WARM SUN AND WARMER DAYS,
BRING THE FLOWERS HIDING IN A GARDINER'S MAZE.

HURRY SPRING,
I CANNOT HOLD MY BREATH MUCH LONGER,
YOU SEE,
FOR IF I BREATHE
I SHALL FIND
THE COLD AIR
WILL FREEZE MY MIND!

SPRING, PLEASE HURRY!
...RELAX, LISA, DON'T WORRY...

(Photo by Lisa (Allen) Kennard,
Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH)

Betty Boop in Heaven?

Betty Boop is scandalous! Look at her mini-skirt!

Clearly, she has no morals or scruples.
Her favorite expression is probably
"WHATEVER!" or
"GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!"

My alter-ego might be Betty Boop.
Look at my Blog!

I just wanna have fun, too,
however,
I have religious morals and scruples.
My favorite expression is
"I'LL PRAY FOR YOU." or
"PRAISE THE LORD."

Being a christian, I must remember
not to judge Ms. Betty Boop.
If she ever did me wrong,
I must forgive Ms. Betty Boop
so my Creator will forgive me.

My friend,
allow God to give YOU justice in your life,
and deal with the wrong-doer Himself.
Don't deny God's forgiveness and let your
trespassers take your joy from you, too.

Maybe I'll see Ms. Betty Boop in Heaven.
Maybe I'll see you?
It's not too late to redirect your course.
I'm happy to be your flight attendant!

(Photo by Lisa (Allen) Kennard)

Sun Bathe at Clean Windows

It doesn't happen often that I have a full day at home.
Today was one of those days.

Instead of sitting around, relaxing,
I decided to begin my spring-cleaning.
Even though spring isn't even near,
I took down all the curtains
and gave them a washing machine bath.
I used a steam-squeegee to wash
all the windows and mirrors
to remove the dirt, spots, and streaks.

I kept the windows open for a while,
airing out the house
until my husband questioned my intention,
fearing the heat-loss was not worth the clean-air.
(I totally disagreed, but put the windows back up.)

Now the windows are so clear one would
question the glasses' presence.
Now the closet door mirrors are so shiny
I can actually see my newly formed curves!

Spring may not be upon us yet,
but I declare to put a spring in my step,
and stand at the clean windows and sunbathe!

Mimicking a Mommy

Affixed to my wall
for all visitors to see,
is a sign that implies
loving kindness from me.

Hugs and kisses
and milk and cookies,
I offer free babysitting -
the offer is generous and befitting.

Never a mother,
only an auntie
but shining about my head
is a golden halo mimicking a mommy.

Hugs and kisses
and a kind word, two, or three,
eager to invest in children
who I can play with and bounce on my knee.

Never a mother
in the biological world of birth,
but as a compassionate love-filled friend
I'm sure the kids I love, understand my worth.