A retired teacher, I live with my significant other on the Gulf Coast of Florida. I enjoy the beach, walking outdoors, movies, and reading. Hanging Out with Wild Animals is a book series of photos and poems about my encounters with Florida animals. Wonders is a book of poems inspired by the men I have known and loved. Life in Inspiring Places is a book of photos and poems about the places rich in history and natural beauty that I have called home. Excerpts from the books and additional poems can be found on my website and blog.
Cheryl Batavia
This morning I was mesmerized by a spider web constructed very much like this one. Photo by Alexy Demidov from Pexels.
Spider’s Psychedelic Masterpiece
Suspended in space,
densely coiled gossamer disk,
buoyant in the breeze.
Pulsating neon colors
iridescent in sunshine.
In the morning sunshine, each damp strand of the spider’s web became a tiny prism, shimmering in the breeze. The colors of the web were vivid like those in this soap bubble. As the web dried, the colors slowly faded. I wish I could have captured the moment in a photo. Maybe one of the photographers out there has such a photo. I found only pastel-colored webs online.
Photo by Sophie Dale from UnsplashPhoto by Kenny Krosky from Unsplash
Quoting Mom
So often these days,
I find myself quoting Mom…
proverbs, quips, sayings…
Mom had a real treasure trove
of wisdom she shared with me.
“Treat other people
as you want to be treated.”
That one is golden!
It was Mom who taught me that
reliable guide to life.
Mom was unfailing
in her caring and concern.
She gave great advice,
but, in matters of romance,
was a woman of her time.
Mom’s take on romance
was antiquated sexist
nonsense, best ignored.
Mom’s true advice to follow
was, “Think for yourself, Honey!”
After thirty years,
Dad found a younger woman.
Mom kissed a few frogs;
Prince Charming never came, but
Mom found her inner Princess!
My mother, Marian Nicholson, on her ninetieth birthday!
Antiquated Sexist Nonsense
“It’s a man’s world,” was the mid-twentieth-century consensus.
My mother passed several of the following outdated gems along to me:
Always let boys win if you want them to like you.
Act helpless. Let a boy be your hero and lift heavy objects for you.
Play “dumb.” Laugh at all of his jokes. Always agree with him.
Pretend to enjoy doing all the things he likes to do.
Don’t chase after boys. Make them chase after you!
Play hard to get. Never be the first to say, “I love you.”
Hide your passions. You don’t want him to think you’re “easy.”
If you “give in” to a boy, he’ll “dump” you and “kiss and tell.”
Go to college to find a husband, even though you know
you will be a homemaker after you marry.
A woman must never make more money than her husband…
His delicate pride can’t handle it.
Let a man think he’s boss…
Use “feminine wiles” to get what you want.
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach…
Cook all of his favorite dishes.
Men are like little boys…They like to be told
how handsome, strong, and smart they are.
Make a habit of paying exaggerated compliments to men…
It builds their fragile egos.
Men are unable to control their impulses.
Women must be the guardians of morality.
If a woman wears a short skirt and gets assaulted, it’s her fault.
Sex is something a wife must endure for the sake of her husband.
Fortunately, I never fell for any of this antiquated sexist nonsense!
Sorry, Mom, but I don’t believe in playing games.
I was paying attention when you taught me to be honest and to
“Do unto others as I would have them do unto me.”
With respect to this poem’s dubious advice, I quote Mom,
“You might as well laugh as cry!”
Photo by Jason Briscoe from Unsplash
*Cautionary note: Some of the antiquated advice in this poem may appear to work in the short term, but some of it could come back to bite you later! Authentic relationships tend to be based on honesty and mutual respect. How long would you be willing to pretend you are enjoying a food you actually detest? How would you feel if you found out that someone was playing you? Better to be real!
Photo by Dustan Woodhouse from Unsplash.Photo by Annie Spratt from Unsplash.Photo by Jo-Anne McArthur from Unsplash.
Environmental Gems
Reduce,
Reuse, Recycle!
Choose organic foods.
Use green energy sources.
Protect wildlife and wildlife habitat.
Stop pollution of the land, air, and water.
Manage forests to control fires and prevent floods.
Maintain public lands and nature preserves.
Use plant-based plastic substitutes.
Develop green energy sources.
Practice organic farming.
Plant trees.
Vote.
Photo by Joanne Francis from Unsplash.Photo by John Middecoop from Unsplash.
Green Haiku
Create; don’t destroy!
Clean up the messes we’ve made.
Make peace with nature.
Ruins of war, Syria. Photo by Mahmood Sulaiman from Unsplash.If we don’t work now to save the environment, we may all become as extinct as the dodo! Photo, McGill Library from Unsplash.
I just purchased a new email with Word to use on some writing projects. I will share those projects on this post at some point in the future. For the moment, I am struggling with a learning curve and technical issues. I will try to be present on WordPress as much as possible!
My favorite yellow orchid has three stems covered with buds, but no blooms yet. Pink and crimson orchids are beginning to bloom.
Allergies limit our gardening and prevent us from having indoor plants, but orchids love being on the shady lanai and bring lots of joy. Orchids require very little care, bloom a couple of times a year, and blooms last for many weeks. In cold climates, they can be grown indoors.
Gulf Coast Poet 