Thursday, December 30, 2010

Big Tent Poetry: List poem

Forever Young--Naturally, or not?

by Laurie Kolp

Good Morning!
Hurry up…
Anti-puff eye roller
Cucumber, teabags, witch hazel (Oh, my)
Advanced Revita Lift-- night and day
Oatmeal, honey, lemon, yogurt (Key Lime pie?)
Wrinkle De-Crease Collagen Filler
Egg whites and coconut oil (Virgin)
Sunscreen, SPF- (infinity)
Hats-- baseball, straw, Panama, Stetson (Howdy Pardner!)
Surgery-- tummy tuck, Gastro-bypass, boob job?
Exercise, water, fruits and vegetables (Hoot, Hoot)
Loreal hair color to hide the gray
Oils-- mustard seed, jojoba, castor, ginger, sesame
Pony tails, scarves and Donald Trump (not) comb overs, too
Rapunzel’s golden hair? (Tangled remedy, of course)
Clean living, acceptance, attitude (Amen)
Slow down…
Good Night!


Big Tent Poetry's prompt this week was to write a list poem.  I hope you enjoyed mine.  Thanks for visiting... please come again.  Oh, and I would love to have you follow me.  ~Laurie

Happy New Year!   

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Poetic Asides' Wednesday prompt: Last Chance

Who Wants to be a Vegetable?
by Laurie Kolp

Flip a coin, heads or tails?
Roll five matching die.
Fan a flush or full house.
Throw a Leaning Jowler in the sty.

But never take a chance on life--
Things may go either way.
Over-cooked vegetables are soggy,
Except in Russian Roulette.



Sunday, December 26, 2010

Recap of Christmas Day

5:30 a.m.- My eyes fly open and I am ready to go.  I hear Katie, Andrew and Nicholas chatting in the boy's room.  They know they have to wait there until either 6:00, or until we come and get them.  I wake Pete up without a problem (sometimes he can be hard to awaken).  We get the coffee going and try to prepare for the upcoming chaos. 

5:55 a.m.- Pete and I find the kids all piled in Andrew's twin bed waiting patiently and whispering sweet nothings (a gift in and of itself).  Before we rush out to see what Santa brought, we say Happy Birthday to Jesus and wish everyone Merry Christmas.

6:30 a.m.- The presents are all opened and appreciated, the living room is a mess and I am in the kitchen sneaking Christmas cookies with my second cup of coffee.  Pete lights a fire in the fireplace on this beautiful cold morning.

8:30 a.m.- Breakfast has been cooked and eaten, Katie is snuggled on the couch reading a new book, and Andrew checks out the new X-box Kinect while Nicholas and Pete complete a racecar Lego model.  Freshly ground Starbucks is brewing and all is peaceful on the home front.


10:00 a.m.- One of the two ping-pong balls from the new tabletop ping pong set has been smashed, the remote control helicopter has broken (luckily Pete was able to fix it) and tears have been shed after a dart gun Nerf bullet landed in a cheek from an arm's length distance.  Sigh... more chocolate.


11:00 a.m.- We are like a classroom full of ADHD kids bouncing from one activity to the other- trying to find out how the Kindle works, playing, reading, chewing gum from Santa (spitting it out and then trying different flavors), making messes with new board games and tiptoeing through open spaces while the dogs wonder around aimlessly, confused by all the fuss.

11:30 a.m.- I suddenly remember I need to cook an asparagus dish by 12:30.  Quick reference to allrecipes.com because I do not feel like going all elaborate with what I had intended to make.  I find an interesting idea, make my own adjustments and add my personal touches.  Luckily, it turned out great!

12:30 p.m.- It is time to go to my sister's house for Christmas dinner.  I quickly ice the birthday cake for Jesus Katie and I baked on Christmas Eve, gather the rolls and asparagus, while Pete corrals the kids together.

 1:00 p.m.- We are happily sharing Christmas cheer with everyone.  The turkey needs to cook longer, so we visit, play the piano and goof off taking pictures.  The kids play basketball outside with their grown cousins whom they do not get to see very often anymore, and are so well-behaved while they wait to eat.


2:30- Everyone joins in prayer and feasts on the delicious turkey dinner.  Conversation is flowing and everyone is getting along.  It is truly a wonderful experience.

4:30- We are back home watching Despicable Me (a Christmas present).  Everyone is tired and full.  We kiss under the mistletoe, love on each other and settle in for the evening.

8:30- The kids are getting ready for bed.  We count our blessings and review the day.  When asked what their favorite part of the day was, it was unanimous- playing basketball with their cousins.  PRICELESS!


Friday, December 24, 2010

Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Yes, you can call me old-fashioned; I still like to wrap presents.  I love the beautiful paper and find the mindless chore of cutting, folding and taping quite calming.  I can swish all my problems and worries under the bed while I wrap gifts.  My creative juices flow as I decorate the presents with curled ribbon and fancy bows.  Christmas, birthday, anniversary, or whatever the occasion, you will probably get a wrapped gift from moi.  Of course, I always throw in a few gift bags to spice things up; but for the most part, I rap, er, wrap.

Sometimes when the kids attend a party, our present stands alone as the only one not bagged, kind of like the unique individuals we want them to become.  In ten years, kids will probably look at wrapping paper and say, "What's that?"  You know, like records and cassette tapes; things of the past. 

Yesterday Pete and the boys ventured out to Hobby Lobby (they were working on their Pinewood Derby cars).  Of course, the lines were very long as last-minute shoppers rushed around in a needless frenzy.  While they waited, the boys noticed a lady in front of them with dozens of gift bags in varying sizes.  A conversation began and the lady confessed that because she had left all her wrapping to the last minute, she was going to use gift bags instead of paper.

"I hate doing that," she said, "but sometimes life is just too busy."

So my question to YOU is: Do you prefer wrapping presents or gift bagging them?

My wish for YOU is to find the power to S-L-O-W down and enjoy the moment, the beauty of the season.  Gift bag or paper, it is what's on the inside that counts anyway.  Merry Christmas!

Big Tent Poetry Prompt: Wordle


Christmas Tree Wreckage
by Laurie Kolp

Movement failed Mignon as she watched
the fourteen-foot Christmas tree
topple from vaulted ceiling
to marble tiled floor
like a trapeze artist
in a poor performance.
A decoupage of broken lamps
and shattered glass,
cracked branches and pine needles
immersed in rubbles of red, green and gold
smashed presents and broken ornaments
filled the majestic room
mere hours before
the guests were to arrive.
The North Pole Christmas train
continued its circuitous route
through the wreckage
belting Christmas carols
and chiming bells
as the engine’s slight headlight
shone brightly in the dark.
“I’m going to squeeze the life out of you!”
Jim heard the hoarse words
vanish into smoky air,
and like a disloyal soldier
swift ropes fail to capture,
he played possum
in the basement of his mind.
*


Big Tent Poetry's weekly prompt was a wordle- Use as many of these words in a poem: swift, immerse, topple, disloyal, squeeze, hoarse, vanish, ropes, slight, engine, basement, performance.  I can proudly say I was able to use all of them.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

PA prompt- December 22

Poetic Asides' Wednesday prompt is to write a poem about something or someone dreadful.

The Twelve Dreadful Things of Christmas
by Laurie Kolp

Dispersed animosity at family gatherings,
whispers and gossip overheard in the hall,
distasteful presents regifted each Christmas,
the same colored sweater two sizes too small,
store-bought food in homemade disguises,
green bean casserole and fruitcake (gag me!),
Aunt Ida’s drunk antics, slurred innuendos,
runny noses and coughs airborne for free,
feeling as stuffed as Tom Turkey at noon,
sugar highs like seesaws unsteady and weak,
hills that tumble when stomachs rumble,
flabby thighs that jiggle and squeak.


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Prompt: Favorite words

Blessings
by Laurie Kolp

Love is blood
flowing within,
the powerhouse of life
we need to begin.

Acceptance
the essence
of a mind serene,
antibodies we need
to keep our lives clean.

Forgiveness
the core
that beats throughout
a heart content
bold and stout.

Without these virtues
life turns limp and stale,
so love, accept, forgive
and blessings will trail.



Monday, December 20, 2010

Shepherd girl in a hectic world

When Katie was in preschool, she played the innkeeper's wife in the Christmas play.  She was so precious.  I remember how she spoke her one line so loud and clear.  The teachers said nobody had ever spoken so concise and with such confidence.  The other participants were well-behaved and all agog in wide-eyed excitement, too.  It was a positive experience for both young and old.

Fast forward seven years.
Katie had another opportunity to participate in a Christmas tradition- our church's live nativity scene.  This time she was a shepherd girl.  The junior-high experience was quite a contrast to the preschool play.  One kid told her mom she hated her in front of everyone, while another stood against the wall pouting after what had obviously been a mom/daughter spat before their late arrival.

The 6th, 7th and 8th graders had to pose for an hour outside the church.  Katie and another shepherd girl remained quiet as told, but talking, gum chewing, baby Jesus passing, giggles and who-knows-what-else could be observed by this keen parent (and others, too).  Here are some comments I heard from attendants:

"I have never seen such unhappy faces up there."

"I don't think they made gum back then."

"Is this it?"

Well ~duh~ with prepubescent teens, YES!  Unfortunately, they are not in preschool anymore

Considering only a handful of volunteers showed up and some of the kids were not too thrilled to be there, I think they did pretty well.  I commend them for taking time out of their busy schedules to sit still and share the joy of Jesus' birth.  After all, without Him, there would be no Christmas.

Saturday, December 18, 2010



Seasons Greetings 2010
by Laurie Kolp

Life is like a merry-go-round at the zoo
A year in review can be like that, too
Sometimes it spins fast, sometimes slow
So step right on and watch the Kolps go
Pete flew through the year working real hard
New projects he started for the shipyard
I freelanced and authored a bevy of work
Published a bit, typed like a clerk
School always comes first, the kids do well
Swirling with honors at June’s final bell
Katie danced, sung and acted in New York for a while
Then jumped to middle school with a smile
Andrew karate-chopped his way to green belt
Camped with the scouts, grew big and svelte
Nicholas flattered every person he met
Placed on the swim team, all summer stayed wet
We turned around and it was Christmas again
The year had been fun and a memorable spin

MERRY CHRISTMAS
&
Happy New Year

Friday, December 17, 2010

Addendum to "What makes my kids unique: Nicholas"

Yesterday, Pete went to get Nicholas from his class after Andrew's Christmas party.  A cute little girl runs up to Pete and excitedly taps him on the arm.

"Hey Nicholas' dad, is it true Nicholas becomes a werewolf at night?"  She asked with big, curious eyes.

To which Nicholas' dad answered, "Sometimes."

The girl walked slowly back to her desk.

That's just like Nicholas.

Quirky morning banter

Conversation at breakfast this morning:

Nicholas asked, "How long does it take to get through college?"

"It depends on what your major is," said Andrew.

"Usually around four years if you go full-time, but if you have to work sometimes it takes longer," I said.  I was not about to bring up the fact that college can take longer if you are having too much fun.

"Well, I want to go so I can get the best job in the world."

"What would that be?" Katie asked.

"Working at McDonald's," Nicholas answered proudly.

"Oh my gosh, Nicholas!  That's not the best job," Andrew corrected.

At the same time, Katie said, "Nicholas, you don't have to go to college to work at McDonald's."

Nicholas defended himself, "But I could get all the happy meals and toys I want, AND free french fries whenever I want!"

Not in California, I thought.

"Maybe you can work there during high school.  It could be your very first job," I said with a smile.

The conversation was like a little commercial; quick and to the point.  Then it was time to get ready for the last day of school before the Christmas holidays. 

**********

Pete had gone to work before we woke up this morning, so I took the kids to school.  On the way, I called my mom to say 'Good Morning' because we usually talk around eight.  My dad has been feeling bad, so I asked her how he was doing.  Then I asked my mom if he was playing golf today.  (My dad usually plays golf four or five times a week now that he is retired.  When he is not playing golf, he is practicing at the driving range).  Mom said he was not playing today, which meant he REALLY felt like crud. 

When I got off the phone, Nicholas was the first one to speak.

"Is Papa playing golf today?"

"Not today," I answered.

"That's weird," said Katie.

 "Yeah, because he is always playing golf," Nicholas said.

"Well, he's not feeling up to PAR right now," I said, oblivious to the pun; but my sharp kids picked up on it.  They burst out in laughter.

"Up to PAR... that's clever, Mom," Andrew pointed out.

I decided to keep it a secret that what I said was unintentional and smiled.

I am so ready to have my children home with me for two weeks!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Prompt: Birds


The Beauty of Christmas Eve
by Laurie Kolp






Pitter-pat, pitter-pat
The rush of prancing steps
Resounds through the house
As giddy children dressed for bed
Prepare for Santa Claus  
A splay of homemade sugar cookies
Mouth-watering sand tarts
Placed lovingly before the fireplace

Outside, snow-covered evergreens
Decorate winter’s mural
Wet pine aroma amid burning cedar
Drifts through the frigid night air
Red splashes in white
A male and female cardinal
Sit majestically and wait
Their heads turned, eyes fixed
Upon the beauty of Christmas Eve

Monday, December 13, 2010

What makes my kids unique: Nicholas

The thing about Nicholas is that he's just that- Nicholas; and there is no one else like him.  He answers to many names (Nickel, Nicholas, Pickle, Pickolas, Nicholas-Pickolas, Nick), but he will always be my baby Nicholas.  And just like Katie and Andrew, Nicholas has many unique and creative characteristics.

Ever since he began talking, Nicholas has told us elaborate stories that flow from his technicolor imagination like the river Nile.  He had such a love for tractors and bulldozers when he was three and four that we would have to explore construction sites whenever possible.  Even then he would tell me stories about trucks and ships doing this or that. 

Many are the times he has had the whole family in stitches.  That's Nicholas.

Whenever we see movies, Nicholas takes on the persona of the most awe-inspiring character.  For instance, when we saw the movie Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thieves, he became the satyr, Grover.   For weeks, he hobbled around the house mimicking Pierce Brosnan.  Nicholas shared his "secret" with only me (that he was Grover).   He told me detailed stories about what really happened at night when he was supposed to be sleeping.  He became Grover and did things a satyr would do, whatever that could be (I'm sure Nicholas had that covered).

After watching The Sorcerer's Apprentice recently, Nicholas shared another secret with me; he is really Balthazar- the apprentice who studied under Merlin.  Apparently at night, he weaves his magic spells and duels evil sorcerers just like Nicholas Cage does in the movie.  ~Sigh~ I must say that things are never boring around our house.

Many are the times he has had the whole family in stitches. That's Nicholas.

Not only is he very creative, but he is sensitive, thoughtful and caring.  Nicholas is always genuinely concerned about other people's feelings and well-being.  He is very intuitive and clever, and he will always be my baby.  I love you, Nickel!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Snow
by Laurie Kolp

Sugar-coated
Nibbles
On Christmas
Whet my appetite

Friday, December 10, 2010

Big Tent Prompt

Big Tent Poetry invited participants to write a poem inspired by Referential Magazine's published pieces.  Redemption came to me after reading The angel on my shoulder is mute as stone and nowhere near as heavy in Scott Owens' 13 Ways to Angels. My poem is based on a real life experience I had when a stalker tried to attack me and I locked myself in a closet on the porch of my apartment, but the meaning can be interpreted in many ways.  Hope you enjoy! 

Redemption
by Laurie Kolp

I sit on a red toolbox  
alone in the dark,
blocked from the devil  
waiting on the other side.  

My heart is a hammer
thump, thumping
in my head.
I close my eyes
and start to pray.

Suddenly I stand up.
but it gives me courage
to face the ugly beast.

I carry the hammer in my hand
and walk out of the dank closet
prepared to face my enemy,
but all I see is light.

*Scott Owens’ 13 Ways of Angels
"Referential Magazine


Thursday, December 9, 2010

Kissy, kissy mistletoe

Mommy hung some mistletoe
In the doorway Christmas Eve
Someone said it was for kissing
To that I said, “Gag Me!”
Laughter filled the merry room
Everyone thought I was funny
To that I said, “Bah Humbug!”
Only to increase their revelry
Especially when Mommy kissed me


@laurie kolp


Open Link Monday- Imaginary Garden with Real Toads

What makes my kids unique: Andrew

I remember the wonderment that filled my curious mind when I found out I was pregnant with Andrew.  Would he have a full head of jet black hair like Katie did when she was born?  Would he act the same way?  Who would he look like, Pete or me?  I have learned that trying to compare my children to one another is like trying to find the similarities between eggnog and apple cider; it is virtually impossible.  Yes, they are both drinks associated with the holidays, but they have differing tastes and consistencies.  Likewise, my children have the same parents, but they are each unique and special.  Let me share with you what makes my dear, sweet Andrew (or Drew, as he likes to be called) one of a kind.

Drew at belt testing 12-4-10
Drew is a perfect middle child.  He goes with the flow and tries not to rock the boat.  When Katie and Nicholas are arguing over something like whose turn it is to sit in the front, Drew remains neutral and would even give up his turn for a little peace.  I know that he would follow the rules even when alone.  He is just like that.

Drew is also very competitive and extremely smart (in fact he is a genius).  He wants to be the best and is very hard on himself.  I can remember when Katie was in kindergarten and Drew was only three.  Katie would bring home little books for reading.  Drew would look over her shoulder and listen as we went over them.  He learned to read that way-- at the age of three, I kid you not.  When we would go have lunch with Katie and run into the principal, I would tell her what he was reading (Sherlock Holmes or something like that).  The principal would ask him to tell her about it, and he would summarize the book as if he were writing a review for Amazon.  He was reading Harry Potter books in kindergarten and first grade, and has read the entire series at least two times!  He had to go to upper level grades for reading because he was so bored.  Drew's birthday is August 29, so we could have waited a year to put him in kindergarten.  He is only three days shy of the cut-off date.  But we knew he was way too smart to do that, and even though he is one of the youngest (a girl shares his birthday), Drew is still one of the smartest in fourth grade.

Being intelligent and competitive is not always a good thing, though.  They say "Wednesday's child is full of woe," and that is true to some extent; especially when Drew views himself as a failure at something.  He plays sports but gets too upset when his team loses or if strikes out and doesn't score.  We have enrolled him in Taekwondo and that has helped boost his self-esteem tremendously.  He just made Green Belt, Level 2.  I am so proud of my precious Drew; I dearly love him, too.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Prompt: Containers / Warning: PG-13

The Christmas Eve Frenzy
by Laurie Kolp

Children can hardly contain themselves
when Christmas Eve finally arrives;
Santa Claus is coming to town, you know.
Parents wait patiently  
for the children to sleep
a battle the little ones fight,
until heavy eyelids finally give in
to visions of sugarplums and such.
At last the house is quiet
not even a mouse stirs;
the jingle bell rock can begin.
Mom dives into the closet
pulls out hidden containers
filled with glad tidings
ready to be dispersed
under Oh, Christmas tree’s lovely branches,
Dad decks the halls with tools
lifts containers and rearranges
those “assembly required” presents;
both franticly rushing to get the job done
pausing for a kiss underneath the mistletoe
before their short winter’s nap
and then awakened in the wee hours of morn
to excited children shouting Merry Christmas,”
as their contained parents struggle  
to find joy in the world
after three hours sleep.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Colors of the Season

Blue Christmas
by Laurie Kolp

Splashes of red and green
accent the world around me,
but all I see is a cast of blue--
lackluster navy, cobalt,
midnight, indigo and ice;
swirling dervishes
in my psyche
that like a starving animal
furiously rips away all hope
and ruthlessly injects sharp teeth
awestruck innocence shrinks in fear
thrashing its head violently
as greed plants its bitter seed
side to side voraciously
devouring the season’s joy
and leaving Christmas
colorless again.   

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Another holiday poem

ODE TO SWEETS
by Laurie Kolp

Oh,
how
I love
you sweet
holiday food
with your sugar
cookies shaped into
bells and Santa Claus,
reindeer, Christmas trees,
homemade powder-sugared icing
dyed red and green, a long afternoon
of sheer delight you bring; and creamy rich
fudge that melts in my watering mouth each time
I bite into your irresistible flesh, you leave me
always begging and craving more, more, more unwanted
poundage begins in my hips I feel them expanding
with each passing day. Oh, sweet holiday food because of your tempting delight my seat has more padding, no more cushions do I need as I
sit and eat.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

What makes my kids unique: Katie

For the next three posts, I am going to share with you some of the MANY things I love about my children.  They are each so unique and special that sometimes it is hard to believe that they came from the same mold.  Every child is his own person, with his own soul.  Katie, Andrew and Nicholas may have some of the same physical features and learned behaviors from Pete and me, but they are each their own person.  I will give you examples of this, beginning with my oldest and only daughter, Katie.


Katie
Now that she is in middle school, we have gotten her a cell phone.  I hated doing this right now because I knew it would open up a brand new can of worms; but there were times after school that a phone would have come in handy.   We had an out-dated cell phone of Pete's with his old phone number that we used to let her borrow for sleep-overs.  Katie also brought it with her when she went to New York City last summer.  She was always embarrassed when she had that phone; and I must admit, it was UGLY.  Since we were combining accounts and switching to a family plan, we got some great deals on new phones, and VOILA- she got one.  Katie doesn't have Internet access, but she does have a 24-7 lifeline to her BFFs-- with her dad's old number.  I must say, it has been quite amusing at times because some people Pete hasn't talked to in a long time have tried to reach him.  How Katie has responded to this is one of the many things I love about her.  

First Katie kept getting calls from someone whose number she didn't recognize (it was the cub scout master, by the way).  She ignored it until she finally got a text.  It said something like,

"Have you registered the boys for next weekend yet?"

Well, a tween's mind can take that message and twist it into many different meanings, some of which I don't even want to know.  So my spunky, bold daughter texted back,

"Who are you and why are you stalking me?  You better stop it or I'll call the police!"

Keep in mind that the innocent scout master thinks he is texting Pete.  Heaven only knows what he thought at the time.  Pete talked to Katie and asked her to please just tell or text the person that they have the wrong number the next time.  Apparently she forgot, which seems to be happening a lot these days.  So when a coworker texted this to Pete's old number the other day (when they were out of town at a business meeting),

"What time do you want to meet in the lobby for breakfast?"

Katie took it upon herself to shut that person up and stop him from harassing her. 

"Who are you and why are you texting me? Stop it!"

Again, the person who thought they were texting Pete probably presumed he had flipped out and joined the circus, or something like that.  But Pete didn't feel quite the same.  He had a little conversation with Katie.  Hopefully now she knows to come to us when she gets a weird text or message (just in case it is a creep) so that we can handle it.  We can only hope.

I am so grateful that Katie speaks her mind.  She does not care what others think and is not a people-pleaser like I am (which has turned out to be one of my biggest pitfalls in life).  She is smart and witty.  Most importantly, she can hold her own with her two brothers and a father like Pete.  Atta girl!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Big Tent Poetry Prompt: Enough

Enough is Enough
by Laurie Kolp

Enough is never enough
For this kid with too much stuff.
Like the boy Dudley Dursley
(The brat from Harry Potter)
His spoiled rotten antics
Make life hell for all who see
Piles of costly presents
Surrounding the Christmas tree
And still he cries,
This ain’t enough!”
So his parents buy him more
Yet all are forgotten
By midnight New Year’s Eve.

Enough is never enough
For this spoiled rotten kid.
He bullies classmates each week,
Calls them names and beats them up
And when his teacher yells, “Enough!”
He turns the other cheek
Dusting her words off his shoulders
Tossing them into the sewer,
No respect has he
For any type of authority.

Enough is never enough
For this big, fat kid
Who eats too much.
He whines and creates a stew
Over healthy food on his plate,
Until his parents give in
And run to McDonald’s drive-through. 
The parents try and justify.
Is this enough for my growing boy?”

Enough is never enough
For this kid who is now a man.
He squanders and splurges
To his heart’s content
And wonders why his life is so bland
Until one day he hits rock bottom,
Turns to God for help,
And this is what He says,
I am the one who can fill you 
With peace and love enough--
Everything else material  
You will discover is just stuff.”

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Acrostic: Scrooge

SCROOGE
by Laurie Kolp

Scrooge is what they called him,
Cranky weirdo beneath the light,
Resentment fueled his anger
Obsessive thoughts on Christmas night
Ominous signs, impending danger-- until
Grouchy miser gives in to whim
Entertaining Santa’s flight

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Parody: Frosty the Snowman

Sally the Snowflake


Sally the snowflake was a frightful silly child
With a pouty mouth and a crooked nose
And two eyes that looked half wild.
Sally the snowflake is a scary thing, they say,
She was made with love but her family knows
How she acts on Christmas day.
There must have been a potion in that
Eggnog that she drank-
For when she took that first big swig
She began to walk the plank.
O, Sally the snowflake
Was as drunk as she could be,
And her siblings say she could cuss all day
Beneath the Christmas tree.
Crappity, crap, crap
Crappity, crap, crap
Look at Sally rave,
Crappity, crap, crap
Crappity, crap, crap
Over the gifts we gave!

laurie kolp

Open Link: With Real Toads

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Day 30: Lessons learned/ lessons never learned poem

Move Forward
by Laurie Kolp

What will it finally take
to dethrone you, Drama Queen?
Can’t you see insanity
washes through your every scene?

Even Triton’s conch shell horn
fails to calm the choppy sea,
your melodramatic mime
waving nonsense blatantly.

When will you ever learn
life’s lessons don’t come free;
that no matter how you act,
it goes down in history.

A trident aims to poke you
three times and it’s a charm,
so let the tide refresh you
and move forward without harm.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Day 29: Next step poem

Stepping Out
by Laurie Kolp

First winter snowfall
Puppy dances hip-hop while
Making yellow slush

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Why cardinals?

A friend of mine who has just recently started reading this blog asked me, "Why cardinals?" 

I shared my experience with the red birds since the death of my dear friend, Mary; how their crimson color of love appears to me at times of great sadness, and fills my body with a peace that tingles from my head to my toes.  I know everything will be okay when I see cardinals.

Come to find out my friend had the same thing happen after the death of her loved one; cardinals began appearing to her, too.  This is the same friend who cheered me on during NaNoWriMo- before we had even discovered our "connection."   
Picture ornaments of Mary and Sadie, and white dove in memory of Ms. Angelle surrounded by a bevy of cardinals

Last night when the kids and I began decorating the Christmas tree Pete had so laboriously assembled with 900 lights, I was reminded of the significance of my crimson bird friend.  And as I unwrapped cardinal after cardinal to hang on the tree, I realized it had been a while since I had last seen one (remember, I had been glued to the computer for three weeks).  Then I came across picture ornaments in memory of Mary, Ms. Angelle and our dog Sadie, (who died in-between them).  I reminisced over happy times as I decorated the tree.  When I went to bed, I asked God to please never stop sending me cardinals. 

This morning I was at the computer before church typing my poem for the PAD Challenge, when Pete walked over to me.  (The entire back wall by my computer is a row of bay-like windows. Pete had covered up the one right by my computer  at the beginning of November because the sun created a glare, and the hot and cold weather seeped through while I did my work. The other windows remain uncovered).

"The only bad thing about blocking the light from your computer is that you can't see the family of cardinals playing out back right now," he said.

I hopped up from my computer and looked out on the patio.  Flashes of red caught my eyes as I watched the cardinals dance; male and female, big and little.  There must have been six or eight cardinals on the other side of the glass.  Reveling in the miracle before me, I knew God would always provide for me when I ask.  I prayed for a cardinal and He sent me a family; God is just like that!

Day 28: What really happened poem

The Big Merman
by Laurie Kolp

Prince Eric went scuba diving one day
When a mermaid named Ariel swam his way
It was love at first sight
They kissed through the light
Eric, now merman, in the sea did stay

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Day 27: Blame _____

Blame Neptune
by Laurie Kolp

The noxious secrets bled
boil and fester within
like an ulcer
burning
flames of orange and red
forever seeking
emotional
release,
dying to escape
your lustrous armor
silver lining
in the knight without
a castle of gold
to serve as insurance
from the taunting demons
Neptune’s veracious
ocean blue
splashes
in
your
ashen
face.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Day 26: On the run poem

Escape
by Laurie Kolp

A hermit by any other name
stays at home alone,
but the hermit crab
runs out of his abode
in search of another--
like an addict
hunting for peace.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Sliding down to let down

Sliding down this mountain has been quite emotional for me.  I have spent so much time on my novel that I feel lost.  I miss my characters as if they were friends who moved away.  I want to jump back into their world.  I am just so emotional!

Yesterday Katie and I watched The Last Song, a movie based on Nicholas Sparks' novel.  It was a beautiful story that so deeply touched me I nearly cried a puddle.  I have never cried like that at a movie I watched with Katie.  In fact, I don't think I have cried like that since I was pregnant; back then, I cried at Hallmark commercials!  We were watching it on the bed in my room (Pete and the boys were watching a manly movie in the den).  The tears flowed continuously out of my eyes and down my face like a faucet.  Katie handed me the Kleenex box and was like, "M-O-uh-M."  She was paying more attention to me than the TV!  After the movie was over, I tried to tell Pete about it, and I started bawling all over again.  Katie did not know how to handle seeing her mom so... weak?  I even checked to make sure my hormone patch was not overdue.

It was a sad movie and all, but I believe there was much more to my reaction than meets the eye.  I mean, down deep I could have been mourning the ending of my book.  Subconsciously, I might have been ruing over the probability that my book will never hit the New York Times bestseller list, or the big screen like Nicholas Sparks, Elizabeth Gilbert and James Patterson.  But I love my novel, and I think it deserves the best. 

And now I know...

FEAR is threatening to knock down my confidence.  After all, the hard part is ahead of me.  As a friend said, now is the time to redecorate-- rearrange things here and there, add a little flair, and polish it up. 

THEN I get to start the process of submitting my little baby and subjecting it to all kinds of harsh criticism and rejection.  Can I handle that?

I think I can, I think I can... back up the hill I go.
My certificate from NaNoWriMo
(Still playing around with titles)

Day 25: Animal poem

Act Like a Bird (but not a turkey)
by Laurie Kolp

To sing through life a cappella,
fly through the air like a breeze

To sit peacefully without worry,
eat graciously what you please

To bask in the sun without burning,
splash through the rain playfully

To color the world with pure essence,
live like a bird mockingly

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

I thought I could and I did

This little engine thought she could.  Up, up the hill she went, moving slowly at times, yet still persevering and never giving up.  She made it through the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge-- to write a novel in one month's time-- never giving up the hope. 

Endless obstacles she encountered: daily chores, tending to children's school and extra-curricular activities, weekend madness, Thanksgiving feasts at schools and a week without school for the kids; yet she kept on chugging along.  Yes, this little engine wanted to accomplish her goal so badly that she pushed through, even when she didn't feel like it. 

At one point near the end, the going got tough; her head began to hurt, her eyesight got weaker and her neck and shoulders became so stiff, she thought she might fall off course.  But wonderful friends, especially her angel Pearl, cheered her along.  At times, doubt crept in and she thought she was insane to attempt this feat in November (of all months).  Sometimes she even felt it was all for nothing.  Still, she continued forward with a vengeance.  Why?  Because she needed to; she needed to make it across the finish line.  If you are a writer, you will understand.


Yesterday, November 23, 2010 at approximately 10:00 p.m., I finished my novel.  I was a close second to my writing buddy Pearl who, because of my brain hiccup (when I thought the word count was only 45,000 instead of 50,000) thought I would finish on the 22nd and so typed furiously away in order to finish on the same day.  And she still continued to cheer me on.  Thank you, my dear Pearl. 

I also could not have finished last night if Pete hadn't taken the kids to the Harry Potter movie.  It was difficult for me to miss that movie, but I was able to complete my goal.  And guess what?  It felt great! 

Now comes the hard part of editing, revising and polishing, but I'm in no hurry on that... today.

              HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Day 24: Spaces poem

Jell-O
by Laurie Kolp

The x-ray showed it perfectly-
blank spaces taken over
by gray matter
that, like
a blob,
gels.
When
did his
brain become
a massive Jell-O mold?
The x-ray showed it perfectly.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Day 23: Form poem

 Undertow(PARADELLE)
by Laurie Kolp

I am but a wave in the sea of life.
I am but a wave in the sea of life.
My consistency changes like the tide.
My consistency changes like the tide.
But life changes like a wave in the sea,
Of the tide, I am my consistency.

You are the current that pulls me beneath.
You are the current that pulls me beneath.
Drowning ripples torment my destiny.
Drowning ripples torment my destiny.
Beneath the ripples, you are my current.
That drowning destiny pulls me; torment.

Together we will surf the ocean vast.
Together we will surf the ocean vast.
At last Poseidon gains grave company.
At last Poseidon gains grave company.
The grave ocean we surf together vast,
Poseidon will gain company at last.

The drowning sea beneath my current life,
Changes me like the ripples that you are
A wave of consistency, we surf the tide
Together at last, my destiny,
But the ocean torment I am in pulls vast.
Grave company Poseidon will gain.