sometimes the happy shows

there are days you awake

with a sense of anticipation

today is one of those days

for me

my friends are coming over to play

we’re calling it A Planning Meeting

but under that Official Sounding Moniker

it’s a play date

for the women we are

artists and writers too

we’re having lunch

the four of us

fancy chicken salad and a veggie tray

with cookies and cake for dessert

maybe a walk afterwards

with the warmth of the sun

on a rare and wonderful 52˚ January day

rare for the Midwest anyway

my husband is teasing me

calling it a Cackle Party

he’s going out for lunch

instead of coming home

in the middle of his work day

after the daily drop off at 8:20 a.m.

to take my boys to school

I did some errands

just a few

I am home, by 10:00 a.m.

waiting for my friends

I smiled a serene smile

all through the grocery store

must of looked like

I was up to something

well, sometimes the happy shows

and oh, it feels so good

to be happy and hopeful

hello, 2012

so glad you’re here

it’s only day five

and I sort of love you

still grinning in anticipation here

watching the clock

‘cause my friends are comin’ over

soon

© 2012 Turquoise Tangles

a taste of home

upon waking

I know what I am about to do

the anticipation makes my mouth water

no coffee today

no herbal tea

made one mug at a time

today is a spice tea day

my mom’s recipe

a taste of home

the one I grew up in

the little house

at the end of the dead end street

the one with the kitchen so small

it was like an afterthought

oh, but the meals my mother made there

I smile at the memories

spice tea was special

not for everyday

for company

like when she hosted cards

the only outing with friends she went to each month

sometimes they’d come to our house

the living room would be filled with women

sitting at card tables in folding chairs

talking, laughing, snacking and even smoking

and no one smoked at our house

except my grandfather

the few times a year they visited

usually we went to them

spice tea became a Christmas traditon

mom would make it early

we’d drink it as we opened presents

ladled into Christmas mugs

one after the other

until the giant saucepan was empty

it is made for winter days and snow days

gloomy gray days

for the scent of cinnamon and cloves

makes you smile

even before the sugary citrus flavored tea

passes by your lips

I’ve burned my tongue more than once

rushing to take the first sip

oh, how I love it

today is one of those days

I didn’t make it on Christmas this year 

I usually do

it’s early morning on New Year’s Eve day instead

the spice tea is on the stove

my first mug is at my elbow

almost time for the second

it’s as good as I remember mom making it

my sister too

a taste of home

soul food

comfort in a mug

memories too

© 2011 Turquoise Tangles

bein’ girly

I am bein’ girly today

meetin’ a friend this morn

we’re going to gab,

chit chat and laugh

while our feet are soaked,

scrubbed and buffed

then our toes

polished in vivid hues

we’ll slip our flip flops on

talk a little more

hug goodbye 

both of us feelin’ lighter

on the inside

after our time together

sharing hearts

over pedicures

two women

bein’ girly

my birthday present

a little early

from a wonderful friend

who insisted

on treatin’

Thank you, Kim!

I. Can’t. Wait.

Will see you soooooon!

Love, 

Janean

© 2011 Turquoise Tangles