
Old Roses


Urban mysticism,
a religion of glass.
I see myself in the mirror,
and behind my image the
team watches.
I have stolen air that was not mine,
evidence stored in my metallic
blood strong enough to build a
steel city.
What electronic theology is this,
the images flashing in the cameras?
There are detailed views
of the selves,
the only blind spot at
the left hand.
Competing ideology,
steel towers with winding
staircases up the shaft.
At the top,
a thin and hopeless soil,
a contented yesterday,
a bumblebee bumbling.
I painted a negative picture
of a sun staring at my youth
like Big Brother.
1984 came and went.
My face is in the cage with
the rats,
but Julia holds the key.
My hands go on painting
without color
the surveillance of a rose,
chattering teeth,
an unworn sash.
Men, minerals
fill my dialects.
Wearing orange,
drugs worldwide
sing their song.
Something about lemonade.
Young women of wisteria,
Iron,
Zinc.
Xylem and phloem on two sides
Of the same love
thrown off
in autumn.
My body has lost something.
Bones are in my tongue of power
over the earth.


Today Craig took me to my fabric paradise! He bought me two kinds of sheer cloth to put over my camera as screens. I can’t wait to experiment with that idea! He also got me three pieces of regular cloth with spectacular designs. Rainbow birds, iridescent autumn leaves, and colorful test tubes and beakers. I will use them as backgrounds for different book photos, as painting backgrounds, as little images to add to mixed media stuff, and who knows what else!
We started our special Valentine’s date by going to Steak N’ Shake. Afterward we went to the mall, and then to Coldstone for dessert. It was a lovely day. We decided to do our special Valentine’s Day date today instead of on the actual holiday because of crowds. Occasionally we will go out on the 14th if we can go in the morning or early in the afternoon. It’s usually still crowded then but not as bad. But Valentine’s Day fell on a Thursday and our babysitter I was busy until about 3. We certainly didn’t want to deal with the crowd at that point. point. So we had a lovely day today now that the holiday is done.
However, we exchanged gifts on Valentine’s Day. Craig got me two beautiful Swarovski necklaces and a painting by a local artist. I got him an air fryer. He has been wanting one for awhile. I hope he really likes it. I was thrilled with what he gave me. All so lovely and romantic.


We got Angelica’s scores and evaluation back. We don’t discuss it with the evaluator until Monday.
We were right to suspect dyslexia. I am sending a copy of the report to her tutor to keep her informed.
Now we just need to work with her. Her tutor has been using some of the Orton Gillingham methods and has had some success.
We continue to do Bible, science, history, and social studies as we go. Lots of good books and videos!


This is a thin little book, but it is jam packed with some of the best marriage advice I have ever read. These are ten needs my husband has that I need to meet. It was eye opening, had examples, and very inspirational. My marriage is my top priority, and in marriage we are called to serve. This book provides great reminders of what I should be doing to meet my husband’s needs and be the wife that he very much deserves.