Author: jackiella

I spent the past weekend at Bjorklunden in Bailey's Harbor. What a delightful time. It was a poetry workshop with Bruce Dethlefsen (former Poet Laureate for Wisconsin) as the facilitator. Great bunch of people--21, I think; many familiar faces. Bruce talked and gave us handouts on revision and with his wonderful sense of whimsey, it was… Continue reading PALM SUNDAY IN DOOR COUNTY

 I’m watching a new singer on the Morning CBS Programand the music group backing her, plays several bars of an intro and then she joins in on the off-beat andthey are completely in sync. It made me remember jumping rope as a childwatching the rope––each girl twisting her end, the slap of the clothesline on the cement and… Continue reading FINDING THE WAY IN

The Pope wore white; “you wore blue” but in Casablanca all tourists wore bright colors while European refugees wore dark colors to fade into the background and not be arrested.The Pope named himself after St. Francis. It appears he's very thoughtful and humble. I hope he takes care of the thousands of current and former children who have been abused… Continue reading Some Thoughts on the Pope Visiting Casablanca

 Just off the highway to Madison was Carling Drive where my Swiss Chalet stood. I lived there for thirteen years and while I worked I turned in every week day at the drive, riding the city bus. I loved walking up the sidewalk to my door.  If I’d turned right off the bus, I would have been in the center of… Continue reading Where I Used to Live

I was thirteen and new. Upperclassmen flattered me in spite of my braces and glasses and still tried to cop-a-feel of satiny smooth skin and tender peaked nipples. We played 45 rpm records, even a few remaining 78s. Black disks and dancers circling, music simpering or pounding, kids doing the bebop or a slow waltz… Continue reading Life Before and After Stereo

It is February 1 and I look at it as still in the aura of my goals for the year. I almost forgot them in January and for such a long month, it slipped right by my best intentions. But the first day of any month gives me hope once more, that I will persevere… Continue reading Another Opportunity

  TALKING WITH JASON My mourning spot isn’t in a graveyard but in a white paper sack in a book shelf drop down desk. You lie there, in a clear plastic bag of what is left after the fire of change. Left alone, you accumulate years of newspaper notices that your father and I have… Continue reading January 18, 2013 – Ten Years Have Passed

I still haven’t made my New Year’s resolutions and it’s a couple of weeks since the first. What will I resolve this year? I’m determined to avoid the “eat better,” “exercise more,” “be a better person.” I need to look at them as goals and break them into daily efforts. For example, I will eat… Continue reading New Year, Same Old Me

Cooking Two Days After Christmas I made a bacon cheese omelet this morning and took such delight in my new “green” pan that eating it was twice the fun. I put a pat of butter in the pan (although I didn’t need to) and laid the cheese and crisp bacon inside. When I covered the middle and tilted the… Continue reading Cooking Breakfast

The Massacre at Sandy Hook School He killed the little children in their classrooms and in the halls. Their small bodies hurled down from the hundreds of bullets popping in and out of his guns. He killed the children, so cruel when one hears the words, then the horror of the pictures and the everlasting… Continue reading Such Sadness in this World of Ours