#gatherings
At dusk the house was hushed and low,
The frost clung close to every pane;
A single candle’s trembling glow
Made ghosts dance wild along the grain.
The table waited—cloth of white,
So pure it seemed to mourn, not dine;
Each fork and knife caught shards of light,
Like watchful eyes that dared not shine.
A whisper brushed the hallway’s throat,
A chair creaked once, then all was still;
The air grew thick enough to float—
A silence bent to unknown will.
Then—tap tap tap—upon the door,
Three knocks, deliberate and slow.
The clock struck six, perhaps no more,
Yet shadows deep refused to go.
I swallowed fear, then crossed the room,
Each footstep heavy, sharp, unsure.
The handle turned; out spilled perfume—
Of cider sweet, of autumn pure.
There stood my kin, all bundled tight,
Their laughter bursting through the chill;
And what had seemed like haunted night
Was merely evening’s playful thrill.
They tumbled in with coats and cheer,
With pies and stories, wine and song;
The shadows fled, replaced by near—
The warmth for which we all belong.
Aunt Ruth declared the turkey cursed—
(It smoked and hissed, yet tasted fine!)
Uncle Ned’s tall tale rehearsed
The “ghost” that stole his pumpkin wine.
The candles burned with dancing grace,
Reflected in each shining plate;
What once had felt a haunted place
Now brimmed with joy to celebrate.
And when the laughter shook the floor,
And gravy dripped like gilded sin,
I swore I heard, outside the door,
The night itself sigh soft—“come in.”
No demon, ghost, nor cursed delight,
Just family drawn by hearth and flame;
The dark that prowled around the night
Had only sought to play a game.
So now each year when dusk grows near,
And silence hums with half-known things,
We set a place, pour one more beer—
For mystery’s child, and joy it brings.
Nov 11, 2025
Nov 11, 2025 at 12:20 PM UTC
NOTE: This is for Thanksgiving. A Day for Family and Friends to gather together in Peace and Harmony!!! So, let us come together with LOVE!!!
Everyday should be a
Day of Thanksgiving!!
A Wonderland Feeling a
Brand New Day of Living!!
But this particular day is a
Great Day for Giving!!
This is the Day where we all
come Together!!
Through the good and the Bad and all types of Weather!!
Time with Family, Friends and Kin!!
Enjoying each other
Where shall I begin!!
Food, Fun and Family Gatherings!!
A Spread of Food
This is only the Beginning!!
Mac and Cheese and Candied Yams
Turkey, Duck and also Ham!!
Please do not forget the Crans!!
Collared Greens, and Black Eyed Peas,
Second Helping if you Please!!
Dressing, Stuffing or whatever
The Sperad of Food can go on Forever!!
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy YES!!
These Sweet Rolls they are the Best!!
Peach Cobbler and Lemon Cake!!
Banana Pudding for Goodness Sake!!
Sweet Potato Pie and Pumpkin Pie!!
A Spread of Desserts
My, my, my!!!
Turducken if you so wish!!
All that's made is so Delish!!
Everything's my Favorite Dish!!
Happy Thanksgiving and
Happy Turkey Day!!
Happy Thanksgiving
in so many ways!!
The Adults are Happy and
the kids run and play
This will turn out to be
Pleasant kinda Day!!
Hope your Having a Terrific Time!!
YOUR LEFTOVERS THEY
WILL BE MINE!!
NO JUST KIDDING!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
B.R
Date: 11/3/2022
Nov 28, 2024
Nov 28, 2024 at 11:17 AM UTC
It’s a “travel week” here in Georgia. I’m writing this on June 1st at the Atlanta airport. This morning Sunny’s flying in from Nebraska, Sophy from California, Lisa from New York and Anna from Oregon - all around noon. Charles put a hard-shell luggage carrier on the roof of the Navigator because he didn’t trust it to hold the luggage 4 girls could bring.
My parents left last Saturday for Warsaw to join “Doctors Without Borders.” Charles, Leong and I drove them to the airport and then we took Leong to “The Mad Italian” for the best steak & cheese sandwiches on this side of andromeda.
Sunday was a typical lake day. We tied off in our favorite cove and were quickly joined by everyone who could get on a boat. Imagine that Dunkirk movie - except this was a get together - with motorboats, sailboats, skiffs, pontoon boats and canoes all crowding the little bay.
Leong’s an avril lavigne - who knew? On Monday, I surprised her with something green - a trip to “Fun Galaxy” roller-skating rink. I made reservations for a “birthday party” and a group of 15 of us had the rink to ourselves all morning (and cake). I thought I was a skater but Leong’s legit. She says that in Macau you either skate on the street (rough terrain and dangerously between cars) or at one of several huge multisport pavilions where the rinks are cement and resemble our skateboard courses.
She’d never seen an air-conditioned, basketball-court-smooth-hardwood, disco-lit, rock concert sounding, American roller rink. It was love at first sight. She spins, does double lutzes, skates faster backwards than I can forwards, and the manager threatened to pull her off the floor for doing backflips (“There are liability issues,” he insisted.) She was also amazed because there was a built-in diner. At home, she said, you have to bring your own water and sometimes your own toilet paper (toilets are completely different in Asia - don’t get me started on THAT).
Yesterday, Leong, Kim and I were waiting for a Facetime call, to coordinate today’s arrivals.
Before that though, at my behest, Kim helped me ferret-out - Holmes & Watson like - the dire skinny on something, and we, as long time besties and co-conspirators, had a plan.
“Did you know Rob Chen was class valedictorian this year?” Kim asked the room.
“No!, congratulations Rob,” I said.
“Yea, Rob,” Leong echoed nonchalantly.
“We’re so proud of Rob.” Kim continues.
“But, you know,” I said seriously, “there are Rob haters out there. I understand it - he’s hateable,” I expand.
“ek,” Kim blurted, like a little bird, at Leong’s reaction as Leong gasps, “What.. Why?”
“Because he dresses ugly!” I explained.
Kim, unable to curb her excitement, squeaks out loud.
Leong looked at Kim, shocked, Kim was looking down and rocking with the effort of silence.
“That’s not enough REASON,” Leong blurts, “to hate someone!
Again, Leong looked to Kim for agreement and got none.
“I don’t hate YOU,” Leong says, turning on me.
There’s a moment of shocked silence.
“WOW.. wow,” I say, as Kim nervously snickered with glee.
“First of all,” I begin, between my own chuckles, a defense:
“I’m wearing a very **** black ensemble but not exactly dressed to go OUT, (Kim laugh-coughed) and SECOND,” I pause for drama-queen effect.
“YOU,” I say, turning my head significantly and accusingly, towards Leong, slightly askew for a better view, “seem to have quite a few hickies on your neck this morning.”
Kim can't stand it any more and squeals, full out, with delight.
“You, need,” Leong said, pausing just before she lunges at me playfully, to put her hand over my mouth, “to cut off THAT line,”
“I knew it.. I KNEW it!” I say, bobbing and turning my head away as Leong pins me with her body while still trying to mug me and we’re all howling with laughter now.
“Those are Rob Chen hickies! - I. KNEW. IT.”
The facetime ring interrupts us and Leong reluctantly lets me go to answer it.
We all sober as she moves to press “Accept.”
“Let me just loop-back to say,” I looked at Kim with elementary-dear-Watson satisfaction, and said to Leong, “you didn’t deny it,”
Leong blushes crimson as the call begins.
Jun 1, 2022
Jun 1, 2022 at 12:14 PM UTC
May 2013
Memorial day weekend
It was warm with promises of sun
Beautiful blue skies
And no cloud in sight
Seattle prepared for crowds
People swarming the Center
For folk music, food
Laughter and smiles shining bright
My leg, a bright red
I woke up
Burning hot with red seeping up my leg
Pain swarmed my back
Tears gathering
In corners of my eyes
As I was admitted
To the emergency room
Greeted with morphine, leaving me in a haze
*** induced haze
Lingering around the fountain
Families occupied the edge
Children running in and out
Collecting droplets of water
Along with sunburns
While groups of friends
Gathering in drum circles
Slow rhythmic thumping could be heard for miles
My son’s heartbeat
Thumped in my ears
I watched the fear
As he focused on the antibiotic drips
Invading my body
The days in clipped moments
Passing in and out
With each wave of fever
And the doctors
Tattooed my leg with sharpie
Artwork was only one thing
Found in the vendor alley
People flooded the booths
Snatching up
Brightly colored creations
As they headed to find
Dance troupes, bollywood
Inspired activities
With stomping feet, swaying arms
They placed the central line
Into my right arm
My body had clogged each IV
the doctors warned me
If the redness started
To show patterns of serrating
Then they would have to take my leg
Diazepam had me slurring out
I am fine, I am fine
Memorial Day
A time of remembrance
Services to be held
Events to commemorate
All the fallen
From a concert at Museum of Flight
To baseball game with Seattle Mariners
To appreciate, appreciate
It took ten days
For me to be released
May 2013, Memorial Day weekend
I would always remember
As the beginning
Of my growing struggle
With gradual loss of mobility
I am fine, I am fine
Nov 12, 2020
Nov 12, 2020 at 12:03 AM UTC
In this life we
live there is a
time to give, to
give thanks for
what we have
what we do
who we are
as we stand and
shine like the
brightest star.
In this time of thanks
we try to see
the goodness of gathering
with family
hoping that the closing
will hold the key
to an opening for better
in the new year to be.
The gathering of family
at holiday events
should NOT be about
the bling
the number of presents.
It should be about
time together
genuinely,
that idea seems so
given, hello
maybe it's just me.
Nov 26, 2019
Nov 26, 2019 at 10:01 AM UTC
In this life we
live there is a
time to give, to
give thanks for
what we have
what we do
who we are
as we stand and
shine like the
brightest star.
In this time of thanks
we try to see
the goodness of gathering
with family
hoping that the closing
will hold the key
to an opening for better
in the new year to be.
The gathering of family
at holiday events
should NOT be about
the bling
the amount of presents.
It should be about
time together
genuinely,
that idea seems so
given, hello
maybe its just me.
Nov 20, 2014
Nov 20, 2014 at 4:26 PM UTC
I've got this
religion building up inside
I need to let go of the outside
though I know not which
voice is mine to find
I've gotta drive home
without a vehicle to ride
I've got to drive home
Where was it you sang?
I felt your low resonance
I felt you in the blood pumped
through my lungs
at one time
your breathiness
absorbed in my dreams
watching me sleep
Today, I'm gone
Today I am completely ******* gone--
I got this
Oct 5, 2014
Oct 5, 2014 at 5:34 PM UTC