Writing Wings For You

Marie Lukasik Wallace ~ # I LIVE Poetry – I'm passionate about life and writing and all things creative and poetic!

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Writing Can be a Rough Road

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Writing Can be a Rough Road

Don’t you wish there were a warning sign like this to point out a “Rough Road” in life?” Not only is there a sign, but a pink flag waving in the wind!

My daughter pointed this sign out to me on our way to school one day. It made us giggle because we were going through some tough times. Lately, the writing road has been a tough one for me….mostly time because my day job, teaching is really busy now. But honestly, the toughest part is working on my dad’s story. Dad is locked up tight inside again.

Alzheimer’s is a nasty beast to the patient and to the families. It is confusing to know what to say and what not to say because they are so caught up in fear and paranoia that often we don’t know what to say. I can’t even hardly talk about what he’s going through on this post for fear that it will get back to him and somehow hurt him. And I’m not trying to hurt anyone. I’m just working for understanding, and writing it to you gets it out of me.

You see, what Alzheimer patients are going through is very very real to them. As my dad’s story unfolds, I realize more and more where his fears come from. He is afraid of people attacking him because he was jumped daily on his way to and from school. He feared for his life often because he knew the guys who jumped him carried knives, and he didn’t know when they would pull one on him.

Rush forward to the present, dad feels this same fear of people wanting to harm him and fearing for his life. Like I said, it’s REAL to HIM. His reasoning skills are waning, so I can’t reason with him about what is real. The most I can do is find ways to comfort him and refocus his energy on positive things. And sometimes I just listen because he needs a way to get the ugly out of him.

I won’t give you details because it will feel like airing dirty laundry. It’s not like that. It’s just that I want you to know there are others out there who understand what you are going through and maybe we can talk strategies together.

Sometimes poetry works with dad because he had such a love for words. And words can be healing. We’ve even written some poetry. For a little while oils like peppermint and orange worked, until he was afraid that the oils were something that would harm instead of help him. Everyone says to use music, but he doesn’t like it and doesn’t have a player. I know through interviews there was music he liked fondly. I’m hoping this summer to bring a CD player with me to visit him with some of those songs to try this out.

The good news is that these episodes go in cycles with some really bad days and then clear days just pop in. I must always be ready because I never know if “today will be the day.”

But I do know this, I never know how much time I will have with him, so I cherish each moment and every morsel of him that is revealed, the good, the bad and the ugly…because he’s my dad…he’s a part of me, and his history is part of me, and I want his grandchildren and great grandchildren to know this man better than the “vaulted man” I knew most of my life. I want to get as many locks off as I can.

Nemaste dear friends. ~Marie


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To Do a Writing Retreat or Not? That is the question!

writing rereatretreat lodge

retreat timber mooseWriting retreats are an investment. You are betting your hard earned money that the retreat you are embarking on has the information you need to grow beyond what you expect. You hope that you will gain some writing skills, network with people, and learn some things about the publishing industry. From speaking with others, I KNOW that this isn’t always the case.

I’ve been on 3 writing retreats through Inspired Legacy, with best selling author,
Bridget Cook, and I can tell you that though it seems like it would be the same retreat for me, I learn exponentially each time.  Bridget is a soulful, masterful coach who is constantly growing and learning her craft and the latest and greatest in the publishing world so she can be the best for her clients.

Let me get more into more specifics of the retreat just in case you might be interested. Bridget brings phenomenal, engaging groups together and goes through the process of publishing a book, outlining steps of making your writing “juicy” as she calls it, assists you in your audience focus, exploring all publishing options that best suit you, as well as how the publishing process works. You also get to bring your book or idea of a book and have a one on one with Bridget where she gives her insightful feedback. What makes Bridget masterful is not only is she always learning her craft, but she is an avid reader and researcher. An avid reader knows what a reader wants, and an avid researcher knows the market well. You leave the retreat with so much information. I started my first retreat with a 3 page essay, and now I’m writing a book! (Blows my mind too.)

What I love the most, is you can extend the retreat by doing an intensive writing program with Bridget and go into the process deeper, making writing a COLLABORATIVE PROCESS. A dear friend of mine acknowledged this for me by saying “only you would take something like writing which is usually a solitary act and find a way to do it collaboratively”…obviously not only me, because there seem to be others craving the same thing. I believe that blogging is a lot like this collaborative process and we learn a lot from each other. This is just something a little bit more for those who might be ready for a new adventure.

I realize this is a plug for my friend, but I know there are others thinking of taking their writing to another level; and I know that Bridget is more than a writing coach, she’s an experienced author and a caring person who is great at individualizing the program for you. I went into the retreat with a 3 page essay about my dad, and now I’m not only writing his book, but have other great projects on a burner. DREAM BIG!!! (You’ll surprise yourself.)
Just some food for thought.

For those of you who read my blog and were hoping to hear more about my sweet dad, I should be getting back on track very soon. I’ve just had some busy weeks, and have another 3 busy weeks ahead until I can breathe. A teacherly life is crazy in May…and then you’ll really hear from me!

Have a blessed Sunday and happy writing!
Hope to give you an update later today.
Nemaste.
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What a Place to Write!

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10174936_10152388421726037_3890474859939582595_nWhat a Place to Write!

A writer’s retreat in Heber City with the beautiful Bridget Cook of Inspired Legacy.
I can’t wait to write down all my break throughs and noticings along my writing journey of my daddy’s legacy.

Writing Wings for You – My New Logo

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Writing Wings for You - My New Logo

It was really fun creating this design with Jakob Marketing. I gave them ideas and suggestions and colors and made a few changes, and Wahlah! It’s as if they could read my mind!
Super easy to work with. So if you’re looking to create your own logo, then this is a place to at least consult: http://www.jakobmp.com

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MY LOGO? HAPPY HAPPY DANCE!!!!


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Throwback Tuesday – Romance – Inspired by a Fellow Blogger

A Fellow blogger, Kanzen Sakura, told a sweet romantic tale about her husband’s unconditional love, and it was so romantic and sweet, it inspired me to write about my man.

Joe came into my life when I was not looking for a man.  I wanted to just go out and enjoy life and all it had to offer.  I was in school and had two beautiful little girls.  My life was plenty busy enough.  Relationships were a challenge because there was so much going on. I was teaching a dance class and we all decided to meet for “dance club.” I had met with the dance club several times, informally enough.
club many times. We would just chat and talk about upcoming events and things we’d like to teach or attend. I had my head down when I hear an loud, echoing belly laugh so rich and so full that it caught my full attention. There, radiantly at the door with joy all around his countenance was Joe.

Immediately I was at attention. He was like a magnet and I was drawn to him. My heart leaped and said, “I want some of that.” Never before, nor since have I been so taken. Of course at this point, I’m trying to think of a way to talk to him and get to know him. I’m not really a scheming sort, but there had to be a way! Out of the blue came the sweetest thought. We need a telephone directory for our dance club! Also note, Marie has never called a boy! I was raised differently than it is today…but I just wanted to have some of this joy in my life.

Well, we made a date to see each other. But we both purposefully made it for an event that started at 3:00 p.m. That way if it didn’t work out, we could still go do our own thing. Needless to say, we talked for hours and hours. And here we are today. I think things worked out pretty well. Despite that he didn’t really want to date either. We both just knew joy when we saw it, and didn’t let it go.

I’m happy to report that 20 years later, we still have joy, and that beautiful man will stop anywhere, anytime and dance with me. And I enjoy every bit, whether it’s in a grocery aisle or a parking lot or our very own living room. I love that he still has that sparkle in his eye when he looks at me.

I am truly blessed. There are many more romantic stories to come.


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I KID YOU NOT! It’s all about a Pencil

Magic Wand

Lead Soaring through the air

Making drawings and words appear

Erases bad things

Imagination blooms

Living things

New creations

Different world

Different you.

 

No pun intended “kid you not.”  My first graders were stuck, and I felt like they just weren’t getting this poetry thing.  Every once in awhile they’d come up with a poetic phrase.  (I’ve heard them say thousands of poetic things throughout the year.)  Now, when it really matters, they were stuck!  See?  It happens to ALL of us!   So, I said you can write about ANYTHING!  I grabbed a pencil and said, “Tell me about this pencil, first scientifically (so we could get that out of the way).  Now, my dear poets, let’s go deeper!”  And the magic began.  We NEED each other.  We deserve each other along this writing journey.  Sometimes writing is hard.  But with each other, writing can be magical…create “living things,” a “different world, a different you.”  I learned this from looking through first grade eyes.


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Foxes On Friday: Now In Gifs

Wow! I enjoy all things nature, and I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to share this. What talent to capture! And what talent this lively fox has!


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I Ate Blessed

The other day I was sending a post to a friend of mine with my phone and it auto corrected.  Instead of saying “you are blessed,” it said, “you ate blessed.”  I happened to be in a high state of awareness and felt quite playful, so I wrote about how it would feel to “eat blessed.”  What a great tool it turned out to be to stimulate my writing.  I didn’t have my computer, so I don’t have that writing, but it’s always good to revisit something.  So here is my opening for today. Enjoy!

 

                                                    I Ate Blessings Today

I gorged on blessings today.  I took the time to really be grateful for what I have in my life. I didn’t just count it.  I took a bite of it, and I chewed it slowly, savouring each morsel of that blessing and giving it permission to fill my body.  Blessings deserve to nourish you and touch your every cell with energy and vitality.  Then you radiate blessings and your blessings sustain you on those dark dreary days when it’s a challenge to get up.

Ahh, I get it now.  I imagine that is how meditation works. And when I see those people who radiate a countenance that is so lovely that you feel revitalized just in their presence, then you know they ate their blessings for that day. 

My mantra today is that “I SHALL BE RADIANCE FOR TODAY FOR I HAVE EATEN MY DAILY DOSE OF BLESSINGS.”

~Nemaste friends – may you eat blessings and multiply,

Marie signature 2-for resizing final    *** This was reposted from another blog I used to write.  I enjoyed the writing so much.


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We Wrote Another Poem! Paint Me As I Am

In Poetry Therapy, we use poetry as a way to heal.  It’s a back door way to heal.  Actually, in my opinion, all writing is healing.  I took some sample poetry from an amazing compilation of teen poems by Writer’s Corps called “Paint Me Like I Am,” and asked my dad how he would want the world to know him. At first, this was too right brained for him. Usually he operates more left brained. So, I read him some more samples and then I used adjectives he had used previously to describe himself and asked him to delineate more on that.

Below is what Ernest, my dad, wrote, with little assistance from me. (He has arthritis and Alzheimer’s, so I’m his hand and placeholder.) What is amazing to me is that my dad was invested and even got excited to do it. He has started to call me now and has more days he talks about his life than not. He has written something our family can treasure, and I’m so proud!
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU LIKE IT! HE GETS EXCITED ABOUT
PEOPLE READING HIS PAGE :0)

PAINT ME AS I AM by Ernest

Paint me working and doing my best
For I liked to make things better
Taking things that work that didn’t work before
Engines, motors, broken chairs and making them new again.

Paint me determined.
I made up my mind not to have any booze at all…
Or anything that would come near it…
I didn’t want any part of what I did before…

Paint me as keeping my thoughts and good emotions toward others
Requesting forgiveness for my stupidty…

Paint me as always looking for making a difference in life.
As time goes by, I make sure each day of my life that whatever I do and say is better…
Never wanting to give or get trouble…

Paint me independent wanting the peaceful life,
less noise and misery from people or cars and traffic and busses and sirens…
It gripes me a lot…I had enough of all that…
I have to get away from the racket.

Paint me as one whose mind holds onto better days
(don’t really care about money)
Whose richness is in the simple life,
The more simple the better
Let me just work on my cars and trucks and lawn mowers.

Paint me as determined to keep life in balance
And I’m skiing away from life itself
(the house, the dogs and the cats, and even plants.
Leave me with my critters.

Paint me without hateful words
Or holding onto hatefulness
For it puts me out of balance…

Paint me happy and content with my life.

***It might need some editing, but it’s great for a first draft. :0)


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Poetry Through a Young Poet’s Eyes

 

Rain

By a first grader (no editing) 

Come on rain

It’s getting hot here

in the sun

Rain rain

Come on

I want to play

with you in the clouds

You make puddles

For me to play in

You make it quiet

You make it calm

Rain

 

I love how we hadn’t even talked about personification, and he was already inviting rain, like a friend to come out and play.  By the way, this poem is on the second day of poetry and done by a boy.   He did such a brilliant job, the other boys followed suit.  However, one must note we enjoy several poems a week all year long.

 

Raindrops

By Rylee Ford

 

Rain tickles your feet.

You’re splashing in puddles.

Kids beg their mommas

 To get their swimming suits on

 And go play.

It tickles your forehead.

Kids splash and play in the rain.

It goes down your back.

It tickles your back.

You giggle, you laugh, you splash.

 

Again, it showcases such freedom to interact with words.  This was also done on the second day of poetry and has a musicality to it. 

I wanted to showcase how easy it is for a six year old to write poetry.  How do we lose this sense of noticing and awe and wonder?  Of all the genres I teach, this is the genre that’s usually the easiest for the kids because they LIVE poetry.  Almost everything a first grader says is poetry.  I try to capture snippets of what they say because it is not only precious but sometimes quite genius! 

This exercise was done after doing some artwork that we wanted parents to see and I thought it would be cool to have some poetry with it.  As a teacher, I’ve learned to watch my world a little slower…a little easier…and try to see it through first grade eyes.

WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM A SIX YEAR OLD?