Have you ever noticed how some people are artistic on so many levels? They not only produce great sculptures or
paintings, they also have a delightful garden and/or cook divinely? Here’s JoAnne Tucker, who not only writes books but also lyrical poetry, and delights the eyes with her paintings. Please help me welcome JoAnne to the Friday blog. Help yourself to the quick yummy, and enjoy.
RECIPE: Fruit Topped Angle Food Cake Prep time-5 minutes
8 pudding cups of Snack Pack Vanilla pudding
1 large container of tropical fruit in light juice, undrained
1 bunt sized angle food cake sliced into eight or more pieces
Directions:
Stir together pudding and fruit in large bowl. Spoon generous amount of sauce with fruit over each slice of cake and serve cold.
SAMPLE POEMS:
I WAS
I was afraid to grow up.
Afraid of life.
I worried myself to death.
It was hard to breathe.
Like a fish out of water.
Like having asthma.
High school was hell-crazy wild.
My only plan.
Just get up and go.
Cant be like mom.
She always had a plan.
Living her life without any man.
Cant think that far.
Felt out of place.
Like dust floating in space.
Scared out of my mind.
Of what I might or might not find.
Cant hack relationships.
More drama.
Why waste the time.
Still confused, but still craving knowledge.
I need to do what I want-for myself.
Even if its just me who cares.
Even if no ones there.
It was a long hard road.
To get my act together.
All bad choices, solely I sowed.
Working for nickels and dimes.
Like a newborn.
Taking one step at a time.
“““““““““““““““““““““““““““
SCARED
A new wife and mother.
Scared of life.
Scared to grow up.
Worry myself sick.
Never thought of a plan.
Didn’t want to be like the others.
Living my life according to my mother.
My life seemed over, before it began.
Cant think or feel.
Cant plan ahead.
Like a foolish child wanting to be a woman.
Some days to hard, just cant deal.
To confused to understand.
That growing up comes with demands.
Married badly, blamed myself.
Got out fast, and never looked back.
I covered myself in chaos.
All out of faith, money, and time.
Need to step back and take deep breaths,
and take one step at a time.
I cornered myself in chaos,
in false love, self loathing and lies.
Writing my future off as a loss.
Nothing left but sorrow, despair and good-byes.
Feeling helpless, lost and alone,
I felt I could accomplish nothing on my own.
I retreated to a place called the dark.
To contemplate my choices,
before my life’s journey embarked.
My only failures were the ones I created.
My bad choices were thorns all around.
It took years to find happiness and evolve.
My will to succeed is my solid ground.
“““““““““““““““““““““““`
ACHIEVED THROUGH STRIFE
In this bleak life of mine,
I walk the dark alleys of broken dreams.
A darkened corridor of lost tomorrows,
within a collage of unraveled seams.
My life simmered like a bad stew.
Hidden within a clutter of tear stained cheeks.
Living in darkness, an unbridled soul.
Torn between life and death, my future seemed bleak.
Despair cowered behind my eyes.
Once beautiful, I was left aged and alone.
Reflections in my sea of tears,
reminded me I was forgotten and solitary.
Stumbling over common life hurdles,
like a babe learning to crawl.
Losing everything to my lustful addictions,
of fear, failure, and shame.
Lost control of what was mine.
That poison controlled me for a while.
It felt bad and made me cry.
As emotional pain went on for miles.
I found courage with family and friends.
No more shadows, cold or rain.
The venom that once ruled my life,
is a faded memory I achieved through strife.
difference. As an individual, it means accepting the people who want to join my life journey, and not worrying about those who don’t. (bet you thought I was going to say pitying those who don’t)
cheese, and sausage will ever win any culinary awards from the dietary council. But we can at least cut down on some on the processed foods.
Mona Karel Author 