Sinsinawa Labyrinth

Beneath a row of pines, on the left side
of the silent road, rests the labyrinth.
I breach the broken bones of limestone lines
in search of a golden thread.

Instead, debris litters the pebbled path.
Dead things lay beneath my feet,
shed from trees above my head;
leaves crunch, twigs crack.

Disoriented, I wander the maze
as the center moves
farther and farther away;
lost in mounds of thought.

Abruptly I'm centered.
A feather enchants my eye;
from the marrow I'm given wings and vision.
I see there is not a golden thread;
I have not sown it.

No longer fearing the narrow path,
I acknowledge the dead things.
The obstacles seem quite small
compared to the length of lines I've walked.


by Elizabeth A. Hall
1/29/06

Reflections of the Unemployed - Week 14

Wow, Week 14! This week went by in a flash. I had my second interview in 14 weeks on Thursday; the highlight of my week. I heard from the company on Monday and it was a grueling wait. The job is very appealing, like nothing I've ever done before and "I want it bad". The job description would have me traveling throughout Illinois, Iowa and Missouri selling photos to church patrons who have recently had their photo taken for their church directory (photos are already taken, no cold calling involved...Phew!). The directories are free with an 8x10 thrown in (good deal). I would offer them additional photo packages.

I've never done this type of sales before but I believe if the product is good, it will sell itself. Fortunately I would have a base salary in addition to commission, otherwise I probably wouldn't consider it. Having worked in a call center, I had the opportunity to talk to many people from all walks of life across the country and enjoyed the uniqueness of each person and found them all interesting in their own way (oh the stories I could tell and just might some day).

In addition to meeting fascinating people, the job would take me out of the office and onto the open road and you can bet, I will take full advantage of the travel opportunity. The places I would visit, the people I would meet, the photos I would take and the stories I will tell. It feels liberating just thinking about it. The interviewer said it tends to get lonely staying in a motel, night after night and can be quite boring. That's if you aren't creative and enjoy spending your alone time writing poetry, blogging, reading, thinking and twittering. I responded as such but in not so many words.

I came out of the interview feeling very positive, despite the question on the application: "Have you ever been discharged from a job and why". I could not avoid being honest. The interviewer commented on my "likable personality" which is a plus in any interview. At the conclusion of the interview, she asked "what do you think"? I had to say "It sounds like a great adventure", as it does.

On another note, my son made it to the Army recruiter this week, only to find out that the day prior to his appointment, they received a letter advising them to no longer accept recruits with a GED. Fortunately my son was in the process of signing up for college and grants. He is now required to have 15 credit hours before they will take him, so I'll have him around a bit longer. He intends to fulfill those requirements and then enlist.

Also this week, I received a call from my friend, to whom I took photos for, of her new Granddaughter. It seems she had taken the disk I made for her to Walgreen's to have some of the photos developed. Walgreen's did not believe the photos were not taken by a professional photographer and she was made to sign a statement indicating as such. That is the second time I've taken photos for someone and they had difficulty. What a compliment that is for me.

My poetic muse returned to me in a quite obscure manner but none the less it returned. All in all making me quite a happy camper this week. And hopefully, soon I will be writing on the road, traveling with Classic Rock blaring on the radio with the wind in my hair and a smile on my face.

(Photographic Theme: "The Sky's The Limit")

Peace
Liz

"The Smell of Wet Dog"

Murky attitudes rein today like the smell of wet dog
Flogged and broken, thrown
Out into the storm’s dreary forecast.

Is it just the day’s foreboding future, casting a dark hue
On the water’s misty view?
Pacing with a whore’s luck.
I smell it in the deep of the basement
Pulling on the chain.

Illumination never comes. Starvation eats,
My jaw aches, from the gnawing on the leash.

by Elizabeth A. Hall

(I know it's a bit obscure, I'm not even sure what its about, I vaguely remember writing it...lol )

Laughing Is Allowed

I feel your pain primate,
(don't cry in front of the children).
There are things that no one can relate to.
I have so much fun and feel so alone.
Its nobody's fault.

I wander about my home on the verge of tears.
All the time is too much.
I'm satisfied in all ways but one.
I can put my finger on it, but it doesn't come up.
My desires are stiffing; impaired beyond comprehension.

Not so much as a pill can fix what ales me.
So I chill at night and pretend I'm fine.
Though its not - and there is no repairing its absence.
It goes beyond the realm of intimacy;
existing in separateness.
Behind different doors at different times.

No need to conceal secrets behind them.
We think but never out loud.
We understand quietly; in private.
What would happen if we were to speak?
I can't tear myself from the chair,
I find comfort internally and in “Times New Roman”;
unspoken words. Laughing is allowed.

By Elizabeth A. Hall

House Sitting

Friday was a "what do I do with myself?" kind of day. There were so many options as to where I could park myself and work on my writing. I went from here to there and back again. The hardest part is not being able to smoke inside.

I ended up going for a walk and photographing the wildlife and then went into town for dinner. I had the tastiest Blue Cheese and Portabella Mushroom burger with fries and cottage cheese at the "Bierstube".

Saturday morning was comical. I think the dogs usually steal the show but they aren't here this weekend. These cats are not graceful like cats should be, knocking things over and I heard a "thump, thump, thump" coming up the stairs at 5:30 am. Tigger managed to climb upstairs with a sticky mouse trap in tow, complete with mouse attached. Once I pealed it from his leg, the sticky stuff stuck and everything he came in contact with was getting stuck to him. Including my morning paper as I was trying to read it.

I thought the mouse was dead but noticed it wriggling around, I couldn't just throw it in the trash like that. I don't know how long it had been stuck but I didn't think it was very humane to let it starve to death. It may sound gross but I took it outside and drowned it, quickly putting it out of its misery.

Now, I hear a lot about the mischievous corgis that live here, but they are out of town and I left the bathroom door open, thinking there was nothing the kitty's could get into (there were no mouse traps in the bathroom). When I came downstairs to park myself on the screened porch, I found the cap to my toothbrush. I wonder if they have a stash of treasures hidden somewhere in the house too. Ella, one of the dogs, has a stash under the master bed but that's another blog that belongs to my cousin: Ella's Cache.

After all the excitement, I decided to head to town, in the rain and check out all the shops I am always passing on my way here, saying "I should stop there sometime". I removed my books from my book bag and put my camera and extra lens in it (I didn't want to look like a tourist). LeClaire was very reminiscent of Galena Illinois, except I found the prices more affordable (My legs and feet were aching just like Galena too).

I'm a bit homesick but I've gotten a lot of writing done and will be leaving first thing in the morning. Well, maybe not "first thing" as I tend to be up around 5:00am, but shortly there after (I have to have coffee first). I never did get to take a nap in the hammock, its almost tempting to sleep in it tonight but I'll pass. Right now all I have on my agenda is to take a bath in the jacuzzi, I'd kick my self for passing that up too.

Peace
Liz

Liking LeClaire

I'm house sitting for my cousin in LeClaire, Iowa. I don't live far from here, just across the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois. It's maybe a thirty minute drive. Every time I pass through downtown, I tell myself that I should stop sometime and check it out. I'm a regular visitor to Galena, Illinois and its beginning to resemble Galena with all the art and antique shops popping up.

Well today I finally got around to visiting downtown LeClaire. I parked at one end of town on "The Great River Road", locally known as "N Cody Road" and walked up one side and back the other, hitting every shop in both directions. I had my eye out for a couple of things I've been wanting; a butterfly wind chime and a cabinet for the bathroom. I figured I would have better luck with the wind chime. Being on unemployment, even if I did find a cabinet I wouldn't be able to buy it.

As luck would have it, I found a tin crafted, butterfly wind chime hanging outside the third shop I think I went to, "LeClaire Antique Appraisers", only $10.00. When I entered the shop, there was a woman trying on a vintage, 1920's dress for a garden wedding. The ladies were discussing whether or not it was appropriate for a garden wedding. I thought it was perfect but went about browsing. I was a bit disappointed when she decided not to buy because she was afraid to have it cleaned.

I left the shop with the butterfly wind chime in mind and continued on. When I crossed the street at the opposite end of town, I needed to rest my feet. I walked down to the riverfront where a pavilion allowed me to park myself and take some pictures. I watched The North American Pelicans, they stop on the Mississippi as part of their migration every year and hang for a while. I've taken a full day before, hitting all the parks and dams along both sides of the River, taking pictures.

While I was resting, I saw the "Antique Archeology" van; a blast from the not too distant past. I had dated one of the Archeologists" a few times. Back then, they were being scouted for a show for "The Discovery Channel" and I sat through a few of the pilot episodes. It looked like they were doing well, they had a brand new van. They didn't make the cut for the cable channel but they now have a site on the internet where you can watch them make their amazing, antique discoveries.

I wanted to visit the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum but passed, I had seen it as a kid but not in such a pleasant environment. I figured it was time for lunch instead. I stopped in a popcorn shop and drooled for a moment over the counter but passed on the chocolate truffles. As it turns out they came from Largomarcino's, which I love but we have the original Largomarcino's in Moline, just down the hill from my home. I passed on "Happy Joe's" Pizza, I've had that before; who hasn't if you're from the Quad Cities. I'd also been to "Sneaky Pete's" years ago but its just not the same if you aren't with someone wearing a tie (they'll cut it off of you and hang it from the rafters).

I found a little cafe' called "Lydia's" and had one of their specialty sandwiches, "Sierra Chicken" with chips and a pickle spear. I sat outside on the balcony behind the building, again it reminded me of Galena but with a much better view and the sandwich was great. I wish I could remember what the green stuff on it was called. Since I passed up the chocolate, I grabbed a chocolate, chocolate chip muffin to go and headed for the Antique shop to buy the wind chime. All that was left were art shops so I figured I'd make my purchase and go back to the arts and crafts just to browse.

The last of the shops were my favorite; pottery, unique jewelry and interesting gifts. I'll be heading back here around Christmas time for sure. Its not as far as Galena and the prices, I thought were more reasonable. And yes, there were a few cabinets for the bathroom, but the prices, though reasonable, were not cheap enough for me.


Peace
Liz

Links of interest:
http://www.visitleclaire.com/
http://leclaireiowa.gov/
http://leclairechamber.com/

My Favorite places:

http://www.antiquearcheology.com/ - Watch videos on how they find their treasures!
http://www.artsworkia.com/ - My favorite shop!
http://www.razzleberriesgifts.com/ - I loved their fishing lure jewelry!
http://www.riverpup1.com/ - For all your Corgi needs.