Michele Lee Sefton's Blog, page 8

Just a night

The oppressive heat loosened up a bit tonight. Friendly warm winds were inviting. A waxing crescent was present, with clouds moving in and out. I heard a bicyclist go by, blaring loud music. I didn’t recognize the tune, but it had a Salsa flavor. On occasion there are small groups of people on cruisers, enjoying life, ringing their bells, and enjoying a party vibe. Some do it up right and string lights on their bikes. It’s fun to watch them. To smile and wave at them. If I see these cool cruisers, it’s on the weekends. It’s not the weekend yet, but America is heading into Independence Day (4th of July), so the holiday celebratory tone is stirring.

I don’t really celebrate holidays anymore. I used to do all the things and decorate for every occasion. I don’t do much of that either. I do cherish all the memories, and I celebrate life every day—moments here and there. I’m in a different season now. It’s a beautiful and creative one. A liberating one of great discovery. Not without its challenges, but that’s life.

I have a lot on my mind, and I thought a poem might spill out given the night’s delicious summer atmosphere. That didn’t happen, but I’m sure several first lines tumbled through my mind as I was reflecting on life while dancing under the waxing crescent and stars.

Just another day feels like reason enough to light a few candles, add some fresh water to ruby-red grocery store carnations, and wear a ruffly dress (an exciting second-hand purchase). I have a thing for unique vintage style clothing especially when found at a great price. Thank you for reading my late-night rambling. I tried to give myself a time limit of ten minutes when I started writing and that came and went. Those energizing warm winds are to blame.

Best to you and good night from a cool Sonoran. Only 93 degrees currently! A dry heat that has an approaching hint of monsoon. Take care and if you celebrate the Fourth, have fun and be careful.

my photos of waxing crescent and my ruffly purchase

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Francisco and his flamingo

He watched yachts cruise by
while raindrops tickled his toes
his happiness glowed

Heaven’s lament freed
sleeping flowers burst with life
painting the land pink

Good morning from a dancing desert dweller, far away from these blooming flowers or any signs of showers, but a girl can dream. [image error] Thanks for stopping by. My rainy themed post is submitted to Fake Flamenco’s June Poetry Challenge “Write a haiku about rain, although you do not need to have the word “rain” in your poem.” Thank you to the gracious host, Rebecca, for inspiring rainy thoughts. Kind regards. Michele

featured photo by Maridav / my flower photos taken in Scotland

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Poetic Pebbles

Do you see yourself in the pebble collection?

            Poets, artists, dreamers—

are you a drop of ink nestled between
two amber stones
or are you prominent and bold
covered in sea green gold, nature’s ancient.

Are you rough, smooth, or a combination of the two?

Did being tossed about leave you hollow
            or did all the jostling create sparkle inside you?

Thank you for stopping by. This was a most cherished stop for me along our Scotland traveling route. I didn’t make it to the Dunnottar Castle above and to the right. Instead, I chose to walk down the long steep path of steps to meet the water’s edge. Walking along the beach, observing and holding ancient stones and staring into tide pools, watching leaves move to a gentle water rhythm and catching a reflection of a bird flying above was time well spent. Well worth the steps! Over two hundred is what I heard.

Very hard to leave this location, but a shout from above told me it was time to depart and climb back to the top. Warmed me up! Next time, I may ditch the bus transportation and get lost in this peaceful location. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Let’s skip across cloud tops

“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.”
― Tom Robbins, Still Life with Woodpecker

Grown-ups stay grounded
taking care of the details
playful spirits freed

Good morning from the Sonoran Desert. I couldn’t not share these (altocumulus) clouds with the beautiful shades of blue glowing through. Thanks for joining me in the clouds. Michele

featured photo by maxim ibragimov

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Window Wonder

I stood
a little too long
and wondered
about all the eyes that had looked upon,
or peered through,
the same view,
noticing, observing, daydreaming, contemplating—
the shifting seasons, birds flying, a neighbor strolling, enemies approaching.

What did they think—
others who stood here.
Were they hopeful at the sight of a new day
and all the possibilities arising,
were they tense, ready with loaded lead,
did they make a wish while star gazing,
or were they prisoners of their own making.
I wonder.

Thank you for stopping by and strolling through window views from a few Scotland locations. One of the things I’ve loved about traveling through Europe are the windows and doors. Guess that would be two things. Most construction is “new” where I live and lacks the history and character of vintage structures. There are sacred Indigenous sites to be found across the American Southwest, but most of those dwellings are remnants of what once was. Mostly rubble, now protected. Fortunately, wise and soothing spirits are still present. Felt by those willing to sit quietly and listen. Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday. Michele

my window photos are submitted to Monday Window

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Sweet Occasion

“Susan turns her attention to strawberries. They’re easier. Who doesn’t like a strawberry? And they’re excellent right now: a cold, damp spell in May delayed the season, but the more recent, prolonged good weather means they’re exploding all over, rich and sweet. She’s trying them out on a cloudy pavlova flavored with pink peppercorns, mixing the strawberries with mint and lemony sauce.”
― Brianne Moore, All Stirred Up

The strawberries are so sweet! Thank you to those who expressed interest in my strawberry shortcake biscuits, a dessert I made last night to honor my grandmother Evelyn’s birthday (June 21, 1920). Sharing some baking photos for ya! Barely snapped the first before the whipped topping turned into melted cream. The desert is not kind to desserts. [image error] Please visit my post, “The Flavor of Summer” to read more, including a poem I wrote to celebrate the vibes of a yummy and golden summer solstice.

As a woman who loved to laugh, dance, and as the mother of seven girls (and three boys), this quote felt fitting for her.

© 2019-2025 MyInspiredLife

The flavor of summer

Plucked from her hair
a red poppy he handed her
compressed between her crown and the earth
while they were sky gazing
and soul diving

its stem bent, a petal missing
their shared laughter, a sweet accompaniment
to the field of poppies swaying around them

she thought it the most beautiful
flower she’d ever seen
into him she fell

Thanks for stopping by. One day in and I’ve fallen into a warm and yummy summer vibe. A welcome change of season, though love and laughter have no schedule nor do they need a reason. Some might say love is the reason.

My grandmother Evelyn, who I’ve written about or referenced here and there, was born on this day, June 21, 1920, in Arkansas. She loved to dance and laugh, although she could never make it to a joke’s punch line without cracking up. She was an amazing cook and baker, having worked as one in various situations and locations. Her guests, whether one or fifty, never left hungry. Raising ten children and cooking for a large family through the years surely helped her refine these skills! She learned to pickle and can veggies on her childhood farm and she told me because of this, her family never experienced hunger during the depression. She also once shared a story with me about rushing the planting of seeds so she could make it to the local dance. Her father was not happy about this, when her clump of seeds burst from the earth in one spot, versus a full-length row.

I won’t be planting any seeds in her (humorous) honor, but I will be thinking of her when I dance at the studio later. Underneath inevitable blushing, I believe she’d be proud of my pole dancing abilities, and for other reasons, too. As a tribute to all the deliciousness she served up, I’ll be making some homemade strawberry shortcake biscuits later this afternoon and I know her spirit will be dancing with me in the kitchen. Wishing you the best, whatever your season. Michele

featured photo of a poppy field by Simion-Daniel / my Summer Solstice sunrise photos

© 2019-2025 MyInspiredLife

Vintage Strength

Fierce winds suddenly rise
and threaten to destroy everything.

She is stretched and tested
by the pushing,
           pulling,
               howling, and
                   screaming.

The weathered door whistles and bends
causing her to tremble and quake.

Run She does not.
Collapse She does not.

Bravely, She braces the splintered door
when gales whip and shake.

Give up She does not.
Curse the heavens She does not.

It is a destructive wind –
too much for one woman.

Fearful She is not.
Alone She is not.

Thirteen grandmothers stand with her –
skin pressing skin, muscles flexed, feet digging in.

Mightier than a major hurricane,
She is protected by her motherly guardians.

They whisper in her ear –
“Stand strong, child,
               Stand strong!
                   We are here,
                       We won’t let you fall.”

She closes her burning eyes and breathes
them into her core. One by one they become her.

Poseidon’s fury is no match for
a woman robed in ancestral armor.

She laughs at the gods
and smiles at the heavens.

She knows there is a calm
beyond the door,
beyond the storm.

Thank you for visiting and reading. This poem, “Vintage Strength,” originally published on April 9, 2022, has been on my mind for several days. Although I rarely reshare previously written poems, I do my best to listen when they tumble and linger in my brain. I’m glad this one did because it feels a fitting share on Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States; designated as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. Wishing you a wonderful day. Michele

P.S. Your feedback is greatly valued and appreciated, however with work needing my full attention this morning, I’ve had to turn comments off. Thank you and take care.

featured photo by Max4e Photo / the piece, titled “Anandamaya,” was shared with the original post and created by my daughter, artist Sammi Lee

© 2019-2024 MyInspiredLife

Cool water

With the wind
she’d learned to dance
floating, flying,

            sometimes fighting against

He skipped stones, to pass the time
some gliding across the top
            like graceful pelicans

                        others, into the deep, plopped

thirsty and tired, into cool water she did dive
knocked by a stone on her right side
into the air above him, she flew,
retaliating with poo

when he laughed, she laughed too
his laughter lifting her wings
her laughter making his stones sing

            joyful ripples, ever-expanding

This poem began with the swooniest of intentions, then took a dive. Oh well, it’s still as sweet as cherry pie. Thanks for stopping by. Michele

featured image of man and woman floating by New Africa / skipping stone & sunset photo by M.Pakats

© 2019-2024 MyInspiredLife

The forest of humanity

Connected are the
deep roots of humanity
every leaf unique

In recognition of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday (June 14, 1775), thank you to those who’ve served, which includes my grandfather (deceased) and my brother (retired). For the collective courage, dedication, and commitment to protecting others, I say thank you. “This We’ll Defend” (Army motto).

Please visit my post, “His Letters are Treasures V (w/audio)” to learn more about an ongoing personal project that highlights my Grandfather’s brave WWII service and the reading of his letters and sharing of inherited memorabilia. Thank you. Michele

my tree photos were taken in Scotland

© 2019-2024 MyInspiredLife