Lawrence, Kansas

I just got back from a quick trip to Kansas for my cousin's high school graduation. I had a wonderful time, but it is nice to be back into my routine. Here are a few snapshots from my trip!

Where I’m From
2009

I am from classical,

and jazz,

and eighty-eight keys.

I am from umbrellas,

and rain-boots,

splashing in tiny seas.

I am from bright lights,

and buildings,

crowding the sky.

I am from the never ending blue,

circling and winding,

dancing so free.

I am from sunflowers,

kissed by honeybees,

crisp white linens blowing in the breeze.

I am from cotton,

and wheat,

howdys and yall’s.

I am from dancing,

and singing,

at the top of my lungs.

I am from paintbrushes,

and canvas,

messes and masterpieces.

I am from elite crowded halls,

name brand bags,

so many made-up faces.

I am from restless crowns,

lining the horizon.

I am from four spaces,

plus five lines.

I’m whole note, half note,

some rests in between.

My life is legato,

at times it’s staccato. 

Gifting on a Budget

I love giving gifts. If I could, I would go all out on every occasion. But just like almost everyone else, money is tight and I can't spend a whole lot of money. But that doesn't mean I can't make gifts special! This adorable mother's day gift was made for under $3! The adorable pot was just $1.99 at Goodwill and the plant (it will bloom gorgeous purple flowers) was only 99 cents! You can't get much cheaper than that! Plus, it is unique and one of a kind, and the stores that I checked out had similar versions for over $20!

Basket Weave

I am only a little obsessed with the basket weave stitch right now. No pattern, but it is super easy...just basket weave the size of the pillow you want and stitch it up!

Crazy - Creative Writing Throwback

Another throwback to my college days. Again, the prompt was writing from the opposite gender's perspective. 

Crazy

Creative Writing

January 18, 2012

“IT WAS ALL A LIE!” she screamed, as she sobbed into the tablecloth, thick black stains running down her cheeks, salting her dinner with her tears; causing the biggest scene I have ever encountered while on a date. While I am sure I looked like the biggest asshole at the restaurant to surrounding onlookers, what she failed to mention in her raging rant was that this was only the second date; the first being a quick encounter at the bar where we met. At the bar, I asked out a sexy, long-legged, redhead. What now sat in front of me was a crazy lunatic.   

              

“You arrogant bastard!” she sobbed, “I poured my heart out to you, and you tell me that you are not looking for anything serious? How could you do that to me? I trusted you!”

While fellow diners flashed me wicked glares, I sat quietly, not only out of embarrassment, but shock. How could such a small woman have this much rage built up inside.

Suddenly, her sobbing stopped.

“I am so sorry, baby,” she whimpered, “I don’t know what got into me. You just mean so much to me. I don’t want anything to come between us. I love you.”

The Day We Met - Creative Writing Throwback

After seeing this video show up on my wall a dozen or so times, I finally watched it. It's funny, watching Look Up is exactly what you are not supposed to do. But it puts life into perspective. And also reminded me of a short story I wrote back in 2012 but never shared. Our writing prompt was to write in the opposite gender. Eeek. I hate sharing my non blog/craft writing. But, it is time to start stepping out of my comfort zone! 

Look Up - Gary Turk

The Day We Met

Creative Writing

March 14, 2012

On the day we met, Mother Nature cast a gray sheet over Emerald City. Around me, the world buzzed as I sat quietly alone at a table for two. I can’t tell you what I was working on or which espresso concoction I sipped. But what I do know is that the moment you entered the room, all I could focus on were the soft curls that framed your delicate face.

I don’t know what came over me that day. All I knew is that I had to ask you your name. Normally, a shy and reluctant man, I gathered every ounce of courage I could find to approach you, stumbling over my words to introduce myself. Somehow, I managed to walk away with not only your name, but seven numbers neatly written across a tiny sheet of paper. On the day we met, I knew you were the one I was destined to spend eternity with.

Two days later, after running lines over and over again in my head, I managed to pick up the phone. After three rings, the most beautiful voice seemed to sing the word hello. Every phrase I had memorized vanished from my mind, but somehow, I heard you tell me to pick you up on Friday at six.

Seeing you again made my heart stop. And when you suggested walking to dinner instead of taking a cab, I fell for you even more. Never had I met a woman who enjoyed the simple things in life, like taking an evening stroll through the city. As we conversed at dinner, all I could focus on were your red lips, and how I had never wanted anything more than to press my lips to yours. And as I told you goodnight at your doorstep, we shared a kiss that put every romantic movie to shame. As I watched you walk away, I knew I would never kiss anyone else again.

With you now in my world, everything seemed clearer. The rain no longer seemed so dreary. Rather, I found myself imagining you, in your yellow coat and rain boots dancing in the rain. I imagined us sharing an umbrella. I imagined kissing you under the cold Seattle rain. I spent countless hours at work dreaming of your smile. All I could ever dream of was you.

Over the next few weeks, we shared secrets over strolls through the park, tables for two, and late night phone calls. And after a month or so of getting to know you deeper than I have known anyone else, we got lost under a world of sheets. Never before had I been so in love.

Months passed and seasons changed. And after asking your father’s permission, I asked for your hand in marriage. As we shared breakfast and coffee at the same café where we met, I nervously pulled out a tiny Tiffany’s blue box from my pocket, got down onto one knee, and made a jumbled mess of the words, “Will you marry me?”

Six months later, I nervously stood at the altar. A hundred or so onlookers stared while I impatiently waited for the ceremony to begin. Finally, the music began and the most beautiful woman I had ever seen appeared from behind the church doors. As you walked down the aisle, all I could do was wonder what I had done to be so deserving of your love.

A few years passed and we got the news that you were expecting. Never had I been so happy. I was starting a family with the woman I loved. Nine months later, we welcomed a baby boy into the world. You were so beautiful; wearing nothing buy your hospital gown, curls tangled around your face, holding our son. Never before had I been so in love.

Three years later, we added two more children into this world, twin girls who had your eyes. As we brought them home for the first time, the most adorable smile stretched across your face. Finally, our family was whole. We were exactly where we were supposed to be.

Over the years, we explored the world with our children. With thousands of Kodak moments filling files on our computers, and our son finish up his last year of school, we sent the girls off to college. After twenty-two years, we were alone again. After a lifetime of raising children, we pretended to be newlyweds all over again. Never before had I been so in love.

But on the day we met, I never said hello. Instead, I let you walk way, never learning your name.