A-Z au Naturel ~ THIS was almost my undoing?

{More from my personal challenge to find images in nature for each letter of the alphabet. Being an overachiever, I decided no letter was complete until I found a cloud formed in the letter's shape.}

T

this whole damn T thing
two lines perpendicular
brought me close to tears

since I do not cry
instead I perseverate
victory is mine

sly photo edits
perhaps some deception—nope
disintegration

wrought by the ocean
waves pound and pummel daily
storms wreak more havoc

where once was nothing
patience nearly exhausted
ends in overkill

You might also enjoy:

A-Z au Naturel ~ A, B, C, D, E, F, G & H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O & P, Q, and R & S.

If you love photos from around the world, drop in on the ABC Wednesday crowd.

NOTE: That non-cloud shot is really part of a huge boulder down by the shore.

Instinct 160

don't know how it works—

fight or flight, duck and cover, blend—

innate or ingrained?

flashing lights, sirens,

shallow breathing, heart pounding,

cues outside and in

This is my effort for Monkey Man's Sunday 160. I've written it in haiku using the prompt from Haiku Heights: instinct.

A-Z au Naturel ~ ReSt

{More from my personal challenge to find images in nature for each letter of the alphabet. Being an overachiever, I decided no letter was complete until I found a cloud formed in the letter's shape.}

R

S

This one is special.
Reflection, silhouette, or . . .

. . . just something I saw?

You might also enjoy:

A-Z au Naturel ~ A, B, C, D, E, F, G & H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O & P, and Q.

If you love photos from around the world, drop in on the ABC Wednesday crowd.

10 Reasons Why He Had It Coming: Presequel to Arizona

As I sit in the airport waiting for our my flight home, I thought I'd expand a bit on why Arizona hates me and what led me to shoot my husband dead. I apologize for leaving you all a bit confused yesterday.

HE:

10. Agreed to visit my insane relative who lives at 5400 feet above sea level

Had he said no, we would not have spent 3 days in the foothills where the overnight temps dropped to the low 20s. The 60° daytime highs were offset by the 17-20 mph winds blowing god knows what into my eyes, sinuses, and throat.

9. Was only somewhat bothered by the pollen

Once we hit Phoenix, I swear on the family bible (don't ask) the pollen got worse. I also believe the hotel housekeepers are instructed to sprinkle pollen and dust in the rooms as a daily gesture of contempt for northeasterners. I've been mainlining decongestants and anti-histamines since our arrival.

8. Wanted to see the NASCAR race in Phoenix

He asks for so little in life. This track and Daytona are the only two must visit tracks on his list. We like to travel south in the fall. Daytona's in February. That left Arizona where I have a crazy relative. (See #10 above.)

7. Only wore jeans once or twice

This is an ongoing problem in the marriage. All week long I've been wearing the few pieces of cold weather clothing I brought, while he, with few exceptions, has been happily romping around in shorts.

6. Wore short sleeves. Every...Single...Day

Friday night after the truck race, I had to buy yet another jacket to add to my upper body layers. I was already wearing a tee, 2 heavy long-sleeved shirts, 1 fleece vest, 1 long-sleeved fleece jacket, and a windbreaker. He was cavorting around in shorts and a tee.

5. Lost the car on Friday night

This would require too many expletives to describe in detail. Suffice it to say we trudged at least 6 miles through the desert climbing over 600 dirt berms in search of the car.

4. Actually saw the NASCAR Cup race

Early in the race, I left the stands to make one final pit stop before settling in for a day of wild excitement. On the last step before the landing to our section, I slipped on the slick stairs. My right ankle twisted as I tried to regain my balance. I pitched forward, grabbed the rail, and yes Gentle Readers, slid off that step into a graceless upright position with my full weight on the torqued ankle.

I made it down to the first aid station with assistance from some kind soul who was not my husband. When I finally hobbled back to my seat, he didn't fawn over me. After about 45 minutes, my ankle was on fire. I packed up my belongings and gimped down to the shade. For the duration of one of the most exciting races of the season, I sat at a picnic table, leg elevated, watching the race on a 4" screen. You know where he was.

3. Relaxed and enjoyed himself

He loves the dry air. This trip was a true vacation for him. He's had a ball just being. He wants to {gasp} retire to Arizona.

2. Refused to go to the desert

Our Monday plans were to head into the desert to see the cacti. I love cacti. The poolside conversation:

"I'm feeling rebellious and angry."
"Why"
"In spite of my ankle, I still want to go to the desert to photograph the cacti."
"I'm not carrying you onto the plane."
"I'll need help with my luggage, but I'm sure I can get assistance to the gate."
Blink. Blink.
"Besides, what does that have to do with going to the desert?"
"The hot line nurse said no weight-bearing for 24 hours. If you do something stupid and end up in worse shape, I am not carrying you onto the plane."
"I won't do anything stupid."
Eye roll.

His final and fatal error on this trip:

1. The bajillionth eye roll

I've been counting the number of times he's rolled his eyes at me since our marriage in 1989. That eye roll at the pool? You guessed it. He'd hit his limit for the marriage. Off him at home or shoot him in Arizona where it's almost legal? No brainer.

I'll have 3 seats to myself on the trip back home. I may even nap.

My deepest apologies for not being much of a blog visitor this week. As you can see, I've been up to my eyeballs in misery and malice.

People of Arizona: Build that dang fence . . .

. . . along your eastern border to remind me that the descent into hell line into inhospitable territory isn't invisible.

Arizona hates me.

Passionately.

Here's my theory.

Arizona loves my husband.

He returns her love.

She wants me dead so she won't have to share him in his dotage.

Arizona you are one stupid, insanely crazy, jealous bitch.

By the time he retires out here, I'll be long gone. I keep beating the odds by living past my expiration date. Early days yet, Arizona. Early days. If you were smart, you'd be wooing me instead of making each day a nightmare. If you wooed me—not him—we'd be here sooner.

I've lived a life of yearning, in quest of that missing link to wholeness. Arizona, you idiot, you hold the key to my happiness—the square peg to my square hole.

Really, who wouldn't want to live in a state where everyone could carry a legally concealed weapon? Gun shops on every corner; shooting parlours and ranges as far as the eye can see.

Dreams do come true.

Unless you start treating me better when we visit, he ain't coming while I can still draw breath.

That's no threat.

That's a promise.

Bitch.

I will not recount the indignities I've suffered. No words adequately describe what I've been through. I'm sure if you asked my husband, he'd be happy to give you a blow by blow account of the misery I've endured.

Sadly, he is no more.

I shot him.

A-Z au Naturel ~ Quest

{More from my personal challenge to find images in nature for each letter of the alphabet.}

Q

the quest continues
eyes wide open and searching
challenge or madness?

father sky provides

hungry koi oblige nicely

bittersweet entwine

I've managed to find the first 17 letters in the clouds.

Question:

Do you believe I can capture one for each of the last 9?

You might also enjoy:

A-Z au Naturel ~ A, B, C, D, E, F, G & H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and O & P.

If you love photos from around the world, drop in on the ABC Wednesday crowd.

A-Z au Naturel ~ POP

{This is the continuing saga of my own personal challenge to find images in nature for each letter of the alphabet. My goal is to capture a cloud photo for all 26 letters.}

O

P

WHERE DOES THIS LAST ONE BELONG?

You might also enjoy:

A-Z au Naturel ~ A, B, C, D, E, F, G & H, I, J, K, L, M, and N.

Back with the ABC Wednesday crowd this week. Missed y'all last week; I was traveling. Put my Os in with my Ps and am hoping you won't mind.