Tag: Shopping

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 237

Live!

 

I find that people who put themselves in a box are blasé and quite boring…

 They spend their drab lives asleep, loudly snoring, while life slips by them…

Then, one day, they wake up and are  upset because they claim that those of us who enjoy our lives are being loud and rude; our busy and productive lives make so much noise, it awoke them! Well, I’ll tell ya- excuse me for stepping on your boring and mundane toes. If my too-much activity stirs you to anger, well then, perhaps it’s for your good. Wake up! Take a chance!

Smell the roses, and I don’t mean the one you’ve picked out to deck your early coffin. Live and let live! Yes, this means you! Praise Him who made you. Stop your whining and complaining. Be glad He chose to keep you alive!

-EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2012

 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK-END EVERYONE!!! 🙂

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 229

HOLA!! Here comes yet another edited poem that didn’t make it into my new book, SALSA! THE TASTE of LIFE which will be out in a little while. I wrote this when I was going through a rough spot of feeling as if life were passing me by. I sat down and this poem just came gushing out of my pen and unto the pages of my journal. I felt so good after I finished it because I took it as God comforting me and letting me know He never forgets me. I hope this soothes you as it did me  🙂 HUGS!!!!

Your Tears

The wind howls outside,

“Won’t you let me come in?”

It beckons: “Follow me!

Girl! Get up and at ‘em!

Your life IS passing you by.”

 

 

The wind howls outside my window;

Knock, knock, a knocking on my resistance.

Whispers ever so cunningly,

“Surely there is somewhere way better.

Won’t you find out?”

 

 

The wind, it blows in my ear;

a strange lover seducing me with sweet songs:

“You are too good for this, Mujer.

You deserve BETTER.

What are you doing just giving your life away,

for the sake of others?

No one does THAT anymore!”

 

 

The wind scolds me;

I feel it, a whip stinging my raw emotions—

¡Estupida! When are you going to learn:

In this life, nice never pays!

GO! Find your way.

GO! Get your life back.

You should’ve never thrown it away, ¡Tonta!

 

 

“Be still, mi alma!”

 

 

Silence…

 

 

Uno, dos, tres…

 

 

Here comes the gentle breeze,

the one who doesn’t knock me around,

rocks me gently to and fro.

Sweet, sweet lullaby in the night;

I fall deep in a restful slumber,

only to wake up to your gentle caresses.

The lover of my soul whispering to me,

“You are my girl, the one I lose sleep over.

The one I weep for as I pick up your tears

and collect them in this flask,

and with which I bathe my face.

 

 

Your tears are the fragrance I wear.

Never stop shedding them;

I gave them as my gift, so your heart can be healed.

In my world, nothing is wasted,

Not even one single tear.”

 

One day I will show you

what your tears have done.

For now I will tell you,

every single tear you’ve shed,

since the day your heart broke

for the very first time.

I stored your tears in a safe place;

as a rich man hordes gold.

 

 

Your tears have set the captives free,

watered thirsty travelers.

Your tears have nourished dying souls,

and watered many gardens.

Your tears have brought conviction,

turning stony hearts into repentant souls.

Your tears have set one thousand to flight,

and dispelled irksome fears.

Your tears have turned the dry arid desert

into a beautiful oasis where many come,

from near and far, to rest,

before continuing their journey.

 

 

And your tears now fill a vast ocean

that teems with life,

because when you gave away yours,

it was so I could give you something better.

 

 

From a child they forbade you to cry,

because your tears make people feel-

something people don’t want to do anymore.

I designed you to feel…that’s why you weep,

because hard hearts are dry hearts,

who are all bitter and brittle.

“My daughter, my child,

I gave you a lamenting heart:

A fountain, a reservoir full of living water.

when you weep, my river of living waters flows,

through you…my vessel of honor.”

EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 228

Sometimes we think that our purpose is  some big thing we have to do before we leave this life. I think that even though a lot of us are called to do great, amazing things with our lives, others of us are called to be amazing and great in different ways. I love to make people laugh and if I can make one person smile even for a second, it makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something wonderful. If I can get you to forget about your troubles for a single second just because you stopped by my blog for a few minutes and read something that uplifted your spirit, then the purpose for this blog existing is done!  

My oldest daughter has a great sense of humor and she loves to walk into stores and do goofy things just to get the store employees to laugh or smile. One day we went to the 99 Cent store and she walked up to the sales clerk and asked him to show her where the diet water was. He looked at her a bit bewildered and she kept a straight face. Then he broke into a smile as he took her to the water aisle and showed her all the water varieties. By then we were all laughing and so was he. She then told  me she had done her good deed for the day.

 So here are some wacky pics for your Wednesday!  I am doing my part, now you do yours and do something to make another soul brighter! 🙂

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 227

I ‘m back! I took some days off to rest after a family ordeal. All’s well that ends well I say 🙂 Where is my book?? That’s what I’d like to know 🙂 Seriously, the last stage seems the longest and the hardest of anything including the publishing of a book. So here is another preview of Salsa! the Taste of Life. This poem I edited out of the book and I hope you enjoy it. Smile and keep smiling because it makes your enemies nuts!

The Five W’s

Everyone has asked,

What are you?

What can you do for me?

Who are you?

Why are you that way?

Where did you come from?

When are you leaving?

 

 

Then you came along,

You didn’t assault me

With all manner of intrusive questions.

You said, “Eres mi hija. You are my daughter.”

That’s all I want from you,

Don’t matter who you are,

You’re one of mine now,

I love you…

Just the way you are.

I know where you came from,

A place of sorrow, torment and pain.

I know so

Because I too have been there before:

Familiar with peace of mind,

Also aware of what it is

To feel like you’re going insane.

I know who you are,

You’re one of mine now;

Doesn’t matter who, what, when, where why or how.

 

 

Thank you for taking me in,

For not bothering me with the five W’s,

For being what I need,

For giving me what I crave:

A feeling of belonging.

Though I’ve buried many things in a grave,

You are heaven sent,

To help me heal, find and restore.

I’ll never ask you

For anything more,

‘cause what you do

Is a perfect gift

From heaven above.

Te amo! Te quiero! Te adoro!

Thank you, siempre, for your unconditional love.

-EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life : Day 215

Salsa! The Taste of Life, my new book soon to be released is a volume of short stories  and poems. For the past few posts I’ve shared some of the material I had to edit because it would have made too big of a book to market.  This poem I wrote is about one of the closest friends I’ve ever had. Every once in a while, God will send someone into our lives with such a sweet spirit, that when they are no longer a part of our life, we feel their absence much like a piece of dried bread misses its butter 🙂 As you read this, let your friends know how much you appreciate them!

The Song of the Swallow

This morning I was down,

that is until I heard.

What did I hear?

The song, el canto de la golondrina.

 

What a breathtaking sound!

What sound?

Pues la cancion de la golondrina.

 

 

It lifted my spirit,

soothed my weary soul,

brought peace to my home.

What was that? I heard you ask-

 

 

Pues la dulce cancion de la golondrina.

My restless children heard it,

and peace returned to them at once.

They cheered as they heard the melodic sound.

 

 

Otra vez, caramba! What sound you ask?

Pues la bella melodia de la golondrina.

No se como explicarlo.

All I know is the song of that grace filled swallow

set to flight, ten thousand of hell’s demons,

and once again peace was restored to my heart.

-EVA SANTIAGO Copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 207

 

Good Morning! Today I will share a short poem I wrote for my book, Salsa! the Taste of Life. I keep saying it will be out soon, and just hang in there with me because I tell you, “birthing” a book IS a process!  Happy Wednesday and I hope you like my post for today! Life is too short, smile at a stranger, open the door for someone and call that friend you haven’t heard from in a while. Yes, it may be their turn to call you, but so what? Don’t keep score, call them anyway and make their day! 🙂

 

Words Are Swords

 

Words are swords

Some are sharp

And some are shrill—

As the sound of a drill.

It takes talents and skill,

To say the right words;

To bring life and encourage,

But never to kill.

 

 

Words are swords;

Double edged and ready to go.

Use them every day and everywhere.

Pick them as a warrior,

With much thought and care.

 

 

Words are swords.

Don’t ever waste them.

Learn how to use them,

To make friends,

To soothe your foes.

-Eva Santiago copyright 2012

 

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 205

I like cats a lot. Dogs are cool but cats DO rule!  When I was a child in and living in Colombia, I have more memories of playing with cats than with dogs. Then I came to the US to live with my uncle he hated cats so all we had were dogs. When I met my husband he was a cat lover and I rediscovered my love of  felines. As I look back, I see that I have written several poems about cats and hardly any about dogs. Hmmmm what does that tell you? 🙂

Today I share with you a poem that you won’t be reading in my new book do out SOON, Salsa! The Taste of Life. I wrote this during a writing session I had with Writing Royalty, my writing group. I hope this makes you smile as you face your Monday!

Madame Fifi

 

I am Madame Fifi;

I stand four feet three.

I live in gay Paris.

I have three cats,

Fiddle, Faddle, and Didi.

 

 

We live in a loft,

where the clouds hang low and soft.

 

 

I go to the opera house,

once or twice per week,

with Frederic Chopin, my pet mouse.

Oh, he’s such a fine gentleman;

I curtsy, and he takes a bow,

and opens the door as we leave our house.

 

 

I wear my mink stole,

in all kinds of weather.

I have several hats also,

one with a beautiful peacock feather.

 

 

I’m so in love,

with wonderful, clever me.

My name fits like a glove.

 

 

I love others as well,

but none love me better

than my cats and pet mouse,

and the old lady that sits at the well.

She is my sister;

we are great friends.

We laugh and get mad;

we tell each other to go to hell.

And through it all,

I know I am loved,

or  my name would not be Fifi.

-Eva Santiago Copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 203

Happy Saturday everyone! I  hope you are enjoying my latest posts; edited parts of my new book, Salsa! The Taste of Life. These never made it into my book because it would have been too big a volume and as I learned, the bigger the book, the harder it is to market. So I had to weed out some things and this was one I hope you enjoy as much as I did, when I penned it. Hug a loved one today and let them know how special they are to you 🙂

 

Cat Walk

 

Palm trees are fashion models who stand tall,

poised, and wide awake.

Ready to wave their bandanas in the air

as they greet the dawn.

 

 

All throughout the day,

holding their perfect posture,

models on a cat walk,

awaiting their cue to take the run way.

 

 

As they strut their stuff—

Wave your hands up in the air!

They seem to beckon.

Kick up your feet and enjoy your day!

 

 

Toward dusk they are still

as the breezes die down

and the day is wrapping up.

 

 

Having done their job well,

they come out and take a bow.

As the lights go out…the show is over.

 

 

They exit the runway,

their arms still a-swaying.

They’ll be back tomorrow at first light

for an encore presentation.

-Eva Santiago copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 202

It’s horribly tragic what just transpired in Aurora Colorado. The selfish, thoughtles and careless act of one person, unleashed loss in families, a community and our nation. Today I will post another one of my poems that didn’t make it into my book, Salsa! The Taste of Life, due out  soon. I want to honor the families that were directly touched by this sudden tragedy…R.I.P.

God‘s Workmanship

 

The Master is forever working, creating, perfecting.

His subject? A living canvas.

He chooses and mixes the various mediums.

What starts out seemingly chaotic, is being made perfect

through His loving touch.

 

 

His discriminating eye is constantly scrutinizing…

the past, He obscures in shades of gray,

lest you forget from where you came.

Accentuating in dazzling hues those things about you,

that deeply touch and delight Him.

 

 

On those days you are feeling frustrated and forgotten:

Do Not Fear! The Master is lovingly letting the canvas rest.

For there are wet layers of paint that must dry:

Deep-seated issues that can’t be worked out overnight.

Tomorrow, He’ll continue where He left off.

 

 

Then there are days of non-stop work.

The canvas cries out, “I’m tired! I have had enough!”

The Master lovingly ignores the pleas,

for He alone knows when to cease.

 

 

At times when your fears seem insurmountable,

and failure is your constant companion.

Rest assured His plan is bigger than the canvas:

He will work it ALL out!

 

 

Those things that hurt,

the wounding you have suffered,

He mixes His tears with dark shades of crimson…

…to remind you He’s been there with you, holding you

as you were shamed and mistreated.

 

Alas, The Master stands back,

the living canvas is nearing completion…NOT!

For this is the work of a lifetime.

May the fullness of the essence of God,

forever wash on your living canvas!

 

 

You Are His work of art on Display!

-Eva Santiago Copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 201

I am so happy that now the editing phase of my new book is done! WHEW! It was not nearly as terrible as my sometimes exaggerating mind had made it out to be. In fact, I GREW from working with an editor! Thank you Amber Losson from Tate Publishing company for helping me to sharpen my writing and polish up the content 🙂

I am going to start posting some of the poems I cut out from Salsa! The Taste of Life. They didn’t make it into the first volume of this book because it would have made the book to long and more difficult to market. Yes, you read correctly, this is a first volume of I what I hope will be more in the future.  I will keep you updated on the progress of my book!

HAIR!

 

Hair! Hair! Hair!

Hair is everywhere.

It’s neither here nor there.

Those who have none, or very little, say,

“Hey! That’s not fair!”

Those who have too much say,

“Hey! I feel like such a bear.”

The curly heads cry,

“Wish mine was twig straight.”

The twig straight reply,

“Why can’t we have spirals?”

 

 

It’s all such a terrible bore,

when you have hair galore.

 

We all go on and on

about a bunch of dead cells.

We spend millions of dollars

on all manner of fancy hair products,

that never quite deliver

their sales pitch promise.

 

 

But there is one thing to be said about hair,

the more you treat it and tease it,

one day you’ll wake up to find,

your head has become quite bare.

So be kind to your locks,

treat them with care!

-Eva Santiago copyright 2012