Reflection in the Mirror

Standing in the shadows, afraid to expose herself to the light, she reached for her robe to cover her scantily clad body. “I’ll never show myself again.” she moaned. Embarrassed? Disgusted? Guilty? “Which is it?” she demanded of herself as she thought about last night’s party, with lots of fun people she knew, and some she didn’t. Her mind was too fuzzy to decide.

“Blame it on the Vodka.” she reasoned. It was the only explanation. She knew that too much could be dangerous. Last night, she found just how dangerous. Was it the fourth or fifth drink that did her in? It didn’t matter. It was done…and nothing could change what happened.

“Will I ever be able to look in the mirror again?” she thought. “Well, it has to happen sooner or later. It may as well be now.” She stepped in front of the full-length mirror, dropped her robe to the floor and pondered over the reflection of the curves of her body. Breasts, buttocks, thighs – how would she ever explain the tattoos that now adorned them?

Winter White

Winter all over the US has not been good. In my hometown (Lansdowne, PA) we have been particularly plagued with the harsh cold and the seemingly never-ending snow fall. One after another, weather systems have brought us snow, ice, sleet, driving rain, or cold  winds.

During these times, our hearty inhabitants pull out their trusty shovel, risking an aching back, a pulled muscle, or worse. Some fire up their snow blower, hoping to finish with both hands and all ten fingers intact. Teens and kids jump on the chance to go into the snow removal business. After one or two sidewalks, some go home, cold, shivering and just a little richer.

Delicate trees and bushes are bent over, bearing the weight of snow and ice that just won’t release them from their unnatural stance. One wonders which ones will have the strength to survive or recover. Melting snow will allow the most flexible branches to return to normal; and with the thaw, broken branches will reveal themselves, embarrassed by their weakness.

Driving down most streets in our tiny town is like passing through canyon walls of snow. Once beautiful white snow, it now lies gray in ruts on driveways and side streets. Main streets are a patchwork of bare macadam and ice. Streets wide enough for two cars now test drivers not only on their driving skills but also on their manners and consideration. There is stress as steering becomes a challenge and causes audible outbursts – some heavenly, some not.

A freak rise in temperature is too brief to be beneficial. In fact, it entices us to venture out, only to be horrified as each foot goes in a different direction on the slick film of ice that dripped over the thick layer of ice that remains stubbornly stuck to sidewalks and roads.

Winter white is beautiful....from inside where it's warm, cozy and safe.

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Thanks for stopping by to read some white fence talk.