Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 18h

They soaked the #ash of the campfire, assuring that every last ember was out. Then, it was time to roll up sleeping bags and dismantle tents. Another Girl Scout camp weekend was in the books. The feelings it generated, though, would live on for years.
#vss365

1 3 12

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 1d

The #clash and roll of a thunderstorm wreaked havoc outside, dropping small branches and flooding the flower beds. Claire barely registered it. She was indoors, warm and dry, with her old friends, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. She sipped her tea and turned a page.
#vss365

2 2 27

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 2d

On a business trip with a male coworker, the hotel desk clerk referred to him as my husband and attempted to put us in the same room. In a tone colder than I'd realized, I stated plainly, "my #associate". He found the exchange hilarious. I was just embarrassed.
#vss365

1 2 12

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 3d

Hello? Yes, this is in regard to your #advert in the Tattler. I am advising you that what you meant to say was "mattresses" with an E S, not "mattress's" with an apostrophe S. I can't possibly shop your establishment until this is corrected, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
#vss365

1 1 8

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 4d

Thanks, Steve.

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 4d

Once, Carol paid particular attention to her clothes. Everything was ironed, pants creased. Only natural fibers were allowed to touch her body. Now her iron collects dust at the top of her closet; stretchy fabrics are her choice; and #elastic waistbands a revelation.
#vss365

2 2 19

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 5d

Orange juice
#Pulp or no
Buttered toast
Bagel roll
Little things
Still to learn
Start with breakfast
Take a turn
Philosophy
Regular mister
Normal she
But what they think
Variety
#vss365

2 4 21

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 6d

Within this sea
Of drudgery
There's you
#Oasis from despair
When I am down
You seem to know
To call me
Lift my heart and mind
So I can go
About my life
With knowledge
I am known and loved
#vss365

5 31

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 7d

Those years are a #blur in my memory. I was emotionally numb from self-intention and a doctor overly reliant on medications. My family accused me of selfishness, and in a way, they were right. Focusing on myself was all I could manage. Anxiety gripped me otherwise.
#vss365

1 2 8

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 8d

It is a #conundrum
Thought Abigail Bertram
To be prim and proper
And everything hum-drum
Or have some excitement
And risk reputation
Victorian ladies
Must meet expectation
But Abbie had dreams
And a yen for adventure
The likes of which would
Surely expose her to censure
#vss365

1 3 19

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 9d

As a child, she told lies. They weren't very good ones, and she was easily found out. She innocently described the world as she thought it should be. As she got older, she learned to #sublimate to writing fiction. The lies became more believable that way.
#vss365

1 9

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 11d

I fell into the same pattern my parents did with me. In trying to guide my daughter, I kept her under constant #scrutiny. The barrage of criticism took its toll, of course, just as it had with me. Now I let her be the beautiful soul she is. We're both happier.
#vss365

2 11

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 12d

Of course.

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 12d

The #sonorous bong
Of the bass-tuned bells
Ringing out over
The sad, peaceful town
Calling all mourners
To the chapel to grieve
The passing of Bertie
Resident eccentric
Beloved by all
Now gone to share
Wide smiles with his maker
The wake that will follow
Legendary indeed
#vss365

2 18

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 13d

It would be easy to assign these volatile explosions to mere #caprice; they come and go so quickly. But the truth is, you are at a constant slow boil under the surface. The slightest change in pressure sets you off, and heaven help anyone nearby.
#vss365

1 3 21

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 14d

Thank you, Ian.

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 14d

Thank you.

1

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 14d

Only one #eventuality
Destined for us all
No one gets out alive
By some miracle
My father holds on
89 and bed-ridden
A host of ailments
And complications
But still, he believes
He will walk again
Resume his life
So I stay and watch
To see this man cheat death
#vss365

9 11 140

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 15d

#Bellwether
Of a storm
Infant grows angry
Splotches turn red
Where eyebrows will grow
Before wails of protest
Rend the quiet morning
As mother tries
To unstuff nose
#vss365

1 18

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 16d

Her passion for life was slow to #reinvigorate, but, bit by bit, reasons to live and love made themselves apparent again. One morning she woke to birdsong, could hear it and appreciate it at last, and knew she'd turned a corner.
#vss365

2 12

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 17d

Another new day
Another chance
To choose my take
On life and circumstance
#Perhaps I'll be
Industrious
Take care of chores
I've been putting off
Perhaps I'll rest my
Mind and body
In between caring
For my father
In any case
I will be grateful for
Another chance to choose
#vss365

1 22

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 18d

The lowest point of my life
I'd lost who I was
I couldn't see
Who I was meant to be
Others beat me down
With barbed words
I listened and believed
But couldn't understand
How it came to be
Yet time has shown
It wasn't #catastrophe
I made it out
Better than I used to be
#vss365

3 53

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 19d

Sugar over fresh-cut fruit makes an #extrusion of sweet juice in just a few minutes. This combination goes into a simple, buttery cobbler that everyone enjoys. Cheryl finds it extremely effective for hiding poisons deliciously.
#vss365

2 19

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 20d

I am somewhere between the overwhelmed hoarder and the perfect homemaker who prepares #stock for the freezer. Most of us are. I clean to my level of comfort and cook (or not) to suit the occasion. My father's house is my home for now and I treat it accordingly.
#vss365

1 12

Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 21d

Determination
#Synthesis of
Mind and body
Just get dressed
Drive to gym
Treadmill warmup
Light weight lifting
Nothing fancy
Enough to feel good
Baby step another rep
Another set
Another weight
Every week
Watching progress
Feeling proud
#vss365

4 53