reading is…

After all, reading is arguably a far more creative and imaginative process than writing; when the reader creates emotion in their head, or the colors of the sky during the setting sun, or the smell of a warm summer’s breeze on their face, they should reserve as much praise for themselves as they do for the writer—perhaps more.

insight: The Well of Lost Plots, Jasper Fforde
image: lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com

 

thrive on your differences…

Sometimes when we’re not paying attention, relationships hap­pen.
There is no rule that requires two people in love to be ex­actly alike.
In fact, there is some scientific evidence to suggest that on a genetic level, the people who are the most opposite are the most likely to have a healthy and long-lasting pairing.
But really, who can explain the mysteries of attraction?
Blame it on Cupid.
The moon.
The shape of a smile.
Both of you can thrive on your differences, as long as you respect them.
You say tomato, he says tomahto .
Let it happen,
Dive in head first.
We usually learn the most about ourselves from people who are different from us.

Excerpt: Smooth Talking Stranger, Lisa Kleypas
Image: Nine297

three reasons…

Cause every girl’s crazy about a sharp dressed man….

Inky: Friday nights, ZZ Top, and guys who can make guitars weep.

When I went to buy my new vehicle, I wanted a truck and the salesman in one of those long star states where I was at the time, told me a little lady like me didn’t need a truck, I couldn’t handle it. In fact he had the perfect vehicle for me. The guy handed me a set of keys and pointed to a newly arrived tripped out Mustang.  He suggested I test drive it, and then if I didn’t like it he’d talk to me about a truck.

Talk about miffed! I didn’t go there to buy a Mustang but I needed to get a breath before I exploded on the obnoxious git.  So I took the keys, my friend who was with me and slipped behind the wheel of that Mustang. Key in the ignition the engine rev’vd to life, I put it in reverse, my friend hit the radio button and ZZ Top filled the interior.  Sharp Dressed Man.

<long sigh> You just gotta listen to signs like that, you know?  I left the car lot with that Mustang.

Of course, I also wrote a letter to the manager a day or two later about certain obnoxious gits.  ZZ Top aside, listening to signs is one thing, but this little lady needed to let that git know just what she could handle. Lets just say, he got it.

just two lost souls…

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skys from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

And did they get you to trade
Your heros for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?0
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We’re just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

Lyrics: Roger Waters
Image: Daniel Priego

a million pieces…

The Young Man came to the Old Man seeking counsel. ‘I broke something, Old Man.’

‘How badly is it broken?’

‘It’s in a million little pieces.’

‘I’m afraid I can’t help you.’

‘Why?’

‘There’s nothing you can do.’

‘Why?’

‘It can’t be fixed.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s broken beyond repair. It’s in a million little pieces.’

Conversation: A Million Little Pieces, James Frey
Image:found at pinterest.com

Inky: Consequence is an enormous thing.   Regret is immortal.  All it takes is a moment, an action, a mixture of words to make something irreparable.  Be sure, be very sure – that is your intent.

It can’t be unlived, undone, or unspoken.  Ever.

all you need to know…

Ladies, let me give you some advice. You can throw all your stupid fucking chick-lit, self-help, why-doesn’t-he-love-me books out, because this is all you need to know: Men will treat you the way you let them. There is no such thing as “deserving” respect; you get what you demand from people.. if you demand respect, he will either respect you or he won’t associate with you. It really is that simple.

Excerpt: I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, Tucker Max
Image: atlasandboots.com

Doing?  Considering buying Mr. Max a wild Turkey or two.  Why?  Cause Ladies, a relationship with no respect and vis-a-vis no trust is like wandering the Atacama Desert looking for water; it just ain’t there.

PS.  Have I told you the Atacama Desert is on my bucket list?

a man fishes…..

A man fishes for two reasons: he’s either sport fishing or fishing to eat, which means he’s either going to try to catch the biggest fish he can, take a picture of it, admire it with his buddies and toss it back to sea, or he’s going to take that fish on home, scale it, fillet it, toss it in some cornmeal, fry it up, and put it on his plate.

This, I think, is a great analogy for how men seek out women.

Excerpt: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Steve Harvey

Image: fishinginminnesota.com

Doing?  Mulling over this excerpt and the blood thirsty imagery it packs.  In defense of my species I’m gonna suggest a bit of a rewrite.

How about, “he’s gonna to try to catch the biggest fish he can, take a  picture of it, admire, and exaggerate about it with his buddies then toss it back to sea.”  Even better, “toss it back to sea… and get his feet tangled in the line only to find to his buddies’ amusement and his horror he’s headed overboard and over his head.”

I love men.   I really, sincerely do… but scaling, filleting, cornbread and frying? Seeking women and analogies?  Seriously…?

Love can be expressed…

 …in a myriad of different methods, but the most timeless and most treasured will always remain the classic love letter.

Source: Auliq Ice

Image: found at pinterest

Inky: …tangible, when you are gone – physical proof there was a moment were you loved me, as I loved you.

Listening to: More Than Love – Los Lonely Boys

Mood/Doing: happy/nostalgic…. re-reading old love letters, listening to music, babying a Glenlivet.

Even the words, “I love You”, can’t comfort…

There are days like that..
and there are nights like that…
Saying maybe,
Even if you didn’t mean it
I could somewhat understand
Although you were silent.

There is a saying like that…
And there is a heart like that..
I didn’t say,
“Hope this helps”
Because I thought you
Would just forget something, like that

Even if we’re going through tough times
We talk about anything but that
Although I can’t even say what,
I’ve always wanted to…

Even the words, “I love you” can’t comfort
With this deep darkness we’re in
Even the words, “I love you” can’t comfort us

Even if we’re going through tough times
We talk about anything but that
Although I can’t even say what,
I’ve always wanted to…

Even the words, “I love You”, can’t comfort
With this deep darkness we’re in
Even the words, “I love you” can’t comfort us

Even the words, “I love you”, can’t comfort us.

INKY:  I’ve been writing.  Earphones on listening to an eclectic group of songs.   The music of the above song I really liked, so of course I went looking for the lyrics in English.   Yeah.  I said eclectic, didn’t mention the bit about some it not being in English, huh?  I will listen to anything as long as it moves me.  And if it really does, I go looking for lyrics.

I love music that can make me feel.  Adore it.

The guitar isn’t bad either…

The above song is titled in English:  Cannot be Comforted, and it’s by, I believe the band name is Broccoli, You Too.

Back to unraveling and plotting I’ve given you the link if you want to listen.

reflections on love (2)

When you meet someone so different from yourself, in a good way,
you don’t even have to kiss to have fireworks go off.

Source: Lisa Schroeder, I Heart You, You Haunt Me
Image:  found at Pixgood

Inky: I remember my first kiss.  It was with the really cool (in my day) neighborhood bad boy who unbeknownst to my naive self, liked me. He was walking behind me from the bus stop.  We lived down this long dirt road that took you to the waterfront where our family homes sat. We turned the corner were you couldn’t see the road, or the lights of the houses and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulled me to him and kissed me.

I remember everything about that moment, the smell of salt air mingled with honeysuckle, and the hum of circadas.  The way his lips, slightly chapped, felt against mine, how warm he was against me, and the taste of smoke and honey. Most importantly how my quiet heart suddenly took off, hammering against my breast as he drew away and looked at me.

I think my expression must of been crimson shock because the next thing I knew, there was a second, and then a third….

We were inseparable that year, much to the chagrin of my father and then my first kiss went off to work on a fishing vessel and we lost touch. He came back for me, years later, but by then and much heart searching later, I had concluded he had moved on with his life, so I had too…

BTW: that has to be one of the sweetest pictures I have found in a long time.  I tried to find the artist but couldn’t.  If you know, please shoot me an email.. inkyspen at gmail dot com… I like to give credit where it is due.