Inside the Mind of Isadora


by 3 Comments

Cafe Chat – Dinner on Board


Welcome … grab a cup of coffee, iced or hot tea and herbal tea. I’m having a cappuccino. The photo on the left shows one I enjoyed many times on board at Cafe Baci.

It’s been brutally hot this week in sunny Florida. The pool is the only way to cool down. Gardening will have to wait until the temps drop. The orchids are thrilled with the afternoon rain which brings on the humidity. For me, afternoon humidity means siesta time. 

In my last cafe chat, I wrote (read here) about being away from blogging on a pre-birthday cruise. We decided on a cruise now instead of July, my official birthday month, because of the heavy hurricane season predicted for this summer. COVID shut down the cruise industry causing great financial losses. Many cruise ships are departing with less than full passenger capacity, and with huge discounts. It felt safer than my previous cruises with fewer people. Besides the theater and the casino, masks are not required throughout the ship. The staff wore masks everywhere. Some regular activities were canceled, like dancing, karaoke, and bingo. I have to admit I always look forward to dancing. It was a disappointment. 

I think you might enjoy a special gesture I received from our assistant dinner hostess:

Celebrity Equinox

Pictured above is Sweet Jaqueline, assistant hostess on our cruise. She created an origami lotus flower for me. It was an unexpected gift from her heart ❤️ 

With all they do, the last thing she needed was a craft project. 

She was missing her mother who is watching her two toddlers. She has a boy and a girl. Yes, she showed me a pic. They are adorable. Four months away from them brought up emotional moments for her. I share the same birthday as her mother. My ❤️ heart sang with joy ❤️

Our first night at dinner Jacqueline introduced herself, I mentioned that I usually forget names. Her eyes twinkled above the mask as she pointed out that I could remember her name because of Jacqueline Kennedy. 

Then, she chuckled quickly saying, “But, I wear a uniform.”

Have a great week … Isadora 

Alen Charles – head host, Jaqueline – assistant hostess
Al – my husband


by 29 Comments

Friday Fictioneers – I Loved Her First

He’d known her since she was very young. She was beautiful. He loved her the second he laid eyes upon her. His love ran deep.

At one time, he had been her hero. She looked to him for advice and guidance. She said she loved him too. But now, he was losing her to another man. 

Thoughts of stepping away from her were impossible to imagine. The heartfelt pain might be too much to endure.

He kissed her forehead and cheek, a desperate hug with tear-filled eyes.

Looking into her eyes, he smiled and gave her to the groom.

2022©Isadora DeLaVega

*********

WARNING: tissues needed when viewing video

 

I Loved Her First – Heartland (Lyrics)

*********

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100 words

Photo Prompt:©JohnNixon

To join Rochelle in her photo writing challenges

and her fellow Friday Fictioneers – click here


by 7 Comments

WDYS – Thomas Reads Aloud

#WhatDoYouSee #139

Teachers saw the possibilities in Thomas. From the first day he entered the classroom, he was enthusiastic about learning everything there was to learn. 

His mother had always taken pride in the way he looked. His father wore vests, and collared shirts, Thomas wanted to wear them too. When she heard the children would be reading from their primer on Friday, she was as excited as Thomas but nervous too. 

Had he sufficiently learned to read after three months? 

She thought he was bright, but she was his mother. After all, he was only 6. 

She began to have thoughts of her own mother’s words:

A child is like a butterfly in the wind.

Some can fly higher than others

But, each one flies the best it can.

Why compare one to another?

Each one is different.

Each one is special.

Each one is beautiful.

She decided to have faith in her little Thomas.

2022©Isadora Delavega

The Power of Reading

~~~~~~~~~

For Sadje’s ‘What Do You See’ Challenge 

to join in click here

~~~~~~~~~

                                                           Image credit: Ben White @ Unsplash

 

 


by 30 Comments

Friday Fictioneers – At the Hospital

The ‘Get Well’ cards and balloons filled the dining room. Marta was well-liked by all.

But, her diagnosis was grim. It was a rare form of cancer. It had spread throughout her body. If it hadn’t been for COVID, she wouldn’t have known until she died.

We haven’t seen any family visitors. Has anyone called her family?

There is no family.

Nonsense, everyone has a family.

She does not. How long does she have to live? 

Perhaps, a month.

Good Odds.

How so?

A neighbor found her during a well-check visit. She arrived here as an attempted suicide.

2022©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

photo prompt©Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

 

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers Photo challenge

click here

*********

What is Depression?
Depression is a real illness that impacts the brain. Anyone suffering from depression will tell you, it’s not imaginary or “all in your head.” Depression is more than just feeling down. It is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry. Research tells us that other factors contribute to the onset of depression, including genetics, changes in hormone levels, certain medical conditions, stress, grief or difficult life circumstances. Any of these factors alone or in combination can precipitate changes in brain chemistry that lead to depression’s many symptoms.©info from the Univsersity of Michigan Mental Health

*********

For more information about depression:

World Mental Health – Dignity Mental Health Foundation
University of Michigan Depression Center – Mental Health


by 8 Comments

Cafe Chat – A Quiet Respite


Welcome … grab a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or herb tea. No desserts today, it looks like I need to get my baking chefs hat on. Now, sit in a comfy chair and let’s chat.

I’ve been away from blogging for a while. It was time for me to take a brief quiet respite. I was out on the high seas gathering energy from the wind and salty air. I was listening to the music of the waves.

Perhaps, in a previous life, I may have been a sailor. I love being out on the ocean with nothing but the sea and the horizon in my view. 

I was born in July. Cancer is my astrology sign represented by the crab and water.

I’m renewed and receive enormous vitality from the energy produced by the waves. Breathing in the salty air is invigorating, and listening to the music of the waves is a peacefully soothing sound. Nature is at its perfect best.

Although I had signed up for Wi-Fi, I barely used it. I intended to read, write, and contemplate expanding my knowledge of how to be at peace with my life’s journey.

Undoubtedly, I’ve missed many of your magnificent postings in my absence. Your posts always brighten my day. I look forward to them. Your amazing bodies of work were a significant loss while I was away. I will delight in seeing and reading them as I begin to navigate through the blogs I follow again. 

Time permitting, I will add some photographs and highlights of my vacation soon.

I hope you’re all well and living your best lives.

Namaste,

Isadora 


by 44 Comments

Friday Fictioneers -Shack in the Woods

A small wooden shack stands deep in the woods. 

It’s weathered, empty, and distant among the trees.

It calls me to its window, where the sun glints off pieces of broken glass.

Some are hanging loosely to the window pane, but most are strewn across the floor, mixed with rocks and leaves.

On the side of the house towards the back, a rickety unsteady crumbling shack stands, a testament to the days when homegrown fruits and vegetables were sold seasonally.

I feel nostalgic, as I walk the grounds taking in each detail of this skeleton of a home.

Memories unfold.

2022©Isadora DeLaVega

 

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

photo prompt©BrendaFox

 

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers Photo challenge

click here


by 9 Comments

Crimson Creative Challenge – Spring Garden

Flowers are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty

outweighs all the utilities of the world©Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Srping Garden   2022©Isadora DeLaVega  

Every season spills its

wonder upon the earth©Flavia

~~~~~~~~~

Crimson Creative Challenge – #185

to join in click here


by 34 Comments

Friday Fictioneers – Auntie Helga Visits

Honestly, this conversation is over.

Why, Miranda, why?

Because it’s my room and I’ll keep it whatever way I wish.

But Auntie Helga will be staying in your room while she visits.

And, your point?

Well, Auntie needs space to do her scrapbooking. You know how much she enjoys her hobby. She needs space.

If I tidy up, I’ll never find my stuff again. I’m a writer; we need our itty bits of paper, post-its, and books to complete our stories. Besides, Aunt Helga will only be here a week.

I guess you’re right. Okay, let’s watch a movie.

2022©Isadora DeLaVega

 

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

photo prompt©Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

 

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers Photo challenge

click here


by 11 Comments

WDYS – Remember & Return to Me

#WhatDoYouSee

Who are You?

I see you in the broken mirrored glass.

My eyes express my fragmented edges. 

Where has the very rational, 

patient, and very curious person gone?

My desire to learn and meet new challenges is gone. 

He will return after the world settles again.

Our freedoms are stolen because, in war, there isn’t a choice. 

Our life’s emotions are destroyed and stripped away, separating us.

Remember and return to me. 

2022©Isadora Delavega

 

~~~~~~~~~

For Sadje’s ‘What Do You See’ Challenge 

to join in click here

~~~~~~~~~

                                                           Image credit: Amine M’Siouri @ Pexels