P.A. Blogs
The thoughts and writings of author P.A. Bees
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Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Where are we? We took a weekend trip to reunite with family. We Geocached at a haunted hotel. Reportedly, the ghost in the hotel is a young bride who died in a fire. The escape route was clearly marked and very near where she perished. Was her wedding night not up to par? Was she going back to rescue her new husband? Why were they not together escaping the fire? Many unanswered questions.
We happened upon this scene only a few miles from the hotel. There were boats, cars, flowers and snowflakes all made out of traffic signs. Where were ...<< MORE >>
We happened upon this scene only a few miles from the hotel. There were boats, cars, flowers and snowflakes all made out of traffic signs. Where were ...<< MORE >>
Word of the Day
Daybreak
Definition: The time of the morning when daylight first appears. Dawn.
But when does it actually occur? Is it the glow that precedes the orb's arrival; the bands of rose and peachskin that soften the horizon's edge or the reflected luminescense? Doesn't the sky warm just slightly preceeding even this? Is it when the darkness of night leaves?
There are those early morning people, racing off to work or rising to comfort a baby's cries who see the sky. They look and know that night is gone.
There is no break to the coming. Daybreak is not cracking an egg in the skillet and seeing the ...<< MORE >>
Definition: The time of the morning when daylight first appears. Dawn.
But when does it actually occur? Is it the glow that precedes the orb's arrival; the bands of rose and peachskin that soften the horizon's edge or the reflected luminescense? Doesn't the sky warm just slightly preceeding even this? Is it when the darkness of night leaves?
There are those early morning people, racing off to work or rising to comfort a baby's cries who see the sky. They look and know that night is gone.
There is no break to the coming. Daybreak is not cracking an egg in the skillet and seeing the ...<< MORE >>
Grocery Carts
Have you ever been behind someone in the grocery and studied what they are buying? Really looked at their purchases and wondered if you could tell what kind of person they are from what they buy - you know, the old "You are what you eat?"
I was behind this guy the other day and all of a sudden the food in his cart started to talk to me. He had two of those long, square loafs of white toast, a jar of jam, a gallon of orange juice, a gallon of milk, a two pound can of coffee, what looked ...<< MORE >>
I was behind this guy the other day and all of a sudden the food in his cart started to talk to me. He had two of those long, square loafs of white toast, a jar of jam, a gallon of orange juice, a gallon of milk, a two pound can of coffee, what looked ...<< MORE >>
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
This landmark will be harder to identify for several reasons. It is actually in Summit County, Ohio and even people in the city where it is located are not familiar with it. The house needs some TLC, but it is definitely worth saving. Heritage Ohio is looking into putting it on their endangered list and possibly coming to its aid. Who lived here? Why is he famous? What city is it located in? Bonus points if you get all three answers correct! ...<< MORE >>
Virtual Scavenger Hunt!
Here is another way to get to know Cleveland, join others on a Virtual Scavenger Hunt. The picture is your clue - can you name the building and place? This may be tougher than it looks as there is very little information to start your Google search. Either you have been here or you need to visit! Who is up for a challenge? If you find this picture too easy, the next one will be harder!
Flash Fiction
Does everyone know about Flash Fiction? Sometimes it is called Shorts or Short-Shorts. It is all about making a plotted story as succinct as possible. Condensing the story to its essense is like a reduction of sauce for you cooks out there. A swirl and a few drops of simmered, concentrated sauce on the plate makes the dish. The taste is extraordinary, your buds zing you and your tongue relishes the lingering flavor. If you are a mother, it is like 'giving the look' to a child. A raised eyebrow is all that is needed.
However, being successful at Flash Fiction is tough. Here ...<< MORE >>
However, being successful at Flash Fiction is tough. Here ...<< MORE >>
Favorite Things
Sundog commented that she calls Cleveland home. How about all of you who have moved away? Do you still crave Pierogis with perfectly grilled onions and sour cream? Do you remember why Balto is the Wonder Dog? And did you visit the Christmas Story house with the lamp leg in the window when you were last home?
What other Cleveland favorites do you remember from childhood?
When you are on your second glass of wine or downed your third beer, what do you tell your friends about Cleveland?
If you could come back to Cleveland for a few days or a month, what would you ...<< MORE >>
What other Cleveland favorites do you remember from childhood?
When you are on your second glass of wine or downed your third beer, what do you tell your friends about Cleveland?
If you could come back to Cleveland for a few days or a month, what would you ...<< MORE >>
Welcome to My Cleveland
Dear World,
Do not let anyone tell you that Cleveland, Ohio is dead. Asleep maybe, but not dead. Cleveland has a natural ability to be lulled by Lake Erie into an entranced discontent.
The city is like a great bear who, in her hurry to hibernate, does not notice the rocks on the floor of the cave. She lays her corpulent body down on top of them and then is rankled as the rocks bruise her. She sleeps poorly, plagued by dreams of futility. The damp and the cold infiltrate her bones and insist on mutiny. She sleeps on.
Cleveland is a port city and it is hard to kill a port city. In Cleveland, we know this to be a truth as we foolheartedly tried in the past. Cleveland came back. The renovated and expanded Cleveland Museum of Art is open, the Cleveland Orchestra is strong, our Emerald Necklace of Metro Parks continues to grow and green itself. Our leaders know that to educate is to elevate. Our diverse people take strength from their ethnicity, they can survive on less when needed, they have the strong heart of the bear.
When I hear that Cleveland is a number on a list that I do not want to think about, I remember the bear. We need those uncomfortable rocks to remind ourselves to do better when we wake. We need to feel February's blast to appreciate July's sun on our shoulders. Home foreclosures change neighborhoods like the wildfires of California change the landscape. For a while they are sere, dark and seemingly unable to sustain life. Then, the first plants sprout green, saplings emerge, the forests neighborhoods grow thick and grand again. So will ours.
We will use technology to refashion ourselves; our sweat to grind, calculate, cook, polish, sell, cut, press, plan, print, nail, estimate, wire, insure, correct, dig, mend, mix, solder, sort, investigate, affirm, teach, swab, build, wrap, grow, give, plumb, paint, sew, and shovel; and the wash of Erie's waves to be better swimmers.
Remember the bear. When hunger gnaws and her muscles spasm, the stupefaction of awakening occurs. She bids welcome to the season change. She stands on her hind legs, surveys for lucre, and hunts to satisfy her needs. It is a cycle that we all, in our own way, play a part.
Awaken Cleveland!
P.A. Bees
Do not let anyone tell you that Cleveland, Ohio is dead. Asleep maybe, but not dead. Cleveland has a natural ability to be lulled by Lake Erie into an entranced discontent.
The city is like a great bear who, in her hurry to hibernate, does not notice the rocks on the floor of the cave. She lays her corpulent body down on top of them and then is rankled as the rocks bruise her. She sleeps poorly, plagued by dreams of futility. The damp and the cold infiltrate her bones and insist on mutiny. She sleeps on.
Cleveland is a port city and it is hard to kill a port city. In Cleveland, we know this to be a truth as we foolheartedly tried in the past. Cleveland came back. The renovated and expanded Cleveland Museum of Art is open, the Cleveland Orchestra is strong, our Emerald Necklace of Metro Parks continues to grow and green itself. Our leaders know that to educate is to elevate. Our diverse people take strength from their ethnicity, they can survive on less when needed, they have the strong heart of the bear.
When I hear that Cleveland is a number on a list that I do not want to think about, I remember the bear. We need those uncomfortable rocks to remind ourselves to do better when we wake. We need to feel February's blast to appreciate July's sun on our shoulders. Home foreclosures change neighborhoods like the wildfires of California change the landscape. For a while they are sere, dark and seemingly unable to sustain life. Then, the first plants sprout green, saplings emerge, the forests neighborhoods grow thick and grand again. So will ours.
We will use technology to refashion ourselves; our sweat to grind, calculate, cook, polish, sell, cut, press, plan, print, nail, estimate, wire, insure, correct, dig, mend, mix, solder, sort, investigate, affirm, teach, swab, build, wrap, grow, give, plumb, paint, sew, and shovel; and the wash of Erie's waves to be better swimmers.
Remember the bear. When hunger gnaws and her muscles spasm, the stupefaction of awakening occurs. She bids welcome to the season change. She stands on her hind legs, surveys for lucre, and hunts to satisfy her needs. It is a cycle that we all, in our own way, play a part.
Awaken Cleveland!
P.A. Bees