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PIRATES ON THE LAKE

Moon full Linda bestMoon full boat ride 8 29 2016 water and cloudsIt was a magical, mystical night on Lake Gaston
the first full supermoon of the year promising to
revive enchantment, serendipitous messages of
nature, a culmination of the summer of 2015 before
the Virgo harvest of planting in the earth began in reality.

On this evening when the world gazed at the same
full supermoon at the same time; our moon would
follow the path of the late winter sun and the sun’s
path for six months; a supermoon indeed.

All water vehicles had gone home, hooting as they
passed, not knowing the sacredness of our laden boat
or the independent meditations and ceremonies
planned with great care and anticipation.

Wanting to free my soul of entanglements
ethereal currents ran through me as surely
as passing water crafts created currents to
rock our boat, a way to gain our attention.

Yet it was the moon teasing us by peeking
in and out of the mournfully colored clouds
that caught our thoughts and held them until
we pulled up anchor, quietly, and slowly made
our way home.

Arlene Sandra Bice (C) 8/31/2015
Photos by Lisa Hagan

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The Afternoon Crowd of the American House Tavern

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While tending bar is a lot of work, although good bartenders don’t appear to be working hard, if you like the study of people, it is grand. I love people; our differences, our sameness, and our stories. For as many as we are on this earth, we each have a personal story that is unique. We have reasons, whys, and wherefores that mold us into who we are today.

While Stanley Dancer was a great horseman with a good reputation as an individual, I had met him, but did not know him on a personal level. I did come to know many of the people who worked for him and for other horse trainers in the Plumsted Township area. They were teachers about their professions to me. Working with and around horses was a daily chore; no taking off sick days, or Christmas. The animals must be fed and tended to and these people chose a life style that did not afford them luxuries. I admired them greatly; came to love them for who they were, what they were willing to sacrifice to be where they were, and what jobs they did.

Please enjoy an excerpt from THE HORSEY SET

they came with bruised, calloused hands
coarser than sandpaper
to lift a shot of whiskey chased by a
cold mug of beer,
a reward
for hard work done out in the elements,
thanks not given
except
what they gave themselves;

not a lot of time
to linger; even on
Christmas Day
horses had regular schedules
to keep
and these
workers were there
to keep ‘em

American History, booksigning, Memoir, poetic narrative, Poetry

The Afternoon Crowd at the American House Tavern *new book out

The_Afternoon_Crowd_Cover_for_Kindlejpg    A bolt of lightning came out of the sky and struck me in the spring of this year. This book is the result of that moment. I have no idea which of my deceased ancestors dredged up these old memories and sent them to me or why it came, but it lifted me out of a gloomy week, filling me with so much laughter while I wrote it and again, when I re-wrote it.

This easy-to-read poetic narrative is of my few years tending bar at the American House Tavern, in the middle of the horse country of New Egypt, New Jersey, in the 70s. I share my take on the people who came into my life at that time, in that place. This is my interpretation of those sitting across the bar from me while I scooted around, pouring beers, mixing cocktails, and playing amateur psychologist, sometimes matchmaker.

The books are being printed up now and available on Amazon in hardcopy and e-mode. If you would like a signed copy, or one inscribed to your best friend, lover, relative, etc. please send $12 (includes shipping) using Paypal or a check in snail mail.

If you enjoy it, please write a review.

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THE SALE GOES ON . . . .

THE SALE GOES ON. . .Aug. 22, Saturday 7 a.m. items shown will be sold. Brian Baker & Shelia’s, too, Sorting out has been a journey. Grown. Groan is more like it. The horrors of moving include sorting, tossing out what hasn’t been used in 10 years-even 5 years, re-reading cards & letters-do I continue to save them-donating, I won’t be saying ciao to my friends. Thankfully.
Please spread the word. 434 S. Holiday Dr. Lake Gaston Estates, Macon NC 252-257-4838.DSCF3905DSCF3903DSCF3897DSCF3907

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MOVING, MOVING, MOVING

MOVING, MOVING, MOVING. Aug. 22, Saturday 7 a.m. items shown will be sold. Now I know why people stay in houses that they have long ago outgrown. Grown. Groan is more like it. The horrors of moving include sorting, tossing out what hasn’t been used in 10 years-even 5 years, re-reading cards & letters-do I continue to save them-donating, eating what is in the fridge & pantry-less to move, and saying adieu to this lovely house that has welcomed me into its nooks n’ crannies. I won’t be saying ciao to my friends ‘cause I’m only moving a short distance away. Thankfully.
Please spread the word. The ad and address is in the Warren Record.DSCF3897DSCF3903DSCF3905 DSCF3900