Debbie Cribb Owens

Never comfortable
With #deluxe
She set her sights
On good enough
Never needing
All the best
Took what she needed
Left the rest
Imagine her surprise
Then when she
Caught the eye
Of a sterling man
Who taught her she was
Worth much more
Than ever she'd
Believed before
#vss365

I generally avoid wearing the colors of fall or the pastel #undertones of spring. Bright, vibrant jewel tones make me happy, whether or not they are the current fashion. I wear what makes me smile. Fashion is what I want it to be.
#vss365

Beware of the #piranha
That wait in the wading pool
The treacherous quicksand
In the sandbox by the swings
The anaconda lurking
Underneath the dogwood tree
The pride of sabretooth cats
Living past the azaleas
The backyard's full of dangers
If you have imagination
#vss365

I remember
Rainy schooldays
Before I was old enough
To tag along
My two older cousins
Would each don
A #raincoat
Yellow and heavy
Fireman worthy
I had assumed
When my time came
To go to school
In the pouring rain
I'd be provided
With a marvelous coat
As well
Alas, no
#vss365

Some days it's hard to muster the #verve to do even the most basic tasks. Despite medication, regular exercise, and daily affirmations, depression still raises its head and makes itself known. I've come to wonder if it isn't just a comfortable habit.
#vss365

Thank you.

The threat of consequences kept her from turning into a #libertine in her 20s. She had been able to see the lives of others as cautionary tales. That didn't mean she was always Miss Goody Twoshoes, however. Rebellion was in her nature if the cause was right.
#vss365

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

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

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

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

Thanks, Steve.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of course.

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

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

Thank you, Ian.

Thank you.

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

#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

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

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

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

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