Thought Salad

Category: Thoughts on life and death

  • Goodnight

    Goodnight

    She said her goodbyes today Her “I’ve had a great life, and oh, the times I’ve had” I smiled and tried to brush the implications aside, said “I’ll see you next week.” She smiled, closed her eyes, but didn’t respond. Suddenly, just when I thought she’d fallen asleep, her eyes opened, sharpened, “Look after him…

  • So what I’m still a rock star

    So what I’m still a rock star

    I’ve figured out that February is a hard month for my hair. Looking back every year around this time, I am overwhelmed with the need for change- but change is hard when you have responsibilities and people you care about sometimes. So, I’ve apparently been taking it out on my hair for many years. Usually…

  • The night shift

    The night shift

    The longest day in the calendar is the one where you didn’t sleep the night before. It appears the gastro has descended on the house of Gooden. It made its appearance with the sounds of my toddler throwing up at midnight. And one am, two am, three am, four am, and then it was time…

  • Let sleeping toddlers lie

    Let sleeping toddlers lie

    My little man is growing up. I’m watching him with mixed feelings as he snores on my lap. Having refused a nap earlier, he’s already passed out, an hour before his regular bedtime. He’s getting so big. Talking and telling funny stories (well, he thinks they are at least. I usually have no idea why…

  • Citizen’s arrest

    Citizen’s arrest

    Do you have a permit for that anxiety? Sometimes it would be nice if a police officer could stop you for thinking nonsense. Someone to hold up their hand and blow a whistle, flag you down and give you a ticket. Say “back off, get your own sandwich”, or something similar. A thought blocker like…

  • The little brother

    The little brother

    A tiny creature Bark so much louder than his bite Although, He’ll bite if given half a chance Full of sound and fury Signifying when he didn’t get his nap He rules over all that he sees His domain of ice and fire, or paw patrol and legos, Whichever he believes it to be At…

  • I wish I were a bear

    I wish I were a bear

    Some days I’d like to be a bear Hibernate the winter away Staying snug in my den Until a warm sunny day Instead I’m stuck In a deep winter rut As the sun won’t shine As the cold air does cut I can deeply sympathize With those working outside In all kinds of weather With…

  • Warmth and silence

    Warmth and silence

    It was a grey and silent day where I am. A quiet work environment, with clouds that seemed to touch the ground. I felt the weight of silence on my soul today. The other shoe so close to dropping for one, two, several people. Beyond my reach and out of my control. I know enough…

  • ‘‘Twas the night before Groundhog Day

    ‘‘Twas the night before Groundhog Day

    The frigid temperature of the Canadian subarctic smacked me hard this morning. While one day closer to spring, the first day of February was not in anyway spring like in nature. It made me think about tomorrow. I wondered if Mr. Groundhog would see his shadow or not. And then as always, I fell into…

  • Baby’s breath

    Baby’s breath

    Wednesday, the middle of the week. I feel like I’m on a conveyor belt sometimes, and wonder if I’ve missed my stop. Work, kids, home, obligations. Oops! Forgot to breathe. Tonight I watched a sweet little man sleep. No cares in the world, full little belly. Tiny little wrinkled face as his eyebrows moved in…