Earth to Ash

5 Comments

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Ash Douglas

One Lovely Blog Award!

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Got to admit, I feel kind of bad that it has taken me this long to post this award, shame on me. Sometime ago, Avid Observer took the time to credit me with another writing acknowledgment, I’m only now getting the chance to share it.

Once again, I’m flattered that my blog is being held in such high regard by one of my writing peers. It’s great getting feedback on what I write and it’s compliments like this that make it all worth it. One of my goals with Earth to Ash is to get a reaction from any and all that find themselves taking the time to read it. It’s absolutely reassuring when a gesture like this comes your way and proves that there’s people out that enjoy what you do, and I appreciate every one of my readers “virtual fist pump”.

Rules:

Each nominee must thank the person who nominated them and link their blog in their post.

  • They must include the rules and add the blog award badge as an image.
  • Must add 7 facts about themselves.
  • Nominate 15 people to do the award!

Seven facts about myself:

  1. I live in Newfoundland which is an island on the east coast of Canada;
  2. I have an Aboriginal background and I am a part of the Miawpukek First Nations;
  3. My daughter Ashton who recently turned 19 is in her second year university;
  4. I’m a huge Mixed Martial Arts fan;
  5. Still love video games;
  6. Won a pie eating contest once; and
  7. I’m a paralegal and work at a law firm downtown.

I guess now it’s time for my nominees, they are as follows and truly in no particular order:

  1. cries from an unkempt garden;
  2. The Ink Owl;
  3. wholeheartyhappy.wordpress.com;
  4. Here in the Silence;
  5. BeautyBeyondBones;
  6. FLOW ART STATION;
  7. Orlando Espinosa;
  8. Ricardo Sexton;
  9. The Naga;
  10. J. A. Allen;
  11. A Mind;
  12. Quiescentlistener;
  13. elizarudolf;
  14. follow your arrow; and
  15. Sparky Jen “No Beating Around the Bush Allowed!

Until next time… 🙂

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8 Comments

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Ash Douglas

Bike Rider

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What a day!!!, and I took full advantage of it. Today was another holiday Monday so I was eager to hit the trails early and see where two tires could take me. I had a quick breakfast, greased up the bike and boom, out the door, nothing but the warm sun and dusty trails in my future. A few ideas on where I wanted to go were popping up in my head but with the beauty of a bike, all that would change as quick as walk and don’t walk. Taking off from the house, zipping down the sidewalk, as long as I have two legs and a heart beat, anywhere is possible.

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It was very hot, so I made sure to bring extra water which is vital on a day like today. You have to remember to hydrate, and oh yeah, make sure to wear sunblock, I was one for one and now I have a print where my backpack was. Anyway, there I was, riding through the park and taking it all in when the above caught my eye. I had to take a picture, I guess it was the way the red was contrasting the green. This brings me to a side-note, my photography, which I hardly call it that, is another benefit of getting out on the bike. I find that I absorb more of my surroundings, I see things that make me circle back and take another look. It’s poetic, I can take a simple moment like the above and interpret it any way I see fit, it’s natures way of giving back because I’ve finally slowed down to take notice. There’s something calming about my bike rides, it’s like i’m a boy again with the adventure, silly I know, but get on a bike and see how you feel.

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I took it up a notch and went downtown, took the trail way all the way down to the south side point, and made good time too I might add. One bike bucket list for me was Fort Amherst, which is a historical site within the city that’s easily accessible and provided the perfect backdrop to a already awesome day. All of these pictures are from there, it was too gorgeous not too capture a few shots to share. I grew up in a very small rural community, so seeing the water, the boats, and the wharves brought back some really cool memories…ah the ocean.

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Crazy happy to get out for a ride today, 36k for a couple hours wasn’t too bad. Have to say though, I’m pretty tired from the trip and along with the sweltering sun, it kind of zzzzzzzzzzz, oops sorry, it kind of kicked my butt to be honest. It’s a good butt-kicking though,  you know?, after you go one on one with mother nature. To challenge yourself to keep moving forward with everything you got, trust me, I had some moments but I dug deep and got through it. There’s a fitness perk with this bike riding too which is another reason I feel in love with it all over again. Yup, since I started biking I have discovered a whole new world right under my nose.  Places in this city I never knew existed and it’s still keeping me on my toes, even today was another road less traveled for me. My bike, much like writing, have become passions of mine, and today I got to do both…life is good?

Your turn…
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11 Comments

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Ash Douglas

Just Write

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I’m sitting here in a coffee shop, slamming back caffeine, trying to get my creative juices flowing, it’s not going so well.  I mean there’s Jazz playing in the background, I’m sitting in a cozy chair and it’s just me and my keyboard, what more do I need? My only motivation came from reading another blog earlier that mentioned “a blank page won’t write itself”, it was only then I started hitting keys.  Thing is, I overthink my writing a lot which is my achilles heel, it sometimes holds me back from just making an entry.  I mean I started this blog to share my thoughts, feelings, and reactions, to the world around me so why not just do that? I have it built up in my head that it has to be this refined, polished, and well thought out post which holds me back. I know, I know, foolish to think that way but it’s honestly the way I am.

We all draw upon our own inspiration and as a blogger, my next post is always my main focus just as soon as I hit publish on the one before it, anyone out there relate? Thought I’d, mention that the blogs that I follow are one way I like to stay motivated, their creativity, their output, and the fact that they all have their own niche is what drives me to keep going, thanks for that.

I’m glad there’s a community of writers that choose to share their talent, it’s awesome in general that people continue to do what they love and are also brave enough to release it to the world, it’s not easy. Don’t let anything get in the way of sharing the real you, life as you see it, it’s a shame to deny everybody that.

I’m going to continue to do my thing and write, no matter what about, no matter why, I’m going to “just write”.

P.s. You matter…

 

4 Comments

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Ash Douglas

The Inside Chair

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The inside chair was always where,
I felt the most at home.

I’d rush to dinner, always the winner,
to sit on my dinning room throne.

Argue your matter, try with the flatter,
this spot was mine alone.

If you sat in my place, or stole my space,
Grandmother would make it known.

I sit no more, like i did before,
time has only shown.

That the inside chair is always where,
i’ll miss about my home.

15 Comments

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Ash Douglas

Not Even a Whisper

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It’s still no matter that desire exists, I keep lying to myself.
Surely something must distract your sound sleep as it does for me.
That unlocked door has remained ajar for so long now,
a little light still glimmers against the ingress of doubt.
I remain indignant, stuck in this emotional vacuum devoid of what matters, screaming, bawling, through the hubbub, alone in quietude with not even a whisper to keep me content.

 

14 Comments

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Ash Douglas

Three’s Company

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It’s been awhile now since I have posted anything other than a poem as of late, but I just had to share this. So, I’ve been watching Three’s Company for the last few days (OK, that just dated me) and it’s been quite the unexpected nostalgic experience, and soooo funny. I found this YouTube channel that has all the episodes, I have been binge watching each one of them before they get taken down. Jack, Janette, Chrissy and the Ropers were on a lot at my house when I was growing up and it’s been bringing up a lot of fond memories the more invested I’ve become.

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If I remember correctly, the show was usually on just after suppertime, my Pop was always planted firmly in his chair, he loved him some Jack Tripper. My Nan just finishing the last of the dishes, the same time each evening, everyday, we were all waiting to see what Jack and the gang were up to. What misunderstanding will be misunderstood on tonight’s episode? I remember vividly, my aunt and uncle who had just gotten off of work from the fish plant and them both still having a distinct perfume of fish that would usually whisk pass my nose. My aunt always did say how brutal it was trying to get rid of the constant tinge of the fish, after a twelve hour shift. I will never forget that. Yes, we would all consume the living room, trying to score a spot on the tiniest of couches, some resorting to the arm of a love seat, maybe the coffee table or lastly, the floor. All this didn’t matter, shhhhhh……the theme song has started,”Come and knock on our door”….

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It’s true, the fondest memories can be drawn from the simplest of things, for me it was this TV show. It brought the nostalgia completely out of me, made me think about people I haven’t thought of in awhile, it was nice. The same is hard to do these days in the same context with the accessibility of digital content, and how sitting around the TV the same time each week is not a thing anymore for most people. Direct, custom content although convenient, can also cause a disconnect where everyone usually retreats to their own devices, unfortunately it’s a thing. I think it’s important to make time for each other, create memories that will forever channel happiness. I know this is am example of screen time but it can be anything you want it to be. How nice it is when something puts a smile on your face? We can all use a little of that.

“Three’s Company: A Man About the House (#1.1)” (1977)

  • Stanley Roper: Look at that crack in the ceiling. …
  • Helen Roper: The party didn’t cause that.
  • Stanley Roper: Oh yah. …
  • Helen Roper: It was the earthquake last year. …
  • Stanley Roper: Exciting?
  • Helen Roper: Yah, it was the first time our bed moved in years.

Yeah, it’s that kinda comedy, but you know what? I’ve been having a good laugh these past few days watching the pure genius in physical comedy that was the comedy of John Ritter, who we all know died way too early. My cousin Amanda, says that when she sees him on TV, he reminds her of me, lol.  All the cast were great, it was a perfect ensemble, a timeless comedy. Watching Three’s Company has been stirring up some pleasant memories for me, memories that will forever make me recall a simpler time in my life that I will hold dear in my heart for the rest of my life.

This blog was taped before a live studio audience.

1 Comment

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Ash Douglas

Father’s Storm

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I wish this day away just like the many before it.
No matter how high the sun, that cloud will forever rain on me.
As I try to move on, the shadows creep alongside teasing a dark void.
My unhealed scars, they fester each time I’m reminded,
adding one more to an already weathered heart.

11 Comments

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Ash Douglas

Someday Again

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Fist held against your chin staring beyond, adrift in recollection.
A ponder of well-being was the focus of those faraway eyes.
Rock…rock until contentment, unbroken ritual.
You miss, you worry, because you loved.
The tittle-tattle of your kindred always spawned a glow in your half-cocked smiles, your infectious being.
Dear grand, by and by with a simper,
someday again.

9 Comments

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Ash Douglas

Those Shades Looked Better on You

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Your smile that day was the last,
when those shades looked better on you.
This the chance?
Sun high, mid-afternoon,
like yesterday,
memorial to me.

Funny, we talked longer, unlike us,
the hint?

A stride from you taken, farewell implied,
it felt no different,
only to you, it was.

My goodbye changed forever,
when those shades looked better on you.

 

2 Comments

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Ash Douglas

The Static

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Suddenly the static…then nothing.
An alter-ego, unhinged.
Your split was misconceived,
as most would rather bathe in ignorance,
and wade in shallows of the misunderstood.

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