Peony

Peonies Poem

Sweet peas open over hillsides of the dump.

A closed landfill, named for a historic battle 

where Natives buried unaccounted.

Methane feeds flowers, glory sunset, 

launching torches of perfume.

Peonies are my 'besties;  

I've rose patents

certificate Master Gardener, 

but children won't listen

when I strum Richie Blackmore.

Peonies don't care for heavy metal.

Farmer's Almanac spouts herbaceous  

require certain cool nature.

My parents were screamers.

Never hit mine. 

My knee required stitches, 

after two weeks 

dentist said, 

"OOH, too late for pediatrician,

sewing was needed."

Wounds heal with care - not time.  

Treasures prefer relaxing Epsom baths.

Ghosts jump from 

blue plastic tarps brittle, pillows

and bobs needing recycling.

I worked, planned, cried, 

worked planned

did I do enough 

by myself?

Peonies 

Please

tell 

them

your

secrets.

Caroline Gerardo copyright 3/28/2016 Peony Poem

Avocado Salad To Die For

I wrote before about my vegan daughter and meat eating son.

My son surprised visited home for Easter Weekend, but flew

home before dinner.

Saturday night I prepared this easy healthy yummy salad 

that is vegan.

Ingredients:

3 fresh corn husks

*2 fresh great tomatoes

*1 red bell pepper

1 can black organic beans

*half a red onion

*2 cloves garlic

3 limes

salt pepper paprika to taste

if you like it hotter a sprinkle of red pepper

*1/2 cup cilantro

teaspoon of great virgin olive oil

3 ripe avocados

Remove husks of corn

Snap in half and cover in pot of water. 

Boil corn for 3 minutes. Allow to cool in the water.

Chop all the * ingredients 

Combine in bowl

Do not cut - save the avocados until right before serving

smash and chop garlic  and cilantro very fine

Zest of one lime on top,

Juice and squeeze out every drop of lime juice into the mixture

Add light salt and pepper - light and check it later before serving

1/4 teaspoon sugar 

Drain the beans and rise in cold water - toss them in whole

Cut the corn off the cob and that goes in the bowl as well

Stir and cover - at least 2 hours but overnight is better

refrigerate the chopped salad

Right before you serve cut the avocados in half, remove pit

and slice

Add a teaspoon of olive oil on top.

Stir taste for salt, pepper sour... maybe add red chili pepper if you like

Can be served on top of bowl of torn greens as the most healthy salad.

I use mustard, kale and romaine as the base. If you are trying this on 

pciky eaters use milder butter lettuce 

Salad greens mixture should be 1/3 of the whole - or in other words

each bite should have two pieces of avocado and yummy veggies

The creamy avocados make this luxurious.

My children never leave left overs. 

Pico de gallo and guacamole flavors will start your party!

I served this Easter afternoon. My son was still eating a bowl

on the way to the airport. His comment:

"I'm sad that TSA doesn't allow food in the Airport. I think if I let

them have a taste they will let me bring it in?" 

Natural Organic Easter Eggs

Organic Easter Egg Dyes from

turmeric, nasturtium, lavender, borage, 

celery leaves and fever-few

all edible flowers and plant material

Cut flowers from garden.

Put a teaspoon of vinegar into each color bowl

I used a mortar and pestle but you could just cut up and smash

Add flowers into vinegar and tablespoon warm water

Paint or soak boiled eggs with the colors and have fun

Okay some of my Easter eggs are great but the lavender ones look grey, and paprika turns out ugly

My children are college age but they still like a little holiday fun

Elephant Seals

Bullet diver. 

Swim oceans elegant breath,

 see Fukushima radioactive isotopes?

Extinction survivor. 

Die before your children is better 

than wailing on shore search for pups.

Crafty MacGyver

Give tourists a circus show,

bark at stealing photographs.

Elephant thriver

Enjoy sun upon your skin.

Protect your harem families.

Seal of silver

Return from turquoise travels,

avoid the boats.

Caroline Gerardo copyright 3/24/2016

Elephant Seals Poem

Patriot Burial Grounds

Burial Grounds

Patriots sleep under warm blankets

A kid rents cars and builds bombs

Comprehend evils re-reads news 

Pot smoking brothers murders

In custody they say he cries

Life different in Boston or Paris? 

Caroline Gerardo copyright 3/18/2016

Paris terror suspect captured 3/18/2016

Snowman

Snowman
Stand above trees,
climb falls, and
defy melting.
Laugh at stealers.
Water made hand.
Create balls of ice.
Nourish the forest.
Lodge pole pines
give oxygen love .
Make
great
build
think
do
artfully
new.
Get to work
snowman.


Caroline Gerardo
copyright 3/13/2016

Ions Sing For International Women's Day

Seconds before sun ~ slips lingerie on the sands ~ sounds of ions sing.
#haiku
#internationalwomensday

Copyright Caroline Gerardo March 8 2016

Snow Angels

Yosemite meadow whispers, 

wind brushes snow. 

"Where no man has gone before!"

 My brother says, dropping his body 

prone on his back 

then laughs hysterically, 

swim his arms and swish legs.

Leave a perfect angel.

Back out cover tracks, 

 branch of cedar perfume.

Driving home pass the valley

 where  El Portal rests

under the cover of fog.

Is Cary Stayner still alive?

Do ghosts haunt the town?

His brother returns from abduction, 

scarring the family.

Those Devils never learned how to make snow angels?

Caroline Gerardo 3/5/2016 Copyright