Sunday Scribblings #3 - Swimming with the Stars

This week's Sunday Scribblings prompt is: What's your Sign?




I am a Pisces born on March 10th. Now, in all honesty, I've never put much weight on this whole "astrology" business. I read my horoscope, sure, but unless it says something that is either entertainingly positive, or it nails a particular day with scary accuracy, I don't particularly pay it much attention.

And yet, anytime I've read a description of my "sign", I've been intrigued by the accuracy with which it describes me.

For example, from Astrology.com: "These folks are selfless, spiritual and very focused on their inner journey. They also place great weight on what they are feeling. Yes, feelings define Pisceans, and it's not uncommon for them to feel their own burdens (and joys) as well as those of others. The intuition of the Pisces-born is highly-evolved. Many people associate Pisceans with dreams and secrets, and it's a fair association, since those born under this Sign feel comfortable in an illusory world."

Selfless? Honestly, most of the time I do tend to be quite selfless.

Spiritual? Very much so, more so than most people I know.

Focused on my inner journey? Boy, am I ever...I take self-reflection to new levels.

And as far as feeling my own burdens (and joys) as well as those of others? I can't watch the news because I cry anytime I see someone in pain.

And boy, do I love my "illusory world", I've been told all my life I live inside my head.


But wait, there's more..."Pisceans who fear that their pleas aren't being heard tend to lapse into melancholy and, worse, the kind of pessimism which leads to procrastination and lethargy. At times like this, Pisceans are well-served to take some time for themselves, the better to find their center once again."

This is perhaps the truest of all with me. I have a tendency to allow myself to drift into a semi-depressed, but always non-productive haze whenever I'm "abused" or overwhelmed at work. I can work extremely hard, and handle many tasks at once, until I feel I am being taken advantage of, or not being appreciated, and then, easily, I sink into the lethargy. It is at times like this when I need to take some mental health days (as I did just this past week), so that I can recharge my batteries, sort of speak, and return to being a productive member of society.

And then there is the creative edge that Pisceans seem to have been gifted with. Every horoscope book will tell you that us Pisces are the writers, artists and musicians in the world. I can't draw or sing to save my life, but writing has always been like breathing for me...and dancing...well, if you read this, then you know how I feel about it.

But not everything in the Pisces description fits me. For example, Astrology.com states that Pisceans are generally gentle, easy-going folk, who are on the shy and reticent side. They are modest to the point of impracticality, often stepping up only to show their talents in painting or music. Easiest for the Fish (and still great fun) is living in their lush dream world.

I do love my dream world, but I am in now way, shape or form "shy, gentle" or even easy-going. I've become a lot more laid back as I've gotten older, but still, I do love to get my way. And gentle just doesn't fit me at all...I'm a strong, independent, LOUD Portuguese woman...I can be gentle at times, but life alone has made me a bit tougher than most. As far as being shy? Nobody who has ever met would ever accuse me of such a thing! After all, I'll talk to anyone. I'm that person in the line at the grocery store sparking up a conversation about the weather...

More than once I've read descriptions of the Pisces nature as "weak-willed and easily led" or "submissive"...these couldn't be more off the mark as far as I'm concerned. I can be an emotional mess, and too much of a dreamer, but I count myself among the leaders...always the first among my friends to suggest a place to go, a movie to see, a restaurant to try.

Still, I do find it intriguing how close these descriptions can get...but then, not all Pisces can be exactly alike, can we? I don't know, I don't put much weight in these things...

For more Sunday Scribblings, click here.





(the pictures I used above are magnets that can be found here, at art.com by the way)

Sunday Scribblings - Shhh...don't tell

I'm late to the game with my second ONLY Sunday Scribblings, but when I read the prompt, it inspired me...so here's my entry anyway:

“I have a secret”
she whispered with a mischievous smile
“I have to keep it”
she said with all the pride of a child

“My mommy told it”
she grinned, so grateful for its mystery
“so I could hold it”
she spoke, beaming delightedly

“but I can’t tell you”
she shook her head and looked down
“cuz then you’d know too”
she turned her smile to a frown

“and it’s my secret”
she said, her smile returning once more
“I have to keep it”
she nodded, and then she walked out the door.

Sunday Scribblings #1 - SPICY

I have decided to join the Sunday Scribblings
group. I did, after all, start blogging so that I would WRITE more...I'll use Sundays for my creative writing day...



"A pinch of salt
some garlic too
a little spice
I give to you"




I never cook without at least two forms of pepper by my side. I was born in ANgola, Africa, where my parents both lived for much of their young adulthood. The cultural influence of that country followed them, and in turn me, back to Portugal. It was in the music we listened to, in the art work we displayed, and most definitely in the food we ate. Mom was never afraid of spices, pepper, curry, paprika, you name it, she used it. She never met a recipe she couldn't add to and make better, tastier, spicier. And this is how I learned to cook. Through my teen years and up until today, I have also surrounded myself with friends of different cultures. Laotian, Thai, Indian, Cambodian, Haitian, Liberian, Nigerian, Italian, Irish, Portuguese, American, they've all a little something to the table. My table. I take things I learn from each of their cuisines and I apply it to mine. I live alone, therefore, I don't really cook very often. It isn't as much fun to spend hours over a meal, only to eat it alone, in front of the television, in minutes. But I do love to expirement. My spice rack is an entire cabinet in my kitchen. I never cook the same thing twice, because I never measure, I never follow directions, I grab things haphazzardly from the spice cabinet and throw them in. Very seldom do I end up with an undesirable product. And the spicier it is, the better.

I have to remind myself, when I am cooking for others, that not everyone can handle spice the way I can. Cut back on the pepper a bit, I don't want to make you cry at my table. From years of throwing everything from chilli peppers to jalapenos to wasabi in my food, my tongue is desensitized. I'll sit at a table with other and they'll comment on how hot something is, and I'm barely blinking. "It could use a bit more" I'll think.

And I try to live the way I cook. Surrounded by different colors, experiencing unique flavors, giving it all I've got, and throwing in just a little bit more for an extra added jolt. I't always about how spicy it is. More pepper anyone??

See other "Sunday Scribblings" here