Girl, Sayler Park.

 

Good morning. I'm achy, but my heart is full. Hope you have a good day. Love to you.

C.A. MacConnell

Photo.

 

I was there in the evening.

C.A. MacConnell

Temple of Love

 

I took this picture about 17 years ago; it was a film shot. Just came across it.

It's called, the "Temple of Love," by locals, or the "Temple of Vesta," and it's located at Mt. Storm Park; the structure is all that's left of the estate of former Clifton mayor, Robert Bowler. Pretty cool:  Bowler hosted a number of prominent guests at his estate including Edward, Prince of Wales, later King of England, and Charles Dickens. In 1845, Bowler hired Adolph Straucha, a well-known landscape architect from Vienna, Austria, to design the Temple. Bowler's land once included a mansion, a wine cellar, 17 greenhouses, a waterfall, and a lake with black swans. In 1911, the Temple was included in the park land. Rad.

It is believed that the first structure honoring Vesta dated back to the 3rd century BCE. Apparently, it was a simple, circular hut celebrating "the home."

The local rumor around Mt. Storm was that if you met someone within this structure, the person was your soul mate, and the two of you would marry and be together forever.

I used to frequently visit this park...but I stuck to the lookout and the rolling hills. I sat on the Temple steps a few times. It is a magnificent piece of land.

C.A. MacConnell

Comedy Writings.

Ha, there is some action over on the F'n Rad Dating Site today, I hear, after a brief hiatus. Although there was another dater we were going to post today, we're hanging on to that one for a special occasion. Until then, check out SweatItOut987, a really vulnerable bachelor.

If you want a laugh, check out my other site. :)

Love,
C.A. MacConnell

Once, a Working Barn

 

If you look close, you'll see the turkey vulture. :) I'm actually sitting here cracking up, as I've written a character sketch, but I have to keep it to myself for now, otherwise, I will surely get in trouble, haha, but I will save it for a later date, because it's so damn funny. I will show you when it's time.

Hope you're smiling too,
C.A. MacConnell

Parade.

 

C.A. MacConnell

Photo

 

C.A. MacConnell

The Country Club

Good morning. Despite this ridiculous neck, I feel strong today. Lately, I've been swiftly turning "former rabbit holes of dark moods" into positivity and strength, a new ability. I used to barrel downward all day, if I became hooked on something...take on others' emotions or actions, and the like and sometimes, I'd go there for weeks. Now, I'm able to turn it around soon. It's a lovely feeling to be letting go of the old me. I'm sure I'll write more on it later, but I need some time to adjust to all of this newness creeping in. It's a powerful feeling of individuality and letting go. For sure, it'll change my writing too. Here's a rather powerful poem for you. C.A. MacConnell

The Country Club

Their world rages pink,
like a chapped lip,
like a strange,
split sunset
on the mouth
of a private plane.
Some smoke cigars
in the basement.
Leather lazy boys.
Nothing but time
and sheep.
Today’s party
is in the main room,
down the hall,
the side table beneath
the exclusive painting.
A golf course view
of buttons and zippers.
Windbreakers.
For the children,
somewhere near
the all-you-can-eat
buffet, they'll bring in
five or twenty
live bunnies.

C.A. MacConnell

Desert.

 

Let me just tell you, I am dying to see the mountains. It's so beautiful outside.

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

Yellow House.

 

My lucky number was always five. I might change it to seven. :)

C.A. MacConnell

Photo

 

Good morning. I love this photo. The moment of discovery. :) I have so many new thoughts and discoveries myself. In a way, I kind of feel like these kids.

C.A. MacConnell

Open House

I think you would
like this place.

Shower water turns cold to shock.
Think short, kid fingers
burning in the snow.

I slip into my blue jacket.
I lace up my combat boots.

Outside, some windows slide open,
and the rest resting slam
shut. Somewhere, sweat

darkens a neck. Others
surely shiver home, straight

into the vein. Scattered in the square,
sleeping on benches,
tattooed girls cross and uncross,

pulling at wide-stretched
ears, twitching and laughing

near lonely, old men. Late skater boys
fuck, snake, paint, relate.
One of them, the smallest,

a half-finished painting…
well, he looks like you –

gaunt and buried within a yellowish glow
of lamp. I want to walk
with you. I want to step

on the heels of your shoes.
Alone feels right in this artist

light. Muted, a heavy makeup, it hides
the deepest flaws.
A splinter breaks free.

Now it’s caught in my curls,
and love is the man

who finally pries it loose. Well, now I am
almost inside. I feel almost
pretty. I think you would

like this place.

C.A. MacConnell

Marrero, LA

 

I didn't like New Orleans, but I loved the swamp tour! Our tour guide was like some dude off the Jaws boat. He was obsessed with gators, he seemed half-loaded, his face was a smiley map of lines, and he was always half-sideways, crazily grinning, like he was about to throw some tourist into the water at any moment, and I knew that he wanted a cigar or cigarette or joint every second. I was for sure staying on his good side, but big-eyed and intrigued, I was drinking in his words with a passion. The gators gathered around his boat and listened to him as if he were their king. 

Whoa, yeah,

C.A. MacConnell

Footprint

 

Good morning. I just slept 10 hours, much needed, and my eye is better, thank you to modern medicine antibiotic drops. The funny thing is you can't see the cut b/c the cut's on the side behind the lid...so it looks like I'm crying wolf. What can I say...I'm the queen of problems you "can't see."

Yesterday, I posted on FB that I realized I hadn't dated anyone in eight years, which is true. Ten really, emotionally speaking. I wasn't really concerned about the reaction, but the reaction was interesting.

I've been revising some essays, waiting to hear about other things regarding books. I'm not hell-bent on anything at the moment...just working nonstop, trying to pay bills. No worries, it keeps me out of trouble, and for now, it's just my life, and I'm cool with where I'm at. All part of the process, and I'm content with this notion.

Anyway, hope you like the picture. A little simple one for you.

Love to you,

C.A. MacConnell

Photo: Jeffrey's Bench, Jeffrey and Bella

Usually, Jeffrey sat at the bench, but then he started bringing his own chair. I only spoke with him once, but we had a lovely conversation. Not sure why I picked these to post today. Just like them I suppose.

The guys let me come home from work, which was nice. It seems I cut my eyeball, which hurts, if you've ever had that happen. But a doc squeezed me in, and I now have some drops and such, so I guess I'm on the mend. A lesson that I've been doing too much too fast, for sure. ;) Came home, took a bunch of ibuprofen, and I told myself this:  now, don't do anything. Course, then I threw in a load of laundry, ha. Well, you know. Still learning. 

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

Rush Hour

 

I'm always a cheerleader for you, if you're making a living on your art. Congrats on your success! Now, I'm beat. I had a rough day! But tomorrow is new. :)

Love,

C.A. MacConnell

Photo

 

C.A. MacConnell

Photo

C.A. MacConnell

Photo.

Ha, this is kind of a creepy photo, I know, but I like it. Kind of has that "Chucky" vibe. That's what I'll aim for now when it comes to all relationships -- disturbed, killer-possessed dolls, bring 'em my way, I'm sure we'll get along. I have to laugh at myself this morning. Yesterday, I was at a spiritual group, and I was so bored, so I went outside, smoked a cig, and I saw two tiny birds playing in the sky. They were darting and diving around, having so much fun! That made me smile. :) That's about all the deep thought I have for you at the moment. 

This morning, I was looking back at some of my essays, and I was going to post one, but I realized that my perspective on nearly every single one...was different, ha. Looks like I have some revising to do.

Hope you have an awesome day. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

Photo: Giraffe

An old film shot I just came across. :) Thought you might like it. Made me grin. Also made me think about patterns. Due to some deep work, I'm seeing so many ingrained patterns in my life, in my history, and I admit that at the moment, it's rather annoying to be aware, ha, because sometimes I'd rather just run around blind. With awareness comes some rough patches, but there's always another side, in my experience and well, I only go forward from here, because there's no going back.

But the cool thing about this picture is that it also reminded me of this:  when it comes to giraffes, the pattern is there to help them survive, and it only changes as they grow.

I suppose I'm drawn to those who push me, even if it is unsettling at times. And here's the irony...the people we love the most are the ones who upset us the most, it seems. As the character, Sarah, in the movie, Waking the Dead, puts it, "I find you so infuriating!" She says so because she's soulfully frustrated and full of passionate love, but she's challenged at the same time. I love that line. That about nails it. So intricate, that film.

You, even from a distance, are one of those people, because as I write to you, I write to me, and knowing you're there pushes me to barrel through this mess we call life. I suppose that's why I write to you. I find the internal challenge interesting, and it makes me want more.

And deep down, I know we're all a reflection of each other. It's just that some of us are closer.

Just what's on my mind. Hope you have a nice night.

Love to you,

C.A. MacConnell