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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

@Hardee's in Portsmouth

(NOTE: The piece below was written originally on a yellow post-it note by yours truly who happened to be dining out @ Hardee's in Portsmouth, Tuesday, 24 Sep 2013 @0855. I snapped a number photos (which basically reflected on what I've described below) while having breakfast. I'll see if I can embed them here with this piece.)

@Hardee's in Portsmouth, On a Fall Tuesday Morning

On a Fall Tuesday morning
@Hardee's in Portsmouth
there's laughter heard
in one corner
where an older couple sat 
as they're enjoying their coffee
and breakfast platter, I guess
(I got one, too, with cinnamon-raisin biscuit and coffee.)

Majority of the diners, I see, today
(with exception to one or two old black men)
they're mostly white old couples
I believe they're retirees
senior citizens, they say,
already in their golden years.

Now on another table
sat quietly another white couple
eating their egg-bacon sandwiches
while I'm jotting down these lines
on an adjacent table, alone
nibbling, enjoying every bite
of my cinnamon-raisin biscuit
made from scratch, they say.

Then one white woman stood up
from her dining table
to dump her trash
in a designated area
next to another table
this white old couple
facing each other
I can tell, they're done
dining, now lounging.

Once in a while,
there's this look,
a meaningful stare
of the old man facing me...
it's that suspicious look
one that's interpretative
one that can be misinterpreted
but wait, his white spouse
turned her head around
and saw me...
and then our eyes met
"Good morning," she said
smilingly, as she got up 
from their table...
I smiled, too, reciprocating
"Good morning."

What a change of mood,
what a change of atmosphere!
I felt good and contented,
"Thank God," I thought...

Well, on the other hand, what is it
that senior citizens stoop down
a lot nowadays
now that they're aged and old 
but still active and able
and capable?

They're looking down
with anxious, serious faces
(not many of them smiling anymore)
while other younger diners
when they come in to the restaurant
they look up or straight
and they always seem preoccupied,
in haste, in a hurry, with no time 
for them to waste...
why is this?

Ah, nevertheless, there's peace
and order and civility and camaraderie
@Hardee's in Portsmouth
on this Fall Tuesday morning
there's that fellowship
there's that sense 
of serenity 
freedom and independence
among diners there...
though it's a reality
to each his/her own
that's what I see-witness
as an immigrant-turned U.S. citizen
who served in and retired from the military.

Copyright 2013 by Chris A. Quilpa

Sunday, September 22, 2013

It's Fall

Fall is here again
autumn leaves change their colors
as days come and go.

(c) 2013 by chris a. quilpa

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Twelve Years Ago Today, 9/11: I Remember

it's the twelfth year now
i remember, don't forget
the nine-eleven!

the nine-eleven
OMG, where were You then?
it's unthinkable!

it's unthinkable
how and why did it happen
the nine-eleven?

the nine-eleven
i won't ever forget it
its tragic sights-sounds.

its tragic sights-sounds
of nine-eleven numb me
as i try to pray.

as i try to pray
remembering the victims
i thought life's precious!

i thought life's precious
but it did happen that day
the nine-eleven!

the nine-eleven
turned the world so upside down
twelve years ago now!

Copyright 2013 by Chris A. Quilpa


Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Like a Child

like a child

curious and cautious
like a child who asks questions
just to have answers.

active and awesome
like a child who plays some games
to keep him busy.

so sweet and sincere
like a child who tells the truth
to receive his rewards.

copyright 2013 by chris a. quilpa





Friday, September 6, 2013

TGIF in D-ville

Thank God, It's Friday!

Friday
not just another day
a special day
the first in September everywhere
in D-ville
simply living well
listening to classical music 
on NPR, at Tintin's apartment
doing nothing but loafing
observing the rhythm and flow of life
in a laid-back but thriving country again
where there's peace and quietness 
here and there, everywhere
with generous sun and greenery
on a bright and glorious September day
Friday
not only an ordinary day
it's a special day
to live free of anxiety
to taste a life of serenity and simplicity
however, temporary it may be
serendipity---a reality.

Friday
not just another day
a special day to seize the day
when Peace is felt
and God is here to hear our prayers
always a rare moment 
a special day to appreciate the beauty of Life
today.

Copyright 2013 by Chris A. Quilpa

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Labor Day Weekend in 757, @The Rileys

Good Sunday, everyone! It's a day before Labor Day in the US of A! Thank God, we're alive and well...and blogging again! Yes!

So, what's up, my dear folks and friends, here and there, everywhere? Any interesting story to share us all? Well, I got one.

Daughter Tintin and I drove to 757 from D-ville Saturday afternoon and we arrived home safely after three-and-a half hours on the road. (It was a beautiful, bright and warm day Saturday that I took a 54-second video using my smart phone, when we're about to make an exit on 9B.) My wife Freny was, of course, glad to see/meet us once we parked at our drive way.

After unloading our stuff, I immediately went upstairs and changed clothes. Then, we ate early supper which Freny prepared. After about an hour, I decided to take a nap. So I went back upstairs to our room and changed clothes to sleep wear/PJ. I thought I could fall asleep but it just took me over an hour to feel kinda sleepy. Anyway, I remained in bed for another hour or two. Afterwards, I rose up, logged on to my laptop and visited one of the realty estate companies. I don't know why but I did watch virtual tour of a number of houses in their listing, until I got tired and my eyes were heavy. The rest is history.

Today, Sunday, Tintin, Freny and I participated Mass at St. Paul's Catholic Church in downtown Portsmouth where, before the Mass started, we came to know a young couple, Tony and Monique, who, that time, were filling out the registration forms because of their desire to become a part of St. Paul's Catholic community. Freny and I, at that time, were greeting parishioners coming in to church for the 9:30 Mass, part of our volunteer work in the church, in addition to being volunteer EMHC (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.) Btw, Rev. Fr. David, our pastor, celebrated the Mass with us. He re-echoed what the Gospel readings today by speaking about humility as one of the traits we, Christians, should always carry with us in our every day to day existence and dealing with our fellow human beings. Our friends Mike and Myrna were in attendance at the 9:30 Mass, and I wasn't sure if I heard it right that Myrna's inviting us to their house for lunch after church.  

As you may know, daughter Tintin's with us this weekend in 757. That means, she has a commitment at that church in Norfolk as a paid pianist. So, when the clock stroke 10:30 a.m, and the Holy Communion was over, we had no choice but to leave St. Paul's for Norfolk. Glad and thankful that the downtown tunnel this morning was smooth-sailing as far as traffic is concerned. We arrived in Norfolk in time for the 11:00 church worship service. As always, we were welcomed by the congregation, which is mostly composed of older men and women, with a few younger ones. Pastor Dan's sermon, dealing about Christianity, is always inspirational and enlightening.

So, after the church, we stopped by at stores to buy something (pizza and cake) and then we found our way to the Riley's where we had fun, food and fellowship. Thank you, Mike and Myrna, for your warm hospitality. May God bless you and your family always! I must emphasize here that we love and always enjoy Myrna's cooking. She's such an excellent cook! (Fyi, Myrna used to work in hospitals as a registered nurse. Both she and her husband Mike have been enjoying their retirement.)

Here are some of the photos I've taken while we're @The Rileys...











Copyright photos 2013 by Chris A. Quilpa

Well, this is all for now. Thank you, my dear folks and friends, near of far, for visiting my blog. Until next time around. Take care and have a peaceful day/weekend, everyone. Happy Labor Day, to all of us! Thank you, all workers our there for what you do for all of us. May God bless US and keep US safe from harm always!-chris a. quilpa, 01 September 2013