There are several things I can whine about, but what's the use when life is what you make of it. I feel too blessed and grateful to give in to negative energy and I am constantly reminded when I watch the news that there are people out there in worst situations.


This Gratitude is dedicated to living...life itself is a classical collection that I call poetry.

* I am blessed to have my ten fingers to write, draw, paint and create words that relish the mind

* My health which is getting better

* Being able to cook my favorite dishes without guilt, I really don't miss McDonald's French fries or munching on chips, now my splurge is organic chocolate chips :)

* Music is sweetness to the soul...I was listening to Tamia today and it was very relaxing as I painted

* Rain, it is pouring outside but we need it to cool down this humidity


Ok, Ladies and Gents, I am offering the opportunity to win my poetry book, simply check out the two paintings above and write a 20-line poem based on one of the paintings.

The first painting I call it Celebration, next one Emptiness, the 3rd painting is Drama Queen.

Deadline is July 13, 2007 for this contest. Winner will get my book, Wrapping Thoughts Beneath Emotive Rain(autographed) and a bookmark, 2nd runner-up will receive a 5x7 painting. If you wish not to participate but would like to become one of the judges, please let me know. I'm looking for one or two more judges. Email me your poems at cathy@delaleuwritings.com with the title of the selected painting.

Deadline to become a judge is Friday, July 6.




Good luck

I know i'm a day late with my gratitude which is way overdue, it will be shared next Wednesday.

I've provided dinner pics for your viewing pleasure, last night I was starving and wondering what I should eat. I wanted a little dose of Italy in my food, lol. I went to the market and got myself a pack of gnocchi. Back in 2003, I was introduced to gnocchi when I visited my girlfriend in Venice, Italy. She made the potato dumplings with salted fish over some white sauce, it was heavenly. What I admired most about Italians over there is how they're able to control their food portions, they don't overeat like us Americans. Anywho, after boiling the gnocchi, it was ready in less than 5 minutes:

1. Add olive oil (I love this organic olive oil here)
2. Add Cilantro and onions
3. Add 21 Salute seasoning (you can purchase at any Trader Joe's)
4. Add Prego sauce or my own favorite Amy's Marinara sauce then I added my 21 salute seasoning shown here, it's flavorful with 21 different seasonings...
Voila! Dinner is served with salmon. I cooked the salmon separate and to give the salmon a BANG, I add spoonfuls of Sofrito, garlic, onions in olive oil, ummmmmmmmmmmm. Who can resist such a dish? If you've had gnocchi before, please share your recipes here, let me know how you cook it and with what meat or vegetables.

If you've never had gnocchi, simply share with us your favorite dish for dinner :) I'm curious to know what's in your plate.

LOVE LIKE KALLALOO

You bathe me in a pool of rose petals
lather my skin
With shea and mango
Cleansing
Restoring my broken heart
You reach down
Dry me with your tongue from head to toe
your minty breath on my cheek
You whisper like a kiss promising you’ll never make me cry
Take me in your arms
Covering me against the night chill
Stunning and effective
This power of being sexy in your eyes
A delightful surprise when your luscious tongue pays a visit down my throat
And I sigh
We make love under the peppered stars and moonlight
As I weep a sweet lullaby
My skin is fortified with your love
natural radiance I now glow like a sunrise
No more tears of casualty
Your love smooth like kallaloo
Stroking face, hands and breasts with your essence
It vibrates in my heart
A beginning with no end
I savor you my love…
You are to me more than just a friend
(art and poem by C. Delaleu)


Happy Sunday to you all! In case you haven't noticed, I now have an art blog where I will display all my paintings and drawings, please stop on by to see what's new in my Loose & Juicy Art world.

Hello Blogger Family,

I'm sure you've noticed how busy i've been with drawing and painting. The reason is i'll be one of the vendors at the Harlem Book Fair in July, selling my paintings and my poetry book, Wrapping Thoughts Beneath Emotive Rain. The event is on July 21, 2007 (Saturday) from 11am-6pm in Harlem. I'm so excited. My sister and I are sharing a booth, she will have handpainted greeting cards and art made with blackeye peas. I will let you all know our table number and location as soon as I get them. Meanwhile, feel free to let me know if you're interested in purchasing any paintings I have posted, the size of the first painting is 8x10 ($15) and the second one is 5x7 ($12). Shipping and handling are included, no frames are provided.

I had trouble sleeping last night and a poem came to mind:

It’s unusual to escape the world barefoot
The woman you desire carries words with brass knuckles
Breach of imperfection not stopping her from anchoring
Her eyes are volcanoes of drip moisture
She is understood with bones and a heart
It’s unusual
But you like what you see
The limbs of her hair blushes your face
Sends you daylight on silk pillows
Blinds your loneliness away
© 6/2007 by Cathy Delaleu

ROSE COLOR INK

Can I curse my fingers without bleeding?
Seeking the pleasure of words to resurrect
Feed the mask I have worn for a decade
I turn to dead poets
Paddling their scripts
For a minute I see them
Stepping
Emphasizing on stage
Creatures of the night
Tongues blossom graffiti
Before I am asked another poem
I study with parched dreams
Hanging in my bedroom closet
Cautiously I dip face in pastel ink
Fabrication prevails
Lifting spine of sleepless fingers
Bracing
Pen and paper
Once again
©6/2007 Cathy Delaleu

My latest adventure with acrylic paint is here...enjoy!

I've been tagged by Stephen Bess...
The rules of this meme are simple. Look at the snap, what does it inspire you to say? Well, write it then, but only in the form of a poetry verse, and only one line that fits in with the preceding line.

That's it. One line of verse that carries over from the line before, and that is in relation with the picture. Present the poem on your blog as you wish (I've used "bold, italic for my line)

The picture is a hut from southern Africa, probably Lesotho, judging by the style.

Please tag only one person who you think will play along. Clearly say/show whom you've tagged so we may easily follow the poem as it builds up. The poem is done when a "tagee" fails to deliver, or when it reaches twenty-five lines. Whichever comes first. It will then be time to vote on a final and last line (twenty-sixth). I'll ask all "tagees" to offer a last line, and I'll put up a poll on Poéfrika so people can vote for the last line.

Once it's done, it will appear here (with credits). And, "tagee," if you don't want to play along, or simply can't, please tell your tagger so that he or she may tag someone else. So here is a line, to which you should add yours, and so on. Don't forget to link to your blog (with the first word of your verse). Visitors are welcome to play along in the comments section.

I'm tagging Xavier


The world waited outside for us
Waited
With moist grass beneath our feet
Cloaked with years of silent preparation
Silence procrastinates with the wind
The mystery of hope pours across the skin