Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Duncan was not a weak man, but the beast looming before him caused him to #quake in his boots. Incredibly, it smiled at him. "You are afraid, as you should be. I could crush you. I may yet. But first, would you like some tea?" #vss365 0292
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 09/10/2026They arrived with lights flashing, but thankfully, no #siren. Efficient, professional, no nonsense, the EMTs never batted an eye when I explained my father had fallen... again. One benefit of his taking to his bed was that I never had to call for help to pick him up. #vss365 0263
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 08/10/2026What they did had been described as "living in #sin", which was the opposite of how they felt, living in love. Eventually, he made an "honest woman" of her by marrying on a beautiful late summer's day. The symbolism mattered, proclaiming their love to all. #vss365 1225
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 07/10/2026My #island of warmth On a chilly morning Cup of coffee Within arm's reach Comforter welcoming Pillows upholding Dipping a toe Into news of the day Reading the words Of talented poets Attempting to add With a few of my own #vss365 2396
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 06/10/2026We set #sail from Vancouver through the inside passage of Alaska. It was by far our best cruise and not just because it was the first. Every leg of the journey contained oohs and ahs and views of splendor we couldn't have imagined before. Photos don't do the area justice. #vss365 0291
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Caring for a bedridden father without power in the aftermath of #hurricane Helena was no picnic. It was 10 days before power was restored. My brother-in-law was able to bring us a small generator after cutting through road blockages. I could make Daddy's coffee. #vss365 1212
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Worry would be easy to justify now. There are many things that could go horribly wrong. Instead, I choose to #harbour anticipatory optimism. As I wait for the big things to turn out right, I can't help but notice all the little things that already do. #vss365 0222
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 03/10/2026The last time Daddy went fishing was at a pond behind a friend's house. He had to use his rollator to walk to the edge, then sit while I assembled his gear. He caught nothing and lost a #lure, but it was the last time I saw him truly content. #vss365 4243
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Christmas on the #mountain First with my mother's family First with snow Everything strange From the few I remembered On my paternal side Where were all the cousins? Why didn't we eat collards? Why was Santa so stingy Just because we were Six hundred miles away? #vss365 0111
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 01/10/2026I tried to write A beautiful poem About a #cloud On a gorgeous day But recent events Have created a cloud Of a very different sort Causing my mind To circle back To dwell in reality Not in the literary And deal with the now I've been given #vss365 0293
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 30/09/2026In his final days, he ignored his will and gave out possessions to whoever came to see him. His daughters just smiled, as they were his things to distribute as he wanted. A son-in-law grew concerned. The knife collection was to be #bequest to him and it was dwindling. #vss365 0144
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Practicing gratitude Taking my meds Inuring this precious Era of serenity is Not just a #reprieve But a permanent state Allowing me to Breathe in peace #vss365 1244
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Curate and #purify Leave only that Which truly matters What you know to be useful What you feel to be beautiful All else is simply noise #vss365 1154
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 27/09/2026I formally #renounce My prior dependence On the good opiion of others Such things are nice And well-received But no longer required For my personal wellbeing You have the option To like me or not It will not change My opinion of me Though it may affect My opinion of you #vss365 1243
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Your birth was a joyous occasion. Never forget that. Your first years were meticulously structured in a loving atmosphere. How could we know that blackness would envelope my mind so thoroughly, inhibiting my ability to #nurture the one I loved the most? #vss365 0133
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Often, when I asked my parents if I might do a thing, they would answer with "I #reckon." I came to learn this meant "yes" with qualifications and stipulations, and the understanding it could be revoked as new information surfaced, no matter how much I protested. #vss365 0193
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Solitude is A beautiful thing Until the #hunger stirs For the touch of another We are not meant To be alone All the time #vss365 0143
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Who would have thought At this age of mine When quiet contemplation Rules my worldly musings A #passion so bright Would burn inside That's what you do to me Turning this old heart Into a firebrand #vss365 0223
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 22/09/2026The seasons change today on the calendar. Another new beginning as I #embark on this phase of my life. We both are in autumn now, one last burst of vibrancy before winter takes hold. My next steps are taken with optimism and gratitude. #vss365 1143
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 21/09/2026It was a dark and #stormy night. But it really was. My daughter was afraid of the loudness of the thunder. Remembering something I had read somewhere, I told her it was just the angels bowling. It calmed her better than I'd hoped as she imagined angels bowling with Jesus. #vss365 1142
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 20/09/2026The #conflict was inevitable. He was the eldest son who took benefits rather than responsibilities. She was the eldest daughter who stepped in when needed, complaining all the while. He thought she was self-righteous. She saw him as selfish and mean. #vss365 0162
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 19/09/2026As an infant She would #marvel At the miracle Of her fist Later she discovered A world Beyond herself One that held Animals for petting Mac and cheese And "baby trees" And friends to be made She gave me The honor and privilege Of glimpsing life Through her wondrous eyes #vss365 0243
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 18/09/2026First comes The meeting of minds Exploring opinions Finding concurrency Or at least A harmony When longing emerges The desire to #explore More than ideas And find in each other A well-rounded love That fills the soul And lasts much longer Than a flash of attraction #vss365 1142
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 17/09/2026If we could #Sustain ourselves By love alone You and I There would be Such abundance We could live As monarchs Benignly eying Our kingdom And spreading wealth Throughout the land #vss365 1225
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 16/09/2026They sat stiffly In awkward silence Waiting for the Entertainment To #commence A comedian first Coaxing out Reluctant chuckles Then the band With tunes they remembered From simpler times When love was easy They looked at each other And knew their hearts Would try again #vss365 1214
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 15/09/2026No signs yet here Of #autumnal turnings Except inside the stores And the front doors Of decorated houses People tired Of summer heat Thinking wistfully Of sweater weather And pumpkin spice Anticipating Days and nights Of hygge Still weeks away #vss365 1203
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Her personality was never what anyone would call #sanguine. She found fault everywhere and criticized everyone. Her aura of toxicity made many enemies, even in her own family. Yet she was always the first to arrive when need was acute, helping until the need was gone. #vss365 0223
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Every professional group speaks in a language that is #esoteric to themselves. Maggie's friends thought she was stretching this when she suggested naming a local minor-league team the Roebuck Minsterfullerenes. She was honestly thinking of merchandising potential. #vss365 1272
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 12/09/2026The language of my family was colorful but simple. I loved the "big words" I found in books. In time, the #eloquence of those authors served me well in the wider world where vocabulary was seen as an asset. The big words are mine, now, and I still add to them. #vss365 0102
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Her #naivete was beautiful and precious. Unfortunately, it was up to me to prepare her for the real world, a bit at a time. Shining hope was gradually replaced by fear and skepticism. I tried to remind her of what was still good, but she had to reclaim peace on her own. #vss365 2174
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 10/09/2026My morning #melange Of bitter and sweet Sitting warm In a favorite mug Eyes fully open As I leisurely sip Getting ready To face the day #vss365 1263
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 09/09/2026A daring combination Of faith and #intuition Suffice when planning is at end Bring goals to their fruition A time must come when letting go To let the seeds we've planted grow Determined not to break, but bend So to reap that which we sow #vss365 1215
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 08/09/2026#Moonglade on the water Peace at end of day Evening breeze a-blowing Little left to say Holding hands in beach chairs Listening to the tide Sandy toes and ankles No wish to go inside Grasping onto summer Before the autumn's chill Lingering in promises Of love to fulfill #vss365 0205
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Usually, I believe the insecure girl I used to be has been overwritten by a confident woman who knows her worth. But like a stubborn #palimpsest, words sometimes bleed through that tell me I am not enough, that I am a disappointment. I live bolder to overshadow them. #vss365 2213
Debbie Cribb Owens @cribbowens.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Black and white film Dancer at his peak #Adroit in ways Most could only dream Gliding through space As if gravity were Merely a suggestion Time caught up Eventually Unable to leap And glide as he did But til the end He never lost His inner grace And style #vss365 2335
