Sitting Behind the Eight Ball

A Few Captured Moments of Joy

A Slice of Life Post for May 20, 2025, by Barb Edler

What do we miss when we’re busy trying to capture images with our cameras, etc.? A compelling question I continue to ponder. Recently, I have enjoyed a few special moments.

Last weekend my oldest granddaughter sent me a video of a dress I bought her for her 8th grade graduation ceremony. Of course, she picked it out, but it was fun to receive the video of her twirling in it so I could see her joy. The dress is really cute! We will see her graduate next Wednesday.

She really liked the back of the dress’s detail and how it swirled:)

Saturday was my youngest son’s 30th birthday. I did not get to celebrate the day with him, but I did get to see him last night. We sang happy birthday and played euchre. I won both games. My cards are getting better:)

The cake decorator wasn’t present to add a better message, so I did it with candy pieces. Oh my, I wish I was able to decorate cakes, but I have never even attempted to learn. Perhaps I should very soon. I’m kind of a disaster in the kitchen.

I’ve been meeting with three other women from a guided writing autobiography class. We are helping each other prepare for the level three class prior to its inception in June. I also recently participated in a flash writing session and was extremely happy with two pieces I wrote during the workshop. If only I was a better blog writer. Sigh!

Last week we went to my brother’s home so my husband could help him put in some windows. My brother had been here a few days before helping us with some plumbing issues. It’s great to return favors. My brother lives in Marion so I had the opportunity to go to the half-priced bookstore, which is always a joy. I found a lovely little haiku book which inspired a few haiku. Today’s haiku isn’t about anything joyful, but a bitch about how organizations are eliminating their inclusive language. Ugh! 

inclusive language 
            erased-like infernos
                          annihilate

Wishing all a happy Tuesday, and an Indiana Fever win tonight will be much appreciated.

Barb Edler Avatar

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Barb Edler
Hello, I am a retired English teacher. I live along the Mississippi River and enjoy watching birds, the river, and nature in general. Writing for me is a gateway to healing, and I love to wrestle words in hopes of capturing an emotion or image others may relate.
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9 responses to “A Few Captured Moments of Joy”

  1. Glenda Funk Avatar
    Glenda Funk

    Barb,

    That dress is super cute. Your granddaughter looks like you! Congratulations on winning the card games Hope the luck lasts. Ken and I were just talking about who we can and cannot count on when we need help w/ something. Fingers crossed for the Indiana Fever.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. franmcveigh Avatar
    franmcveigh

    Go, Fever! Should be a good game.

    Great post. The picture captured the twirl in the dress. And the candy on the cake may be greater appreciated than plain old frosting!
    Quite a fun post!

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Anita Ferreri Avatar
    Anita Ferreri

    Barb, that dress is amazing and part of a clearly busy week of celebrating and creating. I do have to challenge, however, your line about being a “better blogger,” as from my humble side of the internet, you are very busy creating and writing.

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    1. Barb Edler Avatar
      Barb Edler

      Thanks, Anita. I just feel like I cannot capture an engaging voice with blog writing but I keep trying. I appreciate your support!

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  4. Lainie Levin Avatar
    Lainie Levin

    That SMILE as she twirls in the dress. It’s the BEST!

    You have so many lovely things going on, Barb – the graduation, the birthday, the writing club, the game.

    If only you gave yourself more credit for what you’re amazing at =))

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Denise Krebs Avatar
    Denise Krebs

    Barb, I love all the many places you go in your blog post–these moments of joy are precious. I love your granddaughter in her new dress. I can see a young Barb in her twirling joy. Happy birthday to your son too. Congrats on getting your card game in order! You are a winner. I want to visit the half price bookstore in Marion!

    And the one moment of annihilation in that haiku makes me angry too. I just cannot for the life of me understand why someone would want to have the opposite of DEI. How can someone say they are not for diversity, equity and inclusion, unless they are just outwardly saying yes to systemic racism? Are they really for uniformity, inequity, and exclusion? Oh, yes, they are. I guess I do see that in our society now.

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    1. Barb Edler Avatar
      Barb Edler

      You say it so well, Denise!

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  6. Cathy Hutter Avatar
    Cathy Hutter

    Thanks for sharing your joys. I smiled while reading it. Your post made me stop and think about the ordinary things that have brought me joy today. I needed to reset my thinking so this really helped.

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. mbhmaine Avatar
    mbhmaine

    It’s such a lift these days to share positives, and I really appreciated your focus on some joyful moments. The video of your granddaughter in her twirly dress is especially charming! What a cutie! It sounds like you’ve been very busy lately!

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