August 26th-August 31st, 2013

August 26th, 2013

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Nod to minimal Monday~then on to the boulder

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Country Road Vistas=Bliss

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Sunday Drive

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Yesterday we took a lovely drive through the local countryside,searching for our watermelon farmer. Took a wrong turn,got lost. The winding road led us to the hills, then away again, then back once more. Amazing vistas all along our journey, so worth every lost mile.

At the end of the trail the delight of friendly folks who were happy to share their story and their country place. Getting to know each other, finding things in common ,much laughter shared. I had brought a printed copy of my melon stone which brought joy to those who grew that Charleston Gray I shared with you in July.

So in a way, sharing about our group, you too came along on our Sunday drive. As the light faded, we headed home another Charleston Gray tucked safely away. What fun it was to drive on the country roads, some just dirt roads. We were totally lost, yet content,enjoying every minute.

To meet the very people who worked hard to grow our food, to make that connection was such a treat, as are their delicious melons. Grown with love and care, infusing that into their product. A day well spend.

                        ***                         

August 27th, 2013

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Buzzard Vortex~gliding skyward

mere pinpricks~seemingly testing

the limits of earth's atmosphere

one effortless spiral at a time

                      ***                       

August 28th, 2013

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The day starts early as I wander through the garden, starry skies above. Cool late summer morning air surrounds me as I walk to my quiet space. Morning meditation reminds me that no matter what, we are all one. I breathe deeply , watching first light to the east color the sky in a delicate wash of pastels. Feeling blessed and at peace, savoring the moment. Then making my way back to the house, now more practical things nudging aside the quiet time. I get busy in the kitchen. Cool morning calls for baking, so batches of cookies soon scent the house, Chocolate and Gingersnap, some of each. Morning cup of tea sends wisps of fragrant steam into the air, freshly baked cookie melts on my tongue. A sweet start to the day, enjoying the peace and quiet before tackling the most pressing chore today, sorting and stacking the huge pile of firewood in our driveway. As I skirted it by starlight, it looked even bigger then last night. Tea and cookies, give us strength!! Though maybe a bit of toast and egg should be part of the menu as well. Still, that first cup and still warm cookie, lovely start to a promising day. 

August 29th, 2013

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Longing for gently winding roads

lined with pines exhaling  

veils of moisture kissing my cheeks

wild flowers along tumbling creeks

Closing my eyes I visualize

breathing deeply~leaning into the curves

in my mind leaving this hot, dry valley

Burney Falls is calling my name

My mind lingers briefly and whispers

"I will see you soon"

August 30th, 2013

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He dreams

surrounded by friends

toes twitch

                                      ***                                         

August 31st, 2013

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SWS

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Shrill cicada song

fills August night

August 19th-25th, 2013

August 19th, 2013

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Minimal Monday

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Cool Morning=BLISS
***

August 20th, 2013

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Hot summer night~under veil of darkness

cloud of bats appears~leathery wings flapping

dipping and diving ~the night hunt is on

August 21st, 2013

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Luna rises~ her golden face

coyly draped in fire-kissed veils

she ascends~ they drift away

we sit under her silver gaze

moonstruck~again

#2 Morning Moon

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In silver splendor she sailed all night

now in dove gray morning sky

she blushes shyly~then slips away

August 22nd, 2013

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Pining for cool weather and mists

while standing under a hot blue sky

early morning clouds sailed away

leaving us high and dry

August 23rd, 2013

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Clouds~Shapeshifters

from their hearts rise dragons

and castles in the sky

August 24th, 2013

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SWS

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Beware ~dreaming

Siamese morphed

into Leopard

August 25th, 2013

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Our boy Max contemplating the woodlands from his perch

He'll be 17 soon ,elderly, losing weight but so cherished

When a kitten the vet said he'll be lucky to see 5 or 6

most rumpies go by then, due to internal complications

No tail at all can cause all sorts of troubles

with special diet and lots of hugs here he still is

our Max the Manx , a bit tottery

at times, a sore that won't heal on his lovely nose

but he keeps on keeping on. Eagerly following us from place to place

snuggling into my side, sharing my naps~purring and drooling. We call him our ca-dog

as he's so dog like at times~waiting by the gate 

if he had a tail, no doubt it would wag with joy upon our return

August 12th-18th, 2013

August 12th, 2013

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Minimal Monday

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Nature exhales poetry

breathe deeply

***

August 13th, 2013

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Darkness

we lay

on our backs

looking up waiting patiently

Perseids

***

Brilliant

streaking across

deep blue velvet

trailing white hot tails

Meteors

August 14th, 2013

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Bright-eyed and alert the Lookout guards the covey

any suspicious movement and he sounds off, urgent chucks of alarm alerting those below feeding

DANGER! DANGER!

Off they go, small legs moving at the speed of light

bodies erect, top knots held high~ effortlessly floating across the stage like feathered ballerinas

making their exit into the underbrush

SAFETY!!

August 15th, 2013

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Dusky deep blue berries

Virginia creeper's gift for Bluebirds

in late summer they arrive

rusty breasted~blue winged acrobats

hanging from the vines they harvest eagerly

chattering with enthusiasm~delighted at this treat

though eluding my lens~they do bring happiness
***

August 16th, 2013

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What makes a writer?

Is it technique, the ability to measure and place

each and every word just so?

Or is it words pouring from the heart

onto the page, sometimes a mad tumble

grammar slightly askew, yet written with joy?

I ask myself these things as I try to meet

the daily challenge of placing one more stone

writing my way home toward the end of the year

Yet in this kind generous company I feel safe

placing my daily piece knowing that many will see me

behind each line spilled onto the page, they'll see

the lover of nature and creatures, lover of words

not perfect, yet filled with enough courage

to open my heart and share what I see

I am thankful to be in such kind and caring company

which feeds the heart~ encouraging and nurturing

no tearing lines to bits and stripping each piece down

to bare bones ~until all semblance of the joy which gave it life

is gone~ buried beneath technique and perfection

yet I grow and learn~ reading other stones placed

marvelous words written ~which in turn nourish me

So we grow together, each in our own way

truly blessed in this company

August 17th, 2013

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SWS Trio

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Morning Glory

greets us

most generously

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Breakfast al fresco

birdsong sweetened tea

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Morning yoga

breathing deeply

inhaling peace

***

August 18th, 2013

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Salty

golden brown

buttery crunchy bliss

taking me worlds away

Galette

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Galette from Normandy

I savor each buttery bite

kissed with a touch of sea salt

Closing my eyes I travel

walking those shores

hearing the sea breaking

tasting the salty spray on my lips

breathing deeply of the iodine laden air

looking across the water at Mont St-Michel

I am there just for a moment but what bliss

August 5th-11th, 2013

August 5th, 2013

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Candy Lily ~sweet delight

even your spent blossom

a thing of beauty

August 6th, 2013

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Manzanita

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Hanging on the edge~determined to live

Beneath her~exposed layers of life

creek's history book laid open

chapters only fully understood by geologists

who can tell of each layer formed

rain, drought, a rare snowfall~all of nature's events

an open book to those who know to read

between the lines ~earth's message~each layer a story encased in sediment~waiting to be told
***

August 7th, 2014

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Road trip today~always a scary affair

Comfort zone has shrunk over the years

days away from home bring a touch of stress

Not a fun outing ~just a trip to San Francisco to fetch

a neighbor~ returning from her month to the UK

No driving the streets of San Francisco, no standing

on the Golden Gate Bridge looking west~ eyes skimming the Pacific

no walking through Golden Gate Park or Chinatown

No standing on the Pier, looking across to Alcatraz

Today just chauffeurs~ fighting commuter traffic~ jostling for space

endlessly changing lanes~in the rat race we left nearly 20 years ago

Maybe next time a trip just for fun~though honestly the big city

rarely beckons us these days nor calls our name

We're content on our plot of land~surrounded by nature and simplicity

Though as I sit, looking up at a poster of the Chihuly Exhibit at the DeYoung~

viewed some years ago on a trip to the city~ maybe there will be another

trip~this time for pleasure to take in the sights and sounds of the city by the bay

then back home to silent, comfortable bliss~listening to bird song~watching the grass grow

HOME

August 8th, 2013

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Central Valley~diverse images rush past the window

tawny hills rise on both sides~cupping the bounty

Sierras to the east~Coastal ranges to the west

valley heart stretching south for hundreds of miles

gnarled olive trees-silver gray leaves flitting

soon followed by a quilt of textures and colors

vivid green rice fields lay in the sun~water sparkles

Egrets stalk~seeking meals of the amphibious kind

here and there waterfowl bobbing on open spots

others in flight~ graceful against the blue sky

Almond Orchards~furry fruit held aloft~nearly ripe

Pistachios next~a different shade of green

clusters of nut striking a colorful contrast

Vineyards~row after row~edged by silk trees

Golden faces~sunflowers worship the sun

Cornucopia of visual and culinary delights

as far as the eye can see~this fruitful valley shines

August 9th, 2013

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Evening sky forms lake

imaginary shores float above dry prairie

optical illusion dazzles

August 10th, 2013

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Plumbago Blossom

delicate blue

echoes sky 
***

August 11th, 2013

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Bat weaves spells

around a slender crescent moon

crickets sing softly