Monday, August 26, 2013

August 26th-August 31st, 2013



August 26th, 2013
~
Nod to minimal Monday~then on to the boulder
~
Country Road Vistas=Bliss
~
Sunday Drive
~
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
~
Buzzard Vortex~gliding skyward
mere pinpricks~seemingly testing
the limits of earth's atmosphere
one effortless spiral at a time
                      ***                       


August 28th, 2013
~


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


~
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
~
He dreams
surrounded by friends
toes twitch

                                      ***                                         


August 31st, 2013
~
SWS
~
Shrill cicada song
fills August night

Monday, August 19, 2013

August 19th-25th, 2013



August 19th, 2013
~
Minimal Monday
~


Cool Morning=BLISS
***
August 20th, 2013
~
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
~
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
~
In silver splendor she sailed all night
now in dove gray morning sky
she blushes shyly~then slips away




August 22nd, 2013
~
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
~
Clouds~Shapeshifters
from their hearts rise dragons
and castles in the sky




August 24th, 2013
~
SWS
~
Beware ~dreaming
Siamese morphed
into Leopard




August 25th, 2013
~
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

Monday, August 12, 2013

August 12th-18th, 2013


August 12th, 2013
~
Minimal Monday
~
Nature exhales poetry
breathe deeply


***


August 13th, 2013
~
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
~
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
~
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
~
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
~
SWS Trio
~
Morning Glory
greets us
most generously
~
Breakfast al fresco
birdsong sweetened tea
~
Morning yoga
breathing deeply
inhaling peace

***


August 18th, 2013
~
Salty
golden brown
buttery crunchy bliss
taking me worlds away
Galette
~
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

Monday, August 5, 2013

August 5th-11th, 2013


August 5th, 2013
~
Candy Lily ~sweet delight
even your spent blossom
a thing of beauty




August 6th, 2013
~
Manzanita
~
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
~
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
~
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
~
Evening sky forms lake
imaginary shores float above dry prairie
optical illusion dazzles



August 10th, 2013
~
Plumbago Blossom
delicate blue
echoes sky 
***

August 11th, 2013
~
Bat weaves spells
around a slender crescent moon
crickets sing softly