Monday, November 25, 2013

November 25th-30th, 2013


November 25th, 2013
~
Yellow
delicious island
delightful fragrances rises 
on a sea of tea
Lemon
~
On a sea of tea
fragrant yellow island floats
Meyer lemon harvest

***

November 26th, 2013
~
Dog walk along the creek
collars jingle merrily
excited snuffles accompany as they explore
~
Trio of buzzards
above our heads in the blue sky
follow us home
~
Morning ritual complete
dogs curled in their beds
our day moves on

***

November 27th, 2013
~
Early morning
twinkling stars in velvet sky
owl hoots softly

***
November 28th, 2013
~
Coyotes sing
under a setting crescent moon
Orion's Belt sparkles



November 29th, 2013

Once again our little creek sings it's sweet song
as it makes it's way toward the Sacramento
~
Across the creek cattle dot the hills
their lowing blending with creek's song
~
Last leaves quiver on nearly bare branches
brilliant sunshine spills unseasonal warmth 
~
Our morning walk after Thanksgiving
so much to be thankful for each and every day


November 30th, 2013
~
SWS
~
Cold and clear
yet still tempting
***
Creek is running cold and clear
Petey doesn't mind~cheerfully taking the plunge
racing in and out~exuberant in his joy
the girls stand and watch~no doubt fueling his bravado
but then again~his big grin tells another story
crazed wild abandon shines on his face
as he comes tearing out~one more time
exhilarated he shakes~eager to share his joy
arcs of sparkling diamonds radiate around him
then fall~finding their mark~soaking us all
infected by his happiness we head home smiling

Monday, November 18, 2013

November 18th-24th, 2013


November 18th, 2013
~
CCN
~
A gliding of buzzards


November 19th, 2013
~
Rainy morning~ fine delicate shrouds of moisture
spill from pale silver skies~saturating the earth
last colored leaves glow brightly~lit from within it seems
delicate droplets hang suspended on jeweled Hawthorne
Nature drapes herself in simple elegant splendor


November 20th, 2013
~
Outside the window
eagerly scratching and pecking
Rufous-sided Towhee
~
Towhee pauses~tilts head
red eye looks up at me
such a charmer~out in the rain

***

A brief offering brought about by a challenge on SS to write about someone we secretly admire
~
I secretly admire those who in a few words
can bring across a sense of peace and comfort
a sense of being seen and heard
~
Those who can see past negatives 
and bring the good out in most everyone
thus spreading a sense of rightness and joy
~
The ones who can make us feel cherished
who can soothe and hold us in their hearts
giving us hope in a sometimes unkind world
~
Those are the ones I secretly admire
because they not only make our world a better place
they infect and inspire us all to be our very best

***

November 21st, 2013
~
Nearly empty trees dance wildly in the howling gale
flinging off the last of their colorful autumn attire
exotic dancers~they gyrate and twist~baring all



November 22, 2013
~
A bowl of conkers
not quite the deep mahogany 
of the horse chestnuts of my youth
yet the fat brown fruit of California Buckeye
take me instantly back to my childhood
all that's needed are toothpick legs and acorn heads
for a herd of deer to appear


November 23, 2013
~
SWS Trio
~
Big changes today~new dogs arrived
~
Rescue Remedy will ease their hearts
~
Venturing forward bravely and with love


November 24th, 2013
~
The adventure begins~our pack has grown
this morning's walk~ enjoyed by all
each blade of grass eagerly sniffed 
trails of night wanderers explored
alert they listen and look
senses alive~ ready to go
but leashes keep them safe by our side
two can be trusted to run free and return
but the newcomers have much to learn
for now the leashes represent safety
returning home~dog beds are found and sorted
then gentle snuffles and snores fill the air 
NAPTIME!!

Monday, November 11, 2013

November 11th-17th, 2013


November 11th, 2013
~
Like dark ominous fruit vultures flock
sitting in the trees ~quietly announcing death
we slow~uneasy~searching the woodlands
and there it is~a deer~stuffed hastily into a bag
then thrown out like unwanted garbage
our hearts break as we stand helplessly
all we can do is send words of blessing
to honor a life~cut short for naught
we walk on slowly~our sunny morning walk
darkened by sadness~such wanton cruelty
such disrespect of nature and her creatures
yet from this act of terror comes sustenance
for the vultures~ who will erase this evil deed
life and death~side by side~loss and gain
we find some comfort  in that thought


November 12th, 2013
~
Heart of burnished gold
trembles in the breeze
so delicate~yet so strong


November 13th, 2013
~
Early morning sunrise~fragrant wisps of coffee rise
warm comfort of a purring cat in my lap
looking out into the garden I watch first rays
kiss autumn leaves~they glow in appreciation
~
Birds land in Mulberry's branches~chattering~flitting
as they take to the air~leaves are released one by one
gently twirling~drifting down~then settling
Mulberry stands serenely~a pool of molten gold at her feet


November 14th, 2013
~
Across the creek~basking in the sun
berry bounty glows 
how the birds will feast at harvest time


November 15th, 2013
~
Season's wheel slowly turns
moving toward the end of the year
bringing with it shorter days~ cooler nights
everywhere leaves are turning~ then falling
~
Yet already the promise of renewal is evident
Alder trees~ while readying for rest~ are quietly preparing
knowing that renewal will come as the wheel turns yet again
the dark months are here~but so is the promise of spring


November 16th, 2013
~
SWS
~
The Mothership approaches~beam me up

***

November 17th, 2013
~
Mid~November~early mornings now spend in the dark
huddled over my cup of tea~waiting for the house to warm
candle flame flickers~ illusion of fire~satellite heater glows warmly
bravery consisted of a simple act~ peeling back  toasty duvet layers
~
 Bare feet find cold slippers ~I venture forth into the chilly house
swiftly putting on the kettle~eager to replace the warmth left behind
 body and soul yearn to return~ into the cozy cocoon recently shed
not yet ready to fly~needing the sun's warming rays for courage
~
Hands wrapped around the hot mug~ drinking in welcome heat
sipping slowly~ savoring the warming of body and soul once again
finally first golden rays appear~morning sun rises and illuminates
breathing deep~my wings unfold~ready to seize the day





Monday, November 4, 2013

November 4th-10th, 2013


November 4th, 2013
~
MM
~
Pink Flamingo Sunset



November 5th, 2013
~
Striped cloudy sky
rising sun peeks through layers
kisses pine briefly

***
November 6th, 2013
~
Delicate sliver of silver
against an indigo velvet sky
waxing moon glows radiantly



November 7th, 2013
~
I sit~sunshine streaming through the window
watching a polarbear mother and her cub rambling along
making their way through a wintery landscape~far up north
on the other side of the country~three thousand miles away
What marvels there are to be seen as we can 
bring these live streams and images into our homes 
Now owls, eagles and polar bears are daily visitors
technology allowing me a close up and personal view
bringing nature's marvels~ a world away~into my life
They seem so close ~I can almost feel the cold air
hear the wind whistling~see the snow falling
their icy breath~the crunch beneath their giant paws
as winter settles on those far lands and they migrate
in search of ice and sustenance~such a blessing
that we can still experience this~but how much longer
with the race for oil and the every growing population
changing their world and ours~can we stop it in time????
I pray we can and will~such treasures must be saved
for future generations to view and experience 
first hand~close up and personal~LIVE!!!

***
November, 8th, 2013
~
Soul Searching
~
Have I done my job too well?
Have I learned to hide my true self for protection
for so many years that no one can see me any longer?
All they see is a brash, outspoken, no-nonsense person 
with a mind of her own ~never showing fear 
It troubles me, because inside I am the same
tender, romantic, easily wounded~ absorbing energies
around me~ be they good or bad~lover of animals
and nature~yearning for peace and a better world
But it's a tough world out there~I donned my suit of armor
long ago to keep myself safe and sane~untouchable
Only here~in this safe space do I allow myself to be
who I am inside~sharing the soft center~hidden under a hard shell
forged by life over the years~new layers added with every hurt
Yet I feel hopeful~sure that slowly~ as I share my inner world
with words and images~ the shell is cracking~letting in light
allowing that person in the shadows to grow and emerge
like a butterfly from a chrysalis~taking flight~feeling safe
leaving the shell~which served it's purpose behind
I am finding courage~writing my way home

***
November 9th, 2013
~
SWS
~
Forgiving and blessing freed me



November 10th, 2013
~
Scanning the bleak wintry landscape
a head lifts briefly~scenting the air
then disappears~melting into the background

Friday, November 1, 2013

November 1st-3rd, 2013


November 1st, 2013
~
Mindful Writing Day Contribution
~
Early morning the house yet dark and chilly
Reluctant to rise I linger in bed
Savoring the delicious warmth a little longer


#2
~
Grumpy cat stares silently ~eyes narrowed
dismissive of his autumn crown of color
his only concern "Where is dinner?"
Chastened I cap my camera and do his bidding
I hear him snicker as I pass~he wins again


November 2nd, 2013
~
SWS
~
Park outing~so appreciated~thankful smile




#2
~
Easy Rider~not easy on me

***

November 3rd, 2013
~
7WS  Trio
~

Chilly north wind~briskly blowing away summer
~
Wild wind howling~it is snowing leaves
~
Last acorns raining down~run for cover