In 2013 we stayed in the village of Saignon in the South of France’s Luberon Valley. The structures were made from stone that was pulled from the fields, in century’s past, to make the earth into farm land. Our unit had this latch on the front door. Security at its finest.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/security/
Few, if any, have gone before
a long line of, are they
heroes? At the helm
the red-haired
one.
Did he
fool them?
In my bubble
the mindset of those
who would have my soul,
wash away my sins to the rivers
of unknown things, the height
of my stupidity. Leave me
this day or pray to a god
gone missing, who sees
the world a scary place
they worship hateful
Hemmingway who is
to say which way
right. What is a
liberal
doing in the middle?
Listen, quiet your mind,
let the streams fill to over
flowing, birds flit in and out of
reach, tiny sparrows singing true
to you, your long long days of waiting
and watching for the sign that it’s time to
uphold the truths that are not yet self evident.
We hadn’t been to Sacramento’s Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, for birding, the past couple of years. It’s a dream come true in the right conditions, and yesterday was one of those days. At 4 pm the temperature was around 44 degrees, damp, with just enough of a breeze to send the wind through my jeans. Glad we brought the Rav4, since the road was rutted with plenty of potholes and slippery with mud.
There were Snow Geese, Black Neck Stilt, Northern Shoveler, Pintale, Cinnamon Teal, Common Egret, Great Blue Heron, a murmuration of Starling, Coot, Canada Geese, Red Shouldered Hawk (though we had misidentified it before running into some locals with expensive glass who let us peep through their spotting scopes.) There was a Plover I could not identify and at least one Swallow that disappeared before we got a decent look.
We saw a flock of Snow Geese take off maybe 1/2 mile away and right beneath them a storm of rusty shaded ducks took off and filled the sky. Our spotting scope friends said they saw an Eagle swoop in and that’s what spooked the mass. There’s something about that many birds in one place that fills me with joy.
On our way out we stopped for this sweet little reflection pond. Back toward the Snow Geese, the sky was strewn with ribbons of migrating birds, going in so many directions. At one point there was a murmuration of geese, that broke into dozens of Vee formations, some of which flew right over us.
If you’re ever in the area, give yourself time to wander around, and bring mud boots. And remind me to bring more than one set of binoculars, and my Lumix camera with the 600mm lens.
Uncertain times
crystal clear
future sun sets
feet greet
another day
to play
light dances itself silly
brave enough
hold hope
watch it grow.
Twas the Twelfth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me, stockings galore, a fire in the fire place, a full cup of coffee, and a strong west swell. Not that I’m surfing, since my back is not back from its hiding place yet.
The day is crisp and clear. Surfers were surfing before I rose from the bed. We are busy at work preparing food for our family who will join us for presents in the not too distant future.
Thanks to Mollie for making this fabulous Twelve Days of Christmas Wreath.
Merry Christmas to all. May this day bring you peace and joy.
Twas the 10th day of Christmas that I did not get out, so on the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a trip to the Yoga Studio for her “clear-the-head-shake-out-the-kinks” morning starter. It is brisk at the beach with a stiff north-west wind. A good time to wrap the last of our stocking stuffers, and prepare to see the new Star Wars Movie with our extended family. Yes the STAR of Bethlehem graces our Christmas Wreath, disguised as a pearl-centered star fish.
May you feel blessings of life flow around and support you today.
Twas the Ninth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a ribbon of spun cloth and my 100th Follower, All Things That Dogs Blog. It’s set in a retro Apple framework.
My brother and his wife raise Guide Dogs for Guide Dogs of America. Our mom was legally blind by the time I was twelve, but it sure didn’t stop her from catching us poking each other or grabbing cookies from the jar. She said she had eyes in the back of her head, and they seemed to work just fine. 20-20 hind sight, I’d guess you’d say.
I’m sure she would love to see Bev and Allen’s current Guide Dog in Training, Bud. Hats off to them for guiding 17 Dogs into service. So go Bud, Go. You’ll be number 18 if you keep your nose clean and pass all your tests.
Bev and Allen have brought unwavering love and devotion to train all those dogs who bring their skills to those who cannot see.
I am grateful for my vision. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful to be alive.
Twas the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, the most splendid early morning light on this, our Winter Solstice.
We drove down the coast for breakfast, our usual on Wednesdays, before my lovely baby-sits our little grand daughter. Driving south on Hwy 1, 7:30 a.m. light spilled over the hills to set Pedro Point aglow, reminiscent of the haunting light of a solar eclipse.
Later I received a text from my friend Sue, with this photo of little V at the Christmas tree. It speaks for itself.
May you find time to bask in early morning light.
Twas the Seventh Day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a turtle and some thoughts on current events. There are two turtles in our Christmas wreath. I found the first on the third day of Christmas. With all the horrific news, this turtle may want to pull inside and hide in a hole. Or maybe it’s me. But why? Compared to Allepo, Berlin, and Turkey it’s pretty darn tame outside. But the news seems slanted toward one catastrophe after another. I bring it home, over and over.
Then I remember to breathe and an old adage springs from my subconscious. When I don’t have time to meditate two times a day, I need to meditate three times a day. Or when I don’t have time for one walk, I may need two. And when current events pile up and spill on the floor, maybe take time to do something fun.
So I printed a nice photo for my dad’s Christmas Present. A simple photo in a lovely little frame of him, me, my son, and his daughter. Four Generations, you can see it here. I’m not the first in the family to pull this off, but it’s the first time I’ve been in the photo.
May you find time to make yourself happy.
Twas the Sixth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a stunning sunrise and a low hanging crystal. The low part of the wreath is almost out of sight from from my six foot height. But I crouched down low to get the shot, and was slow to get back up, what with the morning chill, and it’s crystal clear outside.
It’s clear that I am a lucky man. We’ve gone out with friends, the past few days. Have taken walks, and gotten our heart beats hopping, heating up the gym, or in my lovely’s case, biking and hiking up our hills.
We saw the SMUIN Christmas dance performance last night at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. These are, to me, extreme athletes, with balance and poise. It’s a magical experience to watch them move to music and each other.
I am grateful for my life. I am grateful to be alive. Peace be with you.
An imprint of FATHOMBOOKS.
Poetry, Fiction and Art
happy endings begin here...
Stories and memories from author, Tina Harden, of the series of children's books Cameron and Tigger the Tabby
Adventures in Watercolor Painting and Sketching, Watercolour Magazine, with Charlie O'Shields
Steve's body of work spans conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions and contemporary culture alike - yet always retains the human element.
thoughts and images from my perspective
Bursting my bubbles
Talk Books. Drink Coffee.
Blogger Without a Cause
Phyllis Moore MythRider Every story is an adventure. Come along for the ride.
from Donna Blethen, MFT
SUP DAYS are better than others 