Clever Hiding Places

Barren winter branches expose clever hiding places.
The remains of bird nests of last spring are obvious without the cover of leaves.

Squirrel scampers along power line then leaps to the tree.

Squirrel scampers along power line then leaps to the tree.

Lazy Single Male

Again I am enjoying a chicken and pasta dish from the microwave.

There are all kinds of sauces that make for a variety in these single serving dishes.

I have been told by those who like to cook how I could make my own.

I have done that before but this way is easier.

I admit that I am a lazy single male when it comes to cooking.

Waiting Room Magazines

A few times a year I find myself in the waiting room of a doctor or dentist.

This can happen more often at the barber shop.

Usually explore some magazines while waiting.

Typically I scan it noticing the photos, ads and articles.

I might read a few articles.

These are publications I would never buy at the newsstand.

I would not subscribe to them.

However my cultural horizons are extended during these visits.

Neighbor’s dog barks and barks and barks. Seven Word Sunday

Hang in There

  

“Hang in there,” is a strange expression for me.

Long ago I worked at the help desk of a computer lab.

I had frequent contact with graduate students.

I asked how they were doing.

I was especially concerned during finals week.

Often the reply was “At least I am hanging in there.”

If I knew the person well I might ask, “What if you let go?”

Sometimes the reply was a panicky, “I cannot do that.”

Then my closest friends I asked, “What if you let go for just one minute.”

That was not an option to even consider for most of them.

The conventional advice for a person passing through a crisis is to “Hang in there.”

What I ask is the following:

What are they hanging on to?

Where is “in there”?

What if they let go for one minute?

Somehow this is a mental and emotional image.

There may be some spiritual layer too.

Hanging in there seems stressful.

Constantly hanging in there will lead to fatigue.

Where is peace?

Where is safety?

Where is security?

I know this is just a figure of speech.

But it is used during periods of times of tension, anxiety and pressure.

Then the stress needs to be decreased not sanctioned.

Power saw whines then hammer bangs. Six word Saturday

Power saw whines then hammer bangs.

Six word Saturday

Light Jacket and Big Difference

The cool breeze is stopped by the light jacket.
Just a sweater is not enough to stay warm.
Wearing the jacket too makes a big difference these days.

Noticing Necessities

My material world is flooded with extra things.

So what is really needed for survival in this life?

Let me consider several perspectives.

The essential items are water, food, clothes, shelter and medicine.

When camping the priorities include pocket knife, hatchet, bedroll and canteen. 

The homeless man treasures his blanket, coat and stocking hat.

Subsistence farmers need a hoe, plow and seeds.

Refugees desire a tent and cooking pot.

Those rebuilding after hurricane need construction tools, tarps, gloves and chain saws.

These are necessities.

Yet our houses, malls and storage units are filled with non-necessities.

I am not advocating severe simplicity.

I am encouraging greater awareness.

Honestly for most of us our real needs are met.

Most of our wants are satisfied.

So let us become more grateful for what we have.

Let us reach out to give generously to those with real needs. 

Invisible Shirt Buttons

Every day I put on and take off a shirt.

During the week those shirts all have buttons.

On the weekend they might just be T-shirts.

Each day for decades I have been buttoning and unbuttoning them.

These small discs hold my clothes in place.

I rarely notice them unless they need mending.

So these devices are essentially invisible to me.

The simplicity and utility of the shirt buttons is worth appreciating.

I see you there silent servants. 

Got Whacked Back

Rose bushes got whacked back.

They look stubby today.

But just wait until spring.

The pruning will result in vibrant growth.

Am I Beautiful?

Here is a three word question: “Am I beautiful?”

This is so simple on the surface.

Yet when a girl or woman asks that of themselves, then watch out!

The female wants the affirmation of a positive reply.

But while the answer, “Yes you are beautiful.” is simple it is not easy to get.

It seems that girls want their father and mother to tell them they are beautiful.

Also they want their female friends and especially certain males.

The search for positive answers continues as a woman.

This quest for beauty fuels the several industries in our economy.

Consider cosmetics, hair care, fashion, diet, fitness, cosmetic surgery and more.

The question “Am I beautiful?” can be sometimes related to the following questions.

“Am I acceptable?”

“Am I lovable?”

“Am I sexy?”

“Am I cool?”

“Am I hip?”

“Am I feminine (enough)?”

To complicate matters further the following internal issues can be involved.

Insecurity

Low self esteem

Shame

Pride

Envy

Jealousy

Lust

The ideals of beauty are on all around the females and males.

These are found in all kinds of places.

Billboards

Magazines

Movies

TV shows

Fashion shows

The images of beautiful women that appear in print have been digitally retouched.

There are online videos that show how many subtle changes make a huge difference.

So the flawless ideal that is presented is not humanly possible.

Plus there are many more layers and layers of complications.

All this springs from the three word question, “Am I beautiful?”

Half awake Half asleep Oh well … zzzzzzzzzzzzz seven word Sunday

Half awake

Half asleep

Oh well  … zzzzzzzzzzzzz

seven word Sunday

Putter tapped. Ball r o l l e d then ... PLUNK. Six word Saturday

Putter tapped.
Ball r o l l e d then ... PLUNK.

Six word Saturday

Nod to Nature

Around the edges of the large parking lot they planted small trees.

I appreciate this nod to nature in the sea of asphalt.

It is refreshing to see these living organisms in the midst of all the man-made buildings.

The sterile steel, glass and concrete are so unlike these living and ever changing plants.

Irregular Clangs

Without a flag the halyard to the flagpole slaps the side sending out irregular clangs.

Circle Then Roost

Small flock of birds circle and weave.
And then they roost on the power lines.

Clouds Creeping

Clouds are creeping across the sky.

Their gradual progress is noticed when seen in contrast to the rock steady utility poles.

What is love?

“What is love?”, is perhaps the shortest question with the most possible answers.

Many individuals and experts have offered their answers directly and indirectly.

Consider poets, novelists, screen writers, teachers, professors, clergy, journalists, etc.

The search for love has motivated people.

The presence and absence of love has shaped lives.

Courtship and marriage are laboratories where experiments in love are conducted.

My favorite kind of love is the love of mothers.

It seems that romantic love is volatile, illusive and unstable.

I wish there was more support and understanding of the value for friendship love.

In my opinion the surest way to experience love is to own and enjoy the right dog.

The love and devotion of service dogs inspires me.

http://www.pinterest.com/teachinglearner/service-dog-stories/

Cell phone charged and ready for action. Seven word Sunday

Whining siren slices through the air. Six Word Saturday

Whining siren slices through the air.

Six Word Saturday  

Welcomed Blue Skies

Welcomed Blue Skies

After days of rain and overcast this day ended with welcomed blue skies.

Alive Instead of Dead

It is over cast in Dallas today.

And it rained some last night

These combine to make the front lawn look different.

Normally bright sunlight makes the dormant winter grass unremarkable.

But somehow it is lovely.

It is usually a dull yellowish grey.

The color today has some orange and is like ripe wheat.

It seems alive instead of dead.

This may be a combination of the soft light and saturated leaves.

If I was not seeking for something to write about today I would have missed this. 

Tall Skeletons

Bare winter trees line the lovely neighborhood street.

The pale grey sky can be seen through the naked branches.

These giant plants seem like tall skeletons.

Yet wait 6 months and an abundance of leaves will be there again.

Green will fill the gaps in the tall skeletons.

Then wait a long while as the green leave turn brown.

They will be shed as the cycle of seasons continues the sacred dance.

Surely next winter these tall skeletons will reappear only just a little taller.

Piano Sits Lifeless

There in the corner of the living room the lovely polished black object resides.

It is attractive but it was not created only for visual beauty.

The musical instrument requires the actions of a human.

And not just any human can cause appealing sounds to fill the room.

If a curious child, monkey or I used the keys it could not be called music.

Only a trained person can coax life from those dormant keys.

Round and Round

During the spring a thick layer of dark brown mulch was spread over the flowerbeds.
It has successfully served the purpose to prevent weeds and keep the soil moist.

As the winter ends the dark brown wood chips have become pale grey.

In a few months another layer of mulch will be spread on top of this expired material.

And again the cycle of seasons in the suburbs keeps going round and round.

published online 20140104

Welcomed Warm Air

During the winter it takes time for the engine to warm up enough to provide heat to the heater.

Then after a short while, that feels much longer, there arrives the welcomed warm air.

Waking up s l o w l y is my Sunday treat. Seven word Sunday

Sheet of Silver

The sun has set but there is still dim light in the later stages of dusk.

The faint sunbeams cause the surface of the lake in the city park to seem like a sheet of silver.

Golden Silence

There are times when it is quiet and peaceful at the house.

My housemates are asleep or away.

When I notice that silence sometimes I pause.

I notice and absorb the lack of distractions.

This might be morning, afternoon or late night.

Then some hours later there will be lots of noises.

There will be the sounds of doors, cabinets, TV, computers, conversations, dishes, etc.

As a writer and a reader I like it when there is nothing to interrupt me.  

Bouncing Leaves

Breeze shoves fall leaves along the road as I walk along the sidewalk.

As they bump and bounce the musical rustling reaches my ears.