A Chinese Garden

Clang. Clang. Clang. Clang. Ah, the joys of listening to a piledriver.

And how is that relevant to the serenity and contemplation one might find in a Chinese Garden?  Read on.

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Portland Walkabout

My storytelling muse hasn’t been amusing itself lately.  So rather than a cohesive “Once Upon A Time”, here are a few vignettes from recent wanderings around town.

And The Hills Bleed Paint

The rainfall grew, starting softly to moisten the dried dirt and clay, then growing to create rivulets of water, streaming down the hills. But it was not a simple muddy brown runoff; yellows over there, maroons there, ochers, reds, oranges, greys, shades of brown from light tan to dark brown ran and collected. It was as if a giant Jackson Pollock had one too many drinks, and in his drunken stumble kicked over all the cans of paint in his studio.

Sea of Lincoln

Most folks in the United States have heard of the Land of Lincoln, state motto of Illinois, where famed President Abe Lincoln had his roots.  But did you know there was a Sea of Lincoln?

Sauvie Island

Woof.

I know how he felt.  When you get a nice day in January in the Pacific Northwest, it’s not a time to be sitting on the couch.  It’s come on already, let’s go!

A Silver Tease

Just as I glanced back up the trail, the feet of the fellow walking down it took off in a different direction than his mind intended and gravity played a cruel trick.

Ouch. Ice will do that to a guy.

Rockaway Baby

Rockaway baby, on the seashore
When the wave breaks, the surf it will roar
When the day ends, the sun it will fall
And out will come tourists, camera and all

Spring Break

Winter.

Here in the good old USA, numerous folk are “enjoying” the style of winter that is often considered the exclusive domain of International Falls, Minnesota and their robust Canadian friends further north.  Temperatures are brutally cold, well south of freezing, accompanied by ye olde insidious wind chill and ample amounts of that white stuff that wanted to be rain before Mr. Freeze squeezed its little liquid heart. While the Canucks and Minnesotans may shrug it off, for those less accustomed to this winter thuggery I offer a Spring Break – a reminder of things to come.

Mr. and Mrs. Snowman

For much of my adult life, I was a Grinch when it came to Christmas.   One day that changed.

Haiku in Shades of Gray

Afternoon Visit
In A Japanese Garden
Feeling Shades Of Gray

Following A Path
Entry To Serenity
Nature’s Softer Side

Branches Twist And Turn
Tendrils of a tree’s soul
Gives Calming Patterns

A Mossy Clearing
Pagoda Climbs To Heaven
The Maple Watches

A Glyph Guards The Frame
Of Quiet Tea Ceremonies
House With Autumn Moon

A Solid Presence
Ancient Anchor To The World
Crafted Wall Of Rocks

A Gentle Dripping
Calming Sounds Refresh The Air
Stress Draining With Water

An Old Tree Provides
Patterns Of Bark And Needles
Beauty Of Aging

Sandy Sacrifice
The Buddha Faces Tigers
Garden Of Stone

Lake Of Raked Gravel
Geometric Distances
The Islands Ripple

Winding Stairs Climb
A Rocky Hill Surrenders
The Spirit Ascends

Miniature Vignettes
For Pondering Natures Soul
Garden Says Goodbye