which came first,
the clouds dropping water
upon the ground,
or the ground water evaporating
into clouds?
did it start out as a fog,
neither of the clouds
nor of the ground?
perhaps it began as ice…
or frost…
however the magic began,
I am glad
for the way it dances
and quenches our thirst for life.
The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: Magic
We all know that seemingly ordinary folks turn into werewolves during full moons, right? Well, they’re not the only ones to transform.
Take my seemingly innocent dog Chules for example. He loves to go out and explore in the moonlight.
But sometimes… he morphs into:
a charging bear
or a lone wolf
howling at the moon
or maybe a rearing stallion
or a zombie!
Scariest of all is when he turns into
a hyena!
Fortunately, once the full moon begins to wane, he turns back into his lovable self.
What creatures do you see when you venture out on a full moon?
The Daily Press weekly photo challenge: Transmogrify
JNW’s Halloween Challenge: Full Moon
Clatsop Plains Pioneer Cemetery (est. 1846) in Clatsop County, Oregon USA
I grew up playing (respectfully) in this cemetery. It doesn’t look too scary now, but as a child, I had all sorts of imaginings about what might be lurking in the trees, or about stumbling across — or into — a sunken grave, or hearing otherworldly rustlings and voices just behind me.
And while it looks innocent enough by day, you still won’t find me going there after dark.
When you live in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, you can’t let a little rain stop you from getting out to enjoy the lushness of autumn. There’s just too much beauty to take in.
The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: H2O
It’s National Dog Day. Let’s celebrate man’s best friend (and world’s worst actors).
“I’m really sorry I did it. Really, really sorry. Um… which ‘it’ did you discover?”
“I don’t know why the cat dug up the water sprinkler, but I scared him away just before you got here.”
“There’s something stuck between my teeth? How embarrassing. Do you have a mirror?”
Cat: “If stealth were a diet, you dogs would starve. Some day I’ll teach you the fine art of aloofness.”
Dog: “You’re a real pal, cat.”
Cat: “Let’s just keep that between you and me. I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”
Shortly after obtaining my puppy Chules, we began training. Chules is an America Eskimo dog, which is a breed known for ease of training, so I was eager to get started. True to his breed, things moved along quickly.
The first thing Chules trained me in was the absolute necessity of rising early in the morning and heading out for a daily walk before we did anything else. Anything. Like coffee, breakfast, waking up…
The reward in learning this trick was that I was often out and about during the morning “golden hour,” when lighting is said to be ideal for outdoor photography. Not that I really knew how to capitalize on the opportunity, but I did get some photos during our walks that I was rather pleased with.
Now that Chules is older, training is less intense, and we sleep in a bit longer. I rarely catch the golden hour anymore, and a part of me misses it. But not the part of me that likes to drink coffee and have an unrushed breakfast in the morning.
That part of me continues to defy training. As does Chules. I don’t mind, though, because to me, Chules is more precious than gold.
The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: Rare
Eight things I wouldn’t want to be:
I. A big fish in a small pond.
II. Just another brick in the wall.
III. The lone fire hydrant in a dog park.
IV. A sitting duck.
V. On a train to nowhere.
VI. A thorn in someone’s side.
VII. Moss on a rolling stone.
VIII. Caught with my back — or butt — against the wall.
The Daily Post Discover Challenge: The Poetry of List-Making
“Are you sure, brown dog? Bark if I see ANYTHING at all on the street, and twice as loud if I see NOTHING at all?”
“Hmmm. Fruity, black currant, vanilla, buttery… I’d say cab-sauvignon aged in oak.”
“I’d say cherry Pop Tart.”
Synchronized Sleeping
The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: Partners
I am reposting my thoughts from last year’s World Oceans Day. Now more than ever, our oceans are in need of protection.
“How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly Ocean.”
~ Arthur C. Clarke
Expansive and deep,
beautiful but volatile,
ample force to turn
vessels to splinters.
Teeming with life,
ceaselessly churning,
an indefatigable
dynamo.
Kissed by the sun,
caressed by the winds,
extolled by poets
and sailors alike.
Sustainer of life
as we know it on Earth,
yet with all its
grandeur and might…
still fragile.
What Rhymes with Stanza? 