1402. plain and simple

 

some puzzle building

 “bill ding” in the center ring

fun… plain and simple 🦊❤️

On our weekend away we built puzzles.  We also played with an old wooden stacking toy named “Bill Ding”. The old wooden stacking toy is no longer being manufactured and used sets can be purchased for pretty high prices.  The round puzzle we started had us going in circles so we decided to call it quits, but not before Bill Ding performed in the puzzles ring (circus reference lol). Has anyone out there ever heard of “Bill Ding”? 🦊❤️

1401. in any kind of weather

 

hot and cold weather

hovering just above it

hunkering below 🦊❤️

It was good to spend time sitting on a rock beside Tommy yesterday.  It was a cooler and very breezy day. Today will be warmer. One day at a time. 🦊❤️

1400. that’s what rakes are for

 

life’s sandstorms will blow

your zen garden will un-zen

that’s why there are rakes 🦊❤️

As I fiddled with our friend’s Zen Garden I thought about our wonderful weekend that was punctuated by Tommy the cat’s disappearance and subsequent return. I am thankful for all of the rakes that I had access to to assist with Tommy’s situation while we were away. I am especially grateful to our friend Dr. Andrea Orsher for her help in guiding me in knowing what questions to ask and things to look for while communicating with people at home who were helping with Tommy.  🦊❤️ 

(Tommy update… he will go to Vet today to be checked out as he is still not back to being Tommy)

1399. the art of aging

 

time is an artist…

it sculpts what the eyes can see

back to what it is 🦊❤️

We spent a wonderful weekend with our friends at their place in Barnegat Light. We  had lots of food, laughs and wonderful conversation.  In the course of a discussion about religion and life, my friend Rick said, “Have you noticed that the older you get, the more  you become who you “really” are?” I really appreciate that thought… 🦊❤️

 

1398. until tomorrow

 

on the empty road

the sun’s golden glow travels

until the day’s end 🦊❤️

The sun’s orange glow is always a sight to see. 🦊❤️

1397. par avion

 

                             Photo by Rob Orsher

how many starlings

does it take to send airmail?

apparently three 🦊❤️

My friend Rob texted me this photo yesterday morning. The moment I saw it I knew it had to be the featured photo in today’s haiku post.  I think it’s funny! Hope you do too.  🦊❤️

1396. razor’s edge

 

green turned to yellow

line of demarcation

like a razor’s edge 🦊❤️

From my favorite stone bridge vantage point I saw deep green cut to brilliant yellow on a razor’s edge in the creek below.   I spent a second or two trying to figure out why… but I decided to just look at it and enjoy. 🦊❤️

1395. a “cool” thought

 

a moss covered rock

nestled deeply in the earth

tip of an iceberg 🦊❤️

The trail was oppressively hot and sticky. I spied a moss covered rock embedded into the ground. I bent down to touch it. I stopped just short of making contact with its verdant veneer when I felt a refreshing, radiating coolness meet my open palm.  The thought “tip of an iceberg” appeared and the visualization accompanying it cooled the air on the trail. 🦊❤️ 

1394. “showing its age” work in progress

 

an in your face view

head on and showing its age

(growth rings pending) 🦊❤️

The latest in my “Wissahickon Wonders” landscape series is a slow going work in progress.  The title is “Showing Its Age”.  It is an acrylic on a 40”x30” stretched canvas. Yulan calls the view of the simple fallen tree “in your face”.  Lots more work to do on this one.  Painting the growth rings will be an adventure.  🦊❤️

1393. the overthinker

 

my mind is a wrench

that must tighten and loosen

all life’s nuts and bolts 🦊❤️

We all grew up in ways that required us to use a variety of “tools” to negotiate and maintain our lives. Now I generally use a “wrench” to figure out what’s up with “things”.  I used to use a “hammer” primarily but life taught me that hammers don’t usually work. Too much damage usually results.  I continue to try to use my “wrench” more skillfully, but every once in a while I still use it like a “hammer”… Progress… not perfection.  🦊❤️

1392. warning- disgusting content

 

may be a sure sign…

like abusing animals

of an un-right mind 🦊❤️

Woke up to this in our apartment parking lot this morning.  I think that littering should be more actively prosecuted and that convicted litterers, in addition to a fine or jail time, should have to wear a big red “L” like Hester Prynne had to wear a big red “A” in the book the “The Scarlet Letter”.  Sorry… littering and litterers are a raw nerve for me.  🦊❤️

1391. island hopping

 

some islands of shade

on this sunny summer day

we pick up the pace 🦊❤️

The question is, “Do we keep it slow and steady for the duration or do we dash quickly to reach the refreshing islands of shade along the way?” Seems that there is a life lesson in the question. 🦊❤️

1390. i can fly

 

like a bird in flight

i look down into the green

time to be a bird 🦊❤️

The vantage point that is immediately behind my apartment offers me a birds eye view of the landscape from 40 feet up.  Everyday I spend a few moments in bird mode, looking down to enjoy whatever season it is. 🦊❤️

1389. rita to the rescue

 

“how’s this for service?

“i’ve worked here for eleven years!”

a breath of fresh air 🦊❤️

I was sitting in a McDonalds waiting for a Big Mac Meal to be delivered to my table that I ordered from the kiosk (that I hate using). I was thinking, “I have no idea what I will post for a haiku tomorrow…”. As I looked out the window I heard, “How’s this for service?”  I turned and was met with a huge smile and the pleasant face of Rita. She took control and totally engaged me in her peace and harmony. She told me how much she loves meeting and serving people in her job.  She’s been doing it for eleven years and that she loves it. Rita you were the highlight of my day… thank you for the huge breath of your fresh air that you gave me yesterday. 🙏🦊❤️

1388. cape may sun #4

 

they watch the sun rise

the little girl’s eyes watch me

i watch them watching 🦊❤️

I love writing haiku that are simply a documentation of what is right before my eyes. Simple and unadorned can be refreshing. 🦊❤️

1387. cape may sun #3

 

as she predicted

another day is dawning

“… fish in a barrel!”  🦊❤️

As I looked out of our hotel window at the shops below I silently chuckled.  The glow of the dawning sun behind the Psychic’s storefront brought to mind the saying, “It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.” as I wondered if the Psychic predicted the day’s dawn! 🦊❤️

1386. cape may sun #2

 

the treasure hunter

pulls his head out of the sand

finds gold in the sky 🦊❤️

We walked the beach at sunrise.  There was a solitary “treasure hunter” scanning the sand  with his metal detector.  Suddenly he dropped his detector and pulled out his phone to capture the day’s erupting sun. I thought it was a moment of meaning and reflection. I hope you do too. 🦊❤️

1385. cape may sun #1

 

one brave warrior

rises at dawn for battle

unrelenting sun 🦊❤️

The sun and the sea go together I think.  So I am going to post a series of Cape May sun related haiku the next few days. Today’s photograph immediately brought to mind Don Quixote. He battled windmills.  The brave solo umbrella begins his battle at dawn with the relentless sun. 🦊❤️ 

1384. ocean trance

 

standing and staring

after a while there’s no sound

just an ocean trance 🦊❤️

Every time I see the ocean, it’s like the first time. I find myself staring at the waves arriving one after another. Their rhythmic pounding becomes quiet… then I wake and realize it’s the ocean. 🦊❤️  

1383. morning’s sounds

 

silence is broken

mourning dove sobbing is first

then tweets… next my thoughts 🦊❤️

The first moments of morning awareness are generally heralded in by the soothing yet haunting sobs of a Mourning Dove, followed by an ever growing chorus of various other tweets.  Then… my mind shifts into gear.  🦊❤️   

1382. cedar trees sitting in

 

on this cloudy day

cedar trees do the sun’s job

such a golden glow 🦊❤️

I could not help but stand and stare at a stand of Cedar trees on a cloudy morning.  They were working hard sitting in for the sun.  🦊❤️

1381. break from life

 

the passersby pass

he takes a drag on his smoke

and makes smoke rings rise 🦊❤️

For some, a busy sidewalk is no excuse to speed up living. 🦊❤️

1380. following the sun

 

unfolding at dawn

your radar tracking the sun

till the day is done 🦊❤️

So many little things to notice, like flowers following the sun as it changes its position in the sky as the day rolls on.  Then at sundown, folding their petal’s inward until they unfold as the next day’s sun appears.  🦊❤️

1379. sunday surprise

 

through the sunday streets

saint francis of paola

followed by his peeps 🦊❤️

There is always something new that greets us when we have our weekly Sunday dinner in Ambler. We arrived just in time to see the annual parade honoring Saint Francis of Paola that is organized by the  St. Francis Society of Ambler. The parade has an Italian horn band, a giant statue of St. Francis and large group of people who snake their way through town.  It ends at a gathering where 1,000 pounds of pasta is blessed and served to attendees. It was a very uplifting event to witness.  Maybe next year we’ll attend the parade and eat lots of blessed pasta.  🦊❤️

1378. smell of linden

 

the smell of linden

my quick pace grinds to a crawl

then to a stop… breathe… 🦊❤️

Yesterday the Linden Trees erupted and the air filled with their magical fragrance.  Do yourself a favor. Go find a Linden Tree and just stand under it and enjoy. 🦊❤️

1377. bethlehem steel #3 (leaf springs)

 

leaf springs shoulder tons

tempered plates from small to large

teamwork at its best 🦊❤️

I saw these leaf springs on one of the ore hoppers at the Bethlehem Steel Plant. I fondly remembered working at Liggett’s Spring and Axle factory where I operated a press brake that cut long bars of steel into specific sizes so that various types of leaf springs could be made.  I wondered if these were from my work during the Liggett’s days?  I decided that they were, regardless of facts. 🦊❤️

1376. reflecting on rush hour

 

the sounds of rush hour

just beyond my lush green tree

i sit and listen 🦊❤️

It will soon be 5 years since I retired. I still pinch myself in amazement as I think about how fortunate I am to be living the life I do in retirement. I am still however working hard at letting go of the “working me” so I can fully embrace and enjoy the “retired me”. 🦊❤️ 

1375. bethlehem steel #2

 

a load of iron ore

never turning into steel

golden grass now grows 🦊❤️

As we took in all of the sights at the now inert Bethlehem Steel Plant, I found my self dwelling as much on the little things almost more than the colossal things there. A hopper car with a load of iron ore nuggets was one of those small things. Instead of having become an ingredient in the fiery blast furnace, it is now the garden in which golden wild grasses grow and bend in the wind. 🦊❤️

1374. bethlehem steel

 

in all its grandeur

patinaed with rainbowed rust

mighty steel now still 🦊❤️

Yesterday Yulan and I made a spur of the moment trip to Bethlehem Pennsylvania. We had no reason to go there.  We had nothing we wanted to see there. But Oh what a day we had being able to get within feet of the amazing structure that used to be the Bethlehem Steel Plant. I don’t know what was more fun, all of the memories of my days working in steel mills that were evoked or the absolutely spell binding effect that the structures had on Yulan. It was a wonderful day full of unexpected delights. 🦊❤️ 

1373. close to the earth

 

from the tough old bark

there sprouted three tender leaves

next day… they were gone 🦊❤️

Three tender leaves made their appearance from the incredibly thick and rugged bark of a towering Tulip Tree. Their location, which was only a foot or so above the ground, made me think, “Why There?” The next day… they were gone.  🦊❤️

1372. memorial day

it’s the perfect day

to wrap oneself in the flag

memorial day 🦊❤️

Memorial Day has come to be the day that Americans celebrate the unofficial opening day of summer.  It is very important to remember that it is first and foremost a somber day of reflection and remembrance of those in the military who gave their lives in the service of America.  🦊❤️

1371. “mirror, mirror on the wall…”

 

a trip to the thrift store

her eiffel tower filled blouse

facetime fashion show 🦊❤️

Yulan loves thrift shops. She recently got a blouse that has images of the Eiffel Tower printed all over it.  We had our own private fashion show via Facetime. I wish the photo had a better view of the blouse’s prints.  You must simply imagine little blue Eiffel Towers!!!! 🦊❤️

1370. simon’s 250 mile victory

he finished today

what he started last year

at the crack of dawn 🦊❤️

Congratulations to my friend Simon Doyon from Quebec,Canada. This morning at 6:23 AM, after 3 days, 22 hours and 23 minutes he completed and won the Annual Infinitus 250 Mile trail race in Goshen Vermont. Congratulations Simon. 🦊❤️

*photo by Karine Loiselle

1369. sweating the little things

 

it’s those simple tasks

like folding a handkerchief

that make me see red 🦊❤️

As I was emptying my drier I reflected on the fact that I have no patience when it comes to chores like washing dishes, folding clothes, putting away groceries, etc.  For some reason they overwhelm me and make me feel stressed and rushed for time.  I will talk to my therapist next week about that….🦊❤️

1368. pretty please

 

i wait patiently

won’t someone please let me in

purr… purr… pretty please 🦊❤️

When I’m struggling to write a “meaningful haiku post”, I sometimes default to just writing a “cute post”.  This cat was cute as he showed hope - then no hope - then hope that the door would soon open. 🦊❤️

1367. seeing wondrously

stop! see wondrously

the same old same old transforms

into… “look at that!!!!” 🦊❤️

I was sitting in the optometrist’s parking lot waiting to have my prescription checked.  My attention was captured by the sight of an “ordinary” tree in the parking lot. All of a sudden the strangeness and wondrousness of its shape and structure  stunned me.  “Wow”, my brain said.  What better place to “stop” and “see” differently than in an optometrist’s parking lot.  I wished that I could get an eyeglass prescription that would allow me to “see wondrously” all the time.  🦊❤️

 

1366. the crossing

 

a refreshing sight

two deer crossing a creek

then into the green 🦊❤️

Sometimes when I least expect it, a sight shows up that makes my head swim. It takes me a moment to hold my breath, be quiet and grab my phone and hope that the scene stands still so I can snap it. I was lucky yesterday. 🦊❤️

1365. in their own time

 

her reading her book

and him dreaming in the sun

how slowly time flies 🦊❤️

We were trying to escape the crowds of people who were attending a car show that invaded the quiet town where we have an early dinner on Sundays. I had to stop and snap a shot of this couple who seemed immune to  the loud and somewhat revved auto lovers jamming the streets. 🦊❤️

1364. mister do you have a dime?

“oh wow! a pay phone!”

haven’t seen one for so long

“deposit a dime!” 🦊❤️

Yesterday I saw a payphone adjacent to a jam packed waiting room of a center city facility.  Just about every person in the room was on their cell phone. Even the receptionists and security staff were on their phones. Not a single person used the pay phone.  It was kind of sad.  🦊❤️

 

1363. mental framework

 

four pieces of wood

mitered and carefully squared

keeps my mind aligned 🦊❤️

I find that artistic creativity and zeal come in spurts for me.  I am glad that when creativity is waning, I can always look to doing mechanical things to keep my mind moving,  busy and constructive. It’s a good framework for me.  🦊❤️

1362. filling empty space

 

a nail in the wall

where a painting used to hang

emptiness of space 🦊❤️

My friends ask, “When is your next exhibit?” I shrug my shoulders and say, “I have no idea.” Then I count the lonesome nails in my walls and think about all the empty space that will need to be painted in order to hang something on them. 🦊❤️

1361. the thrill remains

 

in shallow water

two big carp rest side by side

the thrill still lives on 🦊❤️

As a little kid, the sight of behemoth Carp in the muddy waters of the Monongahela River and Pigeon Creek was a thrill for me.  The thrill remains today. 🦊❤️

1360. looking for love

lined up and searching

thrift store dolls from years gone by

hope their price is right 🦊❤️

In the ocean sized thrift shop there was an island of prim and proper looking dolls, all looking here and there with a sense of urgency in their eyes. The scene reminded me of the “Island of Misfit Toys” on the TV Christmas special, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”.  (I think that’s the special’s name). Always leaves me feeling sad. 🦊❤️

1359. angels from above

 

from the big blue sky

lots of little angels fall

few find fertile earth 🦊❤️

As I klonked along on the old wooden bridge, the sight of hundreds of Maple tree “helicopters” (I call them angel wings) on the planks got me to thinking about the “odds” of things being as they are.  I wondered what the odds are for a fallen “angel wing”to germinate? I guessed that the odds are near zero. I guessed further that the odds for every human being that ever walked on the face of the earth to have actually done so are pretty close to zero too. If you are reading this, you are indeed a real winner! 🦊❤️

1358. abstract

 

that old rotting log

serves as the perfect canvas

jackson pollock gasps 🦊❤️ 

I stood and stared at the delicate design that was seemingly painted on a rotting tree that had fallen long ago. What an abstract masterpiece. Maybe I will paint it someday.  🦊❤️ 

1357. case of mistaken identity

 

a stealthy hunter

deep in the bush… lies in wait

hold on! it’s tommy!! 🦊❤️

This could be one of my favorite photographs of Tommy. It really captures his life experience I think.  🦊❤️

1356. friday with friends

 

a man and his grill

ribeye steaks smothered in laughs

five star all around 🦊❤️

We had dinner with our good friends Joe and Marnie last evening.  Getting together with them is like walking into a  warm and welcoming room where authentic conversation and laughter reign. Thank you for a wonderful time!!! The steaks were wonderful!!! 🦊❤️

1355. we all have shortcomings

 

many stabs at it

those chopsticks just won’t grab tight

i’m stuck with a fork 🦊❤️

There are many things in life that one must find peace with in order to be OK.  A biggie for me is accepting the fact that I cannot use chopsticks. Along with that resignation is the fact that I will always have to ask the waitstaff that do not know of my limitation, “May I have a fork?”  It is getting easier…. 🦊❤️