1796. above it all

 

tommy’s up there now

and he’s looking down on us

a tear in his eye 🦊❤️

***

tommy’s up there now

and he’s looking down on us

with tears in our eyes 🦊❤️

This is my latest, and possibly last painting of Tommy. He is perched on the porch roof of the Environmental Center in the park. He would often climb the nearby tree (cut down now) and watch the world go by from his private lookout tower. The painting captures his daring, seriousness and smarts. It is titled “Above It All”. It is a 24”x18” acrylic. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to paint Tommy in his many moods over the years. He was the best. 🦊❤️

1795. the mourning sun

in the morning sun

his golden underside shone

by the mourning sun 🦊❤️

 Even the sun mourns sometimes… Life… 🦊❤️

1794. tea house

 

cakes and cakes of tea

so many new thing to see

tea cups gently ching 🦊❤️

We visited a tea house while in Vermont.  I was fascinated by the “tea cakes” imported from across the world that were for sale.  So many different sizes and shapes. People sitting sipping expertly brewed tea. The sound of  clinging and clanging of tea cups. Watching two young women brewing individual pots of tea and commenting on their taste as they did their work. A new experience for me. 🦊❤️

1793. a puzzling tree

 

a picture puzzle

with oh so many pieces

the sycamore tree 🦊❤️

I love Sycamore trees. Their shedding bark, like pieces of a picture puzzle fall to the ground and go crunch under my feet. And when this year’s puzzle pieces are finally all shed, next year’s puzzle has already begun to be created. 🦊❤️

1792. water’s sounds

 

in a split second

the silent, silky smooth stream

screamed thunderously 🦊❤️

We sat for quite awhile on the side of a hill in Middlebury Vermont gazing at and listening to water pounding its way over the edge and then returning to its sounds of silence as it moved past us. A metaphor for life and living. 🦊❤️

1791. a crowd of one

 

a string of mountains

under a parade of clouds

a lone bird looking 🦊❤️

We head back home from Vermont today. It is amazing how a simple change in geographical scenery can rejuvenate the “Wow” center of the brain. (Do you see the lone bird on the wire?) 🦊❤️

1790. no rhyme or reason

 

no rhyme or reason

to the wood’s cacophony

that’s what makes it so 🦊❤️

We sat on the porch. I stared into the mountain’s trees hoping for a grand insight to strike me. Only the chaos and randomness of it all did… aha! 🦊❤️

1789. morning in vermont

 

only a stream’s sound

and the day’s light seeping in

wake me this morning 🦊❤️

Yulan and I are spending a few days in a secluded area of Vermont. The absence of sounds is such a stark contrast to waking to the sounds of cars, neighbors above me, yapping dogs going out for their first walk of the morning and the early morning trash collection truck. The loudness of silence is deafening. 🦊❤️

1788. whatever the day may bring

 

‘nother sultry day

from bed’s blankets to the air’s

every day is grand 🦊❤️

 It is a shame that it takes so long in life to really appreciate and feel profound gratitude for whatever a day may bring. In the larger scheme of things, weather is a good and “easy breezy” place to start appreciating the way things are today. 🦊❤️

1786. art of grieving

 

his hutch is empty

except for his spirit and fur

 the stillness… the peace 🦊❤️

Today Yulan and I permanently sealed Tommy’s humble abode’s doorway with a plywood panel that had a miniaturized copy of my painting of him sleeping in it adhered to the plywood. Of all of the paintings I have done of the Wissahickon, this painting has now become the most meaningful one to me. What gives me the most pleasure is knowing that it will not only bring some tears to people’s eyes, but in time it will also bring smiles and happy memories of Tommy to the people who knew him. 🦊❤️

1785. shrinkflation?

 

the box is the same

but the crackers sleeves have shrunk

less saltines to dunk 🦊❤️

As a little kid I loved to dunk buttered saltines into hot chocolate milk especially when watching Popeye cartoons and black and white Tarzan episodes on early Saturday mornings. I was shocked to open a box of  Saltine crackers and observed near two inches of space between the top of the sleeves and lid. Am I imagining things? 🦊❤️

1784. a candle burns in kyoto

 

a candle burns bright

over there in kyoto

for tommy the cat 🦊❤️

My future daughter in law Hillary and her Mom Rachael are in Japan for a wonderful vacation. Yulan and I are very touched and grateful that they lit a candle for Tommy in a Kyoto temple. Thank you! 🦊❤️

1783. coming and going

 

things come… then they go

even with such loving care

things come… then they go 🦊❤️

As I deal with my feelings regarding Tommy the cat leaving us, the fallen flower from the well taken care of flower planter at my PT’s office reminded me that regardless of our loving care…all things come… and then they go…🦊❤️

1782. forever with us

you were always there

your redness bright’ning our days

now… your work is done 🦊❤️

 Last evening our beloved Tommy completed his mission of good will and friendship to all those fortunate enough to be touched by him in his domain in the Wissahickon woods. He was lovingly surrounded by grateful arms and hearts as he made his way onward. Tommy… thank you for all you have done for so many. You will forever be in our hearts. 🦊❤️

1781. perpetual movie

waves move in and out

i stand and watch the next frame

in the endless film 🦊❤️

We are spending the weekend with good friends at the Jersey shore. I love watching the endless change that occurs on the beach with each arriving, then departing, wave. 🦊❤️

1780. sunrise service

 

at the crack of dawn

a congregation of birds

chirping their praises 🦊❤️

I love laying in my dark, predawn bedroom and hearing the first chirping chants of the birds. 🦊❤️

1779. a hero’s journey

 

despite life’s roughness

vibrant aliveness can sprout

everything's a choice 🦊❤️

Regardless of life’s unfortunate, sometimes tragic circumstances, the next step that you take is your choice to make. 🦊❤️

1778. my chinese lantern

 

my chinese lantern

greets another thunderstorm

with its warm colors 🦊❤️

The Chinese lanterns on my porch are a perfect artistic compliment to all of the weather events observed from my balcony. Another nasty thunderstorm showed up today. 🦊❤️

1777. raindrops (not)

 

i tried and i tried

to capture the teeming rain

it was too fluid… 🦊❤️

I sat on my balcony watching the torrential rain. I really wanted to capture the jam packed raindrops in a photograph. I failed miserably.  All I could capture were leaves. 🦊❤️

1776. peace and quiet

 

i can see myself

sipping tea in that lit room

outside an owl hoots 🦊❤️

Today we visited the Brandywine River Museum. There were a number of  very wonderful collections of  different artists works throughout the galleries. My favorite by far was a watercolor by Andrew Wyeth titled “Evening At Kuerner’s “  I could not take my eyes off of the solitary lit window and porch on the house in the work.  What a mood of peace and quiet it created. 🦊❤️

1775. and the winner is… sunsets

 

tonight’s setting sun

caused us to stop in our tracks

look… larger than life  🦊❤️

I think that sunsets are far superior to sunrises when it comes to shadows. 🦊❤️

1774. hearts swelling as one

flashing lights and flags

as far as the eyes can see

hearts swelling as one 🦊❤️

Fourth of July parades are an antidote for the divisiveness that we are constantly bombarded with day after day. I enjoy the lump in my throat and the feeling of pride that I feel in my chest as I watch the parade march by and hear the onlookers cheering!!! Happy Independence Day. 🦊❤️

 

1773. must be well versed

 

“poet for hire”

churning out verse on demand

does he do haiku? 🦊❤️

I imagine that this would be a pretty demanding way to earn a buck! 🦊❤️

1772. hidden treasure

 

on the rugged bark

a forest of soft moss grows

hidden paradise 🦊❤️

In the recesses of nature enchanted places reside. 🦊❤️

1771. lighting the way

 

with taillights beaming

as if to say, “follow me”

the geese move as one 🦊❤️

There is something very powerful and moving about geese traveling from here to there. The sense of single minded movement is beautiful and inspiring. 🦊❤️

1770. storm story

 

the booms got closer

the winds came like a freight train

the rain fell and fell 🦊❤️

I sat on my balcony and watched today’s storm story be written. It was a very short story but very dramatic!! 🦊❤️

1769. he’s out of this world

here- there-everywhere

now it’s time for outer space

3-2-1 blastoff 🦊❤️

I must say that I had a blast building my first rocket (not from a kit). The rocket’s name is “Tommy Hawk” like the Tomahawk Cruise Missile. Tommy peers out from the ship’s portal waiting anxiously to blast off. Its maiden voyage will be in early August in NY. 🦊❤️

 

1768. i can fly

 

in the lush garden

a frog jumps with such vigor

he flies like a bird 🦊❤️

Lush gardens are fantasy factories. 🦊❤️

1767. “one, two, buckle my shoe…”

 

one, two - they’re not new

three, four - play it on the floor

five, six - pick up sticks 🦊❤️

My son Kevin told me that he was looking for a set of “Pick Up Sticks” for him and Hillary to play. While at the art supply store today I miraculously found them there. I think it is great that they enjoy playing “ “olden day games”. I bought a set for me and Yulan too. 🦊❤️

One, two, buckle my shoe
Three, four, shut the door
Five, six, pick up sticks
Seven, eight, lay them straight
Nine, ten, begin again

1766. red

 

in a big red room

with her big red shoulder bag

hair red as roses 🦊❤️

Seeing red… 🦊❤️

1765. sad day for the little bear

 

a little brown bear

there for you through thick and thin

loyal till the end 🦊❤️

I have a soft spot in my heart for stuffed animals that are tossed away.  There should be a law against it… 🦊❤️

1764. a pastel feeling

i toast with agua

her with bubbly prosecco

pretty in pastel 🦊❤️

Thank you to our Elder’s Group that hosted a belated celebration of our recent marriage.  I think that we look great in pastel!! 🦊❤️

1763. the wonder of sharing

 

who’d have imagined

that sharing could be so good

real dick tracy stuff 🦊❤️

The best thing about enjoying all of the technological resources at our disposal is to really take the time to be fully amazed  by them. 🦊❤️ 

1762. new store in town

 

if you’re full of (blank)

‘cause your pipes are all clogged up

here’s some help for you 🦊❤️

I could not help but laugh as we walked through an upscale retail area and saw this new “store” that just opened.  Yep… an enema store! 🦊❤️

1761. the aftermath

big storms rolled on though

tommy’s old haunts are transformed

it’s time to explore 🦊❤️

When storms roll through the woods and topple trees and remake the landscape I wonder what goes through Tommy’s mind. How exciting it must be to explore the changes.  🦊❤️

1760. wifi woes

 

the storms are all gone

power’s slowly returning

wifi woes abound 🦊❤️

Our area is still trying to reboot from the recent storms that ripped through Thursday night. The most popular conversation opening questions currently are “Do you have power?” and “Is your cable and wifi out?” 🦊❤️

1759. the seen and unseen

down in the holler

i see a deer… oh i mean two…

tip of the iceberg 🦊❤️

 I love standing and looking down into the dense wooded area behind my apartment. When I see one deer in the lush green, my experience is that if I just keep looking, more and more deer will magically appear! It like a tip of an iceberg. 🦊❤️

1758. figuring is fun

 

it is taking shape

i can almost hear the woosh

of its maiden flight 🦊❤️

I had a blast today creating jigs and fixtures to assist in assembling my first rocket. It brought back wonderful memories of my years at work developing adaptive fixtures for folks with disabilities so that they could perform work tasks. 🦊❤️

1757. intercession i say

 

in over my head

i prayed and you delivered

my wee miracle 🦊❤️

Today’s post is a special thank you 🙏 for paving the way  for what I choose to believe is my little miracle happening. Thank you… 🦊❤️

1756. it ain’t rocket science - yes it is!

 

aiming for the stars

tubes and nosecones and engines

it’s rocket science 🦊❤️

I’m in the process of constructing a pretty large (by my standards) model rocket. It is quite challenging and will require me to be more precise and use lots of  designing and craftsmanship skills that I normally don’t  use. Hoping to have it completed and ready for launching in early August.  3-2-1 blastoff. 🦊❤️

1755. “clamp-a-coin”

 

a fun father’s day

coins, grabber, cup and timer

we named it “clamp-a-coin” 🦊❤️

We spent Fathers’s Day with my son Kevin, his fiancé Hillary and her parents and brothers at my place. Kev treated everyone to Cheese Steaks from Chubby’s. The best part of the day was playing a game that Hillary invented today! It involves picking up coins with a long reach grabber tool and placing them in a cup. We timed each person to see who could do it the fastest. We played for a long time and the competitiveness grew the longer we played. We decided on the name “Clamp-a-Coin”. It will be a family tradition at future gatherings.  Fun-fun-fun!!!! 🦊❤️

1754. flag day

 

today is flag day

a gentle rain is falling

and the wind is still 🦊❤️

It is a busy day all over the world today. Flags of all types are flying. But today is Flag Day in the USA and I want to  thank law enforcement of all types (including my daughter) for their service on this busy day. 🦊❤️

1753. heroic traveler

 

as i take you in

i visualize your flights

through stormy weather 🦊❤️

We sat quietly near a pond.  The geese and their young ones were busy chomping grass and fighting over scraps of bread being thrown to them by  a woman and her granddaughter. This big old goose was grazing right at our feet. Oh how many miles have these feathers carried you?  🦊❤️

1752. twins divided

 

locked in a battle

using signs, flags and slogans

hatfields and mccoys 🦊❤️

I enjoy driving past a local twin home as the residents of each wage a battle of signs, flags and slogans. They are on polar opposite sides of about every issue.  The protracted war has been going on for years.  People are interesting. I wish I was a sign maker. I would be rich in this day of ideological warfare.  “A sign for every opinion” would be my motto. 🦊❤️

1751. yulan’s birthday

 

today’s your birthday

we’ll go and get long noodles

and wish for long life 🦊❤️

Happy - happy birthday sweetie! Thought I would celebrate by posting my favorite picture of you in the midst  of pretty colors of paint and papers.  All so very you! 🦊❤️

1750. komorebi illustrated

 

leaking through the leaves

bright sunlight shimmers and floats

it’s komorebi 🦊❤️

 Komorebi is a Japanese word that describes the dappled sunlight filtering through tree foliage. It essentially means "sunlight leaking through trees". It is a popular word in Japan and is often associated with feelings of peace, beauty, and tranquility. The dappled light and shadows created by komorebi can be found in various environments, from forests to gardens, and are often appreciated for their calming effect. 🦊❤️

1749. no time for goodbyes…

tender lovingness

bathes a sacred roadside shrine

no time for goodbyes… 🦊❤️

 Roadside shrines serve to remind me of two important facts of life and living. First, life is unpredictable. It may end at any moment, without warning and without the opportunity to say “goodbye”, “I’m sorry”, “I am proud of you” and most importantly, “I love you”.  Secondly, regardless of the circumstances that created the need to construct these shrines… innocent bystander or irresponsible behavior, someone is left behind. 🦊❤️