a sense of haiku: April 2026

2016. “cotton candy here!!!!”

seems like forever

he’s hustled cotton candy

our living legend 🦊❤️

For over thirty years my sons and I have followed the career of “Ethan the cotton candy man” in Philadelphia. Our first encounter with him was at the old Veterans stadium in the 1980’s. We love his no nonsense approach to cotton candy sales. Energetically striding up and down stadium steps at Phillie’s games. Stone faced and grim he performs his job. We caught up with him again at last nights game. We spoke with him for a few minutes to reminisce about the old days. As we parted he flashed us a rare smile and then barked, “Cotton candy here!!!!” 🦊❤️

2015. bluebird lovers

rain clouds sail above

golden grasses bend below

bluebird lovers watch 🦊❤️

The birdhouses in the meadow are again occupied by Eastern Bluebirds. We stood and watched them all sitting atop this year’s homes in preparation for new additions to their families. They mate for life. Yulan and I love watching them year after year. 🦊❤️

2014. ducks, ducks and more ducks

jeeps are.all the rage

dashboards decked with daffy ducks

this one takes the prize 🦊❤️

Jeep owners have a practice of leaving rubber ducks on the door handles of other people’s jeep indicating that they think the jeep is cool! Ever notice jeep dashboards lined with cute rubber duckies of every color and size? I wonder how many ducks this jeep will be awarded by admirers?? 🦊❤️

2013. a child’s mind

an old rotted stump

a canvas for a little one

to have fun… be free… 🦊❤️

It was so refreshing to see the creation of a child using a rotted stump and blossoms from a prolific weed, lesser celandine, on our hike. The art of having fun…🦊❤️

2012. give and take of love

from wholesome eating

to mcdonald’s fish filet

love’s a give and take 🦊❤️

Over the years Yulan and I have sculpted each other into people who are much different than when we first met. All in all I have been the beneficiary of many life style improvements due to Yulan’s influence. Yesterday I felt somewhat guilty for convincing Yulan to have a Filet of Fish sandwich at McDonalds. It is safe to say it was a once in a lifetime experience for her… 🦊❤️

2011. chameleon

out of the clear blue

the winter carpet of brown

turns a vivid green 🦊❤️

A world of colors… 🦊❤️

2010. blossom blizzard

in the swirling breeze

bright spring blossoms falling

like a winter’s snow 🦊❤️

The tree blossoms are exploding despite the erratic weather patterns of cold - hot - cold - freezing. Today I watched a blossom blizzard fall in freezing morning temps. 🦊❤️

2009. guardian angel

the steel sentinel

guards a tender sprout of spring

so it sees summer 🦊❤️

I love how industrial hardness coexists with the softness of nature. 🦊❤️

2008. honey locust tree

honey locust thorns

silhouetted on grey clouds

points to coming rain 🦊❤️

The Honey Locust tree in the meadow is one of my favorite trees to stop at and spend time looking at its fearsome thorns. Every time that I visit, it creates a new point to think about. 🦊❤️

2007. kitty is back

kitty my black cat

long gone for many a year

has come back to time 🦊❤️

Kitty, my ornery black cat, long gone, has made her way back to spend time with us. She was so much fun to bring back to life in paper mache form. Coincidentally she also goes by the name “Moo Moo” and she is the logo of my son Kevin’s startup tea company “Moo Moo’s Tea”. 🦊❤️