2030. a sea of fragrance

 

all of a sudden

a most heavenly fragrance

a sea of clover 🦊❤️

As we strolled along we were overwhelmed by an exquisite fragrance. We knelt down and placed our noses close to the of sea of cloud like blooms of  clover.  What a  Sunday morning treat… 🦊❤️

 

2029. realization

 

as i walked along

i stopped at the perfect spot

where it became clear 🦊❤️

Last night as I walked along a Philly sidewalk, I unexpectedly walked into a box in which I felt comfortable standing.  🦊❤️ 

2028. an end and a beginning

 

it’s commencement day

four years of college over

time to start what’s next 🦊❤️

Today is commencement day at the college that I live next  to.  Lots of proud families gathering to celebrate the beginning of the next chapter. As I walked through the campus I could not help but reflect on my own college days at Pitt and Penn State. I had to chuckle because I still have the recurrent dream where it’s finals week and I have not been to any of the classes…. Lol. 🦊❤️

2027. you’re on your own baby!

 

in a field of green

a pond slider lays its eggs

then goes on her way 🦊❤️

Today I saw a Pond Slider Turtle laying its eggs in a grassy field. After laying the eggs the turtle leaves the eggs and never returns. If the eggs hatch, the babies are totally on their own to make their way into the world. As I looked at the large mother turtle I was struck with just what a courageous and miraculous journey of survival she has made on her own. 🦊❤️

2026. exhausted

 

in a clover bed

exhausted dandelions

soon will bend and sleep 🦊❤️

Today as we walked our morning stroll, stems of  once bright dandelions stood tall having done their cycle of life, now ready to go to sleep. 🦊❤️

2025. take a second look

 

the perfect hider

invisible to most eyes

except those that see 🦊❤️

This creature is called a Rough Prominent. As I passed by a stucco wall what appeared to be a leaf caught my eye. I took a closer look and lo and behold what a wonderful surprise. 🦊❤️

2024. magic mushroom

 

one would almost think

that a skilled artist carved this

abstract mushroom 🦊❤️

When I see the art that is created by nature, my mind fills with inspiration to explore new creative projects. 🦊❤️

2023. family matters

 

standing face to face

canadian geese discuss

where to lay the eggs 🦊❤️

It’s that time of the year that Canadian Geese couples build their nests and lay eggs. As we walk along we see all of the various couples here and there preparing for new additions to their families. 🦊❤️

2022. against the odds

 

a day long ago

a chosen seed sprouted roots

and beat all the odds 🦊❤️

As I stood and gazed at the ancient trunk of a huge tree, I thought about the miracle of its start as a seedling to its current state as a towering weary and wise wooden monument.  Beating the odds…. 🦊❤️

2021. a chair’s life

 

their rest time near done

another day of sitters

and eaters soon starts 🦊❤️

I couldn’t help but feature these two red chairs awaking from a night’s rest. Another day of hungry diners about to begin. 🦊❤️

2020. what are the chances?

 

what are the chances

that this tender tree survives?

only in this haiku… 🦊❤️

As I walked along I spotted this tiny, tender tree that had sprouted in the crack of a large parking lot. Coincidentally there was a Maple Tree seed and cherry pit laying beside it. I thought, “How long will that little sprout survive?” Then I took a picture, wrote a haiku and thought “Forever!” 🦊❤️

2019. ticker tape parade

 

as i walk along

the cherry trees announce me

ticker tape parade 🦊❤️

I swear that trees come to know folks that visit them often and appreciate their wonder. 🦊❤️

2018. fireworks

 

when i see this weed

i think, “ the fourth of july”

its flashes and booms 🦊❤️

I love dandelions when they turn to seeds. It really is an amazing illustration of the beauty and mathematics of nature. 🦊❤️

2017. the trail

 

life is like a trail

sometimes under sunny skies

and sometimes cloudy 🦊❤️

There is no place like a trail to contemplate life. 🦊❤️

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”. 🦊❤️

2006. happy easter

 

foggy easter morn

the son is risen… he’s gone

magnolia blossoms 🦊❤️

Happy Easter all! 🦊❤️

2005. big fish in a little pond

he prefers to be

a big goose in a small pond

loves the simple life 🦊❤️

I got a kick watching a big plump Canadian Goose romp around in a roadside puddle. 🦊❤️

2004. extra innings

 

all the fans have gone

both teams have hit the showers

left behind… a ball 🦊❤️

As I looked at the forgotten softball, I wondered how such  a brightly colored object could be overlooked as the teams and fans departed. 🦊❤️

2003. forgotten

 

been so long ago

you comforted children’s fear

now it’s each other’s 🦊❤️

One of our friends has a soft spot in her heart for discarded dolls. I found this scene very poignant. 🦊❤️ 

2002. a new day

 

first song of the birds

brand new magnolia blooms

a new day starting 🦊❤️

I stood on my balcony before the sun came up. The first song of a bird broke the stillness. A Magnolia tree seems to have increased its blossoms overnight. What a way the start a new day. 🦊❤️

2001. really???? socks????

 

we now live in a time

where socks are locked behind glass

what in the world next??? 🦊❤️

I went to Walmart this morning to buy some new jeans and socks. I asked a salesperson where the men’s socks are located. He said, “I’ll take you there, let me get the key”. I thought I misheard him so I said nothing except, “Thank you.”  I was blown away to see every pair of socks locked behind glass. I thanked the salesperson for his help - and then I left without buying socks. Really??? Socks???? 🦊❤️

2000. killin’ time

 

got nowhere to go

nothing important to do

we’re just killin’ time 🦊❤️

Yesterday was my son Kevin’s future bride Hillary’s bridal shower. The men, including my son Kevin had to leave the restaurant and find something to do for a couple hours then return at an appointed time for Kevin to participate the final shower game with Hillary. After eating three pizzas in a local pizza joint, going to a coffee shop for a cup of Joe and cookies and walking in circles through the town, we resorted to standing around a pot hole and looking at it - just like a road crew at a repair site. The shower was wonderful!!! Lol 🦊❤️

1999. mikey

 

mikey’s tuxedo

and tommy’s bright orange coat

they’re real fashion plates 🦊❤️

I just finished Mikey in paper mache. What fun it was tailoring her spiffy tuxedo and sweet face in paper mache. 🦊❤️

1998. hypnotized…

when you look at me

with those big green saucer eyes

i am hypnotized 🦊❤️

My friend’s cat Gypsy has eyes that are too big for her petite body. They  hypnotized me!!! 🦊❤️

 

1997. service with a smile

 

our local wawa

makes no matter how busy

service with a smile 🦊❤️

I love making a morning stop at our little Wawa convenience store in Flourtown. Really nice employees who give service with a smile!  A breath of fresh air…🦊❤️

1996. sun bathing

 

while her master talks

coco enjoys the sun’s warmth

on a cool grass bed 🦊❤️

I love the way that animals can just plop down on rhe ground and enjoy the sunshine. 🦊❤️

1995. gimmi shelter

 

for twelve ninety-nine

get in, zip up and tune out

a cure for world news 🦊❤️

I saw these zip up, fabric clothes closets at Ikea. I immediately thought that they would make a nice cozy cocoon to hide away in every once in a while, especially during world news broadcasts. 🦊❤️

1994. ikea

 

hard day of shopping

and lunch of swedish meatballs

time to sit an scroll 🦊❤️

Today we had a very entertaining stroll through Ikea after lunch. There were lots of interesting people and sights. My particular favorite was a woman camped out in the easy chair section scrolling through her phone!! The smoked salmon platter was delicious and Yulan enjoyed her Swedish meatball platter. It was a fun day. 🦊❤️

  

1993. cedar waxwing

 

on this bitter day

a cedar waxwing has died

its yellow tail lives 🦊❤️

Today I saw my first Cedar Waxwing but sadly it was no longer alive. Yet… its yellow tipped tail was glowing and so very alive. 🦊❤️

1992. disposability

 

put out to the curb

a cozy table and chairs

disposable world 🦊❤️

I am constantly amazed at the perfectly good things that folks dispose of in our neighborhood. 🦊❤️

1991. victorious

 

the marks of struggle

visible for all to see

you conquered the ice 🦊❤️

The last piles of frozen plowed snow have finally melted around the edges of the parking lot. The weeds have won the battle of out lasting the plowed icebergs and are showing the battle scars of their will to win. Soon their bleached out stems will be gloriously green. 🦊❤️

1990. mikey’s mind

 

what goes through her mind

as she sits still, just staring?

anything? nothing? 🦊❤️

I frequently sit just staring at Mikey as she just sits and stares ahead. I find it quite comforting to imagine that she isn’t thinking a single thought as she looks at whatever it is that she is staring at. How wonderful it must be to just take in the scenery with a quiet mind that is not cluttered with thoughts….🦊❤️

1989. “me and mrs. jones”

 

“me and mrs. jones…

we gotta thing goin’ on”

tommy meets willow !! 🦊❤️

I just finished “Willow”. She belonged to my friends Rob and Andrea. Willow only had one eye and that one eye was totally without sight. She lived to a ripe old age and died last year. When I showed Yulan a picture of them together she immediately said, “They have a thing going on! Just like  in the song “Me and Mrs. Jones”  Thanks for the idea for my post sweetie! Can’t wait to give it to Rob and Andrea. 🦊❤️

1988. “duck and cover”

 

a sign from the past

days when we ducked under desks

and held our young heads 🦊❤️

I felt a quiet eeriness as I stood and stared at an ancient fallout shelter sign on the wall of small local post office. I could almost smell the aroma of Thursday spaghetti lunch wafting from my grade school cafeteria.  🦊❤️ 

1987. a spring kick start

 

out of the blue sky

a bolt of magical light

kick starts the tree’s buds 🦊❤️

Today we made our way back into the woods. The aftermath of a spell of harsh winter weather was all around us. Yet the magic of impending springtime more than made up for the fallen trees and eroded trails. 🦊❤️

1986. last vestiges

 

weeks of layered snow

reduced to a dirty heap

by the mighty sun 🦊❤️

This morning we systematically peeled off our layers of  unnecessary winter clothing as we walked in the suddenly warm temperatures. All of the layers of accumulated snow were also suddenly gone. All that remained were the dirty piles of  plowed snow that most certainly will shrink in the coming days. The morning sun was smiling and it felt good as it shined on us. 🦊❤️