753. be like a tree

me and the white birch

as bright as the sun rising

both warming our limbs 🦊❤️

 I practice Dong Stick outside my apartment each morning in clear view of a beautiful White Birch tree. As the sun rises, it illuminates the Birch to a brilliant white and my thoughts to a good day ahead. My neighbor Laura, as she walked her dog Mojo, secretly snapped a picture of us enjoying our morning time together. I love this shot! Thank you Laura. 🦊❤️ 

752. empty closet, empty suits and the emperor’s new clothes…

an empty closet

for the emperor’s new clothes

“shhh… say not a word!” 🦊❤️

This unintended art installation in a local art museum was the most eye catching  piece of art that I viewed during my recent visit. It provoked thoughts about the things that are plaguing our world today… empty suits, the emperor’s new clothes and empty closets.  🦊❤️

751. the art of looking… and being looked at

you looking at art

me looking at you looking

“you looking at me?” 🦊❤️

I love looking at art in galleries. I also love looking at people looking at art in galleries. I occasionally wonder if while I’m looking… “Am I interesting enough for anyone to be looking at me looking at art?” Lol. 👁👁 🦊❤️

 

750. art - sunshine for the brain

paint on a canvas

just schmushed and smeared onto it

“it’s all in your head!!” 🦊❤️

•••

I was looking at paintings at a local museum yesterday.  I got up very, very close and simply focused on how the paint was applied to the canvas in very small areas. After doing so for awhile it allowed me to see how much of what I see in a painting is the result of my brain filling in the gaps so I can perceive what the artist intended me to see. I think that looking at art is good “exercise” for the brain… and sunshine too! 🦊❤️

749. take me out to the ballgame

they round the bases

i round the vendors for treats

“at the old ballgame”  🦊❤️

•••

heads in their helmets

swirly ice cream blend fills mine

“at the old ball game”

•••

there were no peanuts

nor crackerjacks to be found

“at the old ball game”

•••

alone way up high

no one right, left or in front

a heavenly seat

My friend Joe did not make it to the Phillies game Wednesday evening because of some really bizarre subway anomalies (only in Philly).  While I was really disappointed for both of us, I had a great time doing the game solo.  Why not… right??? 🦊❤️

748. ethan the cotton candy man

miles and miles of aisles

maybe ‘round the world miles

“cotton candy here!!!!” 🦊❤️

The first time I saw Ethan the Cotton Candy Man had to be at least 25 years ago at old Veteran’s Stadium in Philadelphia. Me and my son Kevin spent a lot of our time at Phillie’s game watching him go up and down those steep aisles diligently and assertively barking out the words, “Cotton Candy Here!!!!”  He was all business when selling cotton candy.  We would imagine and joke about him practicing his trade at home and conditioning himself during the off season to be the best cotton candy seller he could be. I took Kevin’s picture with him at the very last game held at Veteran’s Stadium. We told him how much we admired his style of cotton candy selling. It was the first time we ever saw him smile. When I saw Ethan yesterday from the 300 level of Citizens Bank Park I ran down and marveled at his unchanged style of selling. I took his picture. I sent it to Kevin. We both were amazed and grateful Ethan was still at it.  The world has changed… but Ethan the Cotton Candy Man has stayed the same. 🦊❤️

 

747. life’s tunnels

life gives us tunnels

knowing that in them we’ll find

light! inside and out… 🦊❤️

Every tunnel is an opportunity to practice walking through darkness using our inner light until we reach the outer light.  🦊❤️