We’ve had lots of rain the past few days. The streams are flowing through the woods. The chickadees are tittering and laughing. There are so many things to love about the rain. Most of all, how it strips the trees bare. Naked tree limbs and soaked tree trunks make such lovely patterns against the sky. … read more Written in black ink
Author: Lisa
How to do nothing
Meditation is hard. I’ve read books, had tapes, taken two classes on meditation. But being able to breathe deeply and not let thinking take over is difficult for me. My brain just likes to stay busy. I have practiced meditation sporadically for more than 30 years. But I never managed to make it a daily … read more How to do nothing
A loud therapy
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!! It’s that time of year when my tranquility is destroyed almost daily. I’ve always detested leaf blowers. From the first time I heard that horrible noise, I declared that all leaf blowers should be outlawed and their users thrown in jail. I can’t count how many times I’ve had a meditative hike, an afternoon … read more A loud therapy
The worst boss, ever
The trouble with working for myself is that my boss is such a hard-ass. She is so unforgiving of my mistakes. Never satisfied with my work. Never gives me compliments. Unbelieveable pressure. Expects me to work on weekends. Expects me to think about work problems in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. … read more The worst boss, ever
The old orange dragon
While cleaning out my closet last Saturday, I took out this vest and decided that after 25 years it was ready for another owner. I have not worn it much – too fancy for casual wear, and I don’t go to a lot of parties. Also, it has orange, which is just not my color. … read more The old orange dragon
Will the storm ever pass?
While we were eating lunch, my phone buzzed twice. It didn’t sound like a normal text message. EMERGENCY ALERT Tornado warning in this area until 2:15 pm TAKE SHELTER My phone is telling me to take shelter. My gut is telling me that today is a bad day. Tom hasn’t touched his soup yet. We … read more Will the storm ever pass?
The color of rain
I woke up at 4 a.m. And listened. What was that sound? I wasn’t sure. I hoped. I got up. And there it was. Rain. Finally. We’ve had less than 4 inches of rain in the last four months; normally we’d have gotten 16 inches. The last real rain, of more than an inch, was … read more The color of rain
Emerging star
This Degas pastel, “The Star: Dancer on the Stage,” was on the cover of an album of classical music that Mom had when I was a kid. I don’t remember what the music was, but I never forgot the painting. We are up in the rafters above the stage, looking down on the dancer just … read more Emerging star
New books
As much as I like the serendipity of writing about each day as it comes, I’m starting to bore myself. Now that I’ve written more than 500 posts, it’s time to get serious. Writing time is precious. With this volume of words, I want to be aiming toward a finished product. Books. More than a year … read more New books
The fabric of Phil
There’s this T-shirt I’ve had it for 20 years. Can’t get rid of it. If I’d follow the advice of William Morris and countless decluttering experts, I should toss this T-shirt because it is neither beautiful nor useful. I was weeding out clothes today, and I tried again to put it in the box. Couldn’t do it. … read more The fabric of Phil