The sky has a white glow; the sun is nearly set. In Scotland it is called the gloaming. Kids running in the grass square that sits in the middle of the camp sites. Some are on swings, a few play catch, the rest chase each other or play games whose rules evolve constantly as imagination…
The sky is a perfect blue this morning. A breeze ruffles my curtains, keeping off the heat that will develop later today. It is going to be our first hot day of the summer according to the weather forecast. A sudden change from the rainy, gloomy days of the past week. The weather an objective…
The window over the sink was still open from last night. I could smell the spring air as I made my way through the kitchen in the dark, heading for the light switch and coffee pot. The air felt warm, a good sign for my tomato starts and young pole bean plants. Spring has been…
A storm is coming in off the ocean. I heard the first gust about 4:30 as it bounced the bus slightly. Since then, the wind has become a steady background that I only notice if I stop and pay attention, or if it stops. It is a bit like breathing, only noticed if focused on,…
It has been five days since we returned from New Orleans. Five days of quarantine other than a contactless pick up of groceries and a trip to the doctor because of a swollen foot (I feel like that chubby Victorian guy in every Victorian novel suffering from gout). For the past two days, Lydia has…
The light was slow in coming this morning and there was no birdsong. I knew it was going to be cloudy, somber, and grey. The signs were there, and when it finally arrived, the light was dim and vague, lacking an obvious source. Grey skies in Oregon always seem to carry an atmosphere of contemplation…
I was once a student of religion at Oregon State. For two years I studied koine Greek, Latin, and the history of Christianity. I thought I’d make a good minister. Ultimately, it didn’t fit. Zen did. I am not a good Zen Buddhist; I hardly practice at all (read that as nearly never). I…
Great Expectations (and reality) Once again, we are on the road. Our major Spring trip was curtailed by the tax hit we took this year. A person might think that two people living on social security and a state pension might not have a tax issue. Not so! In any case I spent a day…
So, there we were, 400 passengers and all our luggage lined up at the top of the dock. The scene was reminiscent of a breakout from the old folk’s home. (Keeping in mind that Lyd and I are probably the youngest passengers and that the median age onboard is closer to 78 than to…
I remember driving down two-lane highways late at night in Wyoming. The dark lit only by the stars and an occasional moon. Now and then there was a light in the distance, a big flood light illuminating some ranch compound. Mostly though, it was dark…and quiet. Floating down the river at night is like…
barelyaboomer 