The Things I choose to embrace

I have seen a lone tree sing,
As it belly-danced in the wind,
In a field in early spring.

I have heard coyotes yip
Their voices only, surrounding me
On an ordinary hiking trip.

I have listened to frogs
Their voices a million strong
Creation started with pollywogs.

I have looked in the eyes
Of a small and fearless red fox
A shared moment of surprise.

I have walked along the river path
The sound of water flowing and rain patter
A wet and musical bath.

I have stopped in my tracks
For a small pink leaf in a puddle of mud
Its beauty unique although its setting lacks.

I have sat still on a rock as night slowly fell.
My dog’s nose twitching, my human ears straining,
Sight giving way, to sound and smell

And taking flight from a tree
An owl turned its head 180 degrees
To look back at me.

Magic moments filled with grace
Life’s simple pleasure or God’s gifts
These are the things I choose to embrace.

Comments

Emotion, Memory and Coal

Just over a year ago Coal died. Early in the week I tried to sit down and write about my old dog. I found I couldn't. I struggle with the the fact that forgetting is a part of grieving and healing. When I was 15 my friend Sean died. After a time no one talked about him and I was furious. I was young and I could not understand how people had "just forgotten about him". It seemed like a betrayal. It made the loss real. I wanted to hold on. More then 20 years later, I still remember him. Memory is strange. I doubt everything I remember about him is accurate. I remember some odd, disconnected pieces, like standing in line with him to get our report cards. I have no doubt there is much I've forgotten too. What comes first to my mind is Sean's goofy laugh. The memory that comes first and strongest, when I think of Coal, is security and comfort. I would lay on the floor with him. Sometimes I'd give him a hug, and sometimes push my face against his big furry body and...

Journey to the River

I'd been waiting for the flood waters recede. That may conjure images of flooded towns and deep water. It was nothing so dramatic. The river didn't flood anything beside my small, local trail. As sumer struggled to arrive, the snow pack, double what was normal, was melting. I visit this area regularly. I've been to Yellowstone, Crater Lake and on many wilderness excursions. I suspect some of my deepest memories, will be of "my place". Schmoozer, the Wonder Pup, and I, arrived to grass smell is so strong I could almost taste it. The first meadow had just been mowed. Schmoo and I walked along the edge of the meadow, captivated by the change and a big mountain beaver trundled by. We cpntinued to the back meadow. It's such a peaceful place with the open field, bird song and view of Mount Si but a sense of adventure crept in. For weeks now the end of trail has been full of water because of the amazing snow melt. Water slowly receding, the flooded trail had beco...

"With dropper" - A bit of humor

So... on a day with lots of crazy drama at the veterinary clinic, this man comes up to the desk of the vet office. He's asking me for something, but he's either not saying it right or I'm not understanding him past the heavy accent. He shows me his phone and it says sodium chloride. I pause and then say uncertainly, "That's salt". He says yes and says solution with "dopper". I am quite sure I looked at him blankly. I am trying to learn all the veterinary pharmacy items so I can get my "clerks" license and dispense medications, but I have no freaking idea what salt solution with dopper could be. What strange medication is that? He consults his phone and says "dropper, with dropper" and show me a picture of a bottle with a bulb dropper. You would think this would clear the mystery up, but no, it doesn't. He wants saline solution that comes in bottle with a bulb and dropper? Am I missing something? So I wander to the back and ...

Simple Gifts and Magical Moments

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