amber leaves

like the gift of purity
given
for you and me

are berries of white
on a crimson
tree

signs of sherlock

ah, dear watson
i detect that sherlock
has been here

is that not
a whiff of pipe
i smell?



* "I know every book of mine by its smell, and i have but to put my nose between the pages to be reminded of all sorts of things."                ~George Robert Gissing

morning haze

oh God,
you have given us something good
in those early morning hours

when the sun's first rays
make their way
over the land

like a mother's gentle gaze
settling on the face
of her newborn babe

hanging loose

i've been running around a lot
lately

but yesterday
i spent the whole day
at home
alone

it was wonderful

i puttered in the kitchen
walked the dog
caught up on e-mail

and cleaned out the fridge
to the sentimental sounds of
steve tyrell

"some like the high road
i like the low road. . .
give me the simple life"

sing it steve!

"i used to walk in the shade
with my blues on parade. . .
but life can be so sweet
on the sunny side of the street"

yesterday was a "hang" day
a loose and
free day

yesterday
i took hold
of the hand of my soul

and we danced




* "There is more to life than increasing its speed."
                                                         ~M.K Ghandi

abstract pasture grass

we're in the middle of a kansas autumn
and the grasses are aglow

stunning in the morning
sun

at evening time
sublime

like fire

st.lucia sunrise

how lovely
the shades of morning
found
round the world

i think God knew
we'd need a dose of beauty
to begin

our every
day



* This photo was taken from the village of Fond St. Jaques, St. Lucia while visiting our son when he served there as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years. He learned last night of the devastation occurring in Fond St. Jacques Sunday night, due to Hurricane Thomas. Though Thomas was designated a "category one" storm, the debris resulting from high winds caused the river to dam and flood the village. Mudslides also resulted from the torrential rain.  If you are interested, the following link is a news report direct from Fond St. Jacque: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPZGRgBaO0g&feature=share . The young man interviewed was Ben's closest friend during his time of service there. In talking with other contacts, Ben has learned that 75 people have taken refuge in the church.  Three deaths have been confirmed and a missing person. As of this morning they are without power and supplies due to roads being blocked. The whole island has been impacted by this storm.

I'm sure the beautiful sunrise over St. Lucia this morning was met with tears and confusion along with love and courage. Let us remember those suffering around the world in our thoughts and prayers. Thank God that the sun and His Son continue to rise and give us hope.

november

ah november,
you speak not in colors
like october's brilliant glory
nor in snowfall's serenity

your beauty unadorned

naked branches
against a vast grey sky

ah, beautiful
barren
november



* "I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape--the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter.  Something waits beneath it. The whole story doesn't show.  
                                                              ~Andrew Wyeth