A Scant Moment

My wife’s siblings along with their spouses and a few cousins trade Wordle scores daily in a lively text-message group.  Not only does the daily posting connect people separated by 1000s of miles (as well as by any of a number of dividing issues), it also serves as a source for regular light-hearted conversation, musings, … Continue reading A Scant Moment

Beeing Being

It’s late summer in Durham and, until recent days, it’s been quite warm, mostly in the mid- to upper-90s Fahrenheit (mid-30s Celsius).  In this video, of blooming wildflowers next to our street on a hot, sunny day in mid-September, I am struck by the bright color and delicate details of the Eastern ox-eyes as they … Continue reading Beeing Being

Life’s Work

The morning air was filled with bird song — cheerful melodies of the many brooding species in our neighborhood, along with the occasional scolding, particularly by the Grey Catbird and the Carolina Wren. Not quite ready for his morning nap, a nearby Barred Owl hooted “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” Just … Continue reading Life’s Work

Vulnerability

We returned to Durham this week, after a week-long trip to visit with loved ones out of state. And this morning, while trying to be open to what might become the image for today, I took a composed photograph of a piece of pottery I just got back from glaze firing. The plate sits atop … Continue reading Vulnerability

Moments to Practice

Since Sunday, my wife and I have focused all our attention on caring for our energetic, brilliant, and delightful two-year-old granddaughter. She is all that a two-year-old can be! But in recent days, it’s remarkable how clear it is that she senses the fear and insecurities of change in the air. And indeed, she now … Continue reading Moments to Practice

Letting leaves float on by

A crisp, breezy high pressure system moved in before dawn — a welcome change after the frequent downpours of the weekend. Today there remains some flooding here and there, and, as you can see in the video, rainwater continues to flow along the streets in parts of our neighborhood. Yesterday’s rendezvous was with a patch … Continue reading Letting leaves float on by

Divine Multiplicity

Last night’s rain continued this morning, and it’s predicted to rain all day. However there was a brief clearing after dawn, gifting me a comfortable chance to venture outside and discover what would be today’s rendezvous. Today it turned out to be a patch of seemingly carefree columbines — purple, pink, and orange/yellow — growing … Continue reading Divine Multiplicity

Welcome Day

The overnight rain continued at dawn. A quiet morning, no sign of people outside save for a few preoccupied dog walkers. The scent of a wood fire was in the air, a neighbor’s habit for bringing a warm, cozy welcome to a damp and dreary day. The gentle rain and abundance of puddles evoked so … Continue reading Welcome Day