Boyhood

in a world
of sticks, sand, seaweed and water
make believe

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is Snips & Snails (Boyhood). I had the joy of spending a week this summer with my 7-year-old nephew, who took me back to childhood imagination. It's never too late.

Blues - IF

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Blues". I think of most of us owe some honor to the Blues, to those who struggled in the Deep South and shared their pain and suffering through music. Anyone who has listened to popular music is touched by the Blues, its threads are woven into an array of modern music.

Pictured is the great Robert Johnson.

Juicy Haiku

your thorny vines
bless us with juicy blackberries
lips stained purple

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is Juicy.

Juggle - IF

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Juggle". This is what it feels like sometimes when I'm trying to juggle too many things while cooking ;)

Haiku Recipe

gin and vermouth
over ice, shake, pour, add olive
dry martini

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is Haiku Recipe for those thirsty cooks.

Joe Zawinul

I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of another great jazz musician, Joe Zawinul. Zawinul was a pioneer in the jazz fusion arena. He played with some "heavy guys" like Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and Miles Davis. He was the leader of the 70's fusion band, Weather Report for many years. It occurred to me how the death of someone you've never met can impact you so deeply. For me, it's related to the era in which these people impacted your life, thus, it taps into one's history. Getting into jazz in my late teens was a major part of my growth and exploration as a young adult. So, when I learned Joe had died, a part of my youth seemed to go with him. Sending love and peace to him and his family.

Simplicity

with a few lines
I express a lifetime of work
old apple tree

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is Simplicity.

Momentum -IF

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Momentum". I played with some photos I took recently at an amusement park. What fun to let the momentum of a ride take you away with laughter and fear!

Grandparents

your union
brought to life fourteen children
branching many more

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Grandparents". I feel lucky to have these two wonderful people as my grandparents. May my Grandmother rest in peace. My mother is the eldest of 14, and as you can imagine, I have a large extended family. When we had a family gathering, it was a happening. I loved the excitement and love that was always available at my grandparent's home. Cherished memories....

alphabets - IF - LOVE

I was delighted to see the prompt "alphabets" today at Illustration Friday. Just yesterday I created this piece for a coworker. She is redecorating her teenage daughter's room and wanted something in this color scheme with love as the theme. As you'll discover, this is only one side of the love alphabet; the side most of us prefer to embrace.

Tiny Pretty Things

blanketed in snow
for most of the year long
meadow flowers

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is Tiny Pretty Things.

Daybreak

crows cawing
signal your arrival
dawn

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Daybreak".

Max Roach Tribute

I was saddened to learn today that Max Roach has left us, but he left us with a legacy of innovative drumming that influenced modern jazz musicians and its enthusiasts. Being a jazz fan since my late teens, I give honor to Roach and the many fantastic jazz players for opening me up to new musical territories, which changed me forever. I’m sending peace and love to Max, his family, and the jazz community.

Cascade Hike

Here are pictures I took during a wonderful hike along Naches Trail near Chinkook Pass last week. It's an easy hike. In fact, my 7-year-old nephew led most of the way! It was his first hike and he didn't complain once during the 2-hour hike.

Missing - IF

I had fun with this. I love typography and so I designed with type. Take time to play with the piece and see if you can find the missing letters. Btw, I will not be online as much next week (does that qualify as missing?), so in advance, I appreciate your comments and may you find what is missing in your life....

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Missing".

Compare & Contrast

fallen into decay
you give way to the future
enveloped by life


This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Compare & Contrast".

Moon - IF

I've always been drawn to the moon. I remember riding in the car at night as a child, lying in the back seat gazing at the moon as the wheels spun down the dark roads. Even as it ducked behind trees, clouds and houses, it stayed faithful and followed along. The moon played with my imagination and it's a place I find comfort still.

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Moon".

Comfort

The life of one
blends into the hearts of many
never forgotten

Jennifer, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your father, I hope the love expressed through One Deep Breath brings some comfort to you and your family. My heart goes out to you. This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Comfort".

Flower Poem

The Seed

Grows
becomes what it is
inside.
Inching in sunlight
dotted with shadows
I grow petals.

I wrote this poem many years ago to reflect the inner growth and potential in all of us. I hope all of you blossom, even amidst the shadows. This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Poem".

Bodies of Water

bow, starboard, port
stay sail, main sail, jib sheet,
dodging ducks

This needs a little background to appreciate it. Tuesday evenings (May-Oct) on Lake Union is the Duck Dodge Race. I've never participated, but I get the impression these boats are racing around trying to NOT run over the little rubber ducks (and anything else that might be in its way, like a kayaker) to win the race. Of course, with the lovely summer weather we experience here, these sailors are doing more than racing, I'm quite sure.

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Bodies of Water".

Discovery

Discovery for me can expand into such a depth as far-off galaxies and yet, self-discovery can also take us to places of great depth. This is a piece I created when I started playing around with the brush library in Illustrator. I see it as an "outer space" piece.

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Discovery".

Feathered Friend

weeks high in a tree
you spent waiting to use your wings
and sharp talons

I would see this bird high in a large tree for weeks during the spring on my walks along the river. When one day it actually took flight, diving into the river with those extremely sharp talons. I don't think it caught anything, but it was a joy to see it take flight and survive (I saw it again after that), but it's been months and I haven't seen it. At first I thought it was an eagle or hawk, but upon further investigation I think this is an Osprey Fledgling.

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Feathered Friends".

Shadows & Light

leaves splashed with sunlight
creating shadowy patterns
simple houseplant art

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Shadows & Light".

Twist - IF

It took me a while to think of something for this week's prompt - Twist, and then it came to me. A yoga twist! Of course, I've been a practitioner for 10 years and a teacher for the last four. Twists are so beneficial, releasing toxins, strengthening the spinal muscles and toning the abdominals, to name a few. This particular asana (pose) is Matsyendrasana.

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday.

Buddha Light

Bugs & Creepy/Crawlies

It's your lucky day
as my heavy foot just missed you
wooly caterpillar

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Bugs & Creepy/Crawlies".

Wildflowers

bright yellow blossoms
become tart Oregon-grape berries
jelly in the Fall

This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Wildflowers".

Rejection -IF

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's topic is "Rejection". Most of us have felt rejected; small, void of color, lonely, left out, knowing everyone else is having a great time. But, then again, we see the "outside" of people, we really don't know what they are concealing. Remember, we are all connected. Find compassion in your own heart for yourself and others...

Verdant Embrace

greeting us as we
return to your verdant embrace
gateway to home

Happy First Birthday!! Susan and Jennifer at One Deep Breath have opened their hearts by offering a weekly haiku prompt for a year now. I truly appreciate their generosity and the community of poets they have brought together. It's like returning home to warmth with every visit and I learn something about myself and the other poets with every prompt. Thank you!

Architecture

your lovely shape
lures my hands to balance to you still
ocean guardian

---

it takes patience
and subtle movements to perch you
gone by high tide

Ever since I discovered Andy Goldsworthy, I've been fascinated with balancing rocks. I am deeply moved by the shapes of rocks and the essence of each one and how they "come alive" when placed in a way we don't normally see them. It all started in 1996 while on a trip to Hyder Alaska with my Uncle. We were camped along a river down from Salmon Glacier during salmon spawning season and as many of you know, this attracts bears. We had seen more than a handful of big black bears down the road a bit and a grizzly across the river. Well, this dampened my wandering spirit, thus, I stayed close to camp (like within 20 yards of the van!) And to keep myself occupied, I started stacking rocks, and have been ever since. The beach in Baja were I go, is mostly rocky and it's absolute heaven for me. It's a very zen practice, so I say give it a try! This is one from my recent trip.

This is in gracious response to
One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Architecture".

Your Paradise - IF

This is "Summer Breeze", a piece in my "Floral/Whimsical" line, that I have for sale and will be included in a group show later this month. I created it in Illustrator and it's printed with archival pigmented inks on fine art paper that is made from 100% cotton. I like this piece because I can imagine myself hanging out on the beach or a sailboat, drink in hand, watching the world move in a peaceful flow, letting go of all worries, as the sun warms my soul. This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's topic is "Your Paradise".

Baja

View of surfers from balcony (yes, they're tiny) ;p

Beach Art - one of the many "rock sculptures" I made

Stone Duck

Pool overlooking the Pacific

"The Guardian"

Point Break for awesome surfing

View from balcony looking South

Shoreline looking South

A few pictures from my week in Baja. My Aunt and Uncle own a condo with spectacular views. I had a very mellow time hanging out with them and spending time on the rocky beach. This is south of Rosarito Beach.

Common Ground

"no habla español"
aware of the language barrier
broken by sharing food

I spent last week in Baja, enjoying a very mellow holiday. I met some Mexican folks who invited me to their camp. It naturally was hard to communicate, since I speak very little Spanish and their English was just as poor. However, we ate mussels they had gathered from the ocean, smoked on the fire, and that indeed was an intimate moment, shared by all, despite the language barrier.

This is in gracious response to
One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Common Ground".

Nurture

your face glowed with joy
as your little legs tried to kick
to help push the swing

will you remember
Auntie pushing you in the swing
when you're my age?

A day I'll always cherish. This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath. This week's topic is "Nurture".

Photo by: Miguel

Citrus - IF

I love citrus. It's one of those foods that really quenches my thirst. Plus, I like to cook with lime and it's so tasty in a gin and tonic and mojito ;)

This is an Illustrator piece I created in response to the weekly challenge at Illustration Friday. This week's topic is "Citrus".

Voice

Can you hear
my whisperings between
blades of grass.

Can you feel
my vibrations move
through the earth.

Can you smell
my sweet scent
lingering in moist air.

Can you taste
my flavor, unlike
your normal fare.

Can you touch
my smooth surface
awakening your fingers.

Can you love
my heart deeply
embracing all of me.

Can you hear
my whisperings between
your heartbeat.

I've included this for Poetry Thursday. The random generator prompt was "Voice".

Sleep

dotted in sunlight
a garden creature enchanted
fast asleep

in the garden I
sat waiting for the flowers to bloom
sleeping I missed them


This is in gracious response to One Deep Breath.

Urban Farmers

We dug and sifted
dug and sifted,
unearthing artifacts
from the World's Fair.

Brown linoleum
and sea-green tile
filled our pockets.
Rocks filled our buckets
and wheel barrows too.

Piles upon piles
of round, spotted stones
sprouted everywhere.

Cigar-sized worms
lived among them,
a treaure of our labor.

As we dug and sifted
dug and sifted,
piles upon piles
of moist dark earth
surrounded us.

I wrote this poem in May of 1996 and read it at the opening ceremony for the Queen Anne P-Patch. Some city officials were there and it was a lovely sunny afternoon. But, I must explain a bit about this poem's inspiration. The plot that was designated for this community garden was covered with blackberry bushes, and at one time the dumping ground for debris collected while building the Space Needle for the 1962 World's Fair. Thus, all the interesting stuff we discovered and hard work it entailed. I've also included this for Poetry Thursday. Thanks to all of them!