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".