*Sometimes a poem keeps whispering to me when I think it is finished, nudging itself and me into something more. Such is the case with yesterday’s poem. Which do you like better? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Wishing you sweetness always*

Wolf Moon

hungry howling sing

your yearning past the darkness

casting fear away

*Inspired by Sunday’s full moon*

hungry howling sing

your yearning into light

casting fear away

dark morning

fog all around

but wait

listen

robins are singing

January 10, 2022

I call this piece The Lightheaded Oboe Player since that is what I have become today. Sure, I purchased the impish darling some months ago, in the summer of 2021 to be exact…

And at that time, I spent long, fascinated hours reading up on its nature and learning the finger placement for three actual notes. (and I’ve learned four actual notes if you count the open reed’s tone as one of the string).

Today was to be my fully-intentional introduction to this new child. I was respectful as I approached her, sweet as I gathered all the necessary participants in the endeavor: reeds and a shot-glass of water, cork grease and cleaning cloth, and of course J to assemble.

I sat breathing deeply and opened the case.

Yes , the beautiful creature remained waiting for me More faithful than I had been. I caressed the keys with newfound appreciation and awe.

Then I corked each section before assembly. To think that all these mindfully fashioned parts actually give rise to actual mindfully created music.

Meanwhile, the reed which had been soaking in their tiny vessels, were taken up one by one. I placed the edge to my lower lip, kept my mouth pulled down, and blew. I managed a measure of whole notes, then quarter then half. Then I gasped.

Another measure of half then whole then quarter notes.

Another gasp.

Then the lightheadedness started.

With each repetition of measures, my breath seemed more difficult to retrieve, and I was dizzy.

At last I was playing from my chair. No good.

I recovered my breath, stood again. Bent at the waste and breathed deeply. I came up partially, still breathing slowly, stood and continued breathing.

Whole notes, quarter notes, half notes.

Dizzy

Research taught me that this may be due to having too much oxygen in the brain. A smaller stream of air into the instrument usually fixes the problem. Full exhalation is required. Shorter measures an breathing as if you are meditating are also recommended by IDRS (international double reed society) blog.

Who would have thought!

Dark morning

Again

Winter rain and cold continues

But inside we draw near

Sustained and enduring

Inside there is brightness

Inside there is warmth

Inside where the call is always simply to be

To be and abide in Being

*I’m delighted to share the following poem from my most recent collection, One Goes To The Sea, copyright 2021*

If God is a Rock

maybe God is a rock in my garden

but not one of the glittering stones I arrange

according to the tides of my whimsy

God is the rock I can’t help finding

as I hurry into the yard at midnight

because the dog won’t come when I call

the rock I curse as I veer and stumble

headlong into the daffodils

where the dog is waiting for me

*Wishing you Love and Peace always, my Darling Readers!*

Snuggle down the winds remind us

Nestling close to Love will bind us

One in heart and one in spirit

Winter pleads…but will we hear it

Despite ongoing challenges, my quest toward partnering with another Guide Dog seems to be moving forward. Each week I take up my trusty cane, and attempt to conquer broken sidewalks, disappearing curbs and all manner of weather. All I can say is, you just don’t know Oregon until you walk half a mile in rushing wind and rain as it shifts to a hailstorm!

Last week was truly a blast.

My instructor and I decided to venture downtown to make use of street corners with actual right angles. We parked and set out up the sidewalk. Nice and smooth here, with few pedestrians at that time of the morning.

I crossed back and forth a few times and we decided to move elsewhere since construction noise was masking the sounds of traffic.

At our new location, I followed the same pattern of crossing, recrossing, shifting alignments and repeating. And just about the time we were considering another location for variety, “BANG!!” a car was rear-ended right in front of us.

No one had been hurt, and even the cars appeared undamaged. Still, the rain was coming down harder by the minute, and we’d been working for over an hour. We headed back to the car.

We were stopped by a policeman.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“To my car,” my instructor replied pointing, “right there, see, just behind you.”

“Well you can’t,” he stated with friendly firmness. “That’s the blast zone. We’ve sent a robot in to engage with a suspicious package found in the mall. You’ll have to wait for a while.”

He resumed his post, and we ducked under a shop awning to catch our astonished breaths. Blast zone…who could have imagined!

*Of course we might have guessed something was going on since a line of police cars and an ambulance were parked in the area*

Forty or so more minutes passed as we stood chatting beneath the awning. A few people were redirected, and one car attempted to bypass the policeman. He ran after it calling, “Stop! Stop!”

But thankfully, there was no blast…just lots of rain as usual.

And if you are curious, yes I am determined to partner with another amazing Canine teammate. Because independent travel is the real blast I’m reaching for!

Wishing you all sweet travels and Happy Holidays.

On One Foot

…brief tidbits about me and those I love

light the lights

and sing with cheer

warm away the cold and drear

raise a glass and huddle near

Holiday greetings Darling Friends!

Winter may be trying to wrap the world in darkness and cold, but if you are like me, you find simple ways to hold on until Spring.

And hopefully the holidays help.

*For J and me, Thanks giving is all about family, food and fun. and we’re also about making the best of things no matter what. Last year that meant meeting our kids in the rain and exchanging food and distant smiles, then Zooming together for dinner. This year was much sweeter. Not only was the day sunny and moderately mild (about 55 degrees) but we were all vaccinated…so lots of hugs all around! We still gathered and dined outside, but we were inside a large tent around a fabulous propane heater. I have never known such true warmth, such simple joy of family.

*Hanukkah, too, is a commitment to Light despite darkness. We light candles for 8 nights and marvel at the expanding glow the season brings to our homes, our hearts. We kindle flames, but mostly we strive to kindle the Light within ourselves…to better warm one another and all we encounter.

*Christmas is another opportunity to share the Light of Love during the darkest time of the year. As I exchange greetings and gifts with friends and strangers alike, I can’t help basking in the glow of human contact, and the warmth of Love Divine.

Wishing you Love and Light Galore today and always, Dear Readers!

*Darling Readers, I wish you the sweet sense of expanding Love and Light during this holiday season…whatever way you choose to celebrate*

Hanukkah Lights

in the deepest well of winter

where all is cold and dark

a single flame

a splinter

smiles and makes a spark

the second night she arrives

sweet essence with no name

and a neighbor

just across the way

kindles his own flame

on the third night mist appears

with prickles and with bites

still two neighbors flicker without fear

and look

one more ignites

on and on throughout the week

and one night more for cheer

like strands of fireflies in the night

each shining bright and clear

one smile invites another

one hug and soon we’ve 8

expanding circles round the world

as they outward radiate

May we make this season sacred

as our hearts we dedicate

to peace

compassion

acts of Love

and with latkis celebrate