Mother Night by Harrison

by Jim Harrison from Saving Daylight.
© Copper Canyon Press, 2007.

Mother Night

When you wake at three AM you don't think
of your age or sex and rarely your name
or the plot of your life which has never
broken itself down into logical pieces.
At three AM you have the gift of incomprehension
wherein the galaxies make more sense
than your job or the government. Jesus at the well
with Mary Magdalene is much more vivid
than your car. You can clearly see the bear
climb to heaven on a golden rope in the children's
story no one ever wrote. Your childhood horse
named June still stomps the ground for an apple.
What is morning and what if it doesn't arrive?
One morning Mother dropped an egg and asked
me if God was the same species as we are?
Smear of light at five AM. Sound of Webber's
sheep flock and sandhill cranes across the road,
burble of irrigation ditch beneath my window.
She said, "Only lunatics save newspapers
and magazines," fried me two eggs, then said,
"If you want to understand mortality look at birds."
Blue moon, two full moons this month,
which I conclude are two full moons. In what
direction do the dead fly off the earth? Rising sun.
A thousand blackbirds pronounce day.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Quotes from Cervantes words of Don Quixote, Man of LaMancha, the knight of the rueful countenance.

1. "From this spot I rise not, valiant knight, until your courtesy grants me the boon I seek, one that will redound to your praise and the benefit of the human race."
   

2. "Thou mayest well believe that," answered Don Quixote, "because, either I know little, or this castle is enchanted, for thou must know- but this that I am now about to tell thee thou must swear to keep secret until after my death."
   

3. "Be not distressed, friend," said Don Quixote, "for I will now make the precious balsam with which we shall cure ourselves in the twinkling of an eye."
   

4. "Defend thyself, miserable being, or yield me of thine own accord that which is so reasonably my due."
   

5. "Well!" said Don Quixote, "and doth she not of a truth accompany and adorn this greatness with a thousand million charms of mind!”
   

6. “Answer without hesitation; tell these gentlemen what took place, that they may see that it is as great an advantage as I say to have knights-errant abroad."
   

7. “For myself I can say that since I have been a knight-errant I have become valiant, polite, generous, well-bred, magnanimous, courteous, dauntless, gentle, patient, and have learned to bear hardships, imprisonments, and enchantments;”
   

8. "that at once, this very instant, ye release that fair lady whose tears and sad aspect show plainly that ye are carrying her off against her will"
   

9. "I conjure thee, phantom, or whatever thou art, tell me what thou art and what thou wouldst with me. If thou art a soul in torment, say so, and all that my powers can do I will do for thee; for I am a Catholic Christian and love to do good to all the world, and to this end I have embraced the order of knight-errantry to which I belong, the province of
   which extends to doing good even to souls in purgatory."
   

10. "But I'll take you, Don Clown stuffed with garlic," said Don Quixote, "and tie you to a tree as naked as when your mother brought you forth, and give you, not to say three thousand three hundred, but six thousand six hundred lashes, and so well laid on that they won't be got rid of if you try three thousand three hundred times; don't answer me a word or I'll tear your soul out."
    

11. “Relief in distress, help in need, protection for damsels, consolation for widows, are to be found in no sort of persons better than in knights-errant;”
    

12. “But what am I saying, miserable being that I am? Am I not he that has been conquered? Am I not he that has been overthrown? Am I not he who must not take up arms for a year?”
    

13. “My reason is now free and clear, rid of the dark shadows of ignorance that my unhappy constant study of those detestable books of chivalry cast over it.”

Inspired by Lori, she does Thursday 13 about every week. See hers this week.

Wordless Wednesday

honey sweet

Made with My Cool Signs.Net

when fullness approaches relax enjoy
receive enrichment brought
life's cup, fullness a swelling wave
washes over pain distraught

when fullness brings light, give mind/heart
illumination yields joy overflowing
guided sources outside control
gentle peace kindness showing

when fullness completes new circle
taste flavor of life, honey sweetness
laughing to empty and back
restore renew revive completeness

great view

It just looked inspiring
a sunset in the rearview
so i snapped it,
traveling down the highway
all the cool colors behind
the blurry up ahead
i guess that's why hindsight
is 20-20 and decisions
have to be made
and choices are best
we can do with info we have at the time.

six quirks meme

Lori tagged me with the "six quirky things" meme!
Here are the rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag six other blogger´s by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.

"One of my kids just told me I could just name any trait I have and it'd be quirky. Gee, thanks." ~Lori (one of my kids could of said it though - LarryG)

1. I love music stores. Especially ones that repair band instruments, the smell of machine oil and cork grease is really cool.

2. I am a person pleaser and can't stand to be out of sorts with anyone. My kids use this on me all the time, but I don't think they realize it. (They are 11 (m), 16 (f), and 19(f).)

3. I really only want to earn enough to pay my bills and live week to week, paycheck to paycheck. Although long term goals are nice, I just don't have any.

4. I feel insecure with less than $20 cash in my wallet. I prefer to have around 10 or 12 twenties in hand at all times.

5. I heard an interview with Mo Willems on NPR not long ago. I have been collecting Elephant and Piggie books since. They are great to read like a play. Great illustrations fun stories.

6. I am reading Don Quixote. I started in April and have whittled it down to about 390 pages to go. The translation I have is 1000 plus pages. I have read a half dozen other books in the mean time.

I tag;

1. Shiny Things
2. Mercedes
3. Mama Zen
4. ANYBETH
5. Shannon
6. Rox (Got this fixed the name is Rox :)
and YOU!

Leave a comment and let me know if you've fulfilled your tagging duties, so I can come see how quirky you are!

entwined

how entwined the dew the grass

how engulfing sky sleek hawk

how complete dinner side by side sharing

how together hands holding closely to one another

how intently revealing souls gazing bares

how the third shows up, shows out - love

Slushies

Wordless Wednesday

Hump Day Humor

Hump Day Humor from Mercedes

The on-ship phone attendant for the cruise line swore it was true…

Attendant answering phone: Yes, how may I help you.

Cruiser: I am locked in my cabin, I need help.

Attendant: Just unlock your door and go out of your room.

Cruiser: I can’t.

Attendant: Why can’t you?

Cruiser: There are only two doors.

Attendant: Yes, that is correct but what is the problem.

Cruiser: The problem is this, one door leads to the bathroom, the other has a “Do Not Disturb” sign hanging on the knob.

Avoid the crowds – take a cruise.

demure veil

the colours of the heart have scope
could spectrum be revealed
the harmony of sad or glad
often deftly concealed

could pine make the heart cry
its cone, green needle consent
or river give the soul an artful lift
whether gentle flow or torrent

or the calm assurance of a sunset
bring peace a demure veil
gift of the heart stretching
bursts forth from fallow shell

------------
Photo from Jack over at "Slightly Off-Center"

The Pretty Young Girl

This pretty young maid I seek far and wide
My heartache each morn with her I don't meet
When I go to the bar, the dance hall or fete
But I'd follow her trail in the dead of the night

Have her youthful and fair with no worry or care
Patient and wise in affairs of all kind
Modest and mild, without too much pride
That is my love if she hadn't a dime

Let no blemish or shame be attached to her name
Honest in heart and gentle in mien
No hatred or vice to be heard in her voice
But cheerful and smiling from morning 'til night

Now you're the young man that travels afar
Find me a gem I can have as my wife
Never yearn or pine for flocks or for kine
And I'll conjure plan that will charm her life

And I'll charm her life

(Traditional… on a cd by Altan titled ‘The Blue Idol’)

Week Number 127

http://curiousasacat.blogspot.com/2008/07/week-number-127.html

1) What is the most disgusting thing you've ever had in your mouth? chewing tobacco

2) What is the boldest thing you've ever done? challenged some guys to stop talking trashy about the women in their lives

3) If you could pick one person you know well to be more religious (or spiritual), who would it be? it's for the one who knows they need it the most and the one who thinks they need it the least

4) What is partner's best feature? easy going personality

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

"wow! that was close" Jojo thought.

"I didn't realize the roller coaster came back around so quickly, I only wanted to retrieve my souvenir cap, I paid $25 for it this morning. When I rode the ride I saw where I lost my cap, I knew where it landed and that I could get it."
"It was definitely worth climbing both of those barriers to get it. The signs said "DANGER! KEEP OUT!" But I knew, I mean I'm captain of the swim team and a star on the football team, I could make it OK. Now I have my hat and everything is alright."

Jojo set off to get back with his group, wondering why the crowd was screaming, wondering why the ride was closing, wondering why he had no head to put his hat upon...

-----------------------------------------

the real story

tilt, swirl, cast

tilt a bit over within, again -
your heart knows the way, back in -
asking or telling or hearing, begin -
scents swirling around in the air, let in' -
can't believe leaning out does this, back bent -
but casting all aside for one, wise spent

A Knock at the Door

the wee peeps are about these days...
and it's time for a family reunion :)

sub-verbal

internally shifting, moving around
insides quaking, yet making no sound
it isn’t difficult or horrible
it is something sub-verbal

feelings instinctive, primally gained
from deep in progeny, animal pained
instructive and still undefinable
and definitely something sub-verbal

inside the species - from the beyond
moon, stars, planet, the mask we have on
persistently hidden, humanity jumble
though memorable still sub-verbal

35. The world could do without: Starbucks

40 question meme

Filed under: Memes — Heather @ 10:39 pm

1. My uncle once: was a cook in the army.

2. Never in my life: have I given up on solving a problem, put it on hold maybe…

3. When I was five: I lived in a magical world of my own creation.

4. High School was: good times for sure.

5. I will never forget: my parents love.

6. I once met: (sounds like the start of a limerick).

7. There’s this girl I know who: wants to meet up at the library.

8. Once, at a bar: I sang for the group.

9. By noon, I’m usually: halfway through the workday.

10. Last night: I was at a party with friends.

11. If only I had: a couple of million dollars J.

12. Next time I go to church: Will be in August.

13. Terry Schiavo: the name will live in infamy (how old is this meme?).

14. What worries me most: rushing through without smelling the roses.

15. When I turn my head left, I see: a photo of “the cabin”.

16. When I turn my head right, I see: An apollo sign

17. You know I’m lying when: I can’t look you in the eye.

18. What I miss most about the eighties: gosh that’s a far away dream, we can never go back.

19. If I was a character in Shakespeare, I’d be: dead and gone long ago :)

20. By this time next year: I could be married

21. A better name for me would be: best friend.

22. I have a hard time understanding: arrogance in those around me.

23. If I ever go back to school, I’ll: probably get a Thd in Divinity.

24. You know I like you if: we can talk.

25. If I ever won an award, the first person I’d thank would be: those that made it possible.

26. Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro: Origin of the Species, Concertos, Country music (old timey), politics

27. Take my advice, never: judge lest you be judged.

28. My ideal breakfast is: country ham, grits, toast and two eggs over medium

29. A song I love, but do not own is: You Belong to Me

30. If you visit my hometown, I suggest: Pork BBQ at Gibson’s

31. Tulips, character flaws, microchips, & track stars: Flower, me, technology, Olympics

32. Why won’t people: slow down.

33. If you spend the night at my house: we can watch a John Wayne movie

34. I’d stop my wedding for: a serious problem within the family or close friend.

35. The world could do without: Starbucks (or maybe not)

36. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: the belly of a shark.

37. My favorite blonde is: HER.

38. Paper clips are more useful than: dog earring pages

39. If I do anything well, it’s: because I set my mind to it

40. And by the way: “Come what may, hold something lovely in your heart” (it works.)

The Elephant and Piggie Dance Game

If you know about Elephant and Piggie you'll love this game on the web.

car show visit

I went to this car show over the weekend.
Lots of muscle cars ...
Walking down memory lane....

car show

interrupted prayer

how interesting to find an interrupted prayer,
the master asks the students, “what do they say of me?”
the students meek response, “a prophet from back there”
again he probes their minds, “tell me what you see?”

that’s easy they said, “the one come from on high”
“don’t tell anyone this secret” came the shy reply
“you may as well know” he then frankly said
“they’ll find a way to get me, you see, they want me dead”

“that will be their objective, they’ll reach the goal but then”
“it will only take three days for me to rise again”
“so this is the simple lesson, if you want to follow”
“let go of self, deny it, get out of any self pity wallow”

“for living in the ego will cause the greatest loss”
“but living out of losing will buy with greatest cost”
“a life that can be treasured, beyond this brief world's gain”
“for getting the whole world, ultimately brings disdain”

“so if it is ashamed of words that I have brought”
“you’ve fallen in a trap, wound up getting caught”
“release is available, turn your heart above”
“embrace the unseen joy of the realm lived in love”

- paraphrased from the gospel of St Luke 9:18-27

PROMPTuesday #13: Finish It

“Wait!” I screamed after her. “Your hat!”

She ignored me, which was to be expected. We hadn’t talked, not really anyway, in more than 10 years. I scooped up her black hat. The mesh veil fluttered beneath my fingers… as the autumn leaves scurried around the undertaker’s canopy.

So much can change, yet it all stays the same. So, why shouldn’t she be angry, hurt, confused and torn. Mom died when we were teens and now dad’s gone. What’s more her own two kids barely out of diapers and my one in elementary.

Our parents had loved us the best they knew how, like parents will. But mom couldn’t stick around because of that damn cancer, and the years had taken their toll on dad’s heart. I guess we figured him for the lucky one, the survivor. Yet, a quick death at 57 for him beats death by degrees that took mom at 42. In fact it seemed we were just getting over the anger from those cancer years, sis and I, and now the problem we hoped to never face engulfed each of us in our own way.

How to process more than enough grief to last a lifetime doesn’t seem like a marketable skill in today’s culture of denial-instant gratification. But here I am, needing family, especially sis, to talk this through, and now, like autumn leaves blown against canvas, my emotions are swept up in a tumble like so much trash on a boardwalk. And hanging on to a hat becomes the rope to the lifeboat in this malicious ocean we attempt to swim.

------------------------

Join the fun at

http://sandiegomomma.com/2008/07/14/promptuesday-13-finish-it/#comments

bursting

offered a snowball reach out and accept
not the kind that will cool
though the heat drapes me in sweat

this one blossomed for view over night
out for evening walk
a delightful fruitful luscious sight

these arrive in the summer to add to the fun
they thrive on humidity
baked through and through by the sun

they come in red, purple and white
crape myrtle designed
to bring us all great delight

gifts such as these burst forth on the scene
ready to offer their best
so within hidden working comes forth the pristine

--------------------------------------------------

A-Z ALL ABOUT ME!!!

A-Z ALL ABOUT ME!!!

[A]- ASPIRATIONS:
Poetry and such

[B]- BIRTHDAY:
One month (30 days) before Christmas

[C] - CRUSH:
One at the moment yes…

[D] - DRINK YOU LAST HAD:
Diet Grapico (not counting work coffee)

[E] - EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO
Same as [C]

[F] - FAVORITE MUSIC GROUP/BAND/SINGER:
Robin Mark

[G] - GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS:
Worms if they are sour, bears if regular flavor

[H]- HOMETOWN:
Phil Campbell, AL, USA

[I]- INSTRUMENT:
Tuba (back when) – Mandolin now

[J] - JUICE:
110v – but occasionally 220 J

[L] - LONGEST CAR RIDE:
Recently I rode to Mobile, AL about 6 hours

[M] - MILKSHAKE FLAVOR:
Peanut Butter

[N] - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS:
3

[O] - ONE WISH:
“Can’t tell it or it won’t come true” but I’ll come back and till it when it does.

[P] - PERSON WHO CALLED YOU LAST:
My teenager

[R] - REASONS TO SMILE:
Family and Friends

[S] - SONG YOU LAST HEARD:
Something off “Glory Revealed” CD

[T] - TIME YOU WOKE UP:
5:20am

[U] - UNDERWEAR COLOR RIGHT NOW:
Grey

[V] - VEGETABLES:
I like em all

[W]- WORST HABIT:
blogging J

[X] - X-RAYS YOU'VE HAD:
couldn’t say


[Y] - YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL:
kitty cat (our family pet)

[Z]- ZODIAC SIGN:
Sagittarius

Week Number 126

http://curiousasacat.blogspot.com/2008/07/week-number-126.html

1) What famous couple do you think will announce their separation next? Hill and Bill

2) What one thing would you provide to all senior citizens in the world? Health Care including meds

3) In what situations do you exaggerate the most? When I am ask for possibilities, then I try my best to meet the exaggerated expectation I have created.

4) What's the weirdest place you've ever visited? The VA Psyche ward.

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.
Public Domain Photo

"Let's Make a Deal"

So which will be
door 1, 2 or 3
one is a gag,
the other a nag
so better to switch
to stay out of the ditch
the odds for you will see
are 2 out of 3

Follow this link to an applet that will simulate "Let's make a Deal" and show you the odds of switching vs not switching.

The key is after the first choice a loser is eliminated, thus increasing odds of the switch being a winner.

splurge

When was the last time you splurged a bit?
At the end of the meal asking for a sundae
Ice cream, fudge chocolate, pecans in the swirl
breaking out of mundane

Double cherries crowning whipped cream
dessert shared with two spoons and coffee
look there the overflow before it's tasted
running down glass's side breaking free

feel the earth

feel the earth … dig in dirt with spoon
beneath a shady dogwood at the foot of front door step
cool of afternoon stretching toward eternity

drag the hoe on gravel drive… create a road for toys to follow
across the slag to edge of grass and sidewalk’s start
the road becomes a figure 8 for races just like on tv

crawl on forest floor … edge of damp moss covered bluff
down the vine-root ladder at rocks corner to bottom land
stream there gurgles over sand and rock

slide down clay banks… with rocks and scree
no plan for erosions containment just a road cut
kids on either side to crawl up and down upon the bared red dirt

ride bicycle through mud hole… on hog pen road
two wheel track lanes from tractor, now for bikes to follow, smell the wallow
out along the fields edge wanders paths on terraced hillside

Friday Fill-Ins #80

Janet's note: "Those of you with multiple blogs or private blogs...if you could add your link to the Fill-Ins, that would be GREAT! All questions this week are courtesy of the original founder of the Friday Fill-Ins, Megan; thank you, bubba!"

1. Oh, I can't wait until I have a family reunion (next weekend).

2. Anything on the top shelf is the first thing I see when I open my refrigerator.

3. I never leave home without the cell phone.

4. If I were a condiment, I would be seasoning because spice is nice.

5. Cutoff in traffic is really high up on my list of pet peeves.

6. The last thing I thought of before I went to bed was I'll watch a bit of Hatari then wink out.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to seeing the sweetheart, tomorrow my plans include seeing her again at the auto show and Sunday, I want to grill more pork chops :)!

The Wine of Today

quietly the ant tiptoed in noiseless stealth -
noisily the mockingbird's song bragging health -
sparingly the fox appears at borders edge -
blissfully the thrush nests and clucks through hedge -
bubbly the turtle slips from rock to pool -
joyously the rabbits dance in forest's cool -
relaxing person inspects natures gifts divine -
uniquely day unfolds to yield its splendid wine -

Wordless Wednesday

The CIA had an opening - Hump Day Humor

See this location for weekly prompts http://mercedesrocks.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/hump-day-humor-week-20/

The CIA had an opening for an assassin. After all of the background checks, interviews, and testing were done there were three finalists — two men and one woman. For the final test, the CIA agents took one of the men to a large metal door and handed him a gun.
"We must know that you will follow your instructions, no matter what the circumstances. Inside this room you will find your wife sitting in a chair. You have to kill her.”
The first man said, “You can’t be serious. I could never shoot my wife."
The agent replies, “Then you’re not the right man for this job."
The second man was given the same instructions. He took the gun and went into the room. All was quiet for about five minutes. Then the agent came out with tears in his eyes. “I tried, but I can’t kill my wife.”
The agent replies, “You don’t have what it takes. Take your wife and go home.” Finally, it was the woman’s turn. Only she was told to kill her husband. She took the gun and went into the room. Shots were heard, one shot after another. They heard screaming, crashing, banging on the walls. After a few minutes, all was quiet. The door opened slowly and there stood the woman. She wiped the sweat from her brow and said, “You guys didn’t tell me the gun was loaded with blanks. I had to beat him to death with the chair.”

of mites and chickens

Fox wandered out to the field in search of a meal late one day.

Encountering the hare along the way he greeted him.

“Hello friend Hare” says Fox, “Have you a supper to share.”

“Ahh, that I might” says Hare, “That I might.”

So Fox joins Hare as they proceed toward the farm together.

“You might get supper here,” says Hare.

“Ahh, that I might,” says Fox, “that I might.”

And Hare finding the veggie patch was soon enjoying a delicious supper in the pea patch.
Meanwhile Fox slinked to the chicken house and stole away with a hen.

As Hare left the garden patch there was Fox in the edge of the wood with tail feathers all that remained of the hen and a sated look on his face.

“Tis true Hare,” says Fox, “Tis ever so true what they say of mights. And it was a good supper except for them.” Looking at the tail feathers and picking his teeth with a bit of wing bone.

“Yes,” says Hare, “and what truth might that be,” noticing the wee specks on the tail feathers.

The moral of the story being: “You might or might not do what you say, but indeed “mites” are on a chicken’s rear end.”

So when someone says “I might” remind them, “Mites are (little bugs) on a chickens rear end.”

-------------

prompted by San Diego Mom

stacked against you

ever feel the deck is stacked?
systems broken, computer's hacked?
no where to turn to find blue sky
effort dishonored your gifts deny

ever feel you can't see ahead?
something's coming inspiring dread?
making headway isn't there
try as you may there's none to dare

ever feel emotions grinding?
internal churning infernal pining?
weight increases fingers cease
to yield the words that bring you ease

... one of those days!

something lost

During my recent vacation I read “The Book of Lost Things” by John Connolly it was suggested by a friend online (Shadow).

This is a wonderful story, though tragic for the main character, David.

David is confronted by his darkest fears when his mother dies of cancer.

Through books that "draw" and "speak to" him and his own imagination the boy battles the fears (and other emotions) that come with growth, loss, grief, and suffering.

Connolly has woven a tale around beloved fables, fairy tales, folklore and mythology to produce a work that honors the imagination of the original stories and processes the truths within them in exciting ways.

I would give this one four stars and I would enjoy similar type works if anyone knows of any.

One similar book that weaves a single story into it's telling is "Iron John: A Book About Men" by Robert Bly

July 8 - Sign In - HoT #46

Heads or Tails...
This week's theme/prompt is:
HEADS - Anything starting with the letter O
We've all read it but with my recent visit to ancient places it seemed appropriate for today's theme.

Ozymandias

Percy Bysshe Shelley

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

----



Perhaps this was "the Big O's" home. :)
Actually this is from the Mexico trip.

Mexico Cruise

Row 1, Column 1 - The first sunset on the MS Holiday
Row 1, Column 2 - Entertained all week with towel animals - The Elephant (Gerald)
Row 1, Column 3 - These flowers graced the city square along the Cozumel boardwalk.
Row 1, Column 4 - An ancient pyramid at Chi Chen Itza (The mouth of the well of the people of Itza
Row 2, Column 1 - The ultimate pyramid at Chi Chen Itza; there is a smaller pyramid inside but I was not allowed to "bite" into it :)
Row 2, Column 2 - The smaller ship on left is the Holiday, the Fantasy is on the right. Ported sided by side at Cozumel. (or "Cos I smell" :)
Row 2, Column 3 - An example of vaulting in the halls of a Chi Chen Itza structure, this was once an internal connector hall between rooms.
Row 2, Column 4 - Swan
Row 3, Column 1 - Our favorite towel animal was this "Monkey"
Row 3, Column 2 - The extensions are the noses, the eyes and mouths or noticeable too, three faces stacked one upon the other; these were at one time on top of the older pyramid.
Row 3, Column 3 - The Clock Tower on Cozumel (the mosaic maker chopped the clock off a bit )
Row 3, Column 4 - Sunrise in Mobile's harbor as we prepared to "disembark". Why can't they just say "get off the boat" noooo, we had to "disembark" :)

if you would like to see more drop an email at the listing on my profile and I'll send you a link to fuller size photos.

Week Number 125

get the latest at http://curiousasacat.blogspot.com/

1) What is the craziest thing you ever did as a child or teen? I waded a flash flooding creek. We were hanging out under a bridge and the water was tremendous. It was only about 5 meters wide but it was running like crazy - I was about 13 yo - I could have been killed...

2) If you could teach someone you know one life lesson, who and what would you choose? "take the long view" my teens (esp my 16 yo)

3) In what situations do you find yourself relying on your parents (or your parents' advice) the most? formative years are foundational for me - my folks valued their spiritual walk and so do i

4) What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? turn off the alarm and get in the shower!

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

Jim enjoyed his "magic lens." The muddle he normally perceived could be seen through the "lens" of inversion. Yes, the haziness always condensed when the "lens" was used as the viewing tool. It had not taken long for Jim to understand the mirrored image within this viewer. The figures were enlarged there. Having his own view of the world had become such an advantage for Jim, he came to understand all he needed to know through the "lens." The ability to flip objects was only the beginning of it. The fact that Jim could perceive motive and intent were huge. He would ultimately use the power of the "lens" to benefit every person he would contact. Leaving them in better condition, needs met, often desires fulfilled through the amazing ability to understand those around him.

The Snail (or the Observatory)

The guide called it 'the snail'
the staircase spirals in round vail
rocks and boulders methodically arranged
master plan or domination deranged?

places for heavenly observations
the peace and stillness gives consternation
we hurry for answers to the ruins
interior of peninsula the construction looms

what drove them on no one knows
the history unavailable so it goes
but even if we never understand
honor this inventiveness from distant land