Fallen Leaf

like a fallen leaf

detached, disconnected

isolated

you have left the comfort

of the tree

with its twigs and branches

twists and turns

far past your prime

your life now

is but a small world

a room, a bed

a window, a tv

a wheelchair

but did you notice?

that leaf still

shows signs of life,

has beauty to give…..

and so it is with you

dedicated to nancy, my hospice patient

mother’s day 2012

Local Lavender

i’ve written about lavender before.  i was so blown away when we discovered the lavender farms in sequim, washington. the color.  the scent.  the healing atmosphere. the setting.  ahhhhh….. all completely unlike anything else i had ever witnessed!

Washington farms

 twice we have been to the lavender festival up there.  i have some wonderful photos and have created cards, prints, bookmarks, magnets and even a short video about lavender.

 so i thought it was about time to venture out and visit our local lavender farm!  as part of my little adventure last week i stopped at the keys creek lavender farm, wandered around and soaked up all the goodness.

let's just say i know i will be back.   i'm working on something exciting that i can't quite reveal yet.  in the meantime..... enjoy your virtual visit to the farm!!

Mini Adventure

so i went off on a little adventure last week.  i try to do it a few times each year.  (i never used to tell anyone for fear they would think i was some kind of weirdo, but i have moved far beyond that, so think what you will!) it’s sometimes hard to commit and actually take the steps to make it happen, but i have NEVER been sorry and have had some totally amazing, epiphanistic (um, yes, a new word i think!) experiences on my little jaunts out into the wilderness on my own.

Looking down on my little casita

Inside - art & color!

i research places to stay and usually end up with some kind of vrbo cabin or casita in the mountains, not too far from home.  this one was on a little horse ranchette,  just 45 minutes away.

The permanent residents

it has to have hiking nearby and plenty of privacy and an amazing view.  and preferably a hot tub.  no, that’s not too much to ask, because i have found some awesome places and they are not expensive!  usually i stay in a different place each time.  perfect for exploring!

Yuccas were in full bloom!

Hiking Hellhole Canyon

oh, and wi-fi is nice.  this time i thought i was getting it…. turned out not only was there no wi-fi, but no phone and no tv stations and no cell service.  gulp.  it worked out.  i was a teeny bit panicky, but i’m sure i spent my time in more enriching ways than i would have.  and if i really needed to make contact i could drive a few miles into a service area.  and the owners live on the property too.  so not entirely isolated, but enough to feel a different sort of vibe for sure!

2 buck chuck.... what can I say - I like it!

 so i hiked.  and photographed.  and read.  and wrote.  and thought.  and established some new intentions.  all very, very good stuff!  oh, and i did something else too, but i’m saving that for its own special post.  i have a busy week ahead with company, but i’m ready – bring it on!!

Oh, what an amazing morning it was!!!!

No one else was around - I had this scene all to myself

Darkness

i’m smitten by the night.

something about darkness comforts me

perhaps some kind of primitive harkening

back to the womb

enveloped, safe, cushioned somehow

from the intense scrutiny of daylight

hidden

separated from its harsh intrusion

that lays us bare and strips us naked

shortly after i had written this, i ran across this poem.  thinking that we are on the same page.

you darkness from which i come,

i love you more than all the fires

that fence out the world,

for the fire makes a circle

for everyone

so that no one sees you anymore.

but darkness holds it all:

the shape and the flame,

the animals and myself,

how it holds them,

all powers, all sight –

and it is possible: its great strength

is breaking into my body.

i have faith in the night.

rainer maria rilke (translated by david whyte)