Walk by the lake’s shore / look down at iced pebbles and / find the lake’s heartbeat (Notes: This haiku was one of the most liked that I’ve posted on the Sharon What’s Up facebook group, and I think it’s because it’s such a striking image that leads up to the phrase “lake’s heartbeat.” The lake becomes magical in the … Read More
How to defend yourself from two pumpkins with a sword
After last year’s post-pumpkin season festivity, I upped the ante and defended myself from two pumpkins this year. (As always, the best approach is simply to avoid bad pumpkins in the first place).
First time with fire sword
This weekend had my first experience swinging the blazing fire sword, as they say, my “virgin burn.” I hadn’t planned on it, had just mentioned to friend Jessie Jewels, who teaches “flow arts,” including the fire hoop, that I’d like to try the fire sword sometime. “Let’s do it now!” she replied. So there it was, my first time with … Read More
Experiencing the Total Eclipse 2017
(timelapse video above) I happened to be in the right place at the right time (after sifting through last minute weather forecasts) to experience the total eclipse at nearly the maximum length: 2 minutes and 33 seconds. In our case, we ended up outside an old graveyard in the rolling sandhills outside Arnold, Nebraska. A perfect place, perfect time, perfect … Read More
How to defend yourself from a pumpkin with a sword
If you’re ever menaced by a bad pumpkin, here’s one technique. Of course, the best approach is to just walk away from the pumpkin, or avoid it in the first place.
Shintaido Demo at the Japan Festival, West Hartford, CT
A pleasure to participate in the Japan Festival this weekend with longtime friends and Shintaido practitioners. The video shows a some of our movements, and ways we use them to connect with others and with nature — central themes in Shintaido. It was my first time wearing the hakama, the multi-pleated pants worn by instructor-level practitioners — grateful for help from instructors … Read More