Gets dark so early — go run around with a stick / and catch the last rays (There’s a feeling I get looking at the sky, and especially such a beautiful sky, that is more expansive than whatever is currently bothering me. Looking at the sky can be a way of taking care of myself. And the staff extends my … Read More
Lake Massapoag Haiku 2, 12/20/19
Not the big waves that / crash on shore — the little ones / reach and pull you in (Notes: it was so peaceful sitting at the Lake watching this at sunset. Mesmerizing. My friend Cyril from Shintaido UK commented on facebook “…sweetly singing sirens (Tales of brave Ulysesses)”. And I think that might be what’s going on here…the sirens … Read More
Lake Massapoag Haiku, 12/20/19
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
Peony Haiku Series
Over the course of a week, I watched and photographed a peony blossom. Then wrote a haiku for the series of three…(click photo for 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).
The turning leaves: Shintaido Northeast fall retreat
Just got back from our fall retreat (gasshuku), and some of the powerful elements: the theme “Gratitude and Grace” as we work through with our longtime instructor and friend Joe Z. his experience of chemotherapy and our mutual support…The image of the muntjac deer on the gasshuku brochure with the theme of “encountering” the world and the interdependence that can … Read More
The traveling poet: “Cutting Sky”
The highlight of my day: coming across a poet-for-hire GennaRose Nethercott at the District Hall anniversary celebration tonight…I showed her this photo of me playing with jo staff and sky, and in about 3 minutes or less, she typed up this free verse poem: Cutting Sky Take up your sword, felled from a tree which grew into the swelling earth. … Read More
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