Awakened in the middle of the night
to a squeal, followed by a familiar guttural –
"Who who – who whoooooo?
Who who – who whooooooo?"
– right outside my window.
I worried for some little creature that might have made the squeal,
and then remembered that baby owls,
who can't yet say, "Who?"
sometimes squeal.
Kept my head under the covers and didn't get out the camera, so using this stock photo from my archives.
In this light and from this distance,
you can get the sense of an ocean having been here,
seeing the different lines of wear and tear along the way.
What a watery planet we must have been.
Sedona, Arizona. Photo by Paula Post, ©2008
There's and eagle in this photo, taken last October
against an autumn sky.
Recently, from the vantage point of a rented canoe,
I watched an eagle slowly soar over the water
and with an elegant confidence snatch its prey from the willing river
and coast away as easily as I breathe.
It was as though time stood still for just that moment
as royalty passed.
Do we share an ancient memory
of a time when life was truly simpler
and our days were spent in the open air,
close to the changing seasons and nature's ways?
Our true heritage
as children of this earth,
punctuated by the sounds of drums and exotic horns,
and the call of the wild,
is all but forgotten,
except perhaps in our deepest dreams.
Thanks to the kindness of these Pre-Columbian dancers of Xochitlalpan for letting me take their photograph after the 500 year celebration of La Florida in St. Augustine.
Wouldn't it be great
if,
everyday
you realized that you are bursting with life?
That the packet of your body is loaded with energy,
and beauty and love and trust
and an unstoppable urge
to be alive
and
well
and
happy?
Watch out world!
This perennial, quadruple amaryllis is one of the joys of my springtime. Thanks Pc and Tc!
99.9% BLUE!
What's your favorite color?
St. Augustine Beach, on a blue day.
Flags in the sunshine
are irresistibly
bright.
The Prince of Whales Restaurant, Cuna Street, St. Augustine, Florida, flying her flags!
There is a saying –
The rain falls on everyone –
and I might add,
even in Paris!
Paris café photo by Patrice Goham, © 2012.
Thanks Patrice!
If someone asked you what the dominant emotion of your childhood was,
what would your answer be?
This happened to me and it wasn't a trusted friend or a therapist who posed the question,
but someone I cleaned for who could engage me in interesting conversations.
My uninhibited response was, "shame."
As I said the word I could feel what a deep tragedy it was,
a terrible legacy and a heavy burden for a child to carry.
But it was the truth,
my truth.
Shadow cast on St. Augustine Beach, in broad daylight.
Gleanings From Living Long
Lainesblog Thinking Out Loud 