shot of the day 9/22/23

idioms work well

when i’m posting a photo,

but which one to use,

sometimes i don’t know–

are these bumps on a log

or ducks in a row?

–photo by me

recovering alcoholics (tanka)

we recovering

alcoholics are never

quite out of the woods–

sure, we can see the light now,

but it only shows more trees

–photo by me

wordless wednesday 9/20/23

–photos by me

right as rain (archives)

what is it about the rain

that somehow seems

to soothe my pain?

the pitter-patter pelts impart

a certain solace to my heart.

now the plans

that i had made

are temporarily delayed,

but i don’t mind;

i won’t complain–

in fact, it feels

right as rain.

–photo by me

haiku 157

summer fades away

like a worn-out pair of jeans–

patchy memories

–photo by me

Wilderness Avenue

My son and I live on Wilderness Avenue near Lake of the Woods in Minnesota. If you follow it past our place, you’ll find that it soon turns into a dirt road that plunges directly into the heart of the dense Beltrami Forest for 40 or 50 miles before coming out near Red Lake.

We’ve driven through it a number of times in the middle of the day, and I wasn’t particularly impressed with the wildlife. However, about two weeks ago we started driving out there early in the morning so my son could climb a ranger tower for exercise. (He runs up and down it like 3 or 4 times while I go half-way up once.) Anyway, since we’ve been going out there in the wee hours of the morn, we’ve seen a bear, a moose, several fox, a marten, innumerable grouse, and this morning–a Canadian lynx and her kittens!

I couldn’t get a very good shot as we weren’t prepared. You should’ve seen us panicking; Aaron threw the van in park before we stopped–it was hilarious!

It’s like a whole new environment for photographs. I never knew how lucky I was to live on Wilderness Avenue!

–Photo by me

stars (shadorma)

the stars would

stay hidden away

if it weren’t

for the night,

for each and every day

we’re blinded by light

–photo by me

shot of the day 9/15/23

As I stand here gazing at the sunrise, I’m reminded of all the years I was only able to catch a glimpse of it on my way to work. Now I’m retired, and I couldn’t be more thankful that I’ll never have to miss another. Nature truly is poetry without words.

retirement is wonderful,

and here’s my favorite perk:

i get to watch the day unfold

instead of going to work

–photo by me