Day 168: A Time of Zero

July 7, 2012March 30, 2013 | Aspergers Girls

treesgreen (800x600) (800x600) — Washington 2012
Nature Trail

“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking”
Friedrich Nietzsche

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”~ Rachel Carson

“There is new life in the soil. There is healing in the trees for tired minds and for our overburdened spirits, there is great strength in the hills, if only we will lift up our eyes. Remember that nature is your great restorer.” ~ Calvin Coolidge

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the wind longs to play with your hair.” – Kahil Gibran

“Rivers and rocks and trees have always been talking to us, but we’ve forgotten how to listen.” – Michael Roads

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.” ~Anne Frank

Time of Zero

Nocturnal spirit

Split

Blanketed in thankfulness

Rests beside self

One to the other

Connected

Time erased

Young child weeping

Tear catcher

Smiling

Living in thought’s forest

A time

Of zero

When all was

When silence whispered secrets

And babe of the evergreen

Opened to discovery

Beneath the giggling trees

Illusion vanished

The puzzle box picture

The patterned pieces

Scattered

Until invisible

And the corridors of phantom’s dreams

Released fully

With angelic breath

Sam Craft June 2012

Day 142: The Sea in Me

June 13, 2012March 30, 2013 | Aspergers Girls

My nano was an Italian fisherman.

He sailed most of the year up the Pacific Ocean from Central California (Monterey) to Alaska.

He was the designated cook on the ship, because of his talent for creating a scrumptious meal from the gifts of the sea.

I thought of him today, as I walked along the docks.

I thought of him today, and his journeys; how I wish I could speak to him now—hear his rough Italian dialect weave the ocean tales of sea monsters, mermaids, and giant jellyfish.

The sea is in my blood.

I know this now.

I can never live away from the ocean again.

The salt water is my refuge.

The seagulls my angels.

And the waves, as they move, confirmation that I am just as source intended.

Whether I wash ashore, retreat, break, or beckon onlookers, I am exactly as I was made to be—an endless ocean of mystery harboring the secrets of generations.

The green that makes me scream in delight!!!

Day 121: Violet in the Morning

May 25, 2012May 25, 2012 | Aspergers Girls

(Teacher says: Music I posted in comment section is a must to play while reading.)

This is Violet in the Morning. My little Labradoodle. I also call her Spastic Colon, but I thought the title Spastic Colon in the Morning might give you the wrong idea. I am carrying her in my arms in this photo. That is my scarf. And, yes, those are her very sad eyes. This is my first time taking a camera on a walk since I moved to Washington. Violet was initially very excited to walk. She showed me this by jumping up and down about three feet off the ground and wrestling with her leash. But once we were outside the front door, she didn’t seem too happy. She was tugging, and pulling, and shivering. I thought she must be cold and said, “You’re a dog. Toughen up!” And I giggled. Because giggling in the morning is fun.

This is my tree. I call him Fred or Sheldon. I can’t decide. He doesn’t care, because trees will go by any name, as long as you hug them.

When I passed this tree Violet was still shaking. A few blocks later and she was pulling back on her leash. Being the logical gal I am, I thought to myself, “Hmmmm. Maybe she senses danger. Like a mountain lion or wild leash-free dog.” I was still a bit clueless and exaggerating events in my mind.

About the time I reached this stump, I leaned down and soothed Violet with gentle pats, and reassured her she had a fur coat to keep her warm and that there was no pending danger.

This crow was watching us outside the lama barn. We kept walking, Violet shivering and tugging, and me clicking away happily.

Flowers by my home

Early Morning Mist. Can’t beat this calming scene.

One of my favorite properties. They have outdoor weddings here sometimes.

About the time I captured these ducks flying overhead, and was thinking I wish I had an audio recorder to capture all the bird sounds, I realized poor Violet wasn’t cold or scared. In fact, she was having a doggy seizure! This wasn’t her first. So I scooped her up and held her. And I continued the walk with her in my arms.

I have a friend who I promised to carry in my thoughts today. So as I carried my doggy, I imagined I was carrying the person’s burdens. This worked for quite sometime.

This scene caught my eye. The two friends, the dog being held, but then I noticed the broken leg. Made me wonder a bit about things.

Me wondering about life.

Fake seagull in ivy

Neighbor’s yard

Fish atop a mailbox

Hidden School Bus

Old Bus Stop

Here comes the sun

I had to keep setting Violet down because my neck and back were aching something terrible. She was sweet. Just sat there and smiled up at me.

Interestingly, this was the least violent seizure she has had.

Here are photos of my favorite part of the walk. To me, this is one of the loveliest places in the whole world. I carried Violet most of the way. First down the hill and then back up, sometimes in a cradled position and sometimes like a baby slung over my shoulder. She shivered. But with every step I took with her, she calmed more down. I kept my friend in my mind. It was a very enlightening experience. Especially considering my sensory issues of having dog breath in my face and my physical issues of having difficulty lifting things. I was quite happy and pleased with the way the walk turned out. I reflected on the way life is—how we never know what to expect—and that sometimes it is best to just make the best of things. And so we walked on.