Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a suspect.
~ Steven Wright
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photography
And the Oscar for Best Costume goes to
the Cooper’s Hawk in his role in On the Power Line!
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Thankful Thursday: the moisture edition
The last couple weeks have been warm and DRY and windy and DRY, and I was starting to have serious anxiety about climate change. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s still happening. But this wet snowfall is taking the edge off.
Who knew the white stuff could be a balm for the soul?
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Wordless Wednesday: the no-peanut-allergy-here edition
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Because I’ve had it with February’s fifty shades of brown
Bring on the blooms, yo.
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Sunday morning coming down
Poor little old Prius with its scratches and dents, and dirty silver coat. And now this indignity.
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Hey, did anyone see where Saturday went?
Asking for a friend.
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Friday Haiku
Hoop danced this morning,
the circle is now broken.
Turbo hip action.
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Magpie Monday
Magpies are a reminder that “dapper” is a good look.
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Welcome, Emma
Zippy and I adopted another dog today.
Can’t really tell from the above photo, but Emma is a whole lot of Corgi. And you know what that means…
looong body and short legs!
Okay, that’s still not a great representation (she’s hard to photograph because she likes to be on the move). But trust me, she’s got an unusual build. Despite her looks, she’s very strong and fast.
Zippy took this next one with his phone which means not-so-great quality. However, even that old phone can’t prevent Zoey’s happiness from shining through.
We’re happy to restore the household balance back to 2 humans, 2 cats, and 2 dogs. (Not to mention the approximately 2k worms in the basement.) As for the name “Emma,” it’s growing on me. She’s answered to that name for at least the last year so we’re loathe to confuse her with another. We temporarily floated “Gemma” but Zebu immediately responded to that text with “She’s adorable, but you’re gonna have to change that name.” Wildebeest said “Gemma” reminds him of some psycho female character on Sons of Anarchy.
Emma is starting to sound better and better.
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Friday Haiku
What’s your fave color?
Brown, said nobody ever.
Wanted: daffodils.
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Wordless Wednesday: The How-Many-Birds-Can-You-Find Edition
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You yourself burst into bloom
“I hope you will go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you, and that you will work with these stories… water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom.”
~ Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype
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When the going gets tough, the tough post #Caturday pics
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Friday Haiku
It’s nineteen degrees,
if I had wings I’d fly south.
At least I’m inside.
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A little frost for your Thursday
“Fire and Ice”
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.”
~ Robert Frost
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Wordless Wednesday
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So the darkness shall be the light
Photo by Zippy 10.12.16
So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.
~ T. S. Eliot
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What it means to be an artist
To be an artist means never to avert one’s eyes.
~ Akira Kurosawa
Yes, I absolutely agree with Mr. Kurosawa. Art calls for the unflinching truth. However, sometime’s I’m with Zoey and just want to avert my gaze. Sometimes it’s just too damned much to process.
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Friends in the dark
Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.
~ Helen Keller
Note: There’s no penalty for holding hands in this darkness.
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Three magpies on a cold gray foggy day
I captured this image just before learning that Maggie Roche died on Saturday, January 21. She was the heart and soul of the singing sister trio, The Roches. I’m so very sad.
Thank you for the many, many hours of musical enjoyment, Maggie. Rest in peace.
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Bunny Monday
When we were together in Florida last October, sister Katie spotted this Marsh Rabbit sitting next to the water in Kapok Park. No big deal, right? Just a bunny hanging out.
Wrong.
You know why? Because other residents of Kapok Park include these:
When I look at this photo, JAWS music plays in my head. (And yes, I know this is an alligator and not a shark.)
So, it’s actually a very big deal to be a small rabbit chillin’ in that habitat. And maybe there’s a lesson to be learned here: the environment is treacherous for that Marsh Rabbit, but she survives by being vigilant and standing her ground.
On this Bunny Monday and going forward, I aspire to do the same.
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Denver represents!
Marched this morning with a couple hundred thousand other people. The day started out cold and overcast (really appreciated the ride downtown on the packed-to-the-gills light rail because all that body heat warmed me up again) before turning sunny and warmer. It was a good morning, and I’m glad my neighbor friend, Kim, invited me to march with her. I brought my camera and captured some of the wit and wisdom of the very large gathering. (Click to enlarge)
In case you missed it the first time.
“They tried to bury us. They did not know that we were seeds.” (h/t and thanks to Jenn Hubbard for translation)
Construction workers above the march.
And here’s me with my sign:
Finally, here’s an overhead shot of Civic Center Park in Denver:
DENVER, CO – January 21: Tens of thousands in Civic Center Park for the Women’s March on Denver January 21, 2017. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Kim and I left the march before it reached the park so you won’t be able to find us in this crowd. Turning around was a good call, though, because as we “swam” downstream, we got a good look at THE MANY MANY PEOPLE. It was life-affirming to read the signs screaming with anger, hope, and humor.
We’re gonna need all three to make it out alive.
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Twofer Tuesday: lounge lizards
Marcel up top, watching me closely while Loki, down below, does his best impression of a narcoleptic. A much better photographer than me would be able to balance the harsh sunlight with the white fur and black fur. Makes me long for the days in the darkroom when I could dodge and burn the image. But because I should be working on my writing project rather than messing with this, I’ll let it go.
Apologies for the glare. (HA! I made a pun.)
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Healing effects
Lavender has many medicinal properties. It’s also good for the soul, especially on a gray Sunday afternoon in January. Now if only this post was a scratch-and-sniff.
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Tracy Abell 