mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
You can scroll the shelf using ← and → keys
Garden Variety Glory
November 3, 2025
Rain blessed the day with gentle showers and clean clear light
Scattered rays of sunshine breaking through clouds colored
The end of the morning, creating a mosaic on the wet grass
This momentary balance between storms is only a glimpse
Into the power of nature and the glory of timeless beauty
bloomVariations
October 30, 2025
Nature’s systems show varied cycles
Taking time and weather into account
They find individual ways to express
What they have been sent here to say
Boulder Falls Healing Garden
October 3, 2025
In Lebanon, Oregon an exceptionally stunning Japanese garden grows that has been designed for healing. Arranged around a koi pond with fountains and waterfalls are rocks, trees, and floral gardens that provide privacy in serene beauty for those seeking healthier lives. The garden is connected to a hotel and conference center on a medical campus, Best Western Boulder Falls Inn. It’s popular for weddings and other special occasions as well as giving guests who are at the hospital for care a place to heal. It’s a brilliant idea and an unforgettable experience. We spent one night on our way out of Oregon. Enjoying the garden and koi pond was a superb way to begin our journey. The staff is courteous and professional, and the hotel is comfortable and well designed. The garden is what sets it apart from all other hotels. The dog loved it there.
The Gilded Age, by Mark Twain
September 22, 2025
The phrase gilded age came from the title of a humorous novel written by America’s undisputed king of wit. It was written with fellow author Charles Dudley Warner to satirize the state of affairs after the Civil War.
We are listening to the audio book, produced as a radio play, using different voices for the characters. The book comes alive as the actors portray well defined parts in a well told tale of high comedy in a historic setting. The descriptions of daily lives are vivid enough to make the listener part of the action. The dialog defines each player to the T.
I’m writing this before finishing the book (Twain and Warner wrote in the forward that they expected to have the book reviewed without being read). It is a perfect book for our times. The writing reminds us that history repeats itself with regularly. I highly recommend reading it now, for insight and lots of laughs.
Kimpton Vintage Portland
September 17, 2025
The oldest hotel in Portland, Oregon is known now as Kimpton Vintage. When it opened in 1894 it was called the Imperial Hotel. Its history includes expansion and contraction through changes in ownership. I particularly enjoy the architecture of that period, which was built when the city was riding high. I have stayed in other Kimpton properties, which I admire for the reform and restoration of historic structures. Kimpton Vintage Portland is a shining example of artful design that creates an atmosphere of elegance and hospitality.
We had a wonderful visit in an elegant corner room before a long train journey. The front desk agent, Ben, convinced us to return at the end of our trip. We asked him what was happening on the 9th floor on the balconies. He told us about the jacuzzi suites available, then booked one for us.
This was a perfect grand finale to our trip. The hotel has a daily complimentary wine happy hour with excellent local wines. The convivial lobby event gives guests a cozy way to meet each other. We met a fellow guest who had borrowed the free bike the hotel offers to ride across the bridge to survey the city.
Too many superb options exist for dining within walking distance of the hotel. We only had time to visit a couple old favorites on our stay.
I love staying downtown Portland to experience history in a modern context. I have now found the perfect place to enjoy that. It’s a short walk to the waterfront, my fave place to stroll. Public transportation is super convenient and efficient. Cosmopolitan living at its finest is available for visitors to the Rose City. Dogs are welcome.
Dawn Song
September 14, 2019
lightLights and shadows creep over the mountains at dawn
Bright colors slowly appear to illuminate this day
Every time the sun rises there is a new opportunity
To see clearly and to sing in harmony with all of nature
Rush
September 11, 2019
imaginary place
We flow between seasons, obligations and reasons
To rush from one moment to a never ending line of others
Our escape into imaginary regions preserves imagination
For the times that we can glimpse a reflection of eternity
Watch Party
September 10, 2019
WatchersThe night begins with music. Waltzes fill the air with sounds
The costumed creatures take their places whirling all around
The frenzy mounts to a crazy pitch while the watchers gather
To see the dancing figures form a circle and change to smoke from matter
The crowd disappeared beneath the dust and the flaming sky
Nobody bothered to look back or ask the question why
Lizard Sun
September 8, 2019
lizard on cactus
Stillness and sunlight fill the desert with color, revealing detail
Of creatures as they go about the business of living with extremes
Lizard lingers in the sun on a cactus, surveying the possibilities
lizard on cactus
Retreat
September 7, 2019
Retreat into the center to find the truth beneath the breath
The way is cleared, obstacles are removed from the path
In stillness.
The mind heals itself in silence.
reflection
mermaidcamp 