Floating Mountain

July 13, 2024

Urban sensibilities fuel rapid social pace

With plenty of turnover and loss of meaning

Opportunities abound to consume it all

Fashionable ways to show power

Cynical ways to be entertained

Negligible returns on questionable investments

In the background a mountain floats

Above the historic events it observes

Waiting for natural forces to level the field

Bald Eagle

July 11, 2024

Soaring above me this morning

Two eagles crossed paths

Mounted separate thermals

To leave in different directions

It’s clear the government did not ask

Any bald eagle for permission

To use his image and his likeness

As the logo of a geopolitical game

Nothing would seem more ridiculous

To a creature of great vision

Than to be used in a bald faced lie

Waterfront Blues Festival

July 9, 2024

We spent Fourth of July weekend in Portland, Oregon at the Waterfront Blues Festival. I have attended many music festivals in the past. This one thrilled me more than any other. The music was diverse and of extreme high quality. We rocked our socks right off while discovering new artists.

The festival is superbly well organized with several stages in play at all times. Cajuns were well represented in musical styles and costumes. We thoroughly enjoyed our Bayou Blues Cruise on the river that featured 3 bands on 3 levels of the ship. There was plenty of room for a dancing crowd and space to rest in air conditioned comfort.

We met fun and interesting people from all over the place, many Canadians. The festival was well attended but not crowded. The most ethnically diverse crowd I have seen in Oregon was on hand in some intriguing fashion. Friendly dancing folk of all walks of life came to listen to music next to the water. I had no contact with the news at all, reveling in the moment with thousands of people in sync while creating art and beauty.

Return to reality is harsh and unpleasant. The break restored my faith and confidence in humanity. I hope I live long enough to be on hand for next year on the waterfront. It soothes the spirit and feeds the soul.

Summer Rhythm

July 9, 2024

Acting casual about the situation

She has turned up the volume and the heat

Blasting color and rambunctious sounds

Without reservation, ignorant of restraint

Splashing human souls with a liquid beat

Patriot Party

July 3, 2024

With mindless fuss and fury

The picnic table is loaded for bear

The guest list includes our kind

With no conscious awareness

Of the dangerous state of affairs

We bathe in team colors for a moment

Looking forward to grand explosions

That will work to distract from reality

By this process patriotism is redefined

Self Care Nation

July 2, 2024

Ironically enough the definition

We have created for self care

Involves buying and consuming

Various lotions, potions, and services

In a busy furious battle to unload

Our most undesirable tendencies

Onto many an unsuspecting prospect

Shifting responsibility to a product

Or a system reveals our unwillingness

To take the time to be present for life

History Repeating

June 30, 2024

Seasons melt slowly into one another

Each second brings total transformation

If the freeze frame feature of our memory

Shuffles cards we may miss the meaning

Time fluidly folding over itself in a torrent

Of rapid changes turning in ever deeper cycles

My Shrink is a Dog

June 29, 2024

Shadow was the first friend I made when I started living in Oregon for summers. He lived a mile away from me at the time. His mom was busy with her dog training business, so she hired me to give him exercise and attention. It was, and still is, a dream job. He’s moved to Forrest Grove and has a Dalmatian sister now. He and I take walks in Historic Forest Grove, which we both enjoy. He serves as my depth psychologist. I serve as his walking assistant. He is really perceptive with shadow issues.

For him the thrills are in the smells, the critters, and the action around the neighborhood. For me it’s all about the landscaping and architecture. There are a couple of trails that go through wooded areas, but we like to check out everyone’s gardens and the changes through the seasons. There are fruit trees that frequently offer low hanging fruit right above the sidewalks. This week we found ripe cherries waiting for us to discover (and eat).

Time I spend walking Shadow is as therapeutic as anything that I have ever done. He is a high quality listener who absolutely does not discriminate. He likes the songs I sing to him (because they are all about him). We are perfectly matched for walking pace. We create an atmosphere of delight on our walks.

His extremely well adjusted attitude is no accident. He lives with his family at his mom’s dog training studio. Jenn’s Dogs offers programs for a wide range of canines. Puppy Playtime is an introductory program for young dogs to experience a safe environment for supervised play. Programs to support more advanced training as well as systems to work with aggressive behaviors are all available.

I’m impressed with his behavior and leash manners. He has vocabulary buttons that can make his intentions clear. He’s a smart guy who loves to play. He’s a very well rounded dog who brings happiness to his family and friends. I am honored to be his canine companion.

Reverse

June 25, 2024

When danger looms over the horizon

The course has been obscured by riddles

It’s a natural time to make a getaway

To consider the exact opposite of this

To escape from the perpetual bending

To a center that stays open and steady

No matter how the winds are blowing