summer

the snakes of summer are upon us.

beware the teeth of heat,

listen for the rattle of triple digits.
catch the sun
 coiled on skin
scaled with sweat.

and so it begins

matrix

in the search for the mind and soul, it is wise to understand that the body is not the true self, but it is also wise to maintain the body. there should be neither denial nor mortification of the flesh, but it takes a wise person to both maintain the body and look beyond it.
--365 tao, day 238

enough yellow already

something like this

labels

reject labels.
reject identities.
reject conformity.
reject convention.
reject definitions.
reject names.
--365 tao, day 232

the first

photo by rraine
editing assisted (a lot) by j.d. morehouse

i love my new camera.

after the storm

if this doesn't get you moving of a monday,
(and maybe into tuesday), well...

new year's resolutions

today i am 59. i have completed 59 years, and go
waltzing into the 60th.
i don't have words to describe just how weird this is.
i never, ever expected to live this long. or wanted to.

be that as it may, things change. and so have i.

i decided that it is more fitting to give rather
than receive on my birthday. for all of you, infusions of light,
that awaken the highest and best in us all, on all levels,
that we may all prosper and grow, daily.
the local folks also get chocolate cupcakes!

this being a new year, i have some intentions.

as i refine my "seeing", i take lots of increasingly fine photos.
i get a better camera. (in the works as we speak.)
i tell the truth. to myself.
i travel to places that i haven't seen before.
i deepen my existing relationships, and create some new ones.
i write MUCH better poetry. (can't get much worse-no wait, i'm not rod mckuen bad yet.)
i learn to play the harmonica.
i continue to celebrate each day by asking, "what good comes my way today?"
and then i find it.
of course, i continue with yoga, as my guiding light.
maybe, just maybe, i'll do a dropback.
oh yes- i WILL rock and roll!

and then there's this:

i can say, i'm in much better shape than junior:

and some days are like this:

no matter. i'll take them all.

essence

the essence of life shall never be known by a human being
as long as that person seeks to observe life like viewer and object.
the absolutely essential nature of life can only be comprehended
by merging fully with the flow of life, so that one is utterly a part of it.
--365 tao, day 208

unexpectant

meditate with no thought of gain.

expect no ambitions to be fulfilled;

only then will the inner force manifest.

--365 tao, day 202

prickly heat

sizzle

it's just too damn hot for words. at least,
my words.

heart of gold

in the interest of full disclosure, i love neil young.
i don't care how old, fat, or hairless he gets.
i think he's damn brilliant, and beyond sexy.
so, neil-call me.

exploding worlds

above all, be compassionate. this is a stand
against all evil, and it opens your spirit.
--365 tao, day 191

buddha was right

attachment causes suffering.

my camera broke.
i have to send it to texas for repair.
fortunately, it's still under warranty.

but, but...
it's going to be gone for a minimum of 2 weeks!
(nothing like being forcibly detached from yet another thing
from which i need to detach.)

also fortunately, i have been very graciously given a loaner camera.
of course, i don't know how to use it.
that i can rectify, since i've already downloaded the manual.

but, but...
ok, enough whining.

i've been vacillating about getting a better camera for a while now. guess this is my chance to make up my mind. there are just so damn many ways to go. doing the research has just confused me even more. pixels, sensor size, lenses, cost, memory cards, dust cleaning, video, batteries, battery life, etc, etc, etc. then there's all the stuff about which i am more or less totally ignorant, and likely to remain that way, lest my head explode.

so any suggestions or guidance would be greatly appreciated. please, chime in.
or just tell me what to do!

reach out and up

don't tell me
of the redhot longing
in bloodshot eyes,
looking skyward.
i don't care.
if you want the sky,
go there.

twisted

summer witness

summer blurs, blues

i know i'd feel much better on this beach.