Those eyes...

spring moon
in your eyes
already knowing

ag / 2012

Today

I give myself
permission to drift
with a breeze that bends
the tip of a limb 

to float on 
the high and low notes 
of birdsong at dusk
and pink clouds of a day's yawn

to listen to a blade
of grass whistle its green
or to know what a stone 
takes for granted

I give myself permission
to daisy dream of roots 
tickled by the soil
while tickling it back

wherin the wings
of a hummingbird's hum
would I hide feeding
on the nectar of honeysuckle vine

today
I give myself permission

ag / 2012

Just because I can't have it...

I started a gluten-free diet about six months ago for health reasons, and I do feel better.  I believed that the hardest parting would be with my beloved pasta (macaroni as a-way-of-life growing up as a kid).  But I'm really ok losing the pasta mainly because after all these years - it's the sauce that really matters.   I continue to eat and cook chicken, seafood and yes even brown rice with a wholesome tomato, basil and garlic sauce.

However after seeing a nicely browned grilled cheese sandwich with the cheese oozing out of the pocket on Pinterest, my craving for this basic sandwich came as such a surprise.  Actually, I rarely ate it before I embarked on the gluten-free diet.  Every once in awhile though, I would treat myself to this comfort food and guilty pleasure made with a hearty fontina or havarti cheese and slathered with some butter on the outside for pan or grill frying.  Simply gooey cheese - no tomato - I am a purist in some traditions!  I would happily endure the non heart-healthy guilt for such a simple meal with a pickle and glass of iced tea on the side.  But in a serious and delayed effort to acknowledge and deal with high cholesterol and coronary artery disease, honestly called "Andrea finally and begrudgingly decides to grow up"  (a little), I gave myself over to a newer and more sustainable and sensible way of life and diet.  Funny how the small stuff gets to you after all.  The one other food that I would add to my "sorry to see it go list"  is spicy noodles in peanut sauce, again a once-in-awhile fun food. 

Aha, maybe that's it - more than just the taste it's the fun in these foods that I really miss!  Maybe, just maybe it's all really worth it as long as I can enjoy and indulge in my beloved dark and darker chocolate.  I am so happy that dark chocolate (in small amounts) is now considered "good for you" and heart-healthy.  Honestly though, it would not matter.  Chocolate and me forever.  You cannot say that about too many things, so choose carefully those life-rich indulgences and heartily enjoy!!!

                                                              pining for you

                                                              on my new diet

                                                              mac and cheese*   

*ag/2012 ~ published in Modern Haiku ~ winter 2012

Winter Wood Eyes

It's been a winter without snow here in New Jersey.  Therefore, I get to focus much more closely on the brush and stone, moss and lichen.  The colors, although a bit more subtle than spring and summer blooms, are vibrant just the same.  When I traipse through the winter woodland  I never feel alone.  Somehow eyes peek out at me and spy with a curious countenance.  The expressions are priceless and lest anyone think that I am losing it (like my brother) - see for yourself.

Wintergreen face

Puddingstone with a smile

Feigning sleep

Mouse eyes with a lichen and leaf beret.

The only one with sharp looking teeth!

I like this happy guy.  A sweet bark face.

This one looks a little confused - I can relate.

I always smile back.

You lookin' at me?

winter hike

stopping often  to catch

a backwards glance

That slant of sunlight...

Alright, today was supposed to be a serious call to action - tax preparation and a fiscal account of last year's income vs. expenses/outlay.  Oh yes, I have not been able to see the top of my desk for weeks, and my plans to buckle down to (boring) work were in place.  But once again,  my muse beckoned.  This morning (after tea and a corn muffin), I found some seed pods that I had saved in my pocket for a photo session while searching for a dog treat.  Quick to take advantage of a new slant on housework, I decided to start my day of organizing by taking photos of these seeds so that I could easily discard them (this is the organization piece).  And I did.  And then I decided to photograph pretty tissue paper in a gift bag so that I could discard it too.  And I did.  Ditto on the organization piece.  Next thing I decided was that the light is better upstairs in my studio.  This was my big mistake.  I was a goner.  The sun was like butterscotch - golden, gooey and addictive.  I moved around the room as fast as I could playing with artsy objects and setting up a photo shoot with a mix of mounting excitement and fascination.  Could I do it?  Capture the light and opalescent color?  Would the 'Universe' excuse me from doing my homework one more day?  (Of course it would ~ ergo my strong belief in abundance although I do push my limits here too).  Would I find another opportunity like this?  One and a half hours and 138 photos later, I captured some light-filled moments. 

Shucks.  Just a little too late for taxes and desk work but a few beauties to share:

View looking out one of my studio windows.

year of the dragon

its seduction

of color

ag ~ 2012

Day Trip

Just a beautiful winter day and yes we still have some country roads to ride in northern NJ

I think he liked having his photo taken.

Here's lookin at you kid...

Lafayette, NJ

Hamburger and a Coke at a local pub (not me - I'm taking the photo)

The Seduction of Romance

What is romance?  What is romantic?  As with any art, the answer lies in the heart of the beholden.  It may be flowers on Valentines day, a wedding proposal on one knee...etc.  However, I relate best to the romance of life in moments of simple living with joy, humor, beauty, solitude, whisps of melancholia and yes even those sorrowing times of loss.

Lately I have come to realize that for me, romance is always more romantic after the fact.  Somehow I tend to fully recognize and absorb it best over time and through reflection.  I am also one of those people who comes up with a brilliant retort after the conversation is over.  I'm not complaining, just pondering. 

only in hindsight ...

pillow mint

what I know of romance

in hindsight

november rain

what I know of romance

only in hindsight

morning breeze

what I know of romance

now in hindsight