Ponderings

I spend a lot of time thinking about people I know and have known, and how they have impacted my life. Some people breeze through our lives, and make no lasting impact, and others can shape much of who we become. I was fortunate to have a teacher in high school that was one of those people that makes a lasting, positive influence, and from her, I learned many things that I realize now are completely ingrained in my personality and belief system.

I had Mrs. Mac (her nickname) for college prep English in the 10th grade, and she also taught a public speaking course, which I took for all three years of high school. So by my calculation, I had the benefit of being in her presence for roughly 650 hours of my life, during what was a very impressionable time… Continue Reading

“Curiosity killed the cat.” I have never put much stock in this saying, but it gets quoted to me with great frequency. I am a worshiper in the cult of curiosity. I have always felt that if the cat was clever enough, unfavorable consequences and death could be avoided. Perhaps that is the origin of the other cat myth, that they have nine lives. Maybe they need them because they are curious, and the ramifications of avid curiosity are sometimes unavoidable… Continue Reading

I’m fine
That’s okay
It doesn’t matter
I didn’t notice
No problem
In a minute
There are no stupid questions
No offense, but… Continue Reading

One gray hair
tide falls, leaving gifts
seaweed, gather shells, misty moon slides down
deer pauses, watches, still
I breathe out

Two gray hairs
sun rises
heron stands sentry, watches, waits
terns gather, confer, rise, sing, circle
I breathe in

Five gray hairs, a wrinkle
Spider spins, weaves, waits, still
tides turn, sun sparkles, fire, fades
Milky Way irridescent
I breathe out

More gray, more lines
salmon surge, leap, retreat, rest, wait
dry grass whispers to autumn wind, rising
I spin, weave, watch, wait
orange moon rises
I breathe in

S. Berry Continue Reading

When I headed out Saturday for a hike, it was a pre-designated data gathering day, volunteering for MeadoWatch. Because of that, it was not going to be a speed hiking day…not that it was going to be anyway, since lately I find myself to be a tad bit out of shape. Moreover, the nature and intent of my hikes has been changing slowly over time.

When I started out hiking, I had grand designs. I was going to hike every trail in Mt. Rainier National Park. I was going to train hard and attempt to summit. The first year, I was proud of myself because I hiked every single week at the mountain, from April through October, rain, shine, or swirling snow… Continue Reading