July 2, 2009

They're an unlikely couple,

this butterfly and spider;

Beauty and the Beast

of the insect world.

But they seemed to co-exist just fine,

sitting like that for a good long time.

Maybe chatting about the day's events,

swapping stories on mutual friends,

or just enjoying the lovely weather.

They're the cutest couple

I've seen in a long time.

July 1, 2009

I have unknowingly trained myself

to look at the price of unleaded gas

at every station I pass.

Even if I have a full tank,

I automatically glance at the sign

to see the price of the moment.

Is it more than I most recently paid?

Is it less here than it is there?

Is it skyrocketing up

or spiraling down?

If there's a gas station nearby,

my eyes are on it.

Except for this evening.

We were leaving a store

when a stunning sunset appeared

on the horizon.

Brilliant peaches and oranges

painted the sky,

mixing with heavy gray storm clouds

that were slowly rolling in.

I grabbed my camera,

started shooting

and suddenly noticed the $2.49

at the bottom of my viewfinder.

In a battle for my attention,

the glowing sky

won hands-down

over the glowing gas price.

Thank goodness!

The cost of anything

should never overshadow

priceless, natural beauty.

June 30, 2009

This perfectly shaped heart

serves as a soft landing place

for raindrops

and a sweet reminder that

love is everywhere.

June 29, 2009

No matter which direction you're heading

or how long it takes to get there,

remember that the challenges

you face along the way

may resemble roadblocks now

but will eventually look like gifts

in your rear view mirror.

June 28, 2009

A friend gave me

a bouquet of flowers today

for no reason,

which I happen to think

is the best reason of all

to give someone flowers.

We tend to reserve flowers

for birthdays and weddings

and get well wishes,

which is always a lovely gesture.

But flowers given

for no special reason

are sometimes the most

meaningful of all.

June 27, 2009

The storm clouds rolled out

just in time for sunset

and the great green earth

glowed beneath its rich, golden rays.

Leaves turned translucent,

cattails shimmered,

and tree branches swayed and stretched

like concertgoers reaching

for the brightest star on stage.

June 26, 2009

"Holy moly! What is that!?"

I was sitting at a stoplight

near the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis

when I noticed a giant

transparent ball/orb/balloon

seemingly dangling in mid-air

above the museum,

dancing in the sunlight.

I couldn't wait to find out

what the Walker had up its' sleeves

(and up in the air)!

So, here's the deal:

that two-story super-sphere,

aptly called the Iridescent Planet,

was created by artist Tomas Saraceno

to celebrate his Lighter Than Air exhibition.

Solar panels are suspended inside the balloon,

which gets to hang outside

on certain sunny days.

Lest you think it's easy

to install a gigantic balloon outside,

this great collection of photos shows

just how much work it took!

June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson

was a true original.

Magic maker,

moon walker,

music master,

generous genius.

A troubled man in the mirror,

an innocent child at heart,

he made the entire world

want to dance.

May he be remembered

for all the good he gave us.

This video of him performing

"Gone Too Soon"

for the Clintons in 1992

is now quite chilling.

June 24, 2009

I swear that mama duck is smiling,

proud that all her little ones

are sticking with her

and not behaving badly.

I think it's hard enough

with two little chicklets;

a half dozen

would more than ruffle my feathers!

It's so sweet

how they watch and wait

for Mama to make her next move,

swimming when she swims,

sitting when she sits.

Despite the busy world around them -

the people, the traffic, and more -

she is clearly the center of their universe

and they are the center of hers.

June 23, 2009

This wall of tall grasses

reminds me of the brave people in Iran

who are banding together,

bending without breaking,

moving in solidarity

with inspiring confidence

and heartfelt hope,

all in the name of freedom.

Their reality is unreal to me,

their uprising so uplifting.

I am moved to look around

and appreciate all the little things

that I am free

to have and be and do and say.

Let freedom ring.

June 22, 2009

Welcome, summer!

For nine months of the year,

we are pregnant with longing for you

and now you're finally here,

hot as can be.

I adore your

long and leisurely evenings,

panting pups and sticky kids,

fireflies and camp fires,

sunscreen and sun showers,

ice cream cones and sherbet flowers.

Please stay a while, summer.

We've only just begun.