ON THE 21ST FLOOR

Photo by S. Auberle

Interesting to occasionally move up in the world. Though I am, at heart and in all ways, a tree-hugging nature woman, now and then I do like a different view. Very cool to look out from this eagle aerie-like perch and watch a silver sheet of rain move up the river. See the storm arrive as if I were watching a movie of it, rather than the real thing. No sweet smell of wet foliage, no wind, just rain slashing against the glass. Unimpressive, muffled thunder as I look down and watch rainbows of umbrellas swirling on the shiny black streets. The lightning, however, is a different story. Up here it's a bit too close for comfort...

- mimi

TRANSFORMATION

Photo by S. Auberle

writing from the heart

a transformation happens

words turn into wings

- mimi

ONE MORE

Photo by S. Auberle

Abstract apple?

No, the bottom of my glass of juice.

Okay, won't bore you with any more of these Miksang shots, at least for awhile. Going to be off the blogwaves for a bit--taking a writing workshop, traveling, family things...all good stuff.

Back soon...

- mimi

PEONY

Photo by S. Auberle

More Miksang.

Prettier.

Confused? (see below post as to the definition of Miksang)

LOVE it!

- mimi

MIKSANG

Photo by S. Auberle

A moonlit beach on a starry night?

Nope, seagull poop on the side of my car. (You can make art out of most anything.)

Currently reading about the art of Miksang, from Robert Genn's Twice Weekly Newsletter:

"The art of Miksang was begun as a meditational tool by Shambala Buddhists, but it has implications for painters and other creative people. The idea is to find joy and awareness by attending to the minor and seemingly insignificant--the colors, patterns, and textures that exist in the close-up world. Miksang is a Tibetan word that means "good eye." Shambalas think widespread use might lead to more compassionate and enlightened societies."

For examples of Miksang and links to sites, go to: http://clicks.robertgenn.com/checklist.php

I've been taking such photos for some time now, and didn't realize there was a name for them. I find it fascinating. Now WHERE did I put the Windex?

- mimi

CASPIAN TERN

Photo by S. Auberle

sunny afternoon

target fish cannot hide from

swift arrowed archer

- mimi

IN MY TIME

Photo by S. Auberle

Mary Oliver wrote a poem called "Gratitude" in which she answers eight questions. I haven't seen the poem, but I like the idea. I like the idea of stopping to think what I'm grateful for--whether for an hour, a day, or a lifetime. These are my answers to the eight questions--for one day...

1). What did I notice? Shafts of sunlight filtering down through trees...how the light seemed holy.

2) What did I hear? A tiny bird with a huge song, right above my head.

3).What did I admire? A long row of irises beside an old stone wall.

4). What astonished me? An iridescent beetle that looked like an Egyptian scarab.

5). What would I like to see again? Everything

6). What was most tender? An old man and a dog, with a small boy, flying his first kite.

7). What was most wonderful? Hearing my loved ones' voices.

8). What did I think was happening? What I know was happening is that these moments--right here, right now--are the happy days.

- mimi

A POSSIBILITY OF GHOSTS

Photo by S. Auberle

When lilacs last in the dooryard bloomed...

I don't have access to my copy of Whitman, but I know these words are either a title or a line in one of his poems. And the old house appears to be from Whitman's time.

There is a poignancy in this place, of course, a bittersweet reminder of passing time. A sense of history, a possibility of ghosts. And wonder, of course--who lived there? Who built the fine old barn behind the house? I could look it up, but prefer my own made-up characters birthing, loving, dying there. Lives well and truly lived. Not that our lives today aren't equally experienced, it's just that sometimes the boundaries and containment of life in that little house seems more appealing than today's crazy-making pace of life.

In actuality, probably not...

- Mimi

JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT

Photo by S. Auberle

"I tried to train myself to be a realist. I am not cynical. To me it is can you get through this life with a good heart? That has been my struggle. With all the injustices and all the things that piss you off, to try to get the heart to rebound. And bloom again, you know?"

- Joni Mitchell

(from the documentary film

Woman of Heart & Mind)