3 1/2 skulls, first winter storm, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
December 1st, 2007, photo © 2007 by QuoinMonkey.
All rights reserved.
sun sinks in gray skies
winter drops her grainy pearls
3 1/2 skulls
-posted on red Ravine, Saturday, December 1st, 2007
Very clever QM 😉
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I got up early this morning, last-minute packing before I board the plane and head for a week of writing and silence in Taos. I had time to walk through the park this morning, through the stillness the snow creates. Minnesota in winter is deep. Quiet.
I’m at the Blue Moon Cafe getting my last iced tea for a week. The people come in, bundled and happy. Rosy-cheeked and glowing. Everyone invigorated.
I want to get to the zendo and be amongst writers. But I don’t want to leave my home. I wonder if others boarding the plane for Albuquerque can’t bear to leave yet can’t wait to get there.
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One of the fellow writing retreaters arrived to Albuquerque yesterday at about 4. He drove out to my town, joined me and Jim and the girls for a Starlight Parade, which was kind of goofy and corny. We stood in the cold, the wind was blowing. As he left to his car to drive to Santa Fe for the night before getting to Taos today, Jim pointed to me and yelled, “I bet she’s wishing she got to go to Taos, too.” And, not knowing Jim was going to say this, I yelled, “I’m envious!”
I always want to say something like, Have a great sit, but that’s silly. Safe travels, Teri.
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QM,
I love the haiku/photo combination. The melding of the two forms draws out new aspects of both. In a way, with the placement of the ruler, it’s performance art. Maybe Liz could record the haiku, and then what?
I miss the snow. In Atlanta we’re lucky if we get a half an inch a year. Ice storms are more frequent, but they’re treacherous.
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Thanks everyone. Just getting to the day here, second cup of French Roast. Liz is sitting at the computer in her pajamas. We are listening to traditional Chirstmas music. Snow is everywhere. I’m in the mood.
C. I asked her about recording the haiku. She smiled, then laughed, then we both went, “Oh, my gosh, everyone knows who you are!”
No, seriously, that’s a great idea to try to start recording some of these haiku. ybonesy and I haven’t gotten that far in our blog experimentation. More to come this next year.
I do like mixing the photos with the haiku. I have always mixed text with my photographs, even when I was doing my straight-up black and white work in the darkroom. I appreciate your vote of confidence.
I didn’t know Atlanta got any snow at all? I remember how much I loved when we moved to Pennsylvania when I was a kid and I could experience the magic of snow.
Of course, today I have to go out and shovel it after I’m a little more awake! And, I just rolled up my pajamas, and walked out on the deck armed with my California Academy of Science Skulls Ruler.
The storm brought in EXACTLY 4 SKULLS. Off to more coffee. Louis Armstrong is singing walking in a winter wonderland. 8)
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Teri, sounds like you had a lovely ritual this morning before heading to Taos for the silent writing retreat. Every time I go, I have the same feeling: don’t want to leave home, can’t wait to get there.
I had some pangs of wishing I was there this morning. But I sure wasn’t up for the great effort it takes to drive 1200 miles to Taos, or fly into ABQ, catch the shuttle or drive the few hours to Taos, see everyone, get set up in my room, and head into silence.
On the other hand, it sounds like heaven. Exactly right for December. Safe travels to you. Like ybonesy, I want to say, “Sit well,” too. And I bet you’d even know what I meant. Give everyone there our best. We’ll be thinking about you all this week.
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ybonesy, I’ve got some twinges of missing Taos already. I think the quiet that the snow brought this weekend added to my longing. It’s so quiet out here under the oaks, full blown snow all around. Is there any snow on the ground in New Mexico?
Last night, we did some cleaning and I grabbed a pile of mail from a table in the hallway and placed it on the computer desk. I didn’t look at what was there.
This morning after I put the coffee on to brew, I picked up the pile and shuffled through it. There were a few old bills, and two postcards that I’m sure came while I was out of town and Liz meant to set aside for me.
What were the 2 postcards?
1) a postcard from Mabel Dodge announcing Natalie’s workshops next year. One of Natalie’s paintings is on the front, Pastry Shop. The painting reminds me of the spread of food at Mabel Dodge. And, of course, of Natalie. The postcard also reminded me that I want to consider going back next year for a silent retreat.
2) a postcard from Poetry Magazine which is part of The Poetry Foundation, with a blurb about poetry, including prose poetry, haiku, however you define poetry. Natalie, who started out as a poet, taught me to really love poetry.
Here’s the poem:
Here’s to fully inhabiting our lives. And living each moment to the best of our abilities – two things I learned to do better by studying with Natalie Goldberg in Taos.
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Enveloped in grey
So dense, can’t see beyond it
Snow…and memory.
(Just a quick, 10 second thought! Thought I’d share!)
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Scaramastra, you’re back. And in good form, too. Love your haiku. Snow…and memory have that little hook and twist at the end that make for good haiku. Thank you for sharing. 8)
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Cool. You know I like skulls:)
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Hi QM. Just re-reading the comments in this post. Cool about the two postcards. I like the quote you pulled out and how it led back to your gratitude for studying with Natalie.
As for snow on the ground…my understanding was that on Sat or Sun, there was maybe a foot in higher elevations up north, in and around Taos. I doubt it lasted more than the day (except in the mountains). Blue sky, cold temperatures, but not cold enough to keep snow on the ground.
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Thanks, LB. 8)
ybonesy, I hope some of the snow sticks for them. I remember last December, there was so much snow on the ground. And in the daytime, crystal blue skies. It was a lovely time to be there.
And I want to add, I just spent another 1 1/2 hours shoveling tonight before dinner! We got another 6 inches of snow today. It started in the morning and fell like rain. BEAUTIFUL. It’s like a winter wonderland in Minnesota. White Christmas for sure.
Oh, and this heating pad feels so good on these old bones!
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