Hanging By A Thread, Reflecting, Taos, New Mexico,
February 2007, photo © 2007-2009 by QuoinMonkey.
All rights reserved.
how true Cupid’s aim?
one arrow, a dozen hearts
hang in the balance
Note: Single, married, dating, abstaining, none of the above, there is always someone to love; someone who loves you. And so many more different kinds of love than romantic. Tell a friend or family member you love them today; hearts hang in the balance.
Gratitude to all who have loved. And Happy Valentine’s Day to our readers, straight from the heart. A few more related posts, and more thoughts on love: Valentine (Nebraska), Goodnight Valentine’s, valentine haiku, WRITING TOPIC: KINDS OF LOVE, haiku 2 (one-a-day).
-posted on red Ravine, Saturday, February 14th, 2009
This is a great question posed in Haiku form, very clean and well written – not an easy task.
Anyhow, sending you a fond thank you for being here, QuoinMonkey. G
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Happy Valentine’s Day to you too, QuoinMonkey, and to Ybonesy!
This post is a lovely celebration of love and gratitude. 🙂
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Thank you G. and Robin. And Happy Heart Day to you both. The haiku came in a dream this morning. I actually got this post ready last night but couldn’t land on a haiku. Then I woke up with this one in my brain, quickly got up and wrote it down on a Post-It. Dreams…I wish I could pay even more attention to them.
When Valentine’s Day rolls around I can’t help but think of the years I was single and how hard it can be to be single on Valentine’s Day. Or to be a person who has just lost a loved one.
Liz and I were watching the coverage of the Buffalo plane crash victims and just weeping last night. It’s hard to imagine what the family members who knew Beverly Eckert, the widow of Sean Rooney (who was killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks) must be going through to have lost both family members. And on Sean’s 58th birthday.
And she is only one of the many who died on that plane: members of a sports team, a woman who went to school at St. Mary’s in MN and played ice hockey, heading to a team reunion, a woman who had done Civil Rights work in Rwanda, Chuck Mangione’s band members, the mother and daughter in the house the plane hit — all different kinds of love. Everything extends out from there; so many people affected.
There is a lot of suffering and heartbreak in the world. It just seems like a good day to honor the fact that we are able to love at all. All kinds of love.
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QM, I love these photos from Taos & your haiku is so is touching & brings a tear to my eyes.I think it is perfect for the post. Glad you got up & jotted it down!
So, Happy Valentines Day to you & Liz, ybonesy & her family, & to all who visit redRavine! Much love…D
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Happy Heart Day, diddy. And to the family there. I recycled a couple of these photos from Taos, cropped them for fun. Can’t believe it’s been two years since I took them. They are some of the best heart photos I have. Big hugs to all!
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Thanks for the haiku and the pictures of the hearts from Taos.
Last time I was there, I checked to see if they still hung from the branches on the walk and outside the zendo window. They are gone.
Love to you both, ybonesy and QuoinMonkey and to all the people who drop by to read what is posted on this wonderful site.
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Happy Valentine’s Day, QM. I love your haiku and agree with G, it’s a great question. And of course, those hearts always bring a smile to my face, thinking about that February in Taos. Did we ever find out who hung the hearts? Was it Bob?
I’m still laid up with sciatica. I’m so sorry to be absent like this, but the pain is almost unbearable. Right now I am lying on the rug in my bedroom—a wool rug on a hardwood floor is the perfect pressure for my hip—two pillows tucked under my head, and my laptop on my stomach. Not the best position and probably not a whit of good for my sacrum. That’s the part that is affected, it seems. Might have been slipped by that wonderful horseback ride that I wrote to tell you about. Bliss at the time. Oh, and Dr. L tells me that sacrum has to do with roles. Too much mothering, perhaps? I’ve always strained to balance that role with all my others.
But it will pass. Just haven’t felt this much pain in a long time. I think I prefer the pain of labor, which is over in 12 hours or so, versus this.
My friend from Brazil will be here soon. The girls are all out on excursions. And I’m a pained wreck. Sigh. Not my best Valentine’s Day.
But QM, since I’ll be shutting down my computer as soon as I’m done with this comment, I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and appreciate you, too. Your email this morning was so sweet. Thanks for holding down the fort and posting such great stuff this past week. You’re the best blog partner ever!!
Happy Valentines Day everyone. Hope yours is filled with peace and joy and not even a hint of pain. 8)
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Bob, your comment must have hit at the same time as mine. Were you the cupid in Taos hanging hearts in the trees??
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QuoinMonkey,
Your comment about being single on Valentine’s Day is true, so true. When you’re alone (and don’t want to be), it is no fun to have a light glaring on the facts on February 14th. There’s lots of pressure to be doing something fun, fun, fun, too. “What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?” is a common question, and the people asking it are always in a couple, and they know you are alone.
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Bob, I imagine someone snapped those hearts right up. I was so struck by how beautiful they looked in that silent workshop, sparkling against the earthy landscape. Happy Heart Day! So glad you are in my life.
Mickey, thank you for stopping by. I think it’s especially hard when couples are insensitive to people around them that might be single. And it’s a Holiday so geared to being in a couple. I appreciate your comment and hope the rest of your day is a peaceful one.
ybonesy, so sorry you are still laid up with the sciatica. Harder than the pain of labor, ugh! That really says something. And thanks so much for your comment. I’ve been thinking about you the last few days, sending good energy. I remember that comment you made about the horseback ride; it sounded so wonderful. Hmmmm.
Take it easy this weekend. Liz and I were going to go out today for a bit, too, but she’s not feeling well either. Seems like she might be coming down with something. It might be a reading day. 8)
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ybonesy, was I the Cupid that hung the hearts? You know I can’t fly. My little wings can’t carry this much weight. I’m off to deliver Valentine’s Day presents in the dark of night to friends in the ‘hood…unarmed (i.e. I’m leaving my bow and arrows at home).
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ybonesy, sorry to read that you are in so much pain. Am sending healing vibes from the East Coast. And yes, QuoinMonkey is a champ to hold down the ravine. It’s a lot of work . . . much beautiful, thoughtful work.
I feel safer here than at my own blog to express my sadness at how weary I am that my heart continues to hang in the balance with my blood family. No Valentines from any of them, but emails and phones messages about whether or not I had been a good daughter and sent out a Valentine to my parents. I had, but I still feel watched and monitored by them after nearly 56 years.
How do a make my heart less of a target for them? How is it possible that they can both pierce my heart and leave it hanging in the balance at the same time?
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Thinking of you ybonesy and hoping you can move more easily today. My heart is full of thanks to you and Qm for the amazing writing table you’ve created for us here.
Cat naps, Sunday morn
Buster rises on Paul’s chest
My twin loves at home
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For Bob,
Sacred mountain view
ruby heart spins in light breeze
scratching pens, shuffling footsteps
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A very heartfelt post with such lovely photos.
Yes, I think if people celebrated all kinds of love instead of just on Valentine’s Day, I think the world would be much forgiving of each other as well as compassionate.
Happy belated Valentine’s Day to you and yb! I was busy these past couple of days, and plus my little sister’s birthday was on Valentine’s Day! lol
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QM, We are relaxing after a day at a suprise B-day party for D.D.. What a great time! I always miss having you at these special events! I wanted (but forgot) to take my stuffed QM along. Sorry! The food was out of this world!
I feel for ybonesy. I am having the same thing today, though not to the extent that she is. Believe me, I’ve been in the same pain that she is experiencing. The best cure for relief for me has been a good rub down with the Vicks Vaporub & a moist heating pad. (Beats the heck out taking all the high powered drugs that only mask the pain) Vicks offers a cream version & J is so sweet in rubbing it on. Hope you are feeling better yb! I’ve suffered for over 15 years now.
Any how, now I’m curious as to who the heart cupid was. From what I’ve read of Bob’s posts & comments, I think he has the kind heart to do something like that.
I also hope that Liz is feeling better! Good energy being sent from PA to both yb & Liz. D
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Thanks for the kind thoughts y’all. This sciatica—and/or other nerve problems—seem to plague a lot of folks I’ve been talking to lately, and they are so empathetic when I tell them how extraordinary the pain is. Yes, yes, yes, they tell me. I don’t know how folks live with this kind of thing for years on end. It is just horrid.
I feel slightly better today. I laid on a flat long cushion on the hard wood almost the whole day. Watched a movie—Namesake (had read the book a while and loved it…movie was good, too) —and even took a nap there. Slightly less pain from yesterday, and I’m hopeful that after tonight and maybe more resting tomorrow I’ll be back to normal this week.
Thanks for the tip on Vicks Vaporub, diddy. That was what we always used in my house growing up.
Laura, wonderful to hear from you.
And you, Flannista, bless your heart. Keep writing through the pain.
Bob, I think there are earth-bound cupids, too. Slow-walking ones.
QM, how’s Liz doing? Hope you’ve had a good weekend.
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yb, Never Never Give Up. I have a sign in my living room with those words. I try to live by those words every day.
Been through it all. I’ve gone throuth PT etc. & even epidural injections. My situation is probably much different than yours. I have genetic disc disease & even a surgeon has said that it is too dangerous for surgery. Learn your limits & stick by them, no matter what. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Bless you, I feel your pain. D
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Great photos! I wished my love a Happy Valentine’s Day from afar, as we are on different continents.
The best to both of you!
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QM — Beautiful post … all of it, photos, haiku and comments. Thank you for the most beautiful valentine.
YB, so sorry to hear about your pain. When it is better, maybe you can find a yoga teacher to help you. Yoga really helped to “cure” my occasional sciatic flare-ups (that and a good chiropractic adjustment.) I am sorry for your crippling pain.
And sorry, too, Flannista, for your heartache. Love is complicated with families … especially the rather dysfunctional one that I grew-up in. There is no way to “fix” it. For me, the decision is about how I choose to be in relationship with my family. Writing helps. I asked Natalie Goldberg once, “How do you keep writing through the pain?” She answered, “Keep your hand moving.” It was good advice.
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Thanks to all who have stopped by here and left a little of their hearts. Wonderful to read. I took a little online time off yesterday and went to the studio. Also went to hear a writer last night so am just getting to checking in.
Stevo, love spanning two different continents. How to bridge that gap? That’s got to be pure love between you two. Thanks for stopping by.
Flannista, all good questions. How to move through old family pain. I’m so sorry you are feeling all that. For myself, I can relate to the tools that yb and breathepeace have mentioned. And for me, setting boundaries that I work within has helped, too. It’s helped me to let go of some of that old pain.
breathepeace, A~lotus, diddy, Laura, Bob, thanks to all for stopping by. And for the beautiful haiku!
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diddy, I forgot to mention, thanks so much for your note about taking little QuoinMonkey along! She was there in Spirit. Sounds like the family had a great time at D.D.’s birthday. Wish I could have been there. And I’m already salivating over the wonderful family recipes I probably missed. 😦
Liz is doing a little better. She’s been a little tired and pale the last week. Lots of sickness going on where she works, kind of late winter flu going around. She rested a lot last weekend though.
ybonesy, hope you are continuing to improve. Miss you on red Ravine! Two heads and hearts are so much better than one! 8)
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QM, my heart is very heavy tonight. I have 2 relatives clinging to life. My Dads only surviving sibling has been sent home from a hospital to die of cancer that runs in the family. It is cancer of the prostate that overcame my eldest uncle, my Dad was diagnosed with & is now cancer free. The middle sibling was diagnosed before Dad, but all 3 took different medical approaches.
Another relative, who is married to my Mom’s brother has had a major stroke. She is 85 & refuses further medical treatment, though she is in the hospital for the 2nd time this week.
So, as this post implies, my heart is hanging in the balance.
Sorry to air it all here, but I hope fellow readers will send good energy to them & our family in this difficult time. Always…D
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diddy, how very sad. I’m so sorry to hear of this news. Bless your heart.
QM, I’m getting better each day. Hope to be back to commenting and posting and all that soon. Like, tomorrow. Whew, I’ve missed it.
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Oh, diddy, I’m so sorry to hear that. It’s very close to home. Sending good energy, love, and prayers this morning to your aunt and uncle, and your parents. And keeping you close to my heart.
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yb, looking forward to your return. Glad you have taken some time to rest and take care of yourself. Miss you!
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[…] red Ravine had a great Valentine’s post, as did Baron Von Rochester, although the opposite end of the spectrum. They (and everyone else) are far more on the ball than I. […]
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diddy, what’s the status of your family members? I was thinking about them this morning and sending prayers.
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QM, sadly both members are still in the hospital. I spoke to my mom just minutes ago. My uncle, who was sent home is back in the hospital & his kidneys are failing. My aunt is on the brink of death, but one never knows. I just don’t want them to suffer any longer. I think suffering is harder than going when the time has come. Thank you so much for your thoughts. It means a lot. It’s a rough time for both sides of the family. Love, D
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