Chased by the Wind

During my morning run along the sidewalk at Windansea beach, gale force wind sailed sand into my arms, legs, and face.

Moistened by spindrift, the grains stuck. The sea roared its laughter.

Turning the corner brought scents of jasmine.

Blankets of scrambled egg whites covered the expanse of ocean.

I glanced upward and stayed vigilant to avoid falling palm fronds.

The wind's surges pushed me forward; pulled me back.  My feet nearly left the pavement.

Searching for narrow streets and lanes, I scurried to avoid the intensity. A fast walk resulted in a granulated feeling.

Once in Chicago, the wind turned my umbrella inside out. I also raced the Big Sur marathon where rocks and road debris made nicks in my arms and legs.

Near the cove, sea foamed upward to match the clouds. Waves in shades of blue from azure to turquoise battled to shore.

Pelicans soared higher than usual. No seals or seal lions occupied the rocks.

The groups of cormorants huddled in crannies.

Invigorated by the experience, I continued my journey, outwitted the wind, and found my way home.

Flower Power

Just as musicians express themselves through the language of music, Ikebana artists must use the language of flowers....One takes a piece of nature and adds something that was not there. This is what creation in Ikebana means. In Ikebana, the flowers are imbued with a human meaning. They are no longer the flowers of the meadow or the flower shop...the result is an expression of the Ikebana artist. - Baiko

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, creates a design where nature and the arranger collaborate. 

The word comes from ikeru (keep alive) and hana (flower): arranging and giving life to flowers. Ikebana began in the sixth century as flower offerings to Buddha. Monks meditated on blossoms as signs of the impermanence of life.   

Alan Delaye said, "When we make a bouquet, we find ourselves before our plants and our vase like a child before the elements of a construction game or paper cuttings, and I have often thought that Ikebana takes us back, in a way, to infant school. What is the spirit of childhood?  This "spirit of beginners" of which Shunryu Suzuki speaks : a state in which our sensitivity and our intelligence find once more their freshness and their original unity, while harboring the fullest maturity."

Color combinations, natural shapes, graceful lines create the meaning in the arrangement. Relaxation and attention to nature and the art of beauty result. During the practice of Ikebana appreciation of the art form requires silence. It becomes a meditative process for the mind, body and soul.



For me, in the silence, a sense of serenity arises when going into the garden in search of blossoms and leaves. Yellow and green chrysanthemums discovered from the market also help me decorate my home and mind.

Joy arises by selecting each bloom and placing it with care. Breathing and calm coalesce and prepare me for my day's work and adventures.

In a variety of simple arrangements, flowers provide Power, reflect our human relationships, and a search for harmony.

Let Creativity Enthuse

Begin a day of creative capture.

             Look up to discover shapes and shadows. 

                                Let the FUN begin.

Find a fragrance that's hiding. 

Think about a metaphor for a bee on a bud.

Silliness energizes the brain.  
Adapt warning signs to engage laughter.

If you see a hole in 
your life, dig for treasure.

Observations in upward slants and sideways glances provide nuances.         

                            Launch them into a variety of perspectives. 

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."  - Abraham Lincoln

               

Turn difficult thoughts around for a renewed vision.

Let the creative ideas flash and fire to diminish frustrations.

When sunset arrives, design a creation for what you observed.