Reading a couple of good books and sitting by the fireplace became the evening’s adventure. The wind is howling a bit. It’s pretty dang cold out, too. Thank goodness for drapes, warm stuff to drink and a fireplace. The “green puffy” is the perfect spot. I’ve been here for hours toasting in the light of the nearby flames. Life is smooth tonight. And, I’m savoring the moments:
my cat
curled up at my feet
curls up more
When we moved to Wyoming, we needed a place to stay for awhile until we could get our house. My grandfather was a cowboy-cattleman and owned a massive ranch. The main house was really cool with a large front porch and facing toward the horses etc.
There was a chicken coup but no chickens. The barn was nearby – it was fun because we would jump off the roof into hay stacks. I don’t know how safe that was, but we lived!
Nearby was another house that some folks lived in. I don’t really remember who they were … maybe workers. But, my mom always chatted with them. Seemed very nice.
For us to live there, they decided to convert the chicken coup into a small residence. That was our first home in Wyoming!!!
Of course, we were freezing most of the time. Wyoming doesn’t have that friendly of a weather pattern. What a beautiful place! And, what a miserable place to live at the same time. Winter’s were biting cold: summers were sand and wind.
But, Wyoming is gorgeous and when we went to the mountains to camp and fish, there was nothing like it in the world:
frosty breath
I can almost hear
the stillness
I remember when my dad “caught” my mom’s ear with a “fly-hook”. But, that’s another story.
working
on the railway –
zip drive
I find it very fascinating how modern technology has effected our daily lives. From cell phones to computers and more, we engross ourselves with the tech realm.
The other day I saw a lady driving while she was putting on her make-up and talking on the cell phone simultaneously! I couldn’t believe it. I noticed her because she was swerving down the highway without much regard for painted lines!
I was hoping to get passed her without any of her make-up “rubbing off” on my car. So, I “sort-of” pressed the pedal a bit and zoomed passed her to get on with my day – in one piece and without a highway patrolman raising an eyebrow.
below radar
down the road
I become dust
Today is one of those really gray, dreary days. A sea of gloom hovers the mountains and community. The trees are swaying in the wind and the birds are huddled in the corners of things. No rain. Just wind and a gray … everywhere.
between
trees and clouds, the blue sky …
sometimes
A day like today is a perfect day to notice the wonderful blessings we have even when it seems as though the “gray” is overwhelming and the blessings are out numbered.
When I used to live in Wyoming, it wasn’t uncommon for there to be a complete “white-out”. Soon, the ground, the trees … everything … became a continuum of white. In fact, if you stood out there very long, you’d blend right in with the rest!
Things haven’t changed much. Last year the golf course behind my house was whitened right along with all the pine trees including the club house. It was a complete white out. I stayed indoors!
first powder
a few pines fade
into the sky
The other night I was downtown with my wife and some great friends. When we were walking along, I noticed a few homeless folks in differing areas. It was getting late and I was kind of … well … surprised to see so many homeless and most of them, still awake. One in particular, was drinking a cup of hot coffee. He was pacing and talking to himself. It was getting cold out …
sleepless beggar
a storming wind
stirs his coffee
When we visit Mammoth Mountains for vacation, we always stay in some cabins near Lake Mary. They’re old, not run down … but old. The area is in sort of a bowl shape with mountains completely surrounding it. Of course, there are all kinds of critters including spiders. I prefer the bears and chipmunks but there is a small crowd of spiders to add character to the environment. LOL
In this case, I spotted this floating twig – a tiny one. It was suspended in air by the web. Looking through the web the mountains were powerful and crisp in the background. Then, I noticed there was …
dangling twig
a mountainous view
but no spider
Don Baird Haiku 