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  • A Moment of Zen from a stream in Black Forest, Germany

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/66542489@N00/9521488617/

    Click above. 

  • Mt. Titlis

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titlis

    Looking back while on the revolving cable car on the way to the top of Mt. Titlis.

    Clink link above photo for information about this mountain in Switzerland. 

    Me on the bridge in the fog at the top of Mt. Titlis

  • Notes from a trip in Europe, Lucerne

     

    A scene from along the Reuss River in Lucerne which is situated along the river and connects with Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. 

    Interestingly, while eating my morning breakfast I read this column in the local paper.  

    http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/10/sam-venable-austrians-love-of-the-outdoors-is-on/

    The author’s view (he must have been visiting Europe about the same time as I) states exactly what I thought about the walkers and bikers crowding the streets of Lucerne.  Much of the city is car-free!

    The photos is taken with and i-phone using an app, consequently the small landscape shot (even though I posted it as large).  I did not expect to find Xanga still open when I returned but am glad that it is although apparently not getting much traffic.  

    PS — I will be back to catch up on reading recent posts as soon as I catch up on my sleep.

     

     

  • Visit to Atlanta

    Visited the National Historic Site in Atlanta, photo of MLK’s boyhood home.

    http://www.nps.gov/malu/index.htm

    We also spent some time at this center.

    http://www.cartercenter.org/index.html

    If you ever get a chance to visit these sites please do so.  The Martin Luther King National Park is free and the Carter Center has a reduced admission for seniors.  

  • Butterfly

    Tiger Swallowtail on butterfly bush in bloom. 

    Serving It’s Intended Purpose 

    Wonderful to see

    Swallowtail drinking nectar

    From butterfly bush

  • Photo of Busy Bee

    Shiny wings 

    Immersed in fragrant blossoms

    Busy bee

  • Positive Illusions and Lasting Love

    Positive Illusions* 

    His voice echoes loud across the porch.

    She sits attentive to her morning gmail and Facebook. 

    He scans Huffington Post his source 

    of news and education since retirement.

    My god, he says, this research article

    details the source of a lasting, loving relationship.

    Couples who still love after many years

    maintain “positive illusions!”

    They think their partner is hot

    even though they have added 

    30 pounds since marriage. 

      

    Sorry dear, I was listening until 

    this gmail from Echo arrived 

    saying shoes are 30 per cent off

    plus free shipping!

     

    Obviously, at some point in life

    shoes become more important

    than lasting love. 

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/08/lasting-love-long-term-relationships_n_3530293.html

  • Gladiolus

    http://www.almanac.com/plant/gladiolus#

    Nothing much to post except this new visitor to the garden. 

  • Lifetime Premium Membership –My Lifetime or Xanga’s life

    Random thoughts about Xanga

    1) Since I have a lifetime membership does that mean I should be dead by now.  

    2) Or does it mean I will die this month?

    Note:1 I still think Xanga’s Premium has been a bargain.

    Note: 2 I was hoping to some day soon learn about all of the features of Xanga but I guess I had better focus on WordPress

    PS – random thought…..if I do die today or sometime soon how would Xanga know?

    I enjoyed part of Tuesday on Market Square in Knoxville, TN.  Seems there is a movement to keep Knoxville scruffy.

    http://www.wbir.com/news/article/204681/2/keep-knoxville-scruffy-stirs-new-pride-with-old-nickname

    The news link gives you information about the idea and the movement.  I guess it is similar to “Keep Portland Weird.” 

     

  • Not a Jiffy Man

    Not a Jiffy Man*

    From behind her desk

    over gold rimmed glasses

    her voice crackled an announcement.

     

    You will have your ham hocks

    next time you come in.

     

    His smile spread on his bearded face

    from below a crooked nose.

     

    Then I must bring you something in return,

    perhaps one of my desserts.

     

    He ambled into her office and

    placed a savory pie atop her desk.

     

    Here is one made with fresh strawberries.

    I hope you like it.

     

    His step had more bounce 

    his gait quicker from injections

    into his withered spine.

     

    A gigantic ham hock 

    peaked through the glass cover

    of the ceramic casserole dish.  

    Its shear size startled him

    and activated his seldom wet salivary glands.

     

    I brought some cornbread too.

    I figured you liked corn bread

    but your not a “Jiffy Man.”

    No sir, you look like a man 

    who likes it from scratch.

     

    His smile was wide as a flooded river.

    Ham hocks in one hand, cornbread in the other

    he pranced out the door

    proud not to be a  “Jiffy Man.”

     

    * Jiffy is the name of a popular corn muffin mix.

    Note:  This poem is NOT about a personal experience — I did not get ham hocks and cornbread.