one hundred and sixteen

diving into 

and through

memories

and 

dreams

days and years 

that have passed and gone

and 

this very moment

deep waters

and 

dark paths

and 

a million 

bright lights 

that remind me

it is never too late

to forgive

to love

to begin again.

one hundred and fifteen

...on the threshold...

one hundred and fourteen

this lonely winter gull

flies in the sky outside my top-floor window

and tugs my heart 

home

california seaside tomorrow

family and friends and little ones growing up

laughter and rest and magic

and time passing so sweet and so slow

merry christmas

may your world be filled with love

one hundred and thirteen

the path is turning again

unknown things

and

as always

as ever

sadness and joy 

intertwine

and i must 

let it all be

and remember that everything

works so much better 

when i breathe

and love

and

put all of my trust into

this big 

wild heart

one hundred and twelve

perhaps the sweetest 

holiday message ever

from one of my young students

so much love

one hundred and eleven

 december goes so fast

and sunshine is like medicine 

when the air bites with cold

and i take things quietly, easily, softly

i let go

and i let go again

i am learning to be as thankful for the challenges

as i am for the joys

i am learning to love

what is right here

inside

immediate

true

one hundred and ten

one hundred and nine

 

one hundred and eight

dear san francisco,

i miss you.

love,

me

one hundred and seven

 the beautiful world

(as seen on my walk from the bus stop to work each day)

one hundred and six

it's been far, far too long since i've posted here.  

life has been happening.

quiet and full and rich and sad and sweet.

and it goes on and on...

some random images for today:

 kiss in the morning light

 note to self

collage-making on a gray monday

the magic salem seaside

one hundred and five

themes of this season

 (and perhaps this life)

---

loving

 and

 letting go

 

one hundred and four

some more little joys...

taking my breakfast up the loft ladder and back to bed!

the public library...one of my very favorite places to be.

 inspiring neighborhood signs.

and...

and finally...tonight's breathtaking autumn moon. 

 

one hundred and three

memories...

...so strange how they choose to surface.

how certain funny, tiny details stay with us.

and other, perhaps bigger, things seem to slip away.

this morning in yoga class, a place where many thoughts

and memories and dreams emerge, we were backbending and 

all of a sudden i had a crystalline memory

of these delicious chocolate banana malted milkshakes.

they were from the old-fashioned burger place

right next door to that one apartment he rented in the mission district.

he would meet me there sometimes

or i'd surprise him with a stop there on my way over.

and we'd sit on his bed and delight in the yumminess of the shakes.

and we'd laugh and love the night away.

though bittersweet, i am thankful for this little memory.

it makes me smile.

and linger, for a moment, 

in that space that is long gone.

sweet and fleeting and true.

one hundred and two

a few things 

that have made me happy lately...

 

  my sweet view as i wait for the morning train:

salad with flowers:

 

silly subway ads:

new york city:

walking everywhere:

gift of jewels!  (thank you Se'lah and Cinner):

one hundred and one

low tide...

*one hundred*

ninety-nine

for now...

late summer 

balmy nights

and 

lonely

lovely 

afternoons

walking over

cobblestones

over bridges

through towns

we lived in

once

and 

the seaside

weeping willow 

trees

and breezes

and boats

and daydream 

memories

i wake up to the sky 

shining down

and

sometimes

 i think

i might
be home

ninety-eight

the quiet rainbow

ninety-seven

 a day in salem, ma

(my new home!)

 

ninety-six

back to the west...