August Full Moon

It's still mid-summer in the bay area but somehow autumn and turning inward is in view. Still chilly and foggy in the mornings, clearing up a bit earlier.  Tomatoes ad zucchini are kicking in.  Swallowtail caterpillars on the anise plants.  Pincushions are nearly finished, I need to take them out.  Hibiscus is almost finished.  For some reason the blackberries weren't very tasty this year--maybe too much rain?

Suddenly back in the studio--a series of small collages.  Thinking of flowers in the wilderness--beauty that no one sees and is short lived.  Art can be like this.

The feeling is of consolidation, deepening.  Not reaching out but allowing the relationships I have to deepen, unfold, blossom.  Not of effort but of letting veils drop.  Relationships with people but also with art, tai chi and nature. This somehow feels somewhat overwhelming, stressful even, though it is about letting go.

This is just to say

I have eaten

the plums 

that were in

the icebox

and which 

you were probably

saving

for breakfast

forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet

and so cold

William Carlos Williams

July Full Moon

It's been a chilly, foggy week.  Earlier in the month the weather was warm and beautiful.  Many days getting the garden into shape--pulling out poppies and love-in-the mist that had gone wild. Planted the succulents from Gordon's garden.

In bloom now--purple and white potato vine, honeysuckle, succulents, plumbago, pincushion, oxalis.  I counted nearly 100 ornamentals, what a surprise!  Roses still sickly.

From Matt's garden: strawberries, mustard greens, zucchini, peas.  Blackberries getting going.

A feeling of maintenance, cultivation, rest.  Letting go of things as they are.  Working with activities that I find difficult: tai chi, gardening, attending art community events. Taking a break from painting.  Catching up on household maintenance. 

Enjoying my quiet life.

Studying texts and stiff meditation can make you lose 
your Original Mind.

A solitary tune by a fisherman, though, can be an invaluable treasure.

Dusk rain on the river, the moon peeking in and out of the clouds;

Elegant beyond words, he chants his song night after night.

Ikkuyu

Summer Solstice

The lillies!

The stems, just as they are,

The flowers, just as they are.

  

Basho

Beautiful clear, warm day.  A sudden heat spell yesterday and today.  We were able to eat outside last night. Many birds and bees, the sound of birdsong.

Highlights from Matt's garden: peas, potatoes, boysenberries, beets.

The front garden has peaked: poppies, gazania, geranium, bidens goldilocks, angel's fishing rod, crocosimia, alstroemeria all in bloom.  Roses don't look too good.  Maybe next year I'll know the names of more of the flowers. Oxalis, love-in-a-mist, fuschia in bloom in the side and back gardens.

A feeling of completion: of a series of work  and of outreach efforts.  Finished the first level of tai chi. 

A sense of abundance, effortlessness, ease.

Intention: more focus on the garden