For all mothers near and far, for the hard work and sacrifice that allows the love in this universe to flow through you to your children, day in and day out. May there be many gifts received in turn!
In the Buddhist tradition, which recognizes the continual repetitive cycle of birth and death in this existence, it is said: “Of all the beings in samsara (existence), there is not a single one who has not been your own kind mother.” (Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche in Skillful Grace, p 49)
And of course for my Mamusiu, Josephine Reczek (1913-2006), with love and an ever deepening appreciation.
Last week, Green Writers Press, who (with Sundog Poetry) published our Vermont Exit Ramps II, hosted a wonderful party at the Next Stage in Putney, VT, in honor of both Earth Day and their 2nd year anniversary. There were readings galore from many of the GWP authors, of both adult and children’s books, which made for a remarkable evening of voices and stories.
This slideshow was something I created for the event, using all the photographs from the book. There is a soundtrack – a composition called Glastenbury, VT – by the composer Masako, which starts about 15 seconds in. My friend and co-author Neil Shepard followed with a powerful reading of his Romaine Tenney poem. Many thanks to all for a wonderful evening!
A brisk wind was blowing in from the north when I began photographing this clothesline, around 11AM. Susan, out hanging clothes, predicted it would soon diminish, and pick up again from the southwest after a brief lull. And over the course of the next half hour, that was exactly what happened. I wonder how long it took for her to understand the seasonal nuances of the breezes there; as she much preferred drying clothes on the line, my guess is she tuned into it pretty quickly.
Such as beautiful thing – and a gift – to know your surroundings that well.
The snow and ice in the southwest corner of this meadow have held on the longest, but will soon be gone. The iced over path to the lower left of the photo looks to be a well traveled animal trail.
