A distant birdsong
lies in the highway’s faint hum
in a snowy field
Winter breeze, #78
City Life
City life, City life and Nature
Late February, #77
1.
Icicles caress
the leafless flower garden–
droplets drip, dripping
2.
A walker spies thier phone-
while a dog paints graffiti
on a snowbank
3.
Cycling red and green
cars emit thunderous waves-
a crow flaps its wings
Winter day, #76
From wintering trees-
the notification pings-
a lonely bird song
Winter Garden, #75
Tomato poles stand
in the snow covered garden-
patiently waiting
Mid February, #74
1
Palouse snowfall
somewhere Paradise Ridge
cannot see me
2
The burning candle
on this cold winter day
shivers
3
The Orchid bloom
illumines
this winter morning
Downtown, #73
I stop and take a photo of a couple sitting outside the coffee shop downtown. It had just been snowing and I think to myself, “A snow-shower would have been a nice addition.” (It had been snowing during most of my walk).
I walk by their table and notice two Canon cameras and strike up a conversation.
The couple say they are out taking pictures for the day. We talk about the Palouse and I find out they are only here for a month, finishing some work at Washington State University, and have a desire to be back in the big city.
They notice my FUJIFILM X100S with its bent sunshade and scratches. I instantly think of the many miles I’ve walked with it hanging from my shoulder and I wonder what bends and scratches their cameras will one day show?
As I get ready to leave there is an uncomfortable pause. I think because of the inability to shake hands, because of COVID. After it passes we share a slight head bow, smiles, and a friendly wave goodbye.
Turning in the night
my head finds the pillow–
between dreams
Noon Hour, #72
Shrieks of joy
footsteps splashing-
winter rain
Early February, #72
1
2
A flip-flopping leaf
dancing in the gusting winds-
winter butterfly
3
A car zips by on the curve moving from Bryant to Darrow street.
Out of the corner of my eye
I notice a quick wave.
I wave back.
4
At Palouse field’s edge-
unmoving in winter breezes-
golden Orchard Grass
Late January, #70
1
Walking, walking. /
When I search online for the benefits of walking, I find many good reasons to take up this healthy habit.
I have been thinking about walking since spending a week at the beach in late December. Each day I woke, ate, walked, rested, ate, walked, ate, rested, and slept.
When I returned home, I asked, “Why is walking not a thing I just do, like eating and sleeping?”
So that is what I did. I’ve been walking on my lunch hour at work three to three and half miles and longer on the weekends. I do feel I am reaping the health benefits that are listed online, both physically and mentally. I am happier when I am at work, home, or doing the shopping. I
Another benefit that has occurred to me is the experience of seeing the world around me. The one right here that I miss when I am hurrying from one thing to the next, regardless of my mode of travel. The one right here that is alive as I, right under my nose: the creeks, the trees, the grasses, and the people with whom I share a “hello.”
I wonder if this is the thing that makes me happier: not only seeing and experiencing the world around me while walking, but also knowing that I am part if it, taking care of it, no matter where I am.
On the old bridge rail
receding snow snakes across,
droplets fall below
2
Wintertime grasses
seemingly slip by the creek
dredged in morning’s snow
3
Creek crackled sun beam
sparkles under the overpass
a break in the clouds
Winter breeze, #69
Freezing winter breeze
an orange, little leaf caught
adorning a fence