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June 11th, 2011
11:11 am
A SELF INTRODUCTION BY MEANS OF 22 IMAGES AND A FEW HAIKU( Read more... )
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July 6th, 2009
04:50 pm - A Mexican Standoff
Those who think that only we have a sense of humor do not know my dogs. They surely like to do things just for fun, and when they do it, they have an excellent sense of play and an impeccable timing. Obviously, they smile a lot, too.
locked in a standoff
suddenly the dogs erupt
into play
( Read more... )
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July 2nd, 2009
12:05 am - Bob Hall Pier, North Padre Island (another take, haibun and haiga)
On the beach, before walking under a pier, I stop, calm down, chant a sutra. Some find it weird, I think it is but polite. For who would like my quick nervous steps to disturb those kind magnificent creatures taking a break from their yeoman's work of moving waters and clouds. Resting there on the soft sand in the deep shadow of pier, dragons* taking a morning nap
as I return home
a stray kitten on the stairs
purrs her mantra
( Read more... )
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June 26th, 2009
04:02 pm - The Packery Channel
the first summer dawn --
I say hello
to a stranger
a few more
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June 22nd, 2009
11:00 pm - Summer Solstice
With many thanks to Ms. ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) origa. (If you like haiku and haiga, you should read her blog frequently; you would enjoy her galleries too.)
It happened long time ago, in the midst of hot Polish summer. I was sitting on my bag on the side of the road, not able to hitch a ride even if my life were to depend on it. The crimson sun was slid sliding behind the line of horizon. And then, all of the sudden, I knew -- the day becomes shorter now.
that crimson sunset
seen long ago still resounds
in this evening blues
( Read more... )
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June 20th, 2009
07:41 pm - Mexican Eagle
It's the second year in a row that I see him (or her) in the same region of the dunes on the Padre Island. Quite maginificent in his pose and in his flight, maybe it is the same bird, maybe not. Someone told me that he is a Mexican Eagle. Mr. johnnylexicon, could we have your expert opinion?
The Ladies were quite intrigued, but in a different way than when they see, say, a Big Blue Heron. This time they were more like, "Hey Sappho! What the hell is that?" "I don't know, Molly, I haven't seen anyhing like this" "Hm! OK!" They did not go after him at all, like they go after the herons.
a hunt at dusk --
from a distance
even dogs look like mice
I took a few more shots, but none turned out very good. He was much too far. Or maybe I need a better camera.
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05:33 pm - Good morning! (June 20th)
The darn seagull almost ruined my shot. ;)
So, I took another
and a few more
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June 19th, 2009
06:36 pm - They say, "Animals live in the now"
"An animal or bird enjoys samadhi every moment. When it grazes in the meadow, it is a grazing samadhi. When it flies up at the sound of a gun, it is a flying samadhi. Mellowed by the evening sun, standing quietly for a long time motionless in the meadow, it is in what we might call a "mellowing samadhi" -- a beautiful picture and a condition to be envied even by a human being."
Katsuki Sekida, Zen Training: Methods and Philosophy (Wheatherhill, 1985), p. 92.
They say, "Animals live in the now."
Yet, Molly (my black dog) recoils
when I rise my arm in a rapid motion
When did she learn it, I wonder
for she has been with us 9 months
and I have never hit her
not once, not even lightly
When Sappho, my bigger dog, plays with her
too rough, perhaps nips her a bit too hard
Molly cries, they stop for a second or two
Sappho embarrassed, looks at Molly
with remorse as if trying to say
"I'm sorry, sister. I didn't mean it."
A moment later all forgotten, they play again
as if nothing happened at all
Yet, after all these days with us
she still recoils in fear
when I lift my arm in a rapid motion
though I have never slapped her
not once, not even lightly.
And they say that animals live in the now
By the way, in terms of how to do zazen (i.e., sitting Zen meditation), Sekida's book is the best I have read. His instructions about how to sit and breathe are more clear and illuminating than what I have heard from most of Zen teachers with whom I practiced. The chapter about the "bamboo breathing" is invaluable. Also, the book is full of useful hints that I have not heard from anyone else (e.g., how to use a mirror to correct one's posture). An excellent book!
Also, not that it's necessarily the same thing as samadhi, but I think that animals in nature tend to live in perefect balance. Too bad we infect them with our neuroses and fears; I have seen too many messed up dogs.
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June 18th, 2009
02:47 am - Some dogs news
After about 9 months with us, Molly becomes more independent. Yesterday, she left the living room (where I was reading), went to another room and laid down on my bed. She has never done it before. Also, occasionally, she does not following me to the door, when I'm leaving (though she still follows me around the house most of the time; that's one of the reasons why her nick is "Sweetness"). Clearly, it's progress.
I found vegetarian food that my dogs seem to like. (Unfortunately, it's not organic. I'll try to do something about it, too.) In fact, they seem to like it more than any other dry food (vegetarian or not) they have ever tried. I like it. I will give the new diet a month or two to settle and see how the Ladies are and act. Maybe I'll be able to have vegetarian dogs. It would be great.
I'm learning to recognize better when I'm tense. The Ladies let me know about it. They walk and act differently.
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June 11th, 2009
02:23 pm - Double rainbow on the South Padre Island
after the rain
lone seegull croses bridge
of the rainbow
A few more
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01:40 pm - It's my birthday
I've been a bit under the weather recently, in fact for several weeks. It feels as if something (perhaps some virus) is eating me from inside. Still I've been able to stick with my routine and generally I am in a good spirit. My mother called very early this morning to wish me happy birdthay. But I was out, walking the dogs. Probably better this way, for I might have become all mushy talking with her, and mushy is not exactly what I want to be. I wish I could give her a hug and a kiss...
a birthday roam
the rising sun too
kind of blue
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June 4th, 2009
12:56 pm - TV I love (other than NBA hoops)
IFC is showing several classic movies by Ingmar Bergman.
One of them is "The Seventh Seal," which may be my favorite movie of all time. It includes a mesmerizing image of the knight playing chess with Death. For me, there is never enough of meditation on death and dying, and seeing Death playing chess, well, that's a special treat. Still, if I had been in the knight's position, I would have chosen black and force Death to play white, just for the aesthetic value of seeing her struggling with the white pieces. Then, I would spring on Her the Najdorf Sicilian (sacrifice variation), because it's exciting and unbalanced, and I am sure Death does not know how to play it. Not that I think the outcome would ever be in doubt.
The other movies include "Persona" (with an incredible footage of the Vietnamese Buddhist monk setting himself on fire ss a form of protest against the atrocities of war and Christian oppression of Buddhism) and "Wild Strawberries."
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June 3rd, 2009
01:25 pm
Rachel Maddow talks to author of "Crazy for God" Frank Schaeffer about the murder of Dr. George Tiller. Schaeffer apologized for his and his father's role in contributing to the death of Dr. George Tiller in his article at The Huffington Post How I (and Other "Pro-Life" Leaders) Contributed to Dr. Tiller's Murder:
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/rachel-maddow-show-frank-schaeffer-how-hate
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May 12th, 2009
May 7th, 2009
03:19 pm - TV I love (other than NBA basketball)
The Sundance Channel is showing a series of an hour long programs they call "Spectacle." It's in part a talk-show and in part a live concert. Elvis Costello is usually the master of the ceremony and his guests included, so far, Herbie Hanckock, Smokie Robinson, Bill Clinton (the President), Tonny Bennett, Jacob Dylan, Nora Jones, Diana Krall (intervied by Elton John, most likely, I guess, because Krall and Elvis are married) and many others. The usual format involves an introduction, a song by Costello with his band (sometimes they do a cover but usually they play Costello's music), an extended interview with an invited artist or artists, and several musical pieces that feature the invited guest frequently in duet with Costello.
Elvis is a brilliant interviewer, alwas putting a spotlight on his guests. Today they are going to show again the program with Herbie Hanckock, which is among my favorites. (The other one I like the most featured Smokey Robinson.) It includes plenty of great jazz, ranging from straight-ahead to some fuzzion, and lots of interesting insights coming from both HH and EC. Herbie, in particular, tells some very interesting anecdotes about jazz giants like Miles Davis, Tony William, Donald Byrd, and others. I already new many of these stories from several jazz bios I read. But it was great to hear them from the horse's mouth, so to speak. Plus, the music was really good, including even the fusion part. Its' 5 stars in my book.
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April 29th, 2009
10:06 pm - Another dawn
Another dawn, another walk
another step, I thought, strolling
on the very line of teh surf
still wearing a jacket
for the wind was strong
and the clouds heavy with rain
When all of the sudden
the sky broke in half
the bright light filled in the world
Yet we did not hear any voices
no one sang soft uplifting tunes
no mysterious truths were revealed
So, we continued to walk in silence
one foot in the water, one foot on the sand
a quiet chant
we don't want to spook you
shy sun
A few other spring dawns
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April 18th, 2009
06:09 pm
This season I wil talk no relatively little trash. In essence, we are not good. Maybe we will win a game. Maybe two.
The trade was made for the sake of the future (70-75%), so it's too early to know whether it will pay off. Also, for the sake of having a resoectable team with chances to go deep in the playoffs, at least win a series. Me-Myself-and-I(verson) essentially bailed on the team,
Chicago played really hard. It was one of the most interesting games of the first round of the playoffs in the recent history. It went into OT, thoug even this was a bit ;ucky on the side of Leprechaun (sp?), that got som lucky lucky home calls and also made some difficult shots. The point is that now young Bulls are smelling the blood and are well poisitioned to tramp Leprechaun (sp?) int the green of the shemrok. We'll see... Orlando will beat on Philadelfia in 5 or 6 games, and Atlant will prtevail over D Wade and Heat. So, It will come to Orlando against beat down Celts or maybe even young Bulls. The Cavs will easily beat whomever emerges from the lower bracket, my bet is on Atlanta. But Orlando may have their number anbd enough to sow LeBrom. I will have more equally superficial reflections in about two weeks.
In the West the Lakers look formidable. But, I thing, the Jazz will rough them up a bit and maybe prepare for the taking. If Chandler has enough burn, who knows how deep New Orleans may go. They would play the Lakers in the Finals. The Spurs are basically done, after Manu went down with injury.
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April 14th, 2009
08:13 pm - No photos today (shmaiku)
just when dogs started
to play with the rising sun
the batteries d...
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April 12th, 2009
06:18 pm - Happy Easter Friends
The Zen Master Eishu (1871-1945) painted this Cross for one of his Japanese Christian students. The calligraphy reads: "Penetrate this and all will be well." May all sentient beings penetrate this! May all be well!!
( Read more... )
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