Chance of Rain

Storm at Golden Gardens, March, 2012

Panes

Double Pane

For me, making a big decision is often like deciphering the view in the above photo. I've got lots of information, but it's not clearly delineated and defined. I can't immediately tell what's behind the surface and what's reflected on the surface. I don't know if I'm looking toward the outside or the inside. Maybe I'll never figure these things out, but I'll still have to make a decision.

I'll look at the whole picture. I'll notice color and rhythm. I'll squint, for a different view, and I'll try to see the background as foreground and vice versa. I'll guess at what I think is important and true in the picture, and what interests me. And eventually, I'll become more sure of what I see--what's true for me.

No doubt others will see it differently.

Dizzy Spring

.It's spring. So why was I wrapped in a down coat on my walk this morning, and why (when I'm not typing) do my hands wrap themselves around a mug of hot chocolate? Because this is the Pacific Northwest. And this is typical weather for the first day of spring here.

Still, it will not do. I crave a bloomin' Boucher or Fragonard-rendered, full-on spring.

It'll get here, but until then, I'll make due with hand warmers and my invented version of the dizziness of spring. Excuse my excesses here, but I can't help myself. And I don't want to. Here's looking forward to the real thing soon!

"Dream No Small Dreams..."

Thank you, Star Rush, for offering this quote from Goethe as a response to my last post:

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of humans.

I really enjoyed the thoughtful comments on the last post. Thank you, and they are worth a read.

Dreaming Big Is One Thing...

Six: Dog Dream

"Dream big," they say. And if you're passionate and imaginative (heck, if you simply have a pulse), you probably do have big dreams.

Ever thought about what will happen when your dreams become reality? It'll be nuts! They'll rouse you awake with their rowdy play and their demands. They'll mess up your sweet little life! They'll whine if you don't pay enough attention to them.

This is what you wished for, and ready or not, here come your dreams. You could run away, since apparently you weren't (as they say) being careful about what you wished for. But don't run. You want this. Stay close to your dreams (now your reality!) and engage with them. Let them overwhelm you, even lead you, until you can lead them. Lucky you!

"It's Still There"

I spent this past weekend at the ocean with friends. We were on the Washington coast, a blustery, chilly place in early March. We took several beach walks and we went into the small town to buy crab. To be honest, though, we spent most of our time sheltered from the wind and cold, comfortably inside the condo, working jigsaw puzzles, playing games, reading, and enjoying food and cocktails.

The condo sealed us in. One of my friends, however, periodically needed to hear the roar of the waves. She'd open the glass door, stand on the balcony, and let the crashing, constant sounds of the ocean resonate around her. A few minutes later, she'd return to the warmth of the condo and report with a smile, "It's still there."

Reassuring words. It's helpful to know something bigger, older and hopefully wiser than we are is close by. It shrinks unpredictable upsets, petty conflicts, self importance, and worries to the size of a grain of sand. Not a bad weekend.