When I climbed the mountain trail last Thursday, my time was even faster than the previous week – 45 minutes up! And 31 minutes down. I was pushing, almost running in places, and the temperature was almost 90 degrees, so I was soaked with sweat. I remember having a funny feeling on my foot on … read more Losing traction
Tag: 2014
Quieting down
Some days, like today, seems there’s nothing but noise in my head. Just stray bits of fuzz, flies buzzing, engines idling. A very big crowd of people in a stadium all talking at once, not really paying attention to the game that they’re there to watch. At work, I was trying to troubleshoot technical problems long distance, … read more Quieting down
Old friends, new friends
A storm was coming. I had to hike early today to beat it, because I was going to do a tough trail. It’s one I haven’t been on in many months. But my recovery seems to be mostly over, and I felt ready to tackle it. The trail starts out with a piece that climbs steadily but … read more Old friends, new friends
Small and simple
It seems the more I concentrate, the smaller and simpler my glass pieces become. They are trying to tell me a story. In just a couple of inches, or less. Hands praying, asking. A spirit flying above. A worker waving goodbye at the border. And a face. Just a face. Smiling a little, maybe. Something else, maybe. … read more Small and simple
I’m not who I thought I was
For many years, I’ve been proud to claim my German ancestry. The good qualities that Germans are known for – hard work, frugality, efficiency and organization – are ones that I like to see in myself. I’ve always bragged that I was German, on both sides, all the way back – unusual for an American whose ancestors immigrated in the 1830s … read more I’m not who I thought I was
Chickens on a truck
There was a hard rain falling, and I was driving to Atlanta. Got behind a truck. A big semi. In the rain, it wasn’t clear at first what the cargo was. Then I saw it was chickens. Live chickens. They were stuck in there every which way. Didn’t look like they had room to stand up … read more Chickens on a truck
The beautiful black rat snake
I stood at the door of the cabin and said to myself, “Huh, look at that branch sticking up out of the ground. It looks just like a snake’s head.” The branch moved. It was a black snake, sticking his head out of his hole. The snake seemed to hold absolutely concrete-still. Made my neck hurt … read more The beautiful black rat snake
Don’t be stupid
I came very close to spending $50 today on a product that is ridiculous on its face. Or ridiculous on anyone’s face. I don’t have a lot of spare cash right now. And yet I got suckered into watching an infomercial for face lift cream. The hook? An ad that said, “Tighten and lift a … read more Don’t be stupid
In the real world
Mostly in fused glass I’m doing abstracts, but the shape of a random piece of clear glass suggested to me this caterpillar climbing over an obstacle. Does it even look like a caterpillar? Does it suggest an obstacle? Does it matter? Sometimes from the pile of glass pieces, a figure jumps out at me. Like this one: … read more In the real world
Pandas of the American forest
I just wanted to see one. My emotional state this afternoon needed a strong dose of nature, so I took a hike. And I was thinking about the showy orchid. I’d only seen one before, in all nine of my Appalachian springs. The orchid was an omen I longed for. Just one, to make me happy. I … read more Pandas of the American forest