Before One Forgets What Is Important

The writing of this remembrance began with the death in 2002
of Paul Wellstone, his spouse Sheila, daughter Marcia, and 
the crew in the crash of his airplane in a woods near Eveleth, 
Minnesota.

                        I remember the 
                       day of his death.
                    Sunday, October 25
                     around 10:20 a.m.
                           So indelible.

For some reason, I had not attended church that morning.
That, in and of itself, somewhat unusual - being a member of
the choir.

                 I was where I need to be.

                          Upon hearing
                    the news, I rushed to
                the local garden store and
                   returned with a small
                        Red Maple tree.

                   I planted the tree just
            along side our front driveway.

                I planted it in their honor.

                            It's name is
                        Paul Wellstone.

          The tree was planted with care,
                                and I have cared for it 
                                                            ever since.

Where is the . . .

"This is the most beautiful
      place on earth. There are many
             such places."

                           -Edward Abbey

Did You Ever See A . . .

Did You Ever See A . . .

     -barn swallow

     -horse fly

     -flip flop

     -bumbershoot

     -hot dog

     -teeter totter

BONNIE AND CLYDE

On a trip south, we happened to sleep one night
in the same motel that Bonnie and Clyde slept in.
Not just the same motel near Rockport . . . but the
same bed. As I looked up at the nearby ceiling, I
thought of that couple. Did they rest well?
There were loads of mosquitos both outside and
inside the motel. The staff attendant cautioned us
by saying: "be sure to leave the light on in the
bathroom and keep the bathroom door open."

We did . . . and it worked!

Tres bien

We so needed
the rain.

And - it came
in the night.

Gentle.

Over
an inch.

Very good, very
well.

Excellent.

Serenity Prayer

God, grant me
the serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change -
the courage
to change the things
I can -

And the wisdom to know
the difference.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Swooping,
graceful, low,
flowing flight -
almost always
water nearby.

Deeply forked
tail streamers,
spotted with white.
Dark metallic-blue
upper parts with
chestnut-red forehead
and throat.

A half-cup nest
build of mud and grass
hidden under
eaves of buildings
or under bridges.

One April -
I was out of town,
and found Barn Swallows

in Peru.