Urgent green
insistent gold-brown
fullness of spring water
plays its deep-toned melody
in a fast, loud, on-rushing rumble
more dramatic than the quiet contemplative alto
the higher-pitched gurgle
of summer’s gentle blue.
Here is Beau reading Tolkien – what, again? The light has to be just right, and he has to be comfortable to read epic poetry.
Dear Bloggers,
You know from my posts and poems that I am interested in and concerned about wolves. I have been lucky enough to see them in the wild and to have taken pictures and videos at the time. Describing and sharing these encounters in more permanent form seems to me to be the best way to communicate what I have observed. I have tried to write a book that will appeal to many – not just to those who already hold a position regarding wolves. I have done my best to eliminate the political. These stories happened, and the pictures and videos record the experience. The poems reflect my feelings about the encounter.
Readers of the blog have seen many of the poems, pictures, and videos before. All the stories have been expanded; the background and circumstances of the encounter are set forth. In other words, for better or worse, the book does not rely upon a more subjective use of poetry to tell the story. Bloggers have not seen “Wild Encounters in the Pelican Valley”, my grizzly bear/wolf/buffalo story, or the video that goes with it.
Wild Wolf Encounters is now available through Amazon.co.uk and Amazon Europe
Here are some redbud pictures and poems from this spring and a less normal one.
Redbud hesitates
waits to open her blossoms
wakes to winter’s storm
(or)
Redbud hesitates
ventures open blossoms forth
provokes winter’s storm
Beautiful redbud
gentle and rounded
leaves flutter softly
in the wind.
Dense green branches in summer
heavy with snow in winter
violet red blossoms nipped so often
by frost in spring
home to birds
outside my window
grace on three slender stalks.
Here’s a link to an interesting article in The American Prospect about wolves and wolf management in the Western U.S. Everything I know indicates it’s accurate, fair, and thorough .
Wolves to the Slaughter, by Christopher Ketcham
Carter Niemeyer’s book Wolfer, referenced in the article, is fascinating, informative, and strangely comforting. Niemeyer has made it his life’s work to tell the truth about wolves. For that he is, shall we say, unappreciated in certain quarters. Telling the truth. What should be so hard about that?
More to come on that subject.
Hi Friends! Just a little note to tell you that the joke is on me! My new computer will not let me access my blog – or many of yours either. But my old computer will. One at a time, please!
Here’s a happy dog picture from their first visit to our mountain cabin. Lots to sniff and roll in. They stopped acting like guests – hurray!!
morning coffee with Bella
Once again, collies come to the rescue. In this case, two five-year-olds, possibly litter mates, rescue human – me – from a bleak, collie-less existence. About ten days ago, I filled out an application with Pueblo Collie/Sheltie Rescue. The director, Hope Hemperly, lives up to her name. Last weekend she called to say Beau and Bella had just arrived. I rushed down to collie rescue heaven. Hope has about 13 dogs in her home and knows everything there is to know about collies. I wish I had had her as a resource for collie health over the years!
Now the clincher – the mysterious, magical ways of the universe. These dogs are the closest thing to the spitting image of my Sneffels and Lulu that you could imagine. Aside from some coloring variations, they’re the same size and shape. They make the same sounds. Beau’s personality is as calm and loving as Sneffie’s. Bella is very calm, too – and so affectionate. I can’t wait to see her wag her tail. These dogs have been left twice with Collie Rescue, and I’m so happy it’s my turn now. Lucky me!!
For anyone living in the U.S. Rocky Mountain area and contemplating adopting a rescue dog, here’s the link:
goodnight Venus, goodnight moon, goodnight year
chick-a-dee-dee - hap-py new year
Dear friends who feel like family,
I treasure your unique spirits and talents. You make me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. I gasp with wonder and delight at your words and photographs. You inspire me. Thank you for expanding my world and providing a window into yours.
Increasingly frustrating computer problems have kept me away from WordPress. I can’t even access my blog – “error – try again (and again)”. I hope this is not a critical assessment on the part of my computer and will be getting a new one soon.
Even though our virtual communication has been minimal, I trust you can feel the energy fields moving as I think of all of you, hope you will thrive in the New Year, and send warmest holiday wishes to you and yours. You are simply the best.
Monica
