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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

first word

Carpe Diem Ghost Writer #27, 
Yozakura, the Unknown Haiku poet



©  Janice Adcock

purple lightning flash
wisteria influences
infant's first word

©  Janice Adcock


In late 2011 the blogging world began to hold an interest for me.  In visiting various blogs one in particular stood out, Poetry of the Water Witch's Daughter.  SuziCate's poetry included a form known as haiku.  I loved the succinct way this poetry was presented.  That beginning led eventually to Carpe Diem Haiku Kai.
And this is where I find myself in the journey at this time.  The poets that contribute to this sight are diverse, talented and way out of my league.  But I shall stay for a while, study, listen, learn and hopefully grow.  Maybe after a time there will be something of mine that can point another to this beautiful form of expression.

Please, join the poets at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai by clicking here

Monday, September 29, 2014

cherry blossom sunrise

sunrise


Mt. Fuji awakes
pink cherry blossom sunrise
gongs chime chanting monks
©  Janice Adcock

http://alliosnews.com/wallpapers-for-mac/

Thanks to Kristjaan Panneman challenge for this Monday.  To see the inspiration, challenge and poetry visit here.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

mushroom



At times the fall season can put me in a mild funk.  Something about it draws me back to my youth when all the bomb test were being done.  Duck and cover signs were posted in the halls of our high school.  Nuclear attack drills included moving to the central halls, getting on our knees and covering our heads with our hands. May there be a generation of children not having to endure these types of drills.

bullets raining down
spores of evil soar about
mushroom cloud morning
©  Janice Adcock

The mushroom cloud forming at the Nevada Test Site.
 http://www.atomicarchive.com/Effects/effects9.shtml

A second thought for mushrooms is certainly much happier.  The tasty morel mushroom would randomly sprout in our backyard garden.  Such sweet morsels for the taste buds!  From this happy place I submit the following.

spores carried
on fairy wings
mushroom delights
©  Janice Adcock

www.forestglory.com
gentle rain falls
fairy quickly opens
mushroom umbrella
©  Janice Adcock

The poets over at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai welcome you to enjoy their inspired verses on this challenge word, mushrooms.  Thanks to Kristjaan Panneman (Chèvrefeuille) for his diligence in providing inspiration and hosting the site.

"look granddad!"
he points at a Fly Agaric -
the home of a gnome ...

© Chèvrefeuille



Words by Francis of Assisi 4


[...] “A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.” [...]

..... clouded ...
dreary life........
daybreak
yellow sunbeams
dissipate sadness
©  Janice Adcock

©  Janice Adcock

For inspiration and other poets take on this challenge click here.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Tranquil

Koyu-Ni's "Tranquil"


Tranquil

pillow snuggled close
fallen cherry blossom bliss
sachet memory of spring
©  Janice Adcock

Sakura blooming © Chèvrefeuille

Instructions, inspirations and poets contributions here.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Fallen Leaves

Carpe Diem #570, 
Fallen Leaves


bare twiggy fingers
boots crunching fallen leaves..
cool dreams in the breeze 
©  Janice Adcock

©  Janice Adcock

Inspiration, challenge and more poets here.

Also, skies across the world.

Thanks to Skywatch Friday hosts





Please, Help Me I''m Falling

Not sure just when it started happening but I stumble and fall a lot.  I am thinking that there are maybe three categories for my falls. Physical impairment, impaired vision due to head up my butt and just plainly careless.  I fell a couple of weeks ago while running errands with my sister.  Her reaction, she later told me, was basically what is she doing now?  Why is she lying on the sidewalk?  Then it hit her that I had fallen yet again.  That one was a result of not lifting my knee high enough to compensate for the flip flop to clear the curb.  It flipped, I flopped.  Mostly bruised ego and stiff shoulder for a few days.

Many years ago I missed the bottom step off our front porch.  That resulted in a pretty badly sprained ankle. I was preparing for some unexpected company that had called to say they would be dropping in to spend the night in a couple of hours.  We were remodeling at the time so there was tons of stuff to clear out for folks to be able to have a place to sleep.  I stepped outside for a smoke break and a lot of stuff did not get moved after that.  That was definitely an anal-recta-vision issue (head up ones butt) situation.

Anytime we attend events that involve open air stadium bleacher seating the subject of bleacher surfing comes up.  The ability to surf bleachers is in direct proportion to three things:  to the amount of drizzling rain, the lack of shoe traction and overenthusiastic fan.  It involves slipping on one bleacher, remaining upright and sliding across several bleacher seats.  The winner is anyone who does no encounter permanent injury. Bruises are to be expected.  I am a professional class bleacher surfer.  This was a careless fall.

For decades the cartilage in my (now replaced) knee liked to cause pain.  Pieces would break off and roll around under the knee cap.  Hit on the knee just right taking a step, walking up of down stairs or getting out of a car and I was down.  It reached the point that tuck and roll became the norm for me.  During my son's early college days we were taking him to a nicer restaurant.  I was in heels and dress slack outfit.  Halfway across the parking lot, I found myself heading for the ground.  A young couple were rushing to help the (considered by them) old lady.  They scowled at my son as he said, "Nice fall, Mom.  You tucked and rolled perfect!"  Husband came to assist me in getting off the ground.  He was shaking his head the whole time.  I ruined the stockings that time.  This was a knee gave out fall.   To read of another fall from grace and ensuing empathy from my two guys you can click here.

I have fallen in unseen holes that were covered by leaves multiple times.  Fallen on the front porch by not  realizing how close I was to the small step.  I hit wrong on the back door step and fell onto the concrete patio.  I fell at Disney World.  I've tripped over dogs and cats and did silly dances to keep from falling.  Once in particular I was hurrying from the laundry room to our bedroom with an arm full of clothing.  I needed to use the bathroom.  Without warning I found myself flailing about having tripped over Sam, the golden retriever.  She is jumping up so as not to be stepped on while I am trying to gain control of my bladder, feet and the clothes.  The clothes lost, Sam yelped but I made it to the potty.  I did have to refold that load of clothing.

Okay, enough of my falling tales.  Join the slipping and sliding over at The Spin Cycle.

Thanks to The Spin Cycle Host Ginny Marie






Thursday, September 25, 2014

Corn

Corn


An explanation of challenge, example haiku and poets submissions can be seen here.

arrow straight corn rows
run to catch the passing car
clowns on walking stilts
©  Janice Adcock

http://wearethepractitioners.com/library/the-practitioner/2014/08/05/healthy-fields

Lizard

Lizard


Kristjaan Panneman's post, challenge and inspirations for this prompt can be seen here.

sun baked path is trod 
lizard scrambles under bush
they raise umbrellas
©  Janice Adcock

©  Janice Adcock
cricket's final song
lizard smiles as legs go down
hawk flies overhead
©  Janice Adcock



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

apples

Apples
jostled stem
 washed then peeled
nothing wasted

warm cinnamon laced sauna
fall tastes for a snowy morn

peelings
red hots
cinnamon jelly

sliced and spiced then wrapped in dough
humble apple first in show










Twenty eight years Wesley United Methodist Women have spent their fall Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays making apple pies complete with from scratch crusts.  Apples for missions.

For more takes on apples visit Carpe Diem Haiku Kai.





Seeking For Relief

 "seeking for relief"


Kristjaan Panneman has given a new challenge to those who wish to participate.  Further explanation of process is available here.

For this second episode of "Analyze That Haiku" I (Kristjaan Panneman) have chosen another nice haiku to analyse, also written by myself. Here it is:

seeking for relief
aching of a broken heart -
love isn 't forever

© Chèvrefeuille

Analyze the haiku, try to tell the story behind the haiku ... let the given haiku come to life ... see it in front of your eyes ... feel it with all your senses ... be part of the haiku ... maybe it helps to read the haiku aloud more than twice ... try to come in touch with the haiku. Share your thoughts, your analysis with us all ... and try to write/compose a new haiku with the story you analyzed from the haiku. !! Tonight at 7.00 PM (CET) starts our new Time Glass episode !!

My Analysis

1.  My mind goes to a breakup I initiated.  The relationship was at a crossroad.  I was wanting the next step, he was not.  Even though I cared as deeply as someone of that age could, it was a relief to end the relationship.  So much relief for me that the people at work noticed the change in me the very next day.

2.  The haiku could possibly be from the perspective of a critically ill person and their family.  For a loved one to finally give permission to the ill person to let go of life is heart breaking. The relief may take a while for all concerned.  Love and life as we know them are not forever.  I watched this process with several of my loved ones.  Mom clung to my Dad even though the doctors assured there was not 'fixing him this time'.  She needed to hold on a little longer.  She finally realized his extreme continued suffering was due to drugs fighting the process of his dying.  It was then she allowed all the drips, etc. to be removed.  He passed within two hours.  Relief for Dad, a broken heart for Mom.

two intertwined
pruning diseased vines
aching hearts
©  Janice Adcock





Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Leaves

Sara Teasdale's "Leaves" 
by Jen of "Blog It Or Lose IT"


Jen's inspirational post and haiku can be seen here.


lost in thought
wind! whirlpool of colors
immersed in beauty 
©  Janice Adcock

©  Janice Adcock


Just a Post, No Meme

I have been doing so many memes of late that I seldom just write a post.  So here goes.  Hubby and I have been getting back in the morning walk routine.  The cooler weather makes it ever so much more inviting.  He did and extra half mile today.  While he did that, I began tying up some of the vines that were tickling our heads when we sat on the patio.  Then it was on to the worm composter for maintenance.  I think we may have either drown or starved the worms as there are not nearly as many as the last time I did the maintenance.  It is really amazing how quickly the veggie scraps are consumed by the little critters.

Next I started digging our some more of my fall decorations.  The metal scarecrow is gracing the flower bed outside the patio fence, a small arrangement of gourds (that I put together today) on the gate, a fake pumpkin on the patio table and a fall wreath on the small flag stand.  The  table by front door has a small arrangement I put together today.  And more gourds hanging from the table.

Inside there are more fall decorations.  Added some witches and other little Halloween stuff replacing the summer stuff.  I need to make my Revlon doll a witches costume.  Or not!... During the time I did these things, Hubby began putting a rub on the ribs he bought yesterday.  He spent the rest of the day playing with the new grill/smoker that was his birthday gift.  Looks like a yummy dinner in the making for a little later.

There has been another side to the day that has been a time of concern.  My BIL was having a procedure to check the after effects of a mild heart attach yesterday.  Before the end of the day he had a stint installed.  Sis reports he is resting with the help of good pain meds.  Very thankful for the staff and care BIL is receiving.

In addition Sis received word during all this our sweet Aunt Opal is now on hospice.  Aunt Opal's daughters are asking for visitors to come see her.  This news leaves me with a heavy heart tonight.  Sounds like there may be a second trip to Dallas this month.

Let me get this sadness turned around.  Sis and BIL have a new grandbaby due any day now.  And to quote our Youngest Grandson, "When you eat all the Charms all that are left are the Luckys."  Here is hoping the Luckys spread some happy dust around Sis and her family.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Red Wine

Carpe Diem "Time Glass" #3, 
Red Wine


Twelve hours to write a haiku using this photo


And the words "Red Wine" or some other drink.

roaring fire dies
- water soaked ashes 
need lots more red wine

©  Janice Adcock

I will not bore you with the back story.  Just search for chimney on this blog and you will understand the situation we were in for several years.

Prayer Flags

Carpe Diem #567, 



Instruction, Inspiration and additional haiku here.

flapping sounds
breezy spirit tongues wagging
faith shadow images

©  Janice Adcock

The religion of laundry, Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

One of the first things that came to mind when I saw the prayer flags were the days in my life when laundry was dried on an outdoor line.  The process of the washing, whites first, lights progressing to darker shades with the work clothing being last was a ritual.  One to be preformed with great care to assure the best outcome.  Hand drawn water was heated in the iron kettle in the yard with a wood fire.  In later years, water was heated on the kitchen stove then placed in the Maytag wringer washer.  In my early teen years Daddy plumbed the house for running water.  With the addition of a hot water heater the ritual became simpler.

But some of the rituals still linger, whites first....  Dryers eliminate the beauty of the various color moving in the breeze.  Eliminated the glorious fresh air smell of clean sheets.  The pleasure of seeing ones work singing praises in the wind.  You think God hears our prayers as clothing tumbles in the dryer?

dirty laundry 
placed for all to see
checkout racks
©  Janice Adcock

And that is how my mind rolls!
Namaste

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Prayer_flags_near_Tagong3.jpg

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Purple Shadow

"purple shadow"


Inspiration post by Kristjaan Panneman:
blue autumn skies
folded into mountains
purple shadow

© Jane Reichhold

The goal of this new feature is to write a Soliloquy No Renga, a Renga composed by one person. With this new feature it is possible to help you to be more associative, because you have to compose an all new renga with at least six (6) links.

As you all know a renga has stanzas of three and two lines. The first verse "hokku" gives the title to the renga and sets the entire image of your renga. By association on the verse before the verse you have to write you can make the renga a complete story.
This new feature is just for fun and I hope it will bring you the fun and inspiration as I had in mind. You can choose on your own how much links you use, but at least (as I said above) six (6) links. The last link has to make the "circle complete" and in that way has a link with the first verse. That last verse is called "ageku".

So you have to start with this opening-verse or "hokku" and in your closing-verse or "ageku" there has to be a link or association back to this "hokku". Why? Well ... it's because of aesthetic reasons ... by linking or associating from the "ageku" to the "hokku" you make the "circle" complete.

blue autumn skies
folded into mountains
purple shadow                       © Jane Reichhold

mossy rock rests in shadows
green softly creeping along
crisp breeze startles
squinting eyes - tingling skin 
hands seeking in vain
softly embraced Mother Earth
little comfort to senses
brilliantly flashing
stars swirling surround -
blue moon dust sprinkles
dragonflies lingering gaze
panda nibbles bamboo shoot
scolding jay bullies
red crested cardinal gives chase
whirl of red and blue
small stream blue reflections
single red feather floats by
ugly rat scrounges 
hummingbirds sip nectar
prayers rise like mist
hours fill the long day
an instant seems like hours
red drops fall on rocks
mingling with blue moon dust
ego bruised -
snow-capped mountains stand watch
over purple twilight shade
©  Janice Adcock


See more of this challenge and other poets responses here

treasures

Words by Francis of Assisi (3)



[...] "Remember that when you leave this earth you can take nothing of what you have received, but only what you have a given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage". [...]


seeking foreign tongue
gentle child and grandma work
shared treasures
©  Janice Adcock

Saturday we had the pleasure of spending time with our little family. Our son, three grandsons and youngest nephew gathered at Son's home for pizza and visiting.  Son, Girlfriend and Youngest Nephew left to enjoy the pleasures of life outside the home.  We stayed to enjoy the pleasures of time with our grandsons, unsupervised by a parent.  Grandpa and the older two boys watched a movie.  Later Middle played a few hands of poker with Grandpa.  

Youngest is eight and thinks outside the box, always.  Youngest Grandson and I used a translator to help him "learn Portuguese".  We thought up words and would type into the translator.  He would write the English word on one side of the card and the Portuguese word on the opposite side.  The funny squiggles that add sounds to the Portuguese language gave Youngest Grandson the most problem.  Once the writing was complete we listened to the word sounds from the digital voiced translator.  We took turns repeating the words.  We even came up with the words for things Dad was needing for Youngest to do:  bath - banho;  bedtime hug - deitar abraço; pajamas - pijamas. We did proper names for several favorite soccer players and found they were the same.  Aunt, uncle, Grandpa, Dad, on and on till all the cards were filled.  

Bath was taken and he found more empty cards!  Then a deal to look up 5 or 10 more words before bedtime hug (deitar abraço).  Finally to bed but not to sleep as he was studying the cards intently.  Grandpa (Vovô) climbed the stairs and removed the cards (cartões).  Youngest will probably grow up to be a translator.  Right now he is looking to be a rock hunter.  Oh, the dreams of a child.  Oh, the shimmering gems of love.  

on her deathbed
she looks back on her life -
lotus flower blooms

© Chèvrefeuille


Saturday, September 20, 2014

Crow

Crow


Inspirational quote below with complete text here:

kare eda ni karasu no tomarikeri aki no kure

on a bare branch
a crow has stopped
autumn dusk
© Basho

harvest skies -
crows and hawk gracefully dance
winged warriors at play
©  Janice Adcock





In The Nothing

Sodo's "There is Nothing"



Inspiration text:
yado no haru nanimo koso nanimo are

in my hut this spring,
there is nothing, -
there is everything!

© Sodo

More can be seen here.

Mine for your consideration:

plenty surrounds
unseen by searching eyes -
breeze kisses my lips
©  Janice Adcock

©  Janice Adcock

PS.  After all this blog is I Got Nothing )



Glittering Blue

Ese's "glittering blue"

glittering blue
above empty riverbed
wings of dragonfly                                                 © Ese

red rocks awaiting rains
sun baked clay's unyielding grip                             ©  Janice Adcock

Inspiration link here.




Friday, September 19, 2014

Cutting Wood

cutting wood



Inspiration post here.

cook stove to be fed
chainsaw stopped - oak knothole
quiet fills the soul's air 

©  Janice Adcock

1930's lumber mill steam engine

What If

What If

The sky were red instead of blue
We did not age
Men shaved their legs instead of women
We could communicate with our minds.

People quit fighting
There were no weapons
Everyone had a weapon
The food was shared with all

Birds did not fly and people did
Wind never blew too hard
Wind was no more
Red sky was filled with yellow clouds

The wheel had not been invented
Oil had not been 'discovered'
Penicillin was still just a mold
People never were sick

The South Pole is really 'up'
There were no borders
Rats were not yucky
Hemorrhoids were a good thing

We had outgrown toenail that felt good
Everything was free
No one wore clothing
Kids did not have 'that smell' after hard play

Sex was not pleasurable
Childbirth felt good
Puppy breath was stinky
What if I just quit right now.  

For more takes on What If ....  wander on over to The Spin Cycle!

Thanks to The Spin Cycle Host Ginny Marie

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Vineyards

Vineyards


called to reach skyward
praise of outstretched leafy hands
flavorful dream-scape

©  Janice Adcock

hopeful vineyard ©  Janice Adcock

Post inspiration can be seen here.


river

Carpe Diem #563, 
River

Athabasca River, Alberta, Canada
2008 ©  Janice Adcock
what shall quench longing
thirsting for greater than self
stumbling blindly

forest undergrowth blocks path
nata skillful use clears way

crashing water sounds
shrouded in misty promise
pulls pilgrim closer

weary aching body moves
driving to the ultimate

lonely kayak bobs
watery light reflections
rivers damp kiss

©  Janice Adcock

©  Janice Adcock

Inspiration post can be seen here.

ants

Ants

In this episode of "Little Creatures" the leading role is for the ants those wonderful little creatures that work so hard, they are always busy (as I am, maybe I am an ant?) We will look at them in admiration and awe. Of course there will be a few examples of haiku written by classic haiku poets about ants e.g. Buson, but that's later in this episode. First I will look at a wonderful saying about ants in the Holy Scripture:

[...] "Go to the ants, you sluggard, see their ways and become wise". (Proverbs 6: 6) [...]

or what to say about this verse (also from Proverbs):

[...] "(Ants) which having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest." (Proverbs: 30: 29) [...]

That first verse from Proverbs is one of the most known and in my (Kristjaan Panneman's) country it has become a "saying". The haiku examples Kristjaan shared can be seen here.  The following is my choice of the haiku to be the first stanza of the challenge of a 6 stanza linked renga.  Still such a novice..


ari nagasu hodo no oame to nari ni kiri

it became a rain
heavy enough
to wash the ants away

© Kuson

churning waters disruption
swirling eddies threaten life

grasp for passing tree
limbs tire in surging current
watery serpent

streaks of electricity 
flashes across flooded fields

voice of lightning shakes
startled child cries out in fear
encircling arms

morning light shines on workers
ants milking aphid flock

©  Janice Adcock


©  Janice Adcock


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Humor in Haiku

Björn Rudberg on "Haiku and Humor"

Humor in Haiku and renga is today's GW challenge.

We have had even classic example previously here, consider for example this one by Issa:

spring peace -
a mountain monk peeks
through the hedge
Issa

So today I (Chèvrefeuille) want you to either, write a classic haiku with humor embedded, or take a classic haiku (maybe from our earlier challenges), and to a tan renku, where your second stanza create an effect of humor through coarseness and disrespect. 

Do not be afraid, this is a day to be merry.

©  Janice Adcock


old monk naps by pond
fresh recruits cannot resist
loud noise monk falls in

grasshopper should show respect
help me out the old monk cries

young monks grasp old hands
fast tug finds three very wet
good humor monks friend

©  Janice Adcock






©  Janice Adcock



meditation view
Budda sits with rock in hand
rat stops to chat

conversation is not shared
crazed person plays whack a rat

        : D                   ( < ;

©  Janice Adcock