Friday Floral

Illumination

This being human is a guest

house. Every morning

a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and attend them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture, still,

treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

Welcome difficulty.

Learn the alchemy True Human

Beings know:

the moment you accept what troubles

you've been given, the door opens.

Welcome difficulty as a familiar

comrade. Joke with torment

brought by the Friend.

Sorrows are the rags of old clothes

and jackets that serve to cover,

and then are taken off.

That undressing,

and the beautiful

naked body

underneath,

is the sweetness

that comes after grief.

~ Rumi

Friday Floral

Dahlia

It's my birthday!

The Bot is trying to care, but he'll have to get back to me.

~   ~   ~

Bonus birthday surprise: Senator Maria Cantwell visited our office today and I had the opportunity to chat with her and shake her hand. Now I can say I shook a Senator's hand on my birthday.



Illumination

Come
Come, whoever you are! Wanderer,
worshipper, lover of leaving
Come.
This is not a caravan of despair.
It doesn't matter if you've broken
your vow a thousand times, still
Come,
and yet again
Come!

~ Rumi

Snip Snipe, Snip Snipe

This season of Project Runway has my stomach churning with all its ugliness: and I'm not talking about the clothes. The judges have become increasingly unnecessarily cruel. During last week's episode I began reconsidering my loyalty to the show with every biting remark spewed from judge Joanna Coles' sour mouth. (Really, Joanna, you would fire Nina Garcia for a garment she wore that didn't satisfy your criteria, despite her years of service and dedication? Really?!) But this week hit a new low when the contestants took their turn at being condescending diva bitches. At least in the past I could ignore the judges because I enjoyed the contestants and the fabulous garments they created. Sure Christian Siriano was practically the definition of 'diva' at times, but at least he was funny, and wow, could he design and sew. This season there seems to be no striking talent, creativity or redeeming personality. The only person I might stand a chance at liking is Kimberly Goldson. But I'm not sure if I'm willing to stick around to find out. 

Friday Floral

Crocus

The Siren's Call

On July 10 we saw Neko Case at the Paramount in Seattle. Although it's a beautiful venue, I would like nothing more than to watch her perform in a smoky bar. She's a gritty woman, I would even call her a "broad" (gasp), and when she's not singing, she loves to swear and has a filthy laugh. Out of that wiry woman with crazy red hair comes a voice that I would imagine is like a Siren's, weaving tales and luring men, and women, out to their beautiful demise. I envy those who had the opportunity to enjoy her in a small dive bar, where I'm sure she threw back a few drinks, told a couple dirty jokes, and let her voice fill the room. In theater actors are told to project their voices to the back of the room; her voice seems to project into the next state.

The Kittenpants Bot

He is mine. I am his. He is The Bot.