June in Oregon

Summer teases us in 2-3 day increments. That's when the false sense of "Ahhhh, languor." flows through my warm, sun-soaking self. I sip my cucumber-infused vodka martini. I laze in our Garden of Tranquility and relax into meditative stillness. The sounds of birds, water flowing over rock,  and soft chimes blend to a soothing background.

Soon, I tell myself, the roses will thrive and open new unbeaten  blossoms. That was before. Yesterday I pulled my raincoat out of the closet again, found a sweater, and today I might bake and warm the house up.

A verse of Portland Summertime, apologies to Gershwin

Summertime,
And the weather is warm now.
Strawberries are local,
And the vegetables thrive.
Snow-covered mountains,
Pose against blue skies.
Light lingers till ten here,
And the streets are alive.

During Candlelighting for Shabbat

Sweet flood of anticipation,

I place brass candle holders  on linen

Polished, their luminescence brightens

In candle flame.

Pulling light, closer, closer, closer,

my hands circle three times.

Whispering blessings

Flame warmth engenders memories

of loving hands circling.

I feel the holiness light my mother’s face.

A Special Moment in Hawaii

I wrote this on Facebook but want to save it: We were in Hawaii in March of 2012.

At midnight last night I awoke and looked out at the sea. A strong warm trade wind was

whipping the water to white caps in a silvery black vastness. The moon was half-full and hung

low surrounded by rings of clouds, tinged golden by its brightness. 

Below the moon was a huge lake of shimmering white silver light. In the foreground palm 

fronds danced in the wind. 

This morning, Humpbacks were swimming and breaching just 50 to 100 yards offshore.