one animal, another

I have been close to several animals lately.
Hen, cat, horse, cow, tui, person.
I like how this photograph is giraffe,
but more like a zebra shadow.
Photo: Auckland zoo

just around the corner

Seems everywhere is just around the corner.

Photo: Wairarapa, New Zealand

the whole body needs

Sometimes, the whole body needs to be lightly wrapped in water. Yes, how I love taking the long bath. Just seeing the tub is also restful, if we do not immerse the whole self.
Photo: Bathtub, with a bank mirror, and a gift from Japan

always looking, all ways

I am back in Hong Kong.
Portrait of Madeleine by Alexandra Lynch

joy dog

We watched man and dog and ball. How the dog seemed to give everything, in the most glorious way, to get that ball as directly as possible. I call that joy.
Photo: Paekakariki, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand

the earth's deep breathing

Every night for the past few months, we have been reading the wonderful book, 'the earth's deep breathing', a collection of garden poems from New Zealand compiled by Harvey McQueen. Such voices and seasons. 
Photo: Rose from our garden, Carterton, New Zealand

wearing wool

I am wearing a handwoven wool sweater as I type.

This is freshly sheared wool, in other colo(u)rs.

Photo: Wool, Carterton, New Zealand

once

Seagulls were here.
Photo: Castlepoint, New Zealand

ascending, falls

And we, who think of happiness

as ascending, would feel an emotion

that nearly shocks us

when a joyous thing falls.

Photo: Huka Falls, New Zealand

Text: The closing lines of 'The Duino Elegies' by Rainer Maria Rilke

Translation from the German (and emphasis) by Louis Hammer and Sharon Ann Jaeger

seven thousand miles

I am traveling in a few days. About seven thousand miles. Over land, and a lot of sea. From the rural to the very urban.
This morning, I looked up and saw purply snowy mountains of New Zealand. Next week, I will see all things Hong Kong hot and humid.
Photo: Train station near Wellington, New Zealand

about to

Looks like something is going to happen.
Photo: Masterton, New Zealand

fig, figment

I do not like to wear words, especially words that advertise. Wearing little sweetnesses is better, so with a black permanent marker, the two TOMMY HILFIGER on my vest now read TO MY FIG on the front and, with a dab of white correction fluid, TO MY TIGER on the back.
This reminds me of Andy Warhol who wanted his gravestone blank, saying if he had to have any word there, he would choose 'figment'.
Photo: Figs, Titirangi, New Zealand 

it is what keeps

My father took this picture when I was five. We lived in a university town, where he was his happiest as a professor, and I was happy too. I think I have always been someone who loves, gives. It is what keeps me me. As a five year old, I liked to talk with people in the neighbo(u)rhood who lived alone. My mother would go to several living rooms to find me.
Photo: Madeleine on a tricycle, in the eyes of William
It remains my favo(u)rite picture of myself

sometimes

Sometimes I want to be a tree.
Photo: At the Miro Museum, Barcelona