Two Springs

Hello all -
Last week's "short & sweet" came to you from son-in-law's cell phone. I've seen a lot of changes in the last 73 years, from 3 cent postage stamps to phones that send instant messages! This week we're back in Tucson briefly before 2 months of whirlwind travel. My friend, Anne (Clark) Eyerly has suggested a new entry for Webster's Dictionary: "to gentzler - a verb meaning to vacation, cruise, travel or just get the heck out of Dodge for whatever reason." It fits. I will try to keep these "start your week" messages flowing from Boston, Chincoteague, the cruise ship and London.
This week it's about spring -- actually two springs. Here in the northern Sonoran desert spring comes early and has it's own beauty. The flowers are different from those back east and especially abundant this year because of the winter rains. But on the eve of my birthday, I'm longing for flowers of another kind and a granddaughter I need to get to know. Bet you can guess this classic English poet. I'll just give you verses 1&4. If you'd like 2&3, I'm sure you can find them.

THE DAFFODILS

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon the inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth (what a great name for a poet)

Have a great spring week! Maybe dance with some daffodils. Think of me near the end of the week dancing with my newest granddaughter, Willa.
Love, Keith

The Poetry of Music - Part 3

Hello all --
Short and sweet, from Death Valley.
When I'm having trouble sleeping, I find this better than counting sheep.

I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river,
In my soul.
-Marvin Frey

Have a peaceful week.
Love, Keith

--

Lines on the Wall

Hello all --
In one of the rental places we stayed at in New Zealand, three lines of a poem were hanging on the wall. An internet search of these lines tells me this is probably part of a poem by an unknown author that is often quoted. There appear to be many versions. In any case, I like it and think it would be a good way to start the week. Here's my 5 line version:

Work like you don't need the money,
Sing as though no one can hear you,
Dance as though no one is watching,
Love as though you have never been hurt before,
And live life every day as if it was your last.

UNKNOWN

I think I'll try a little singing, maybe even some dancing. I'll try my best to be loving to all I meet and give each day my best. Wanta try it with me?
Love, Keith

Two Years Old

Happy spring everyone -
St. Patrick's day was my second birthday -- as I call them, my bonus years. I guess a little of the luck of the Irish rubbed off on me that day. And that means I've been doing my "start your week" messages for two years. First you get a repeat of the very first one:

Treat today as if it is
the only gift you were ever given.
It is the most precious!
Fill it with love and joy and serenity.
Try to breeze past all the disharmonies
that may assail you.
Keep today special --
treasure it with every breathe
you take,
and every beating of your heart.

And as a bonus:

May I learn to live in the moment.
Today, may I stay focused on the now.
May I leave the past here --
it is finished.
May I limit my anticipation of the future --
it will be what it will be.
Let me honor today
with awareness and reverence,
Making each moment a gift.

Thank you Dr. Tuli, your medical team and medical science. These 2 years have indeed been a gift. Enjoy another week of life! ! !
Love, Keith

When Teutonic eyes are smiling

Tena koe (guess by now you’ve figured out that’s hello in Maori) -

We’re back in Tucson, me struggling to tear my heart away from New Zealand. As one man told me, they also have their problems, but it seems to me that they are very civil and seem to have their values right (like mine). And much as I like variety in my weekly messages, I’m going to use THE BONE PEOPLE one more time:

Wherahiko (the Grandfather): We don’t want to be left out, to sit ignored in the corner, but we might as well be. All the things we’ve got to tell, years of love and life and hate. We’d be a good drink for them, a fullbodied mature wine, and look at them! Overcome by fizzy pop, lollywater brew. . . sweeping his eyes round, fierce as a hawk, over the grandchildren pile.

Winking to Joe.

Marama (the Grandmother): When they want to listen, they’ll listen.
We can’t wake them up just to tell them our stories. They’re busy making their own. And in the meantime, my love, we’ve got each other. sliding her plump arm closer, tighter.

Winking at Joe.

- Keri Hulme

So often, I think like Joe, and Rie has to remind me that our grandchildren are busy making their own lives. And that we have each other. Happy birthday, Rie. Wink!

Now how do I get to Ireland? Well, Keri does have some European blood – maybe it’s Irish. May you have the luck of the Irish this week – green beer tempered with a wee bit of Maori wisdom.

Kia ora koe (good health), Na tow hoa (from your friend), Arohanui (much love) - Keith

Winging, walking, listening

Tena koe to each of you. Think of us winging our way back across the restless Pacific.
How misnamed it is – always talking.

O, never silent by the sea
always something talking
water on rocks
water on sand
wind and birds
your heartbeat and
others’ words
whatever knocks
keep right on walking
Listening is for free. . . .

Keri Hulme

No matter what happens this week, keep right on walking. The best things in life ARE free.
Arohanui, Keith

Dancing with the Maoris

Tena koe again from New Zealand (or San Francisco, if you prefer).

Our first visit to this beautiful country happened to be on Sept. 11, 2001. That night I got to dance with the Maoris. They were extremely kind and understanding about the events in the US. They even said my tongue-out growl wasn’t bad. ROOLOOWHALL!

Sunlight metalling horizon to silver;
long stretch of ruffled grey.
A matt white line of breakers.
Behind the steel, clouds reach darkly up
tops shaded by cold still light.

Keri Hulme

Begin your week with the calm of cold still light.

Na tou hoa,
Keith