My Puppy

My Puppy

He waits each morning

Until it’s light

He left the house

Last night

Now he’s lost his place and

You can see on his face.

He hasn’t learned not to roam

And has wandered far from home.

The Bear's Night Journey

A Bear’s Night Journey

When I started to travel this night

It seemed to be a very quick decision.

But I knew it would be all right,

My eyes are adapted to nighttime vision

I usually make these decisions alone

But this morning our group was called together

By our leader who said in an ugly tone

“You must bring more food before bad weather.

We almost always have food availability

And can fill up on fish and rabbits.

Next to our leader I have the best ability

But sending me off hunting is one of his habits

Tomorrow I must go through a human field

They have come to see all bears as danger

There is nothing I can do to make them yield

Then there will be a problem with the local ranger

But the journey has now begun

Dune

ADVENTURES Of DUNE

There are eighteen novels connected to Dune;

A dry sandy planet which looks like Earth’s Moon.

A long time in the future or perhaps in the past.

We humans are no better in the Universe blast .

But here we need to seek no apology.

Readers of the novels will gain much psychology.

So look at the sand dunes painted above.

Then read the novels that you will come to love

The Eagle's Story

The Eagle’s In Charge 

Millions of Years ago

I started out.

Just over a hundred years ago

I joined the Boy Scouts.

Now as I watch out

Over the land

America’s the place

I will continue to stand

Sitting On The Edge of Time

Sitting On The Edge of Time

Looking through the window of my computer

Listening to the outside world

With over seventy four years of life gone past

To an uncertain future; slowing eyes, ears and memory

I smile, look over the edge of time, then jump.

No, someone says he’s too old

No one laughs

And then, released from damns in each of us

New ideas flood our conversation

At times each flounders

Fearing he or she is beyond their depth.

But always someone throws a lifeline.

No one drowns

At last we’re tired

And sit on cushions staring

Eyes meet again from flowing minds

We leave out thought adrift

What is democracy

But the right

To swim together

In conversation

Wisdom and the Light of Truth

               He march’s along, blinded by the light of truth

               Shining from the inside out, it guides his way

               Through Darkness

               He sees so clearly within the distance

               Of his mind, that he fails to hear

               The truths of others

               And so he walks alone in silence.

                Blinded by the light of truth

               Hs stumbles and then falls

               Each step becomes less certain

               Unknowing that the light he sees

               Is nothing but a curtain.

American The Great "God Bless America"

America The Great

All the world is full of humans
Found together in society.
Most of us love our home
Like in ancient times
The ones in Rome.

But some times
We must face a snake,
And then must fight
To avoid a break

Memory: International Mail Art Exhibit

Not only is art a great experience at home, my wife and I like to share our paintings with the rest of the community, if possible, around the world.  My little painting next to me, entitled "America The Great" was created to express my love for my birth country the USA.   I also love Canada and am a citizen of both countries.  I had no idea that this small painting would bring such happiness.  The painting is an excellent example of freedom in North America.  As you read this let me say "May The Force Be With You."

Meet An Angel Fish Couple

An Angel Fish Couple

The Male

“Going out looking for a meal,

Doesn’t make me into a heal.

I’m ready this moment to make a lunge,

if I come upon a delicious sponge.”

“Following me is the woman of my life

Although she is not my only wife

With my fins erect and on my sides

I signalled her (and others) to be my brides.”

“Some times I get in a terrible mood

I become aggressive about  my food.

And other males will be very sorry

If they come into my territory.”

The Female

“It all happened in a very short time.

He swam up to me and signaled ‘you will be mine!’

He made all kinds of fast movements

In a very few moments.”

“Then swimming in good weather

We put our tummies close together

As close to him, as I thought I should,

I let out ten thousand eggs for good.”

“Now I wonder where he’s going.

An increased level of temper is showing

He’s looking for someone to start a fight

Any other fish will just right.”

The Walk of my Life

The Walk of my Life

Getting Oxygen into my Brain

Even while walking in the rain

Is helpful to my happiness

Walking keeps my muscles strong

And smilling with neighbours who come along.

All help losing  body weight

It is also a factor in fighting disease

With a heart full of ease.

It helps as I age

A postive view of aging

Is an important gain of life.

That balances stress

And makes it easier for my wife.

Riding My Life In Retirement 

I make my choices day by day

And live my life the joyful way

Sitting behind my faithful steed

I take a sip of wine

And continue to read

“Somewhere Over The Rainbow[i]”

         I recently came across the research article listed below and my heart started beating faster. The goal of the authors is to explore the significance of music to us older folks.  We are told in the first paragraph that while younger person’s attachment to music is well known, that of seniors is less understood.

         Some research articles even suggest that we seniors become less attached to music as we age.  So the researchers, who are here in Canada, began their journey by gathering info from the Canadian Study on Health and Aging.  First the researchers developed a questionnaire that asks about the importance of music in the person's lives.  Wow, this partly explains why I love Glee, American Idol, and The Voice.   Oh yes and I also love So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars.

         Recently, upstairs in my art painting “office.”, I recently plugged in a portable radio and I plan to turn it on whenever I go up to paint.

         I also like to hum and sing and play with a harmonica. I also have a dulcimer, which I don’t play with very often.

 Now here is an interesting quotation “ Moreover, because music listening entails complex cognitive processes in structuring and retaining information, it is reasonable to ask if the  judged importance of music depends on general cognitive status.”

         So the began their research. There were  320 subjects with a mean of 78.3 years.  The subjects were asked five questions:

1.     How frequently do you listen?

2.     Do you participate in choirs?

3.     Do you play a musical instrument”

4.     Name a favorite song and it’s popularity/

5.     How important do you think music is?

Next,   “  ---It can be inferred that music can contribute can contribute to the quality of life regardless of mental capacity.”

    Finally, there are three important things to consider:

A)     First: government should make music a priority in connection to seniors

B)     The issue is challenging for example the government should ensure access and proper use of hearing aids (I have hearing aids for both ears and quite often forget to put them on when I walk out the door

C)     “Finally:  there is a role for education  in the fields of gerontology, developmental psychology, music education, music therapy, and music psychology to emphasize  the importance of music.”   PS I seldom get feedbacks from my blog posts but I would love to read what you think.

---

[i]  A, Cohen,  B. Bailly & T, Nilsson (2002). The Importance of Music to Seniors, Psychomusicolgy,  ,18, 89-102.

Something Fishy

Something Fishy

Big Fish: “Hey you two, slow down!”

Little Fish:  “NO WAY”!!!

Big Fish: “I”m new to this river.”

Little Fish: NOT TODAY!!

A Shouting Match

A Shouting Match

The Spider:  “Get out of my way or I’ll bite you!”

The Puppy:  “ I’m lost and anyway I’m bigger than you.”

The Spider: “Ha! You’ve never met a Black Widow before!

The Puppy:  “Better be careful; don’t make me sore

The Valley of Love

The Valley of Love

I hiked all night

In a forest of dark and quiet.

As the Sun began to rise

 I came upon a wall

On the other side was

A land of beauty

Then I heard birds singing.

Tiger's warning

The Tiger Speaks

“You are taking us away

You're killing us and destroying our homes

I have been hoping you would change.

It has taken me a long time think this through

My friends look to me for leadership.

When I make up my mind

There is no turning back.

My tail is between my legs

And there is no turning back.”

Dream World

Dream World

This painting is my first fully imagination-based project. It is a reflection of dreams that have arisen and encouragement from my Fine Arts graduate wife. Until recently most of my paintings have come externally; copying photo representations of people, animals and landscapes.

Along the way I have had a growing desire to be “creative.”  And one of the things art advisors tell us is not to end a painting project by dumping acrylic leftovers into the sink.  So, a few days ago I began this project. In addition I recently have occasionally been able to actually manipulate dream characters while I’m still asleep.

So, a few days ago I began this project by applying “left over” paint to a canvas on the other side of the room. The next day the paint began to reflect specific images as I added more paint.  This evolved into a plan for the whole project.

A Bear of Stone

I began my creativity hobbies five or six years years ago.  First with woodcarving and using stone.  Next month I will show more.  My first representation is my Bear of Stone. I have not included any poetry with this because my bear prefers to stand alone

Ella The Kitten

Ella The Kitten

When Ella entered into our path

She was a young and curious kitten.

Who acted out and made us laugh

With chasing birds she was smitten.

In our side yard we have a tree.

Birds often come there to rest.

Soon they came to see

It as good place to nest,

After that Ella got real excited

We couldn’t watch her all the time

And so one day she started to climb

When a bird in the nest was sighted.

Her climbing skill had not developed yet

But she started up the trunk

On a small branch she almost lost her grip

And must have thought her life was sunk.

We came in time to get her free

She was a very happy cat

And while she likes to look at birds 

She doesn’t try to climb the tree

Our Cat

Ella The Enchanted

Living with Ella is a wonderful life

Sitting on my lap purring

She lessens stress

And much of my strife.

To deal with other animals

Especially birds that fly by

She sits quietly at the window

Staring up into the sky

An Angel Fish Couple

The Male

“Going out looking for a meal,

Doesn’t make me into a heal.

I’m ready this moment to make a lunge,

if I come upon a delicious sponge.”

“Following me is the woman of my life

Although she is not my only wife

With my fins erect and on my sides

I signaled her (and others) to be my brides.”

“Some times I get in a terrible mood

I become aggressive about  my food.

And other males will be very sorry

If they come into my territory.”

The Female

“It all happened in a very short time.

He swam up to me and signaled ‘you will be mine!’

He made all kinds of fast movements

In a very few moments.”

“Then swimming in good weather

We put our tummies close together

As close to him, as I thought I should,

I let out ten thousand eggs for good.”

“Now I wonder where he’s going.

An increased level of temper is showing

He’s looking for someone to start a fight

Any other fish will just right.”

Happy Happy Happy

                                                                       

 I am a very happy man.

I live each moment the best I CAN

I enjoy life and am getting the most out of each day

Including my darling wife with whom I like to stay.

With Meditation practiced every day

I live in the here and now with much to say

Yes worry and stress come from inside thought

But so does happiness

Living fully one step at a time

The life I live is full of love

And happiness

Where Are The Berries ????

“I come to the meadow often enough

Looking for berries and other good stuff.

I really don’t have much to say

But if I’m hungry enough

I’ll eat grass and hay.”

“Most people think we are really quite cute.

Other’s grab their rifles quickly to shoot.

Because it’s less likely to occur in BC

Wanting to shoot us is a puzzle to me.”

“A lot of the time I do my hunting alon
In the meadow and forest close to my home.

                                     But in the summer when the salmon swim in

                                         I go fishing with dozens of my other bear kin.”

                                         “Well now like I’ve been yakking a lot

                                          And sitting to long in just this one spot.

                                        I think I just saw a couple of rabbits.

                                           I think I’m fast enough to catch them.”

King Crow

The Crow: King of the Birds

I announce to all birds

I am the king of the land

I am also the smartest of my own band.

If you listen closely I almost speak words

I have found many ways

To get something to eat,

From insects and spiders to

Nuts on the street.

I also like parking lots.

I do not live alone.

I have friends and family.

When we’re ready for children

My wife and I build a nest together

We enjoy flying with our neighbors.

An Alpha Wolf's Tale

An Alfa Wolf’s Tale

As you can see I have retained my

Dominant expression; far from submission.

Yesterday a horse kicked me on the head,

While I was hunting in the wrong position.

I was the leader of my pack

Until that old horse I was hunting

Showed he knew how to act

When he used his head for bunting.

Now I journey on without family

Alone and very very angry.

Now that I have passed away,

I have become a demon.

The Bald Eagle Speaks

The Bald Eagle Speaks

Being one of North America’s largest Birds

 The feeling of responsibility is almost beyond my words

My over 7000 feathers help me keep from harm

And during the winter they keep me warm.

I am a symbol of freedom and escape from strife

Independence is the symbol of my life

Yes among birds I seek be in charge.

That’s in part because I am very large.

You humans need examples that I will share.

Once I got a wife I was always be there

Even though she’s bigger than me

She does not try to scare,

So, while there still those who like to shoot me

I will continue to be one of America’s beauties

And fly through the air on life long duties

And sing; My Country Tiss of Thee

Mama Bear and Her Baby

      Mama Grizzly Bear and her Baby

Her hair looks grayish and brown;

Seen in Grizzlies all over the world.

But this meadow is hers and

No other animal will try to take it.

For them the task is too tough.

In B.C.’s hot summer sun,

She looks at her cub in silence;

With only an occasional grunt.

She knows that world’s humans

Are not likely to come there to hunt.

She looks down at her baby

And gives a deep sigh

Her last little ones, after only

Six months, had started to die.

And left her quite lonely

Now, in the sunshine of summer

She cuddles her young one

In warm wonderful heat

And reaches down for more grass

Something she decides to eat

Venus Earth's Neighbor

Venus, Earth’s Evil Twin

While Venus de Milo, the statue, is noted for her charm,

Venus the planet is noted for its harm.

Venus de milo, is a creation of female love;

While Venus the planet; evolved in the sky above.

Both Earth and Venus circle in similar paths

And both planets are together near the sun

But unlike other planets in the system

Venus the planet travels backwards

In the opposite direction; the only one

There are other things about Venus

You might like to know

First, it has the System’s brightest light

Following the Sun and Moon

It’s brighter in the sky than any star.

Its surface has been compared to molten lead

With active volcanoes all over the place

Even if we could stand on it we’d be crushed and dead

More than other planets, Venus is the hotter

And it has not even a touch of water

Finally, the Earth rotates the Sun in 24 hours

Venus takes 10 times as long