Welcome to Saturday ...

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“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of those rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs." ~ Norman Maclean

~

~~

Downstream, below a bend
in the woods
a fisherman
looks to sun, first
as to know where shadows cast

Easing behind a tree
sitting on a root
relaxing, blending pulses
watching water, riding rhythms of the stream

Creatures hatching, falling from branches
rising from bottom
cocoons
tiny shells of transformation
winged wonders risking flight
needing sex, food
celebrating life
all, too, brief

The Caddisfly
which color body for this light
dry fly, wizardry of tying
matches of nature
made
elk hair recycled
into first course
appetisers

Wait, make not previous mistakes
be sure in choice
before wading in
noiselessly, stepping upon slippery path
moving left across the brook
anticipation grows,
three-sixty-view, satisfied
a gentle cast
and batons of ages
begin the reach
of master’s hand
made leader
practice for the coming ...

Erotic flashes in knee-deep water
rushing, riffling, making foam, food-train
where fly must go
where beauty feeds
in soft water,
conserving energy

Eddy on the right in memory
rotating just below largest stone
plunging eternity

Knowing how in present light with water high
riparians in the way
one chance to hit the circle of the day
the edifice, the sacrifice, the effort
consuming
confidence in play

Peace
make no mistakes today

Stealthily skirting the bend, fisherman,

minimalist, he is

sporting no Orvis of Bernays'
finds his footing in the shade
current tickling cooling feet
smiles
captivated in upstream painting
he, too, cocooned in greenery
going left was right
the only choice
for flight
of the fly

The beauty’s there!
having late breakfast
being alone and satisfied
no danger lurks
sips, time, sips, time, sips some more
adroitly taking plenty from sexual ecstasy
blazing blue, a rainbow of silver, reflecting, dancing
in fisherman’s eyes
the prize

At home, content, having spent years in pool
wise beyond other fools
surviving all their fancy tools
one cast must do, be true

Eases out of bubbling stream
breathes deeply
sits upon a mossy stool
in bewilderment of ages spent
in drowning pools of discontent
and lets it go

One cast would do.

~~~

~

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So our cat "Ringtail" who was prematurely given up for dead by me in this post on Wednesday 6/24 somehow made it home and showed up at the back door barley able to walk yesterday afternoon. He is now in the ICU at the Vet. Hospital on a variety of I.V. stuff. It looks like he was used as a chew toy by some critter much larger than he is. It / they got a hold of his hind end and he has bite injuries on his sides and hips. They had to stabilize him from shock and dehydration with I.V. fluids and Meds. for a few hours before they could sedate him and then check out his injuries. Lucky for him and us that so far it looks like there are no broken / fractured bones. No punctures to the interior chest cavity and no sepsis or leaking from his intestines. He will be in the hospital for a minimum of two more days while they continue to help him. He was in good physical shape so the prognosis is positive. (so far) He had a lot of maggots on his wounds that carry a bunch of nasty infectious stuff. He has a fever and they have him on two antibiotics as well as fentanyl for pain and and an anti inflammatory. They told us he has been shaved clean of fur from his shoulders down to his tail so I'll post a photo after he comes home. (fingers crossed) Due to Corona Virus restrictions we are not allowed into the Vet. facility so we just handed over the pet carrier at the door and gave them a credit card number and permission to work on him over the phone. Thank god (FSM) we have a 24 / 7 / 365 vet hospital about 30 minutes drive from our place!

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Anja Geitz's picture

@jbob

Sounds like Ringtail got really, really lucky.

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

enhydra lutris's picture

@jbob

be well and have a good one.

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8 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Lily O Lady's picture

@jbob

adopted (from the wild) cat had her encounter. I couldn’t find her the morning I left for work so she had to stay out in the drizzle. She was a free range cat who only wanted to be inside when she wanted to.

I still couldn’t find her when I got home from work, but our next door neighbor came over and said that she had gotten into the engine compartment of her husband’s truck when he was home for lunch. He heard a strange sound when he started his truck, and it was Annie who ran into the fan. She ran off before the could catch her.

When it was dark she finally showed up with a terrible gash across her side. We took her to the vet who had spayed her, but I was sure she was a goner. Beside the gash, the head of one of her rear femurs was broken. The vet removed it and said that scar tissue would eventually build up so that she could still walk. He shaved one side of her and stitched the gash. I was sure we were going to lose her, but he pulled her through. She lived to be seventeen.

Your kitty sound like another tough one. I hope Ringtail makes it.

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12 users have voted.

"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

Granma's picture

@jbob it took a lot of determination for him to make it home to get help. I hope he heals well and his fur grows back quickly.

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smiley7's picture

@jbob
come swiftly and be long lasting.

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snoopydawg's picture

@jbob

but very sorry to hear that he is hurt. I will offer up blessings that he gets better and he will be home with you soon.

As to vets only seeing pets and not allowing their humans to go in with them this is what vets are doing across the country. Except mine let me go in with Charlie yesterday as long as I wore my mask.

Folks Charlie could use some prayers too or whatever you feel comfortable with. I’ll know in 2 weeks if she has to have surgery and for what.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

smiley7's picture

@snoopydawg

fingers crossed for a healing outcome.

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Anja Geitz's picture

Is that your verse?

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

smiley7's picture

@Anja Geitz

The verse is mine, hope you enjoyed,

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Anja Geitz's picture

@smiley7

Enjoyed the play on words. Descriptive and metaphorical. Weaving back and forth with each. Nice.

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

smiley7's picture

@Anja Geitz

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Raggedy Ann's picture

Who Among Us?

Walking past the storefront
I witnessed a homeless person
looking through me.
Who among us
is here to help
house them?

Sitting on the patio
of the café
I witnessed a child
look longingly
at the toast.
Who among us
is here to help
feed them?

Watching the passersby
I witnessed a family
with no means
of transportation
to hold a job.
Who among us
is here to help
sustain them?

Stop what you are doing.
Stop and look around.
Stop and listen carefully.
Who among us
will stop to help?

Enjoy a helpful day, folks! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

smiley7's picture

@Raggedy Ann

Who among us is a lovely piece. Who among us, indeed. Thank you for sharing your good thoughts.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@smiley7
as well, smiley. Thanks for sharing! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Lookout's picture

Fine fishing reflection this AM smiley. Busy today. Went to trade day. Things gradually improve...maybe half the people are now wearing masks. John Campbell suggests if 80% would wear masks this goes away.

Bought some small avocados, and swung by the feed and seed for straw bales to mulch around the new trees. Need to weedeat first. Got a 40V electric model that I love - no gas, no fumes. So hi ho its off to mulch I go...

Hope you all have a great day!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

smiley7's picture

@Lookout

A gentle rain taps upon the rooftops, one of those up in the cloud storms,

Sad to report that when i went to check on a favorite apple tree on the college campus in Banner Elk, the tree lay on the ground, cut into pieces. Almost cried, the admins of college should know better than cut old fruit trees, especially ones producing great fruit. I saw no evidence of disease in the sliced rings. Why?

Been cool here, mostly, take care while working in the heat.

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Lookout's picture

@smiley7

We got a new principal at our school. When I returned in the fall he had a landscaper in who cut half the trees in the arboretum the kids and I had planted. When I asked what the hell was he thinking the landscaper responded getting rid of the trash trees. Still pisses me off to think about it. Sorry about the old apple.

Been cool and pleasant here too. New trees already weedeated and mulched. Plenty more to do though. Have a great week!

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6 users have voted.

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

smiley7's picture

@Lookout

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enhydra lutris's picture

lost in my note piles and chore lists plus the "perennials" of the form "Keep after ----". Too much planning ans scheduling prevents actually doing stuff, it seems. I think it is really all about avoiding certain tasks, so the thing to do, in my case, is just do those first, I guess.

Thanks for the pic and poem. Being transported to your stream is a good way to start the morning. Nize music to go with it too.

be well and have a good one.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Granma's picture

@enhydra lutris dread or dislike first, it is often energizing and the rest get done easily.

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smiley7's picture

@enhydra lutris

getting a late start to today, having enjoyed last evening, No matter, those things to do pile up all by themselves and i don't have to do anything but watch, unless, of course, the pile falls on something. Smile

Visited Wisemans view on Thursday, the Linville gorge wilderness; felt good to walk in the high woods along a gentle trail and the view always astonishes.

Have a good one.

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enhydra lutris's picture

@smiley7

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

magiamma's picture

@enhydra lutris
I pick the biggest thing (as in size) that is the easiest (fastest) to do. It always gives me moe energy to complete the trst of my tasks. Lol

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

studentofearth's picture

Thanks for the flashbacks. Smile

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Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

smiley7's picture

@studentofearth

Glad you enjoyed, missing the Rogue. Smile

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magiamma's picture

Summer is here. Hawks are hungry. Pigeons flurry. Marine layer gray again. Day after day. Feeling the edges fraying, unraveling, warp loosening, unwinding, speeding, seeding futures, engendering cosmic shifting. May our long-wished vision prevail.

Peace, bro...

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6 users have voted.

Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

smiley7's picture

@magiamma

"Keep on keeping on,"

May the cover break bringing some California sunshine.

Be well and be safe.

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magiamma's picture

@smiley7
Back in the sixties there was a glimmer of the potential, of becoming. Many of us saw that. Now young people have many fewer options. The warp and weft was already fraying then. I just did not see it. It had been fragmenting, if even it existed, all along for many. George Floyd changed all that. Time and space compressed at that moment. Truth and lies merged and for a moment we all saw the excruciating horror of who we are. Now that our eyes are open we can no longer be complicit. The time is now.

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4 users have voted.

Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

smiley7's picture

@magiamma

and, imo, the fire should be directed at the established democratic party and MSM as moving those professing to be republicans is a waste of time.

This means new leadership, young blood leading the House and Senate, boxing Biden in, provided he wins, of course. Good to see some progress in the primaries. Still send along $2.70 in support of this paramount change.

The time is now, worthy of an essay. Thanks magi.

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3 users have voted.

heal and live happily ever after.
As I was planning to set up my office in my home, to an incredible inconvenience to everyone, I arranged to move in to a neighboring building, the law office of a family friend who passed away some 10 years ago. Rent free.
I have had 5 offers of office space, all free. I took the widow up on this, intend to pay utilities and will keep it mowed, have it cleaned weekly.
I do not even have to change my address!
After the stress of the last 3 days, I am cutting loose with loud rock music, courtesy of The Doors, and look forward to starting on the new building construction asap.
My office cat stayed away a day after the fire, but came back today, ate all her food, stuck around to get some hugs, so I hope she will be ok for the duration. Her home, her yard, her swing, her back porch, all gone.
I will check on her tomorrow. I can spend some quality time to give her some reassurance.
Anyway, hope everyone is staying healthy.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

smiley7's picture

@on the cusp

Glad you've secured an office and your cat found you. You are loved in community in Texas and here on c99 and most positively, a new building, designed and built to your wishes, excites new beginnings of the spirit.

Take great care and be safe.

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Dawn's Meta's picture

Must put in a much -loved book because of the fishing poem.

Such an Oregon book. I rafted and fished most of the places mentioned in the book over the years.

Thank you.

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A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.

Consider helping by donating using the button in the upper left hand corner. Thank you.

smiley7's picture

@Dawn's Meta

for the book recommendation.

We share fishing in Oregon in common as i lived in Ashland, great fishing of all kinds right out the door.

Good to see you; be well and safe over the pond.

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Dawn's Meta's picture

@smiley7 Give rose Give rose

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A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.

Consider helping by donating using the button in the upper left hand corner. Thank you.