Brewed by the Sun

Early morning, sun rising
Summer breeze in the air
The day before you
Clouds passing
Time is of no care

Leap the sprinklers
Ride and skate
Intemperate summer fun
Mason jar, tea bags steep
Brewed by the sun

Simply sweet, crisp and mellow
Savor the time and care
Back porch glider
Sunset horizon
Serenity everywhere

Illumination - Occasion 1

In keeping with the "illumination" theme, I wanted to share a photograph I took around eight years ago. This was taken before the digital revolution when the anticipation of waiting for developed film made the day you finally were able to view the results a very special one. I have titled it "Occasion 1". I chose that title because to me windows and/or doors or any opening from the inside to the out can be symbolic of an opportunity. The contrast is pronounced between the light and the dark and although most of the frame is black, the light still wins.

Illumination Round-Robin - Sunspots on Wildcat Creek

The final lines of the "Illumination" poem by J Power:

"
Seeing the water
I sat down and said to myself,
'We can be as beautiful as we want to be.'
"

inspired me to select this photo for the Illumination Round-Robin. Taken from the south bank of the Wildcat Creek, just a few yards downstream from the Adams Mill covered bridge, the uneven surface of the water produces not a single reflection of the afternoon sun, but rather turns the sun into hundreds of sunspots. This is fitting, since the image was captured shortly after leaving a reunion picnic of employees of the Sunspot Natural Market, owned by my sister, Joan. The Sunspot Natural Market has two locations, one in Kokomo, Indiana and the other in West Lafayette, Indiana, and is in its 34th year of operation. The event was held on the grounds of Adams Mill, which was constructed on the Wildcat Creek in 1845.

This photograph was taken on July 4, 2011.

Illumination Round-Robin - Adams Mill covered bridge

The Adams Mill covered bridge, located near Cutler, Indiana about halfway between Kokomo and Lafayette, was constructed in 1872 to allow single-lane passage over the Wildcat Creek. The bridge was completely reconstructed in 1999, and features a central open window on each side of the span, which illuminates the interior with natural light. The window openings also afford a view of the creek in each direction. The accompanying "illumination" photograph is a contribution to the Illumination Round-Robin, and was taken on July 4, 2011. Here is a view of the structure before reconstruction, and here are some architectural drawings of the original bridge, drawn in the 1970s by students from Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning under the supervision of the United States Department of the Interior. The Ball Stgate University study shows that the bridge is constructed using Howe trusses with added arches.

Illumination Round-Robin & Wishing You a Happy Birthday, Ditalini Press!

The latest post by J Power, Illumination, gives me the idea to start a round-robin. I'm continuing his theme with this balloon flower photo - see the star "illumination" center? Want to keep it going? Jump in! Post your photo, poem, tale - true or tall, or do like J Power and link to your YouTube video!

Happy birthday, Ditalini Press! You are all stars!

Illumination

Hello everyone. I have not posted here in awhile and so I thought I would offer a poem I composed in February concerning my belief that a sustainable existence with the natural environment and personal growth can both be achieved without one dominating the other. I developed a film around the poem as well which I invite you all to experience. It can be seen at my Youtube channel address which is www.youtube.com/user/joshuacallentown

I hope you all are well.

Illumination

I stood on a rock
in a field of grass and apple trees.
I was called to this spot,
called to stand there
and watch the clouds move
and the limbs
and to sense the earth turning.

I came here for direction,
that I might receive it
and that I might offer it.
What fire will I gift to the world?
What seed for the growing infertile?

I stepped down from the rock
and I was freezing.
I will walk to the creek,
I thought.

I imagined a human being
careful and deliberate
walking through these woods.
Fulfilled without imbalance.
Existence without harm.
With knowledge of the natural world,
its healing powers and abundance.
Communicating with all things.
Genius, green and growing.
Strong, enraptured and naked.
The care and the caretaker.
Concentrating the will toward illumination
and progress alone.

Seeing the water
I sat down and said to myself,
"We can be as beautiful as we want to be."

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson begins by introducing us to Mikael Blomkvist a financial investigative journalist. He has been sentenced to serve 3 months jail time and a monetary fine for libel against a crooked billionaire, Hans-Erik Wennerstrom. Before he begins his jail sentence he is approached by a Henrik Vanger to research the death of his niece who has been missing for 40 years. Vanger offers Blomkvist a large sum of money and tells him he has a year to figure out the mystery of what happened to his niece, Harriet Vanger. After the year Vanger says he will provide Blomkvist with the necessary information to take down Hans-Erik Wennerstrom.

The novel also follows the life of Lisbeth Salander, a tattooed and pierced young women whom he tracks down after discovering she had hacked into his computer. Lisbeth is tough as nails and takes no crap form anyone, despite appearing mentally handicapped. If you wrong her you better watch out, she will get revenge. With Lisbeth's help he begins to uncover more that just the mystery of one young girls disappearance.

After reading this book I saw that the original title was Men Who Hate Women, which I think would have been much more appropriate. Throughout the book there is violence, often sexual, against women, which turns out to be a recurring theme in the book. The book also gives statistic's on violent acts commited against women in Sweden. It made me very glad I don't live in Sweden.

The beginning of the book gets off to a slow start, but after getting through all the initial background on Blomkvist and Lisbeth the story really gets interesting. At times it is difficult to keep track of all the members of the Vanger family. I think a family tree outline would have been helpful, but overall it was a very good read and I am planning on reading the next two books in the series.

Limerick Laughs Submission

My submission for the Saturday Evening Post limerick contest Aunt Sue told us about.  Click here for contest details.

Caught off guard as the pins crack and tumble.

In those stockings she surely would fumble.

She kept me unaware,

I thought maybe a spare.

Smile, nod, and try not to grumble.

Writer-Bite: Limerick Contest!

The Saturday Evening Post is sponsoring a limerick contest, awarding $100 for the limerick judged to be the best fit for this bowling image. Your entry must be postmarked by April 4th!

Thanks for The Memory !

The Academy Award for Best Original Song of 1938 went to Thanks for the Memory, which was adapted many times over as it evolved as Bob Hope's personal theme song. Here's an adaptation I was inspired to write after spending a magical evening in Chicago. If you were there and want to add a stanza, feel free! If not, write your own adaptation as a March mini-challenge! For inspiration, see this video clip from The Big Broadcast of 1938 on YouTube here.

Thanks for The Oscars Dinner Party Memory

Thanks for The Oscars memory
Street-wise Daniel parked Mom’s car, Ball canning jar décor
Ikea world-wide wall map, gleaming oaken hardwood floors
How lovely it was!

Thanks for the memory
Of Michelle taking fashion notes, of category votes
PG had the early lead, as we all harbored secret hopes!
How lovely it was!

Many’s the time we were laughing
And many’s the time we were grinners
(Or groaners!) As we tried guessing the winners
Oh, to experience such ambiance!

And thanks for the memory
Of Paul’s java brewed just right, pick-a-cup delight
Fresh pasta Mia’s way set the stage for a perfect night!
So, thank you so much!

Thanks for the memory
Talk of romance books and, of red carpet looks
TC was Country Strong, but Randy won it with his hook
How lovely it was!

Thanks for the memory
Of Uncle Lee on eBay, (vintage postcards on the way . . .)
Thanks for treating us like treasure is what we want to say!
How lovely it was!

Where else would Division unite us
And where else would we raise a nice toast
To Chicago’s most award-winning hosts
We did have fun! The King’s Speech won!

So, thanks for the memory
Of Best Actress Natalie, of choppin’ broccoli
This 83^rd Annual Academy Awards party is now part of history!
And thank you so much!