8/31

A day spent in the gallery. First driving there.
A long “there”, but I gave a heads up and  friends
Came to visit.

Then to stay with friends and spend the evening
Talking and keeping company, I am grateful for
The welcome given.

8/30

When I leave here, I know the next place 
Will be without, without the life expected,
Without my Dear

I have tarried here longer than perhaps needed, 
Knowing that truth: I’ll carry him always 
In my heart.

Knowing, also, I go on alone.

8/29

Paint, draw, think about the show,
Mow, neaten, cook a meal or two
Not thinking much

Past the day, stowing thought of
Where I am heading, keeping that
Low in mind,

Keeping speculation from overflowing,
Going far from reach, though, I want to be
There so much.

8/28

A quiet day here, spent in the studio, painting some
Considering the order of a show coming up and
Finishing a book.

Not an important book but a bit of light reading,
Something for so long I could not do but now, 
Now certainly can.

Walk the dogs, ride a bit, too many biting flies,
Made going inside and picking up a book
A pleasant pursuit.

8/27

In the gloaming walk the labyrinth,
Dogs follow as the dusk deepens.
Wineglass in hand,

Love in heart: for my dear gone four summers,
For the beauty that is here, I walk silently
Being just here,

For the aroma of white flowers and
The fragrance enhances the air as
I walk by.

8/26

This wondrous place is not the same without you
But it is now my place and I receive great joy
In the evening

Sitting on the bench you made and as the day closes
Under the warmth of the sun, accepting the beauty 
That does enclose

This place with light and shadow, scents and sounds
The company of my memories and, for now, our dogs 
And always love.

8/25

A day spent with carol, you would like her
We shopped and sight see'd and spent
The day together

8/24

On the road again to see friends in upper state NY
Driving does require staying in the present 
Miss my go-go's

8/23

In the evening, in time for sunset
We drove to a lobster house cast up along
A salt inlet

And picked our dinner enhanced with
Drawn butter, reminding me of a
first dinner out

Before driving, walking with a friend,
A first into adulthood - lobster as talisman to
Time and love

8/22

8/22
Yard work in my mother’s gardens, 
Clipping shrubs, pulling weeds, digging
Out tangled weeds.

In between we sit and talk,
Gathering warmth from sun and 
Each other’s company.

Later tea and dinner, the usual routine here
Changed a bit by dessert with blueberries 
My brother picked.

8/21

Walk the Gallilee beaches with family
Talking about days and times in the quiet 
Way of friends

And return to nap and eat and sit together
Eating fried clams and fish and chowder
And laughing together.

My aunt glad for the company filling her cottage.
My mom happy to be there and the rest of us?
Enjoy the time.

8/20

Another day just hanging here, 
dogs have been to the vet, as for me?
risk is small

Greet the sunset from the deck near the canal
Dinner with a friend we talk into the dusk of 
now and then.

8/19

Quiet day around here, the weather is amazing,
Cool for late summer and we work in the yard.
I paint later.

8/18

Spent the day with my mother, as intended 
This trip.  Not so the phone calls relating to 
The fox  incident. 

Were I home now it would have taken
A different course. I blame myself for 
Not thinking through,

So am left to the goodwill of others, which
is secondary, as am I, in their lives. Not so
Comforting this time. 

8/17

I would never have detoured for the house
Where Mark Twain lived. It was a good take, 
Interesting and beautiful. 

Midday learned a fox was dead in my yard.
The same one? Probably and the dogs need boosters. 
What about me?

I hate being out of place. And right now I am.
Too far to do what is needed myself, must 
Rely on others. 

8/16

A quick stop to leave a birthday gift
For a neighbor and we are headed north,
Driver and navigator. 

Traffic through Delaware, breeze through
The "New" states into Connecticut, a good
Day to travel. 

Stay in a surprising delightful town and
a Saturday evening filled with folks enjoying
All of it. 

8/15

Day spent prepping for leaving
Laundry, mowing, cleaning and
Of course, chatting. 

With her help I can do yardwork not
Easily done alone and am pleased
With the results. 


Not so pleasing, the dogs run down
A mangy fox on their evening walk, 
It gets away. 

8/14

We walk the sands of Assateague
Trolling the sands and shallows for 
shells and pebbles,

And skirt the ocean waves watching
Pipers outrun the backwash as it washes out
Under our feet. 

8/13

The days of this cool august interlude
Gleam like a necklace of pearls, knotted 
Together with friendship.

8/12

She writes, I paint, we drink coffee and tea.
Mostly satisfied with the work done and pleased
For the time

To do it and I for the friendship near while working.
We plan a meal, gather supplies and put on dinner
For neighbors here.

A scurry and bustle of prep and tasting 
And checking. Fun to do, more to complete, 
Set and enjoy.

8/11

These days have been cool with bits of rain 
here and there. Today rode the black horse,
Like his gaits,

Was last horse my Dear ever rode. 
A neighbor took my friend for a buggy ride
Around the ‘hood.

Finished the day cooking dinner, drinking wine
And talking. We have both been working
‘Between all that.

8/10

I have come to realize that I do like have others
Around while I paint. It is not the same as my Dear
But is camaraderie.

That, thorough sense of place, that Jack filled with me,
For now, for me camaraderie needs others to complete,
Another small comfort.

8/9

Talk with a friend before she leaves on a trip
Spend the day with another friend, a quiet day
Doing quiet things.

Talk about times past and how memories bind,
Give continuity, foundation to remembering
What we are,

Where we came from, who we have loved 
And held dear and why. Allowing afirmation
Of our friendship.

8/8

Tea and sleep, rest and writing, talking about hopes
And plans and friendships and how sometimes
That is enough.

8/7

Another trip around the sun, a day with few plans,
But to enjoy the company of a few friends with
Good food, laughter.

8/6

What do two old friends do? Sit and talk as if 
There was no space and time between,  and 
Being old? Nap.

8/5

Forty odd years ago this girl entered
Seventh grade holding a bridle. I needed
To meet her.

Forty odd years we have been friends
And as her plane landed today, I am there
To meet her.

8/4

Why do i circle round & round place and purpose,
Connections and aloneness, without coming 
To an answer?

Why? I have spent time looking and considering
What may be best for me, now you are gone,
With  few answers.

Why? Perhaps because I have not yet had strength
Enough to actually contemplate a change, how? 
I miss you

8/3

8/3
Faith sang at a gathering of local churches celebrating
Family and friends. Went to hear her, others sing
And the preaching.

Both were amazing. I was enthralled  by it,
The fervor, the music, the words, still
Overwhelmed by it.

8/2

Rain on and off, light, but needed
Rode a bit mid-day and then
Tended the horse.

Swim with the neighbor’s grandson,
Dinner of good fish. Home to finish
A bone broth,

To rest into the quiet spots, to rest my own
Unquiet spots for a few hours anyway,
To allow ease. 

8/1

A badly clogged drain in the atrium, rain
Coming and I foresee a night 
Of bucket brigading.

The plumbers got it safe for now. 
Water often has been troublesome
In many ways.

So, perhaps my desire for a home 
By the sea may not be so 
Sensible of me.