THIRTEEN TRIPS

UNDER

Underwater

Weedy sea dragon
John Harasti, photographer









Underwear

Pin-up Girl, 1950
Gil Evgren, artist

Under the weather

I'll just sit here
forever









Under the stars

Sagittarius star cloud
within the Milky Way













Under the needle

Koi and flowers
Tina Bafaro, artist

Under the radar

Album art, Little Feat, 1998
Neon Park (1940--1993), artist

Under the influence

House Appropriations Committee
Pay to play, baby






Under the microscope

Mosquito
Vector, yellow fever









Underground

Serbian Orthodox Church
Coober Pedy, Australia









Under a spell

Love potion
#8

Under the hood

Chevy
1955

Under the covers

If I can't see you
You can't see me

Zen of Housework

I look over my own shoulder
down my arms
to where they disappear under water
into hands inside pink rubber gloves
moiling among dinner dishes.

My hands lift a wine glass,
holding it by the stem and under the bowl.
It breaks the surface
like a chalice
rising from a medieval lake.

Full of the grey wine
of domesticity, the glass floats
to the level of my eyes.
Behind it, through the window
above the sink, the sun, among
a ceremony of sparrows and bare branches
is setting in Western America.

I can see thousands of droplets
of steam - each a tiny spectrum - rising
from my goblet of grey wine.

They sway, changing directions
constantly - like a school of playful fish,
or like the sheer curtain
on the window to another world.

Ah, grey sacrament of the mundane!

Al Zolynas 1945 -

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~ Arab proverb

Photo: Tim Flach

Happy Birthday, Sarah J !

Are You Not Entertained?

Is this not why you are here?

No writing? No problem.

In lieu of the trite apology, I have joined the ranks of Those Who Blog Without Obligation. However, I am still a member of We Who Feel Guilty Anyway.

Holy Crap, it's 2008

January 1st on the Gregorian calendar. *yawn* It's when Christmas should be put back in its boxes. In 26 years, this has never happened. We tend to sit on the couch, eat, and pretend to watch the Rose Parade and various Bowl games. A much more sensible plan. *yawn*



I don't make resolutions. But if I did, I would vow to join the circus.






I would need skills! There are classes available in both Athens and Atlanta. I'll give it some thought. I'm sure I could break bones in either place.





Good omens

Rain! We got some. We need more. What did I do with that gourd?

According to those who know: Displaying a dried gourd in one's home is a good omen in Feng Shui.








We will soon enter the Year of the Rat on the Chinese calendar--the Earth Rat, to be specific. Rats are very cool mammals and make interesting companions.

People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox.





Astronomical happenings to look up to in 2008
(courtesy of earthsky.org)

February 1 - Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The planets Venus and Jupiter will appear only 0.6 degrees apart in the early morning sky.

February 7 - Annular Solar Eclipse. The path of annularity will only be visible over some parts of Antarctica. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout New Zealand and some parts of eastern Australia.

February 21 - Total Lunar Eclipse. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of the Americas, Africa, and Europe.

March 20 - The Vernal Equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere at 05:48 UT. There will be equal amounts of day and night. This is also the first day of spring.

June 20 - The Summer Solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere at 23:59 UT. The Sun is at its highest point in the sky and it will be the longest day of the year. This is also the first day of summer.

July 9 - Jupiter at Opposition. The giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth. This is the best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons.

August 1 - Total Solar Eclipse. The path of totality will begin in northern Canada and move east and south through northern Greenland, Siberia, Mongolia, and central China. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout most of Greenland, Europe, And Asia.

September 22 - The Autumnal Equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere at 15:44 UT. There will be equal amounts of day and night. This is also the first day of fall.

December 1 - Conjunction of Moon, Venus, and Jupiter. The crescent moon, Venus, and Jupiter will form a 3-degree triangle in the evening sky.

December 21 - The Winter Solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere at 12:04 UT. The Sun is at its lowest point in the sky and it will be the shortest day of the year. This is also the first day of winter.