Thank you Lord, for offering me so many rides around the sun, for good family and friends. For giving me strength to get through difficulties, awareness that events that I have so rebelled against furnish me with strength. In time, if I let them… Things we take for granted. The mystery and wonderment at … Continue reading Change the unjust laws
Author: Rising Over the Smoke
Rising Over the Smoke is me looking for larger patterns, hidden meanings in what goes on all around us. The world gets more conflicted and confused from one year to the next, or so it seems. Some days life feels fresh, open, energized, connected, others more nuanced, confused, distanced, lethargic. To me writing is a way of exploring my place, and perhaps that of others.
I am Baha’i, thus my thoughts are affected by my faith. Beliefs include independent investigation of truth, equality of men and women, the essential harmony between science and religion, that there is one God from whom all the world’s religions spring, that we diverse humans are all of one family. The Baha’i Faith is unlike other existing world religions as it does not claim to be the only “true” path or religion. The Baha’i Faith acknowledges all sacred traditions and religions as equal.
Panic on a gurney
Two days ago I had another day surgery, related to the breast cancer surgery of June 13. This was meant by the surgeon to be a simple event, draining a painful, annoying hematoma that didn’t seem to be shrinking on its own. A twenty to thirty minute procedure. Nothing went sideways till the cheerful young … Continue reading Panic on a gurney
Oh tubby me — oh!
The tune for this blog name goes along with the fine and impressive aria O sole mio. As a token of my appreciation of the new ear worm in my head, I give you, for three minutes and twenty one seconds, Signor Luciano Pavarotti, no twiggy build himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_mLFHLSULw My unexpected area of focus on … Continue reading Oh tubby me — oh!
In which I sniff my way to hope over Paris
It came as no surprise, really, yet when I read earlier today that the President of the US has decided to get the United States out of the historic Paris Climate Accords, the news returned me to that same sense of incredulity, shock, dismay, and finally deep swamps of sorrow that I felt last November … Continue reading In which I sniff my way to hope over Paris
In which I encounter a new disease, and Elf does, too
These things I am about to explain would be happening during the Merry Month of May… While all has been quiet this past month on the blog, much has been happening in my life. Things not so easy to bring into words from those nonverbal spaces in my mind where hidden fears encounter my normal … Continue reading In which I encounter a new disease, and Elf does, too
We now put our paws on oranges and olives
Olives and oranges dot backyards and some sidewalks here in Fresno. In lots of other California localities as well. This is, however, a bit of an anomaly for Elf, Opus and me, being fresh from New Mexico where neither tree grows, much. Whoever thought these dogs might find themselves No-No’d for trying to snack on … Continue reading We now put our paws on oranges and olives
Elf the Corgi’s Bad Day
Today her humans are celebrating the birthday of one of Elf the Corgi’s best friends, name of Jericha. Spirits are light, brightness sets the air a-sparkle, and Elf’s eyes shine as well. But earlier in the week she was struggling with unfamiliar pains in her lady-dog bits. It hurt to pee, and the stalwart corgi … Continue reading Elf the Corgi’s Bad Day
Roadrunners in winter, part 3 of a series
Hanging around in between other people's doings is what I am doing these days. First my daughter's wedding, then my move to Fresno, where she has moved with her new husband. The apartment I have dibs on is not yet ready. Thus I spend long days still in Mountain View, fitfully packing, chatting with Elf … Continue reading Roadrunners in winter, part 3 of a series
Death Valley: Wherever You Go, There You Are
Death Valley is certainly its own kind of place on Earth. When my daughter and I spent time there back in February, 1998, we were living in New Mexico. Which also features that sort of wide, wide, open, open space that feels as though nobody will ever occupy it on a full time basis. Thus … Continue reading Death Valley: Wherever You Go, There You Are
Hummingbirds and oranges for the holidays
The holiday season just ending presented a curious feel to it this time around. There were Christmas lights draped on a large balcony in the building behind ours, while below them stood glowing orange globes on a sturdy little tree — fruit, actually. Oranges, uh huh. A friend sent a gift of many delicious lemons … Continue reading Hummingbirds and oranges for the holidays
Rising Over the Smoke 