A small stone from the Similkameen
January 31st, 2012

Who goeth here?

None but the quail 

who have marched up the meadow

to break fast early in the morning

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 30th, 2012

Fermenting apples

gathering the stuff birds dream of

awaiting the return of the starling

and the tipsy robin

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 29th, 2012

Watching a family movie
which morphed from a VHS,
which morphed from a reel,
I dwell for awhile in the land of small children
horses, sheep, border collies and apple blossom
first class nostalgia

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 28th, 2012

The fire invokes sleepiness

fifteen minutes turns into an hour...

I dream a little, and waken

not knowing the time or the place

Jacobus Vrel

A stone from the Similkameen
January 27th, 2012

I  sort through old photographs

slightly faded, - a little stained

I come across one that catches my heart

 a white horse 

 two beloved children

and a meadow

I sigh for the passage of time.

A small stone from the Similkameen

January 26th, 2012

Corrugated shadows

stripe the snow

speaking of sunshine and blue skies

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 25th, 2012

I remember the haggis,
the address,
and the civilized dancing.

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 24th, 2012

after winter and before spring
rutted slush and ice
demand hope and imagination

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 23rd, 2012

How to assemble a croquernbouche

first, with great care, snugly,
and with a bowl of ice water handy
for hot caramel coated fingertips

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 22nd, 2012

a pale translucent sun
is overcome

by horizontal snow

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 21st, 2012

Dawn
three inches of fresh snow
cat tracks through the yard!
at the window Callie's tail swishes
reaching bottlebrush dimensions.....

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 20th, 2012

It is approaching dusk

when I go to fill the bird feeders.

The quail, just nicely settled in the fir trees

rise as one, and in a great rush of wings

seek safety in the taller trees.

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 19th, 2012

frosted silver globes

to entice small birds to partake

of exotic desserts

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 18th, 2012

White mounds of snow
shaped by a bitter wind
so dry they squeak in protest
at each footfall

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 17th, 2012

A fine snow, swirling in great gusts
The small birds scurry for cover
in the friendly pines.

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 16th, 2012

Jewel Soup

Discs of amber carrot
a little emerald brocolli
and ruby red peppers,

pearly onion,  golden corn,
simmered gently
in chicken stock -

priceless lunch.......

A Small stone from the Similkameen
January 15th, 2012

A light, crisp snow.
Is it instinct that makes the small birds flock
and feast in advance of heavier flakes?

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 14th, 2012

I play from my repertoire
of Joplin
but squeeze in a hymn or two

the jazzy ones....

A small stone from theSimilkameen
January 13th, 2012

Sturdy homemade bread
warm from the toaster
glistening with butter.

And honey??

A small stone from the Similkameen
January 12th, 2012

My EGO stirs,
wakening from the bed
where I laid it to rest.

Here comes trouble!

A small stone from the Similkameen

January 11th, 2012

I wait for the sun to crest the mountain
it is noon when I venture forth
to feed the small birds and the compost bin

The sky is blue, the sun is shy,
and the air has a sweet winter chill

A Small Stone from the Similkameen

January 10th, 2012



The grasses of winter
glisten in the sunlight


but when the sky is grey
the grasses of winter
are subdued against the pale earth.

A small stone from the Similkameen

January 9th, 2012

I smother the chicken with honey and butter
add some sliced carrot
and pop in a potato to bake

dinner's on - happy hour!

A Small stone from the Similkameen

|January 8th, 2012

'Mother' says our elder daughter,
her voice registering mock astonishment,
I never thought I 'd see artificial flowers in your home!'

I glance at the bright unruly bouquet, a little guiltily
but then I realize I love the corner where they sit
and the little bird who chirps when you squeeze him,
sitting on a curly willow branch.

A small stone from the Similkameen

January 7th, 2012

The day grows late.
He has not sent the Orders for the Day
shall I phone, or relax into slothfulness?

Small stone from the Similkameen

January 6th, 2012

The sun skims the high hills for only an hour...
I feed the birds, go for the mail
and lift my face to its transient warmth.

Small stones from the Similkameen

January 5th, 2012

Away from the stage and the ballet
and the nuts that he cracked over Christmas,
the Captain returns to his box in the closet;
close to the fairy who lives at the top of the tree,

 A small stone from the Similkameen
January 4th, 2011

In place of a birthday cake -
In place of a candle -
A lemon meringue pie steals the show.

A Small Stone from the Similkameen
January 3rd, 2012

two oboes
haunt
the string section

Small stone from the Similkameen
January 2nd, 2012

The conductor raises one brow.
The violinists bow and scrape.
Magical music from Vienna.....

Small stones from the Similkameen
January 1st, 2012

A party.....
red candles on a birthday cake
and memories abound.