Author Archives: beth

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About beth

Ann Arbor-ite writes about enjoying life with all of its ironies and surprises.

win the sky.

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this tree

so stately so old

appears to have a face

when up close

quietly watching

over those resting below

“the tree is more than first a seed, then a stem, then a living trunk, and then dead timber.

the tree is a slow, enduring force straining to win the sky.”

~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Wisdom of the Sands, translated from French by Stuart Gilbert

paper product.

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not sure how this amazon product is educational or robust, 
but i’ll agree it’s unique and not surprised it’s ‘in stock.’
maybe the fact that the frog scored a roll of toilet paper appeals?

Puzzles for Adults Jigsaw Puzzles 1000 Pieces for Adults Kids
– Frog Toilet Golf Educational Jigsaw Modern Home Decor Unique Gift
  • 1. Good quality and robust puzzle pieces – 500 pieces.
  • 2.Puzzle is one of the magical games that never go out of style. Enjoy your free time with family and friends, working together with family or friends to complete a puzzle can not only exercise logic and sensory coordination. But it also gives you the opportunity to develop a closer relationship with others and create a joyful atmosphere. Muscles are also used to increase cognitive skills
  • 3. IDEAL FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN – Perfect for having fun alone or with family and friends. Puzzles are an activity that all ages can enjoy together.
  • 4. FEATURES: Material: paper: Finishing dimensions: approx. 29.53 x 19.69 inches : Packaging size: 38 x 26 x 5 cm: Package: 1000 puzzle pieces (1 set)
  • 5.PLEASE ATTENTION : DO NOT LEAVE IF YOU INFECT INFANTS. Made with high quality materials and subjected to safety tests.  (what?)

“there had to be a market in order for you to be successful in a business. 

the market had to need your business, or the product of it.”

-chuck berry


warning.

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“Do not  aim at eyes or face. Do not use projectiles other than those supplied or recommended by the manufacturer. Do not fire at point blank range. Do not use these toys against any living things. Never point or shoot the projectiles at anyone or pets.”

” ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED.”

the warning on this frisbee

was clearly written by someone

who had grown up with a younger sibling. 

“it could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others.”

-ashleigh brilliant

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sun.

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(no explanation about the alien orb)

 

that moment when you are walking

 ‘here comes the sun’ clicks on 

 the sun returns

as it always eventually does

the universe in alignment. 

“truth is like the sun. you can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away.”

-elvis presley

falling.

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forsythia bright in my quarantine kitchen

 blossoms have begun to fall

everything is temporary.

 

“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.” – pema chodron

step up.

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“the vision must be followed by the venture.

it is not enough to stare up the steps – we must step up the stairs.”

-vance havner

 

 

bisbee, arizona, usa –  march 2020 (pre-quarantine)

credit.

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that moment when you’ve worked very hard on something

and suddenly someone

jumps up front and center just as the last piece is put in 

and it’s photo op time.

we each have our own thoughts on this. 

 

“it is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

-harry s. truman (my approach)

“hard work is rewarding. taking credit for other’s hard work is rewarding and faster.”

-scott adams (olive’s approach)

can u haiku?

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make way on the path

 stepping creeping lime grows close

foot of goliath

in honor of international haiku poem day

why not take a stab at it?

“poetry is news brought to the mountains by a unicorn and an echo.”

-czeslaw milosz

 

 

 

scio woods, ann arbor, michigan, usa – spring 2020

shelter.

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finding shelter today by the river

“maybe we need to shelter ourselves so we see the beautiful.”

-joanna coles

be.

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be filled with wonder, 

be touched by peace.

 

 

 

 

quote credit: jarius l. adams