Small Stones: 1/1/13 - 1/7/13

Tuesday 1/1/13

Big white 1
on my desktop calendar.
The first
The best
There is no comparison.

Every day
is a good day.
Nichi
Nichi
Kore
Ko Jitsu.



Wednesday 1/2/13


My dogs lounge on the bed, watching me work, while remaining ready to loudly issue any necessary intruder alerts required by sounds out the windows. I am comforted by their companionship — the occasional sighs and licking noises keep me in the pack even though I'm turned away writing at the computer.



Thursday 1/3/13



Evening reflection in front of my bookshelf/altar strung with color LED Christmas lights since Bodhi Day. I dusted there today, moving Buddhas, malas, bells, and photos of teachers. The Sculpey Amitabha Buddha's head fell off and rolled across the floor. I guess it dried out after all these years. Picking up the head this morning, I felt strange, but plopped it back on Amitabha's shoulders. This evening I laughed. Of course his head fell off. Amida is there with us, smiling and shining on our foolish, impermanent selves.




Friday 1/4/13

The winds are roaring today—
A reminder I'm not in control.

My perception that things will stay unchanged or just as I want them
is exposed as ignorant by snapping limbs and branches.

My neighbor's recycle bin crashes and rolls down the driveway propelled by an invisible power—
Evidence of the suchness that both sustains and takes away.



Saturday 1/5/13

Bella, our dog, running and jumping through the deep snow
Chasing three deer beyond the fence
She almost leaps into the world where she catches them



Sunday 1/6/13

Snow pack shrinking
edges drawing in, revealing grass

Icicles shrinking
Dripping into streams running down the driveway

Water into ice into water
No beginning, no end



Small Stone - Monday 1/713

Powdered sugar snow fall
Dusts the evidence of yesterday's thaw
Yet soon licked away by sun rays