summer pleasures

polished

feet, glorious feet

guide our walks from here to there

toes freed or toes crimped

inside socks and pointed shoes

or laughing with painted nails

by judy beaston

July 1, 2013

With summer comes the pleasure of exposed feet and toes and an opportunity to decorate toenails in bright colors, even add flowers. My feet smile when the weather allows for more freedom. There's just no breathing inside winter's socks, no matter how thin the fabric. 

The above photo represents three generations enjoying the fun, and we each included flowers on our toes. I must admit, that was/is a first for me. I'm not generally one to gravitate toward painted nails on either hands or feet, but the opportunity to share the experience with my daughter and granddaughter could not be passed up.

Bonneville

Tonight I watched Bonneville - an old movie. I've seen it several times over the years. But, it spoke to me again tonight - about the importance of releasing the past and of embracing life right now.

So easy to hold on to the physical connections to memories, good times and puzzling ones, joyous adventures and those we'd sooner forget but hold on to them because they are threaded with important parts of self.

By releasing, we - I - make room for today, for new adventures and for reasons to weave the old into the new - opportunities to create a beautiful new pattern in the tapestry of my life.

Who Ordered Pizza?

A new tale wove into existence this month, sparked by a flash fiction challenge created by my writing friend Mysti Parker. She posted it on her website today and I'm smiling. There's just something special about finding my stories living a life of their own, out there where at least a few others will read them, hopefully feel a bit of pleasure for having read them.

If so motivated, you can find the story here:
http://mystiparker.blogspot.com/2013/05/call-me-maybe-flash-fiction-19-who.html?spref=fb

Family Album - Full Circle

Full Circle

connections sing three-part harmony,

from the shadows, a deep bass resonates

accompaniment - wisdom and love

passed on from father, mother

to daughter, son

each awed by the presence of the others,

bonded by invisible elements

linked by genes, blood, the essence

of human existence.

by judy Beaston

May 2, 2013

Poetry - Devil's Lake, Wisconsin

Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin

on the cusp of fall

remnants of summer still tempt

boats wait on sandy shore

hills promise tranquil journeys

fair weather guests have gone home

 

Photo by Judy Beaston, September 2012

Poem by Judy Beaston, April 2013

A Writer's Place - tanka

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A Writer’s Place

dreams hidden below

office landscapes, beg a song

their story be told

how ideas flowed, gave them life

then held them frozen in time

simple collections

gather upon the palettes

of creative minds

story snippets, colored notes

pregnant keyboard awaits birth

Photo and poetry by Judy Beaston, 2013

Cannon Beach - a tanka

Cannon Beach

ocean air dances

sand, salt, and sea spray hold hands

coax beach wanderers

onto soft sandy reaches

for long walks, meditation

Photo and poem by Judy Beaston