Author: jackiella

Thin grass bends  on the breezy shore, and the tall mast seems lonely in my boat. Stars wide low across the wide plain, and the moon is tossed by the Yangtze. What is fame and literary status? The old and infirm should leave office. Adrift, drifting: what is left for the lonely gull adrift between earth… Continue reading Night Thoughts While Traveling

What is there about music that turns me into mush? Me. Me who hasn’t felt purity and naivete—that, in fact, I invented a most virulent form of cynicism on the planet. I’ve been there—I know that Sir Ghalihad has skid marks in his shorts, mothers sometimes wish they could change their name to anything besides… Continue reading Mood Music

People with mild cognitive impairment are three times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other dementias. . . .. In fact about half the people with MCI will progress to Alzheimer’s Disease within five years.  Mayo Clinic Does my brain feel any cloudier this week?  I did have trouble finding my car yesterday after the… Continue reading Who Says How Far Away The Future Is?

When I slipped my arms into my red shirt this morning, I noticed that all the buttons were missing. Does anyone do mending anymore? My clothing hangs on the rail empty and missing buttons or having rips. I still collect the buttons that come with things—that little packet wrapped in plastic with the exact same… Continue reading Separations

We seek out retreats for ourselves, cottages in the country, lonely seashores and mountains. You, too, are disposed to hanker greatly after such things: and yet all this is the very commonest stupidity; for it is in your power, whenever you wish, to retire into yourself: and nowhere is there any place that a [person] may… Continue reading That Bit of Needed Quiet Time

            Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, But to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.  Samuel Ullman

Gray Like Me Sun everyday who else would think it tedious? A quarter in the St. Jude's Children's box A dollar if lightning tears apart the sky. I suppose continuous overcast would have the sameness but then everyone else would be wishing for sunshine, a perfect day, when everything shines like a new penny except… Continue reading Food for Thought

Thunder rips green sky Music of wind and water Begins with her voice  * * * * Poppies and firelight blaze Shadows are insatiable No pale ghosts survive  * * * * How deep the chasm How narrow the bridge We sing, you and I at night   (Found haiku from Lil Sister renka)

            I hate to fly.  To go on and tell you I planned a trip flying in 11 different airplanes before I got back might have you questioning my sanity.  That's okay--I questioned it too.              Before I discuss my masochistic marathon, let me give you a little history of me and flying machines.  No, I've… Continue reading Just Like Riding in Your Car