The Evil Eye

It can change wedding dates.

The Tree

Down at the pond,
I leaned on a tree.
I leaned on a tree
and it leaned back on me.

Mr. Tree, I asked.
Are you tired today?
Would you like to sit down?
I'm sure it's okay.

A tree must get tired
standing year after year.
Put your roots up, take a break.
Come and sit down right here.

We can talk to each other.
You can tell me your name.
I will sing you a song.
I can teach you a game.

The tree straightened up
and shook it's leafy mane.
It cleared it's woody throat.
And then cleared it again.

A tree has a duty,
it sternly replied.
I cannot sit down.
Then it heaved a great sigh.

The birds need my branches
for their nests in the spring.
These flowers need shade.
And you need this swing.

Little green worms
and little brown bugs
have their homes in my bark.
Which the woodpecker loves.

My leaves sweep the air
and gather the dust.
I cannot sit down.
I'll stand tall. I must.

Hugging it tightly,
I looked up to say.
Thank you for standing
by this pond everyday.

Thank you for standing
so straight and so tall.
Your shade and your branches
mean so much to us all.

Now each day at the pond
when I lean on that tree.
I feel almost certain
that it leans back on me.

The Story

For six days now I've been obsessing over a story. I really hadn't planned on spending every waking hour on this. And then last night, I woke up and realized that I had taken the story in totally the wrong direction. It was difficult getting back to sleep after that revelation. But two droppers full of valerian took care of that.

This morning my brain is refusing to wake up. Could it be because the story that I thought was done last night, is, this morning, only halfway done? Who knows. Maybe today when I look at it, I'll change my mind.

I could step back from it for a couple of days but I'm afraid if I do that, I won't return to it. It's happened so many times. You loose steam or get frustrated, put it away, and there it sits, forever, in a folder on the desktop.

God, there must be some reason to live. I know! COFFEE!!!! Gods greatest gift to humans, next to eggs and orgasm.

Light

I've been getting these weird opportunities with light. The first one on Easter morning. The second one, today. I hope it's not some weird sign.

I met an artist

At a party last night I met an artist. He said he was a sculpture and a painter. The host introduced me to him
as an Illustrator. He laughed. He said he had done that for a while but hated it. I asked him what kind of work he had done.
He said he had done magazine covers, posters. I asked him what magazines. He studdered and hesitated. He looked at his wife and asked what was the name of that magazine. It was some trade magazine for a local gardening company. "Oh, and I did a lot of work for Southwest Airlines." I asked him if he would do illustration again if someone asked him to. He said not unless they paid me $10,000. I'm going to go to his studio and see what he does.

Everyone here in Austin likes to drop Keith Graves name when they find out you are an illustrator for children. Why does everyone know him but me.

That's going to change. This month.

Parties are a waste of my time.

Easter Morning

Dog

I think that I have never known
a dog as handsome as my own.

He wakes each day with eager feet.
He dreams each night of bones and meat.

A dog that begs at master's heel,
and lifts his paw to seal the deal.

A dog who that in summer takes
a swim in cool deep ponds and lakes.

The fleas they quaff his blood like wine.
Between his toes, the tics, they dine..

On humankind this dog relies,
for food and bed and cakes and pies.

Any fool can make a hog.
But only God can make a dog.

Mary Sullivan

Hair

Have you ever tried to go days without brushing your hair? I do it all the time. It's fun. You should try it.

No Fun

I peed in the dirt this weekend. I use to pee outside when I was little. I really liked it. It's not as exciting now though. There's too much to think about. Like, what if someone sees. Or what if I get stung by some ants. Then there's the problem of wiping. And the splashing. I hate when it splashes on your feet. Things are so much simpler when you're a child.

A Treasure Beyond Measure

The sunset from my backyard.

Treasures

Lettuce out of my garden. How lucky can a person be!

Treasures

Here is the treasure that I found on my walk today. I'm obsessed with looking at the ground for treasures.
I try to look up at the sky and trees but it only lasts for a moment. I worry that I may miss some really grand find, like this one that I found today!

Licorice

If you eat Licorice, you'll become a better person.
That's what I've heard.

Dear God,

I think you made a huge mistake when you made grackles.

Mary

Nori Seaweed Sheets

I like to eat them plain. Is that wrong?

No Title

My first day

I'm not sure why I'm doing this. Boredom I suppose. We'll see.