Small Stone: January 21, 2013

 

"We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall ... Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law—for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well."  

                                                    President Barack Obama: 2nd Inaugural Address

 It seemed unimaginable that in my lifetime the President of the United States would state that gay rights are a civil right in the inaugural address. Tears and applause were appropriate!

 

A beautiful ending to a very special day.

Small Stone: January 20, 2013

Lots of things are making me laugh

these days…maybe the winter doldrums

are over? I do know it is simply good

for the soul to be cheerful.

This fellow in his hoodie, sitting at the trendiest

bakery/sidewalk café with his latté sipping

owner, didn’t seem to be having much of a laugh.

But, I did.

Small Stone: January 19, 2013

A friend was thinking about lichen

and commented on her blog about

its symbiotic connections over vast spaces.

Today, I saw a tree branch

where the lichen's relationship 
was an epiphyte.

I sometimes feel like that…

separate, but hoping to grow upon/with

my environment, but, like this lichen, 
not as a parasite.

Small Stone: January 18, 2013

It was warm today ─ broad smiles

exchanged on the street,

dogs cavorting, an air of festivity

proclaiming: winter’s over.

(Well, at least for the moment)

This is just a silly photo of a new bench

in front of a local artist's cooperative.

It made me laugh. Seems that it was

once a carnival object…and it seems

my City is a carnival.

Small Stone: January 17, 2013

The cold snap abated. 

With just a few hours of warmth

the scraggly street-magnolia

burst into bloom, literally overnight!

Last year’s leaves have not fallen.

Yet, it is full of Spring.

I felt such a burst of joy─

I laughed out loud. Thanks, Tree.

Small Stone: January 16, 2013

Twice this week I have seen young men

and women joyfully greeting older folks on the bus.

Moments of recognition. Truly respectful, happy and

inter-generational moments. All of the young people

and their elders were Latino.

I often sense community, as I walk or ride

in the Mission district. The lilt of Spanish, the warmth

of a smile. The loving interaction of parents and small

children. A real lesson in what our culture gains

by immigration.

The photo is of a California poppy--a native flower. 

Just seemed to fit for this post.

Small Stone: January 15, 2013

It is too easy to go through the days,

even weeks not realizing the presence

of the mother…mother earth, earth mothers,

the presence of mother strength in families

and community. Here is a celebration of

women and the mother image, just a block

or so from my home.