Category Archives: Random Thoughts and Musings

day 148

there’s gonna be weather…

1-
pressure gently drops,
old knees ache before the storm—
barometer groans

2-
barometers drop—
inciting my knees to sing
sadly, out of tune

3-
storm brews in my bones—
barometer dips, aching
echoes through the rain

Haiku Fun with AI (ChatGPT). 

As I write today’s glimmer post with poem, I am once again feeling a bit under the changing weather. My sinuses do not like barometric changes in the atmosphere, nor do my joints! So I decided to do a simple haiku on the topic. 

And just for fun I asked Chat GPT/AI to write a haiku on the topic: barometers and knee pain. Can you tell me which haiku is AI generated and which is penned by yours truly? 😊 

I have to admit AI is an amazing tool. But don’t worry, you won’t find me deferring to AI to write my poetry. It is the creative process that feeds my soul! In case you’re wondering, my haiku is featured in the artwork below. 

Much love, peace, and authentic glimmers to you!!! 

~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨

Did you guess correctly? This was a fun exercise!

day 147

deep breathing

how gently the breeze
weaves through the garden at dawn
roses in the air

~kat

This fellow’s name is Baldwin. He’s an ambassador squirrel who lives at the wildlife rescue nearby. Most of the critters at the rescue are rehabilitated and released back into the wild, But Baldwin’s injuries precluded him from being released. He’s a permanent resident and spends his days delighting school children and event-goers with his super-squirrelly abilities. His latest trick involves finding treats in the drawers of a tiny dresser. Needless to say Baldwin was a pro from the git-go! Good job little guy! You show us how it’s done!

Special thanks to my wife, Traci, who captured this video on her phone. She volunteers once a week at the rescue center.


day 146

late spring rain

some spring rains
are not warm, dazzling
translucent streams
backlit by the sun
gently quenching fragile
flower petals and shallow roots…

some spring rains
are angry tempests
downpours that drench
the sodden earth and
swell the creek beds with
wind-driven shards bearing
remnants of winter that
graze my skin before
settling deep into my bones…

some might say
the grass gets watered
either way, but there is
something to be said
for kinder, gentler deliveries
even if rain is rain is rain

~kat

As you might suspect, today is one of those chilly, rainy days that doesn’t quite know how to act in late spring! To add insult to injury our electricity went out for several hours. I was still able to work using batteries and WiFi hotspots, but a cup of good hot tea was not an option as I tapped away at my keyboard lit only by the gray, muted light streaming through the windows from outside. The lights eventually came back on but my mood by then had dulled. And yet, I found myself pausing at day’s end…feeling grateful that I was still able to work, that I had a roof over my head, that the lights came back on earlier than forecasted. I warmed myself some soup before sitting down to write. 

It’s true rain is rain…even the bone-chilling kind. And as I sipped that savory liquid from my cup I was reminded warmth comes from within as the soup settled in my stomach then radiated out. I took a deep breath and smiled… and just like I realized that today’s glimmer appeared after all! 

Much love, peace, and glimmers to you!

~kat


day 145

Memorial

the skies today
are overcast gray
the Stars and Stripes
are on display
reminding us
when freedom calls
there is a price
some gave their all
we honor them
the few, the brave
they died believing
to the grave
a righteous cause
worth dying for
a melting pot,
from shore to shore
with opportunities
for all who come
with hopeful hearts
with dreams of more
may all of us
the living still
ensure their death
was not in vain
give voice to truth
defend democracy
in memory, proclaim
Let freedom reign!

~kat

It’s Memorial Day here in the US today. A day to remember our fallen soldiers, those who died on battlefields at home and abroad. The president did his obligatory photo shot, laying a wreath at the grave of the Unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery, but this selfish man couldn’t be bothered to pay his respects to the troops on site for the event. He rushed off to “deal with China” he said. In actually it was tee-time at his nearby golf course that demanded his attention. We can do better America. We need to do better. Today of all days it is the least we can do for our heroes who gave all.


My glimmer today? I cleaned closets. It’s a good feeling to get rid of things that no longer serve your needs. There’s a wider lesson to be gleaned from this I think. I’ll just leave this here for you to chew on if it resonates with you.

Much love, peace, and glimmers to you!

~kat


day 144

finding joy

the nudge of my dog’s
cold, damp nose on my cheek
her tongue swirling
in my ear every morning

the horizon’s flush
at dawn and dusk
the sun burning through
the dark of night and back again

the soft animal sounds
that break the silence
cat purrs and puppy snores
safe, content, and loved

random acts of kindness
from strangers, but
even more, from loved ones
that remind you they care

floating in water, deep
enough to submerge my ears
lulled by the sounds of
life below the surface

eating the cake…trying
the new thing even
if it scares the crap out of me
precisely because it scares me

a cool breeze in autumn
the smell of wet earth
after a drenching rain
the hush of deep snow

coffee brewing when I wake up
breads or sweet, savory
things baking in the oven
popcorn at the theatre

the sweet scent of spirits
at a local familiar pub, old
favorites blaring on the jukebox,
rousing conversation, laughter

the smell of a newborn baby’s
head, that first smile, even
If it’s just gas, giggles…giggles
anything baby really…anything

firsts, and the memories of them
first step, first word, first friend
first day of school, first love
first job, first child, first home

one thing I have learned
over decades of living…
finding joy is intentional, often
a treasure hiding in plain sight

~kat
much love, joy, peace, and glimmers to you!

a look back at some of the 144 glimmers that have brought me joy this year.