2017 Holiday Wishes

‘Twas two years since I’ve penned,

lots to share with my friends,

Have made more time for trips, not just on the weekends.

Our great parks, grandiose, need more time to explore

Carved by Nature so slowly, much too great to ignore.

To the north or the south, the tough calls we must make

Each unique.  Each sublime.  We inhale and partake.

We must choose from the seven, a short drive from our drive,

Or just hike hills out back, make our bones feel alive.

Frisbee golf, it’s not work, we’ve climbed up, and then down,

With the deer, and some eagles, looking down over town.

Then to Paris, yes, France.  Coast of Alaska as well.

On Hawaii’s Big Isle cast a black lava spell.

Up north to Victoria,  spellbinding and fun

On the west shore of Ireland, waved goodnight to the sun.

Frequent visits to Tulsa with Oktoberfest stein

Local brew is quite good, but we much prefer wine.

Stuffed our bags with some Paddy’s, very smooth Irish brew.

On your next trip to Utah, hope to share some with you.

And my wife working hard to keep Trumpishness out

Of her life, and her day, and at night, Irish stout.

Ev’ry night we sit back and reflect on our luck

As the sun coats the sky, acronym, WTF.

Our kids each work hard and augment their great skill

Couldn’t ask for much more, makes our world brighter still.

But my gift, quite heartfelt, is my world on a disc

It spans half our lives, with one asterisk.

There are voices and smiles and great moments now gone

So much there, not the best, good enough to pass on.

Generations to come might find something worthwhile

Like Gam, on a scooter, going fast up the aisle.

A brief taste of forebears, wish we’d had more to share,

Not just a name or a job, smiling eyes for an heir.

Or your child, someday parent, grandpa/grandma as well,

At a lake, at the zoo, no clear way to foretell.

2015 Means I’m on my 55th Page

It’s just not that long ago, I was pretty much your age.

Enjoyed each day sophomoric, living life as if teenage.

Luck, hard work, and sacrifice….successful lives result.

And soon before you know it, kids will call you an adult.

Life’s half gone if I’m lucky.   Even more so, if I’m not.

My kids on their own journeys, learning things that I forgot.
Have lost many whom I’ve loved.

Couldn’t stay and play the game.

Now I make up my own rules.  Life will never be the same.

I’m inspired to make fine art.  Timeless beauty in my world.

Like my kids from long ago, 

with their long hair blonde and curled.

Have learned things from the masters.  

Like a garden in full bloom,

My muses guide my camera, draw me closer with the zoom.

Like a dream they live their lives, at a slower pace than I,

No phones or interruptions, in the past or by and by.

The world I have created from a memory of mine,

Of times which were much slower, 

winter rays of warm sunshine.

Internal and eternal, silent beauty.  All is still.

Of youth before disorder, satin skin with lace and frill.

An image I will treasure as I add to those I’ve made.

A mystery full of softness, dreamscape woven in a braid.

My real world even better, Alex working as a doc.

It was just like yesterday, on the field and but a jock.

My girls, each independent and pursuing her own trail.

Young women moving forward, as is seen in their email.

Their texting, voice, and faces, 

help me know their world’s all right.

I still see them in their youth, as I would tuck them in at night.

My wife? We talk of travel.  

If we could find the time, we would.

The seasons ending much too fast, 

more hiking would be good.

We live so close to nature, it's seductive all the year.

Frequent efforts in our garden, simply snacks for all our deer.

Our skiing is quixotic, yet we still enjoy its charm.

Just let us get off safely, pray not to buy the farm.

A weekend in the Tetons. Need to do this all again.

Just as nice to watch a sunset, sipping tonic and some gin.

I must acknowledge something. I'm living in a dream.

It's true you've all been vital, the 'friends and family' theme.

I keep finding things inspiring, 
though my eyes complain at times.

So I force myself to sit down, 
feel each moment making rhymes.

Taking time to think of each of you, 
on this day and all year long.

Just know I'm glad our paths have crossed.  
I've felt this all along.

Reflections on 2014

Days

'Twas a pink and blue aurora, 

 not unlike all the rest,

Clouds, then snows on peaks, 

 started peach toned, from the west.

Here and there were houses, 

 some trees were warmed with lights,

Sun rising, lights turn off, 

 pale snows then turn to whites.

Wisps of clouds unmoving 

 as they light up, changing hues,

The fire moves east to west, 

 peach on blue, dynamic views.

With brisk sun, discrete parts 

 of the scene then take their turn.

Four elk to my south, 

 exhaled breaths all seem to burn.

Elk hide blends with brush, 

 racks held up, they grace the sky,

My heart pounds as they graze, 

 none trusts me, I know why.

The fire then subsides, 

 the scene now whites and grays.

Morning sun, behind blankets, 

 distinct clouds now just a haze.

A day quite like all others, 

 each is prized in many ways.

Winds dance with sage and branches, 

 a leafless aspen sways.

A rather wonderful memory

Click here to view this photo book larger

Patrick and Amanda, October of 2012.  Like yesterday.

The year 2013 in review

'Twas a few days before Christmas, another year bites the dust.

Four nieces report birth control was a bust.

Baby girls in our future, at least four, maybe five.

The next wave of cousins proof we were all once alive.

My own girls made merry pretty much as in years past,

Delicious routines which we all hope will last.

A trip here and there to see family and friend

And for those who came here, such fun times did we spend.

Skied with old friends a lot, thirty times (or more) last year.

Thankful we wore helmets.  Thumbs up for all head gear.

We enjoyed some spring surprises, all the plants which came around.

Since our yard, it seems, is rock.  Not much soil makes up our ground.

But hiking in the mountains always takes our breath away.

It's not because we're out of shape.  It's aesthetic where we play.

We sample entertainment, never take a day for granted.

Wish but one thing.  Some more success, with tomatoes we have planted.

Jamie's good friend Heather enjoyed her time up here.

Met loads of PC locals.  Plans to come up every year.

Jamie shoots her buddies, has amassed a ton of snaps.

Senior photos have been awesome.  A career is born, perhaps.

And Alex knows more buddies than even we have met thus far.

She paints the house, and helps out, and then heads out to the bar.

She's busy doing clerkships.  Two months both near and far.

Learning how to treat her patients.  Noting walks and gait bizarre.

Sweet Amanda and her Patrick too came up here for a bit.

Tried Olympic Park, the ropes course, testing whether we were fit.

And sat out at the alpine lakes, some chairs and lunch we had.

Some sun and leaping trout.  All in all, I'd say, not bad.

The kids of several old friends, their weddings sure were great.

Learned to never trust the Garmin.  Nearly sent us to our fate.

One-lane stone road in the mountains, much too steep for poor old Rav.

Our nerves were way too tense.  Some big drinks then did we have.

Sure do enjoy our friends, wish we had more time to spend.

Drinking wine and sharing stories.  Against Time, we must all fend.

Admit that what we treasure is not diamonds or bright gold,

It's not big cars or houses or investments that we've sold.

Keep in mind that it's Time that we treasure the most.

Pain free and healthy, we lift glasses, and we toast.

Wealth but a way we exchange Time and keep score.

We'd give all for the other, for good years, I'd be poor.

So choose to spend time or some money instead.

I'd choose Time every time, with our kids, like I've said.

Another year at a crossroads, my kids start their careers,

Explore north and then south, those uncharted frontiers.

My youngest looks at college in the Pacific Northwest,

Like her sisters she'll choose what she thinks will be best.

And new kinds of things have I tried with my art

Capture Dave's magnum opus, or more art a la carte.

Show results of hard work, every form as we see 'em,

Having as much fun as we can.  As I've said, carpe diem.

Elite Gymnasts

Elite Gymnasts

Gymnasts in the studio. They know no limits.

2012 Transitions

 

'Twas a year with great change, now we're in our new place,

Old home's sale to arrange, all our things boxed in space.

Our whole life took a turn, years of things, all gone past,

Lots of new things to learn, and each day goes by fast.

Rugged mountains at peace, like strong gymnasts with grace,

Hard reserves soft as fleece, light and clouds skim their face.

So much there to explore, weekly treks unsurpassed,

What's tonight got in store?  Purple sunsets don't last.

Hot tub stars sail on by, make our slopes seem so young,

Nightly smile from our high, catch some flakes on your tongue.

Very cold on our cheeks, yet our muscles relax,

Neither one of us speaks, deep slow breaths to the max.

 

The commute every day with the mountains, each side,

Watch for moose on the way, steer downhill, brakes applied.

Karen drives past the U, the VA on her left,

Inspirational too, research ops, not bereft.

Every day, something new, with top minds it's a breeze,

Each doc asks for her view, which she offers with ease.

Afternoon up the hill, back to mountain delights,

Never reaching her fill, tackling new and great heights.

Alpine lakes are close by, Crystal Lake favored most,

We take cheese and some wine, raise our plastic to toast,

Private lake with some deer, at most forty acres,

Forty minutes from here, yet we, its sole takers.

At ten thousand feet high, a short hike to its shore,

Lake trout really do fly, above the ice they explore.

  

Right now the thunder rolls, no storm around, just snow,

It's avalanche controls, each boom shakes glass just so.

Can't see the tops of slopes, new clouds appear like foam,

We skiers build our hopes, five minutes from our home.

It's time to use our pass, to ski each day we can,

Ignore your shaking mass, the thunder booms again.
 

Summer, one day's tally, we did at least four parks,

Saw sun rise in the valley, some pre-historic sharks,

Rivers snaking, cutting, through a thousand feet of stone,

Climbing, hiking, drinking, watching sun descend alone.

Silly Sundays our routine, outdoor concerts on most nights,

Sundance Films must be seen, miles of trails, all at heights,

Farmers markets and the arts, town parades, all come out,

Old hippies with some money, how did this come about?

Most bring munchies, cheese, and wine, to the city park to share,

Mellow afternoon, divine, no mosquitoes, not a care,

Perfect temp and sun is out, air is thin, but that's okay,

Main Street pubs, without a doubt, each unique and worth a stay.
 

Jamie at Egyptian, summer camps as teacher's aide,

Continues on the stage, but more back than front, and paid.

Then Alex sold our old place, back in Tulsa she did stay,

Fresh flowers just in case, and then she sold it in a day.

Drove Dad through Arizona to our Utah home up high,

Defined our new persona as we hiked up to the sky.

Then off to school again so she could learn her carnal craft,

PT adrenaline, and with friends, a shot, or draft.
 

Of course our biggest dreams (and most came true this year),

Patrick with Amanda beams, their lives as one, sincere.

The Kennas join the Gribbins for a journey convoluted,

We lifted up our glasses, toasted with Swarovsky fluted.

Amanda planned her party, added Oklahoma weather,

The food and drink were hearty, nice words were said together.

Couldn't help but recall when, my wife and I just started,

All the other smiles back then, of many faces, since departed,

So much love we share together, and to see it in one place,

Reminds me we're all tethered, in a happy kind of space.

Facetimed, we share our smiles, it helps the longing ease,

Helps us ignore the miles, we can visit when we please.

Do enjoy each time we hug, feel each breath, please make it last,

Electric love, life's drug, when it sparks, it goes too fast.

I love you all, I've said it.  Just in case you did not know.

The clouds return.  I edit.  To the mountaintop I go.