Summer Solstice 2018

Two  Poems and One Painting

Vast

Vast is too tiny a word 
to define the ocean surrounding me. 
I study the 3-foot by 4-foot map of the Pacific Rim - all that blue. 
Hawaii - smudges of brown circled with white, the middle of that empty blue.

Daily I consider that map on my living room wall. 
I am sitting on one of the smaller smudges. 
Hundreds of planes carrying thousands of people flying in and out daily. 
Satellites spin above the atmosphere - the largest, the International Space Station is holding human life. 
I spot it occasionally. 
The moon going through phases accompanies me 
as does the splendid sun - my star.

My star holds planets with moons in its embrace 
dancing through a universe I fail to comprehend. 
Vast is too tiny a word.

Untitled Mixed Media on Paper
(22" x 30" Kupeke Fishpond)
Ruth Ann Howden
June 2018

O 2 K

One

Stop at that point where the self and the world cross.
The point where we feel

(figuratively and literally)

Savor the touch taste smell sound and sight -

where we fuse with the moment.
Where decisions are forced upon us at unexpected and potentially lethal intersections.
Pay attention,

there can be immediate impact in stopping on green light as well as going on the red.

Two
Only five senses - limits spur creative mind to open and stretch.

Three
What is a life if not the opportunity to engage others and the earth?
Composing my choices, habits, thoughts into art - gathering surprises.

Four
'Engage in life' advises Seneca.
Add depth and concern, taste every color.
This track I make is but a digital trail lost in the silicon.

Five
I live in the illusion that I still have enough time

Time to sit in the sunshine.
Time to contribute beauty to the world.

Time to mentor / pass on what I've learned.
Time to laugh.
Time to give thought to real problems.

Time to sort out the clutter.
Time to show gratitude.

Time to remember all the places that fill my life, and time to wonder at the progression from there to here,

from Oconomowoc to  Kaunakakai

Spring Equinox 2018

Spring Equinox Blog

Only six minutes late this March 20^th, it's officially the first day of spring but here in Hawaii the day is already six minutes longer than the night. Happy Springtime!

Starting with my New Year Haiku, here is a little collection of poems I've written this year:

twenty seventeen

turns eighteen, indifferent

spinning world dares me

players all in life

thinking we know the script

wait - surprise finish

timing the empty

spaces, sure to be claimed by

regret or desire

yes, red is lucky,

three of anything also

good, like a haiku

all that I learned by

not speaking was the issue

for me to confront

later speaking, all

I learned was depth of anger

yet to parcel out

twenty-six letters

combined and recombined

endless my delight

tentative text waits -

ideas, words meander

seeking bold reveal

rapid ideas 

vaporizing faster, gone 

with single misstep

pure innocence - some

love because, some in-spite of,

while others just love

as a mayfly turns 
languidly with a thin breeze 
my life expended

life is good in Molokai

New Year Haiku

New Year 2018

12312017

twenty seventeen

turns eighteen, indifferent

spinning world dares me

01012018

Winter Solstice 2017

Happy Winter Solstice!

I passed my one year anniversary on Molokai in November. I am settled, have a routine: keep on exercising, do about five hours of volunteer work each week. In other words an orderly and pleasant life style. But the big bonus is I've found the creative time I have to myself is being productive. I've been writing, painting and coming up with new ideas for projects I can't imagine living long enough to complete.

A highlight of my time here was my visit to the canoe that sailed around the world. The Hoku'lea visited Kaunakakai wharf on a tour of the Hawaiian Islands last month. On November 28, I got to go on board and marvel at the living heritage and courage involved. A grand plan successfully completed. And it is a beautiful ship from the zig-zag stitching on the sail to the hand carved koa wood 'doughnuts' securing the multiple ropes, and the magnificent rudder that I could barely heft out of the water to move in the air. For all those days and nights, all those miles someone was holding course with that rudder. 

My bare feet touch deck

Hoku'lea courageous

Circle completed

Check out their website at: hokulea.com hokulea.com

Autumn Equinox 2017

Return to the Central Pacific

I share that universal reaction, now that I have a home: it is such a pleasure to return.

Admittedly, when I'm traveling I want to keep going, see what is over the next ridge; check out another city.

Family and friends make me welcome; tell me I'm looking well.

Keeping connections, long-term, takes an effort both joyful and sad.

Finances and energy levels demand I stop. Mixed blessing. I've done what I could, then let go.

Return to Molokai is sweet. Flying into Honolulu from San Francisco is swift. Seeing my island home from the air gave me a rush, I wanted to point it out to everyone around, 'That's my home. It looks just like the map – rather like a fish. It's so clear from up here.'

yes, a pleasure to return.

[canoe race finish line]

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Four years ago I said I would return to Oregon to see the solar eclipse. And that I did. In August I viewed the eclipse in Lebanon, OR. (east of Corvallis on the South Santiam River). It was a classic celestial event, the slow awareness of change, the suspension of reality during totality with beautiful aurora, then sudden diamond ring glint as the earth keeps turning and the shadow passes on. Being the type of person who watches the credits after a film, I had to wait until the sun was whole again before I would leave.

Previous to that major event I had been in Hood River visiting my older sister Lorraine and her family. Here are my shots of Mt. Hood and Multnomah Falls. This is the area of the Columbia River Gorge that is being devastated by the Eagle Creek fire. The old lodge at the falls was saved, but it's not over yet. As of Sept 19th rain has come and outlook is now much better.

 

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I spent a week in Eugene visiting long time friends and getting quality time with my son Nat and his partner Brandi. He does computer 'stuff' and she makes fantastic wrapped wire jewelry. They arranged time off from jobs and we spent a beautiful long weekend at Newport on the coast. I had the Oscar Wilde room at the Sylvia Beach Hotel where they serve hot mulled wine at night in the library. Ah, indulgences...

Photos of Oscar Wilde room, Sutton Beach Overlook, that's me in the shark's jaws at the aquarium in Newport, and the sea lions in the harbor making an incredible racket.





 
           

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I must mention my detour to Powell's Bookstore in Portland; a book-lovers heaven. I came out with only two books (travel light) plus a free shipping coupon! Then returning the rental car to Portland airport I found my way to San Jose in less than two hours. There I stayed with Carolyn, a dear friend I've known since the 1960's. We worked together in Los Angeles and then were neighbors in New York City; lots of wonderful memories shared. She has consistently inspired and encouraged me over the years.

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My next jaunt by Cal-train, BART and bus got me up to Healdsburg north of Santa Rosa, for a pleasant visit with my younger sister Ellen and her family which increased since I was last there with the addition of her new grandson. The fierce heat and smoky sky kept us indoors while we shared old photos. I brought some from our other sister in Oregon;

[mother, older sister & me early 1940's; younger sister & me early 1960's; mother, me & Nat - 2nd b'day]

The heat limited our usual walking around but we did go to the Armstrong Redwood Grove just outside Guerneville in the coast range to walk among the magic. The time span (1400 years) and size of those trees (300') puts me in different perspective.

Old, large, lovely, 

Impressive trees. 

Non bending, non-burning Redwoods 

capture the sky and keep it anchored to the Earth.

We stand in awe.

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My last adventure was a day in San Francisco. I walked around the Castro district and attended a San Francisco Mime Troupe performance in Deloris Park; their production of Walls. The SFMT does political, musical satire, a longtime institution in the Bay Area.

  

  

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Then the circle was completed as I reclaimed the peace and clean air of home.

My sincere thanks to those who shared this adventure with me, and apologies to all those I did not get to see. You are not forgotten.

Summer Solstice 2017

Dragon Fruit

SONG OF PERPETUAL SUMMER

Trade Winds set tempo, 

coffee on lanai greets day; 

sort the shades of blue.

Temperature rise 

harmonizing scent patterns 

with waves and sea birds.

Bending, stitching words 

throughout the soft melody; 

tapestry of palms.

Our dreams and memories 

string sensuous lei each day; 

generations link.

Chance encounters, whims

provide counterpoint, accent;

surprise of ginger.

An inclination 

towards hammock resolution;

afternoon answers.

Sunset promises, 

celebrate by letting go;

reward of night sky.

1. Halawa

2. Sandy

3. Ali'i Fish Pond

4. Canoe Club

5. Beach and Wharf

6. Hale O Lono

7. Dixie Maru

8. Mo'omomi

9. Kalaupapa

10 Hina and Gourd of Three Winds
by Alapai Hanapi
at Moloka'i Public Libray

Cashew Fruit



Key to photo locations

Spring Equinox 2017

(left to right) Moloka'i, Maui, Lanai

view from Kaunakakai wharf at sunrise

Tuesday, March 14, the night and day were equal in Hawai'i

(here is copy of poem on photo)

Ode to the Central Pacific

My latitude is firm - above the equator, not much below the Tropic of Cancer

It's my meridian I am having trouble pinning down; some 20 plus degrees east of the International Date Line

Tomorrow is just over that line. No, I can't see it either but it takes 24 hours to cover the short hop from here to there

Everything is far away, especially yesterdays. Their reflections are just patterns of light tossed off without a care

I sit on the wharf and watch the sky and water unite three islands of the most remote place on our earth

Sunset pulls my mind toward New Zealand, Australia, India; with sunrise come thoughts of the mainland

The moon follows along in its own whimsical fashion; like me not caring to keep up or stay on the path

Once I cared where I was: location location location. Now being warm and having a place to swim are my only priorities

Cards and letters are welcome. Eventually they find me and eventually I reply with odes to oceans and orchids

      Ruth Ann Howden

            March 8, 2017