J. Bruce Smith Wildlife Sanctuary, May 2018

In May, many members of my mother's family and some of my uncle's closest friends gathered for the dedication of my uncle's wildlife sanctuary, created on part of the old family farm. My uncle put much love and effort into safeguarding this beautiful place, and we are grateful he could celebrate its dedication during the last year of his life here with us.

Spring Snow, April 2018

Indiana Dunes State Park--winter 2018/2018

Orchid in the Setting Sun

Mississippi River

Wisconsin Lakeshore

small poem (revised from a few years back)

Dewdrop, dewdrop,
jewel of a leaf,
teardrop world,
bright and brief.


Chime and glister,
sparkle, diamond, star,
harmonic flicked
from God's guitar.

Pencil In Time

Drawing,
I see what I couldn't see
at eight--my grandpa's
strength, a youngness
compared to older days
(sharp with proximity)--
and what I always saw,
the giant hands,
marvelously knuckled.
I hope one day to work
such storied hands.

Window Music

Kankakee River State Park

There is something miraculous about spring. Simply being alive within this season is a gift.

Bluebells in the Morning

 

 

Last Impressions

Room where Dad died--
later remade for Mom--
blushed purple through curtains
and vacant.


Apricot kitchen
oddly the same . . .
must be the sink and
the blue and white valances.


Surrendering the flower beds:
here are the blue bells,
Dutchman's breeches,
don't mow the tulips
yet.


Boxes,
bare mattress,
brown thrasher in ash,
the sun:
a sliver
a coal
a circle--
the final good morning.

Changing Light

Mom and Dad

In honor and remembrance of my parents' wedding day 37 years ago, here are several of my favorite pictures of Mom and Dad. (Copied from the family photo collection with permission :)

Evening before Christmas Eve

Sunset, after storm

December Rain

Payne's Gray

Composed of only "Payne's Gray" watercolors, these paintings explore the interplay of depression and hope.