Horses & Roots
By in , , , ,

Horses & Roots

Horses and roots go hand in hand. Or, rather, hoof and root. Improbable. We will examine this thought. I speak of the true movement and be-ing of horses. They root. They root to the earth and to the landscape. They root to the air. I recall a line attributed to an ancient Arabian proverb as “horses are drinkers of the wind.” Horses root to their spirit. They root to each other. They can root into us and we into them if we can find this. Or allow this. Trees root. We all know this. Have you ever considered that rocks…

Hues of Nature 1
By in , , ,

Hues of Nature 1

Good day to all! This addition to Earthwise and the Alabaster Horse is the first part of what will become an ongoing series that will appear from time to time showcasing the colors of nature. As far as I am concerned, these are the most beautiful colors. Colors found in nature run the gamut from quiet shades of brown to riotous reds of flaming paintbrush flowers. Nature’s colors cover the whole color spectrum. Pretty amazing. Sometimes you have to peer close to examine the colors, and at other times you are overwhelmed by the brilliant, startling blue of the sky…

Symphony of the Land
By in , , , , ,

Symphony of the Land

Composer Chris Thomas is brilliant.  He listened to the land and wrote a story in the form of an extraordinary symphony about a place.  One day soon, I, along with Clay, am going to visit that place.  For now I savor from afar and explore from home.  The place:  Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon.  This is a departure from our normal offerings on EarthWise and the Alabaster Horse, which will happen from time to time.  In this piece, there are several web links and videos to view.  I encourage you to take the time, not all at once…

Impressions ~ Walking II
By in , , , , , , ,

Impressions ~ Walking II

Vignette \vin-yet\ Etymology (a word’s history) 1)  1751, “decorative design,” originally a design in the form of vine tendrils around the borders of a book page, especially a picture page, from French vignette, from Old French diminutive of vigne “vineyard” (see vine). Since transferred from the border to the picture itself, then (1853) to a type of small photographic portrait with blurred edges very popular mid-19c. Meaning “literary sketch” is first recorded 1880, probably from the photographic sense. https://www.etymonline.com/word/vignette#etymonline_v_7784 2)  Definition of vignette (noun) vi·​gnette 1a: a picture (such as an engraving or photograph) that shades off gradually into the surrounding…

Impressions ~ Walking I
By in , , , , , , , , ,

Impressions ~ Walking I

July 12, 2020 8:53AM. East side of Lone Pine Rd, Crook County, Oregon. On the sidehill of a butte, at the top of a favorite trail. My hair is loose today.  I feel witchy.  Witches were among the first of the wise women, connected directly to the land.  Men and fear turned the word into how it is perceived today. The last quarter of the moon floats high in the southwest sky.  A sky-blue and alabaster white translucent pearl. The moon, high in the upper right corner. Almost a forgotten cloud fragment. Above and behind me, the butte is a…

ETCHED
By in , , , ,

ETCHED

Today, I walk in a sapphire sphere.  Under a brilliant, crystal sky.  The air a clear shatter of light.  Everything is etched upon this canvas. My dictionary app defines “etched” as:  1) to outline clearly or sharply; delineate; 2) to fix permanently in or implant firmly on the mind; root in memory; 3) to cut (a feature) into the surface of the earth by means of erosion. But, when I think of etched, I think of a picture scratched in black and white onto a hard surface.  Each line is embedded into the surface.  No ink floating on the surface…