Tiffany Painter

Patience
I just spent a few days in Nashville visiting a bookstore on my list of places I want to see. This post could be about why bookstores are on this list, but instead it’s about an author event I attended. Parnassus Books, an amazing independent bookstore co-owned by the great Ann Patchett, hosted an evening with Elizabeth Strout. The award winning Strout has written several books over the years and introduced readers to quirky characters from small town, Maine. But the most interesting character that night was Strout herself. She could represent so many of us. Never quite sure she could make a life as a writer, she got a law degree, after a couple of attempts to finish law school, and briefly practiced law. Strout took a few writing courses but was told her work wasn’t good enough. In her younger days she thought the worst thing that could happen was she could end up waiting tables because her writing couldn’t support her. It was only after years of not really enjoying her job that she realized there actually could be something worse. It took years of practicing and trying and working at various jobs to pay her bills that Strout finally got her first book published. Since 2000 she has published many more with great success. Some call her an overnight sensation, but there are decades that happened before that overnight success. She had to put in the time and effort to reach her dreams. As a society we are used to success being achieved right out of the gate or never at all. We celebrate those who are great immediately and cast aside those who have to persevere. The Strouts of the world show us that we are all capable of so much more with a little patience and a lot of determination. Some dreams just come about slowly. We all need a reminder that the path might be a long windy one, but we should never stop believing in our dreams.
9/10

end of season bloom
time marks the end for a few
the start for others
9/11

notice books waiting
before heading to bookstore
to be read later
9/12

so many choices
how to pick just one
endless possibilities
9/14

my heart is fickle
madly in love every time
adore the indies
9/17

toes happy in sand
but just a block from the beach
place to please my heart
9/20

no longer needed
computers made obsolete
still enjoy seeing
9/21

interesting choice
carry-on bag limited
hope different flight
September 21, 2024

beach, dreams, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, joyful, Parnassus Books
End of a Season
It had to happen. The calendar was flipped to a new month and a new season. I know the official start to fall is not for a few weeks, but once a certain coffee company starts advertising the pumpkin spice again, I know summer is over. I will begrudgingly admit there are a few nice things about fall, just not that flavored coffee. The cooler mornings have some merit. Later sunrises trick my pets into a few more minutes of sleep. Watching people get excited over football is fun. Switching from shorts to jeans can be nice, maybe. I might be looking forward to mornings with a warm cup of tea instead of my iced chai. I never miss pulling weeds and think they may finally be going away. The changing of the leaves from green to yellow and orange is magical. All of these things are nice, but my heart is already counting down the days until next summer. There is a feeling about summer that no other season can capture. But I will stay open-minded and continue to search for the little things all the other seasons can provide. It’s a skill worth perfecting since I have to do it with so many people out there, especially during an election year. So alright fall, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
8/27

morning sun calls out
let the light move you forward
away from darkness
8/31

behind wooden bars
looking for way to escape
obstacles sidelined
9/2

quiet place to rest
just minding his own business
hiding from kitten
9/4

lessons from the trail
whether hiking or living
simple rules to guide
9/7

just over the screen
a little face watches me
distracts me from work
September 7, 2024

cats, change, fall, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, joyful, kittens, seasons, Walks with Zephyr
One Step Back
Things were going well for my dog after his elbow surgery eight weeks ago, until they weren’t. He slipped on the wet grass and hurt the same area again. We have an appointment for the vet later today. He seems to have set himself back about three to four weeks. Watching him limping again brought back how hard those weeks of recovery were for everyone. Anytime we move backwards instead of forwards it is hard. It could be a recovery from an illness, a career setback, or relationship changes. Feeling like you are moving in the wrong direction is never fun. But we have to remember life is not a straight path. The direction is always changing. Going backwards might just be about finding a different, and often better, course. Sure, I would prefer my dog not be injured, but it’s going to be okay if we have to shorten his activity and give him more time to completely heal. And if he needs more meds, I’m sure he won’t mind having cheese balls again during the day. (We were wrapping his pills in cheese to get him to swallow them). Rest is a great time for reflection and appreciation, and a little extra cheese is always nice.
8/6

sometimes mom is right
I’ll just try out this new bed
perfect for my nap
8/8

picture perfect day
any way you look at it
sitting in the shade
8/10

before the darkness
last of the light inspires
dream catcher awaits
8/15

parking in the shade
bigger not always better
cool ride for the win
8/16

stuffed backpack weighs down
wheels spin with every pedal
headed back again
8/20

change of scenery
following watery path
under bright blue sky
8/21

time to do something
together we can unite
vote for a shared path
8/24

balancing life with
bag of rocks, slab of concrete
trying to stay dry
August 24, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, Walks with Zephyr
Olympic Firsts
I was watching the Olympic gymnastic competition this past week like everyone else. In between trying not to feel ancient as they referred to the twenty-seven year old athletes as old and in total awe of the gravity-defying tricks being performed, I wondered about their first times. The first time they let go of the bar they were spinning around and twist their body in a few different directions before catching the bar again. Or the first time they ran full speed at an obstacle only to use their hands to push themselves up and over it with a few somersaults thrown in for fun. Don’t forget about leaping all around on a plank that isn’t much wider than their foot. And in all of these things the pressure to “stick the landing” is always present. By the time we see them perform, they have practiced and mastered, mostly, these things. But what must have gone through their heads the first time they tried doing these impossible things? It kind of makes me rethink all the times I hesitated or doubted myself before trying something new. Most of my firsts didn’t involve life-threatening events. My firsts were more like trying something new at work, making a new dish in the kitchen, trying a new yoga pose. Watching these athletes puts it all into prospective. If they can be brave enough to literally fly through the air, I can be brave enough to try balancing on my hands in a crouched position. Maybe someday I’ll master that crow pose. If I don’t, that’s okay, but at least I tried something new. And I don’t have the entire world watching to see if I succeed.
7/29

just across the pond
past the smooth serenity
summer life reflects
8/1

shadows glide away
morning light makes an entrance
launch of vibrant dawn
8/3

adjustments were made
course corrections from living
sinuous timber
August 3, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, Walks with Zephyr, wondering
Finding Your Why
In another life this coming week would mark the end of summer for me. The beginning of August marks the start of a new school year for teachers heading back to the trenches of education. I have many friends who are making the transition back to the classrooms over the next few weeks. For those who still enjoy all the good things about teaching it is a time of new beginnings, but for those who have lost their why (those who know will understand this), it is easy to get lost in the despair of leaving summer behind. For my lost friends as you start a new year, maybe aim for a different why. Your why doesn’t have to be so grand as dedicating your life to all those children who benefit greatly from your tireless efforts. The establishment wants those kind of whys. But your whys can just be because retirement is only a couple years away, or because health benefits are a good thing for you and our family, or because you enjoy a job that allows you be the boss in your space for a few hours each day. It’s okay for your job to just be a job. Teachers do not need to carry the burden of society on their backs. It is hard enough without all that pressure. If you got into teaching, you have already proven yourself to be a hard working, caring, compassionate person. On that first PD day when you are asked for you why, it’s okay if it’s just because that’s your job. You teach because that is your job. Don’t let it be your everything. Let something else be your passion for a change.
7/23

standing all alone
pole’s line drops below surface
long wait for answer
7/24

cruising neighborhood
no need for rider today
enjoying the sun
7/26

on the trail again
half walks better than no walks
will be running soon
7/27

take in a deep breath
savoring the morning view
ready for the day
July 27, 2024

fall, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, teaching, Walks with Zephyr
Lessons From Max and Millie
Max and Millie are the resident cats. Max is about 14 1/2 years old and Millie is just 3 1/2 months old. As you can imagine, they have two very different approaches to life. Max likes to observe things and pick and choose what he wants to be part of. He very rarely chooses activities that involve lots of people and noise. His idea of a good time is a quiet evening in front of the television. Max is perfectly content to spend the afternoon hidden away in the dark storage room snuggled up in his bed. The only time he will give that up is if there is a warm lap to curl up on instead. His motto is less is more for living a good life. Millie, on the other hand, has a different philosophy guiding her. Wherever the action is happening is where you will find her. Life is best lived when she is going full speed ahead. Well, until she absolutely runs out of gas. Then she either climbs to the highest perch or under a chair to recharge. These rest breaks can last hours sometimes, and other times, she may only need a few minutes to get her second or third wind. Once she is recharged, she’s off and running again. She is determined to get the most out of life as fast as she can. Her only disappointment so far is she hasn’t convinced Max to join her on her adventures. So far, it seems these two ways of living are an either or kind of thing and they have not figured out how to compromise and merge their ideas. Some people are just the Maxes of the world and go slow and steady. Other people are the Millies and run full steam ahead afraid of missing out on something. It’s a good thing we have both types to balance out the world.
7/17

debating order
seniority should outrank
youth elicits change
7/18

just playing it cool
keeping a low profile
here if you need me
7/19

forgotten treasure
waits in the field to be claimed
soaking up the sun
7/20

eyes following me
watching every move I make
waiting for action
July 20, 2024

cats, change, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, kittens, pets
Go Slow to Go Far
I may have mentioned before that my dog is injured. The same dog who needs an hour walk each morning followed by several trips out to chase tennis balls, and that is still never enough. He now is on a six-week recovery plan that involves no tennis balls and limited walking. During this time of rest I’ve had time to reflect how so many of us live with that type of mentality. Always feeling like we must be doing more and going farther, and feeling guilty if we aren’t doing enough. When life steps in and forces a slow-down, sometimes we get the opportunity to reflect on things. I have been given this gift of time with my injured dog to think. Just because you are moving swiftly along, doesn’t mean you are going anywhere. Slowing down can give a person a new perspective that leads to new paths. It’s like riding a bike and you are spinning your legs as fast as you can but not getting up that hill. If you adjust the gears and change your cadence you might have better luck. As the vet says, go slow to go far.
7/24/23

quiet morning walks
before the heat of the day
with my loyal dog
8/31/23

dogs, sun, and dirt trails
few of my favorite things
guiding my journey
9/9/23

catching and fetching
hard work when done correctly
much needed rest break
A few throwbacks from last summer when Zephyr was able to hike and play.
7/13

calling me onward
while the streets are still quiet
before the chatter
July 13, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, thankful, Walks with Zephyr
New Beginnings
Millie has been part of the family for almost two weeks. I have been watching the dance between the older cat, the dog, and the new kitten as they establish their roles in this new friendship. It is very much like the start of a new school year when kids thrown together, often against their will, must figure out how they all fit. Sometimes these forced friendships blossom into long lasting relationships, but sometimes they are only during school hours, if that. The verdict is still out on my three. The dog injured himself and needed surgery on his elbow a few days in and that has thrown things a bit. His true self is not on display so we may be readjusting when he is back to normal. For now, they all are doing their best to get as much attention as possible. In this classroom, there are three teacher’s pets. As the oldest, Max the cat does not like to be bothered and tries to ignore Millie the kitten. Millie is doing all she can to get the old man to play with her. A few hisses have been heard and I have had to remind them to use kind words only. When they are discussing things loudly, Zephyr the dog has to hobble over to break things up and report back to the teacher. He loves to tattle. He also has remained loyal to Max and tends to only give Millie attention when Max is not around. Only time will tell how this will work itself out, but Millie is doing her best to join the club.
7/2

always there to help
lack of thumbs adds to challenge
maybe I’ll just watch
7/3

really want to play
not a fan of injuries
sure leg is better
7/5

exhausted from life
entertaining is hard work
need a holiday
7/6

cat with a purpose
supervisor of the work
typing some ideas
July 6, 2024

cats, change, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, kittens, pets, Walks with Zephyr
And Kitty Makes Three
We decided to tempt fate and get a new kitten this week. Our older cat is a mellow and easy to take care of. Max has been getting really clingy though, so we thought a buddy might be nice. We had a second cat up until a year ago when she left us for the giant food bowl in the sky. A friend was fostering kittens and I fell in love with the “sweet girl.” Millie came home as a timid, little kitty and then got comfortable with her surroundings. I should have named her Fomo (fear of missing out) because she does not like to be away from the action. If she is locked in a room, she will cry until she can come play with us. She loves to play, run, purr, chase yarn, and sniff the dog. Zephyr is more tolerant of her than Max, but will side with Max when there is a debate. Max hasn’t thanked us for his new friend, but he is slowly getting used to her. He loves her catnip toy and has claimed ownership. I think it will be a few more days before all three can relax in the same room.
6/24

conflict of nature
chilly lagoon reflects up
waves of heat flow down
6/26

sweet backyard delight
first blooms of new garden plant
little splash of pink
6/28

ruler over all
captured hearts of everyone
small but mighty girl
6/29

learning from a pro
lessons being handed down
little copycat
June 29, 2024

cats, change, garden, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, kittens, pets, summer, thankful
Walking Through Life
I had lunch with a friend this week who said something that stayed with me. We were talking about all the choices we have made at different points in our lives. Some people end up at a place filled with regret over the paths they took. My friend pointed out that even though life has not been perfect and there are a few things she wish she had done differently, every path she took she did with the information available at the time. As long as we make choices that are right for us at the moment we will end up where we are supposed to be. We may have to jump to other trails from time to time, and we may get a few bruises and skinned knees along the way. That’s a guarantee. If we really end up off course, then we have to be honest with ourselves about the paths we chose to take. Did we let something or someone else guide us away from what we knew was right? It happens. We may have to work a little, or a lot, harder to course correct, but we can do it. Life has many trails to follow and it’s okay to try many of them. Endure the bumpy ones and enjoy the smooth paths that keep us going.
6/18

closing out the day
catching the last of the rays
shadows take over
6/19

walking down the trail
look back to see what’s behind
just the path to now
6/21

choices to be made
when there’s a fork in the road
and paths split or merge
6/22

quiet morning walk
down the path amongst the trees
only leaves talking
June 22, 2024

change, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, joyful, walking, Walks with Zephyr, wondering