Tiffany Painter

Puzzle of Life
It happened. I crossed over to the other side and started a puzzle. I might be a puzzle person now. As I struggled through the first step of just spreading the pieces out right side up and separating the edges from the middles, I started to see the value in puzzles. They improve your problem solving skills. You have to determine what exactly you need and then search through all the options to find the piece that is the right color and has the right shape to solve your problem. This sounds a lot like life. Sometimes you think you have the right solution, but the shape is just a little bit off and you have to search some more. Once I was on the path to honing in on those important problem solving skills, I realized I was also learning how to be patient and not need instant gratification. Putting together a puzzle takes time. I am not going to finish for a while, unless I give up everything else and lock myself in the room. It’s raining here today so maybe that wouldn’t be so bad, but realistically, it will be slow going. We live in a world where we have gotten used to instant gratification. We like to be validated often and feel that sense of accomplishment frequently, but sometimes we need to wait and let life happen. Life is about the journey and not the finish line. Puzzles are like that. Finally, we might not see the big picture until the end. I might get all the pieces for a part of the picture, but I won’t get to see the two cats resting on the couch in front of all those pillows with the plants hanging in the background until the end. Remember, it’s a journey? Imagine if there were puzzle classes or puzzle time in schools. Not only would kids be learning valuable life lessons, it might just help with the mental health crisis. Something to think about while I search for that piece with the right shade of purple.
4/21

so many weekends
watching kids playing their sports
from foldable chairs
4/22

lovely view today
early blooms survived the cold
brighten scenery
4/24

lone duck swims early
before daily pace quickens
enjoys solitude
4/25

few favorite things
kept always ready for play
so many choices
4/27

edges may be smooth
what’s on the inside completes
then the picture shows
April 27, 2024

change, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, puzzles, Walks with Zephyr, wondering
Seasons of Life
When visiting a friend this past week, she referred to being in “this season of life.” This got me thinking, of course. For her, the seasons are in relationship to somebody else. She is in the season of having very young kids. I am well past that season with my adult children. My thinking took me in another direction, a more personal one. Spring is about rebirth and starting out. Childhood is when we are in the spring season of our life. Kids do grow like weeds after all. Their gangly limbs just seem to blow in the breeze as they run from one place to another. Summer is for staying out late and having fun. The first few decades of adulthood are when we seem to live life to its fullest. We don’t have to answer to parents; we don’t have to have everything figured out; we try new experiences to see what we like; basically, we finish growing up. Fall eventually comes around and things slow down. We are more settled in our lives and have expectations. Some of us are pretty settled in our routines. Leaves change colors and fall like our hair. As things turn cold, winter comes creeping in. The trees stand bare and try to survive the cold, dark days. But they have wisdom and grace that the saplings lack. Those summer flowers die off and become fertilizer for the new growth that is just around the corner. If you live someplace like I do, you know the seasons are not perfectly aligned and there will be some crossover. Summer likes to revisit in the fall and spring may pop up early before winter is done. After breaking a lifetime into the four seasons, I thought about where I am at. Age wise I know I am sitting fulling in fall. But there are times when I forget and think it is still summer for me, until I walk by a mirror. As winter inches its way closer, I remember that it is a gift to get to enjoy all of the seasons. Some people don’t live with all four seasons.
4/15

chair with best view
sits alone by the water
at peace with oneself
4/16

when the rain is done
and the sun breaks through the clouds
the cattails can dry
4/17

some want a house with
white picket fence, others want
fence with a white house
4/19

trying to stay warm
while gently snoring away
a chilly spring day
4/20

uninvited guest
blanket of snow dampens mood
party crasher leave
April 20, 2024

change, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, seasons, thankful, Walks with Zephyr, wondering
There’s Hope
I call myself a silent protester. I won’t buy alcohol at the grocery store (this is a relatively new thing in my state) because next to practically every grocery store is a little independent store trying to survive selling just alcohol and it takes away valuable shelf space from food I used to be able to buy. I stopped buying books on Amazon and look for independent book stores or local ones who support local authors. These are just little things that make me feel like I’m doing good things. But let’s be honest, it doesn’t really matter. This week though, I “attended” a webinar that focused on making an impact. I learned of kids who are making a difference. Kids in high school and college who are taking a seat at the table to get their voices heard. They are speaking out against banned books. They are uniting their classmates. They are going to Washington to make sure all sides are heard. They are not being silent. When so many people are growing more and more disenchanted with our democracy and not even voting, there are young people who are standing tall and challenging the old ways for the right to read. I am in complete awe of these kids. It gives me hope for the future to know there are some who were able to learn how to think critically even when the establishment did all it could to prevent it. These kids are the future leaders.
4/8

another Monday
things to do, yet here I sit
doing all I can
4/9

taking in the view
before a cool morning swim
all is good
4/11

caterpillar tree
dawning of spring renewal
watching for next phase
4/12

take your dog to work
had to adjust to make room
guess we know who’s boss
4/13

new day’s arrival
bright things are coming today
full of so much hope
April 12, 2024

change, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, joyful, spring, Walks with Zephyr
Alone Time
My husband was out of town this week. Anybody who lives with a fellow human knows how exciting it is to get the house to yourself. I love my husband, but I really enjoy not sharing the remote. And I love only worrying about what I want to eat, and when. There is a freedom to not having to answer to anyone else in the house. Well, any human that is. I still had roommates this week: one high maintenance dog and one needy cat. My two furmates like things done a certain way. Our days started early and with movement. No lazy mornings with a cup of tea. Their needs had to come first. They both needed to eat, one had to go outside to visit the yard. Then the daily walk needed to happen for the dog so the cat could have some quiet time. Once back from our hour of checking on things in the neighborhood, I could squeeze in some breakfast for myself while the dog enjoyed his morning Kong. It wouldn’t be long before the cat was crying for his attention. I then needed to provide him with a lap so he could get some cuddles in. But I couldn’t get too comfortable with the peaceful pet, because the dog would be ready to play ball at the park. So out again with him. Finally, around mid-morning, they both were ready to settle down for their rest time. I could then run around getting everything done that needed to get done for the day, in and out of the house. I was able to spend many afternoons working on my book revisions, but only after another trip to the park for the dog and sharing my work space with a curious cat. No chance of getting lost in creating because they were both willing to alert me when it was getting close to dinner time, and no, they could not wait just one more minute. So after more feeding and more playtime. I could finally sit down with the remote. Unfortunately, in the process of searching for something to watch I kept finding shows that I wanted to watch with my husband. It was a struggle to find something I didn’t think he would want to watch. Too much pressure with all that freedom. The dog couldn’t seem to settle down without everyone being home and the cat would get mad if I had to get up for something and took away his lap. It wasn’t very relaxing. I’m not sure who will be happier to see our missing roommate this afternoon. I hope he is ready to take the dog to the park because I need a nap, probably with the cat.
4/1

fresh haircuts for spring
ready for season of growth
color change comes next
4/2

sunless chilly nights
April showers turn frosty
when sun looks away
4/3

follow laughing sound
not alone, just overhead
what is so funny
4/5

tree of leftovers
last seasons foliage clings
past expiration
4/6

first flower to show
after winters long slumber
sprouted out of earth
April 6, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, pets, poetry, Walks with Zephyr
Spring Rebirth
For many people, it’s Easter weekend. For those who gave up something for Lent, you’ve just about made it to the finish line. I don’t participate in Lent, but I do respect everyone who can commit to that. Don’t worry, this is not going to be a religious post and I’m not trying to indoctrinate anyone to my way of thinking. The last time I tried that I was a teacher. And my students still couldn’t remember to put their names on their papers. I clearly lack the ability to force someone to give up their beliefs for mine. This post is about my favorite thing: Spring. Since Easter falls in the spring and has some similarities to this time of year, it gets mentioned. Easter has to do with rebirth, and if you look outside you can see rebirth everywhere. When I don’t have to put on all my heavy layers for my morning walk, I feel like a new person. When the sun is still shining when I’m making dinner, I’m practically singing with joy. (Don’t worry, I would never actually sing and I am still struggling with my voice). Even better, nobody can complain about it being too hot or there are too many bugs. It’s that perfect time of year full of hope and promise but not humidity and misery. So whatever your religious beliefs are, go out and enjoy your own personal spring rebirth.
3/24

eye watching me pass?
path to underground world?
just trash can igloo
3/25

skiers rejoicing
as are book-loving spouses
peace and harmony
3/26

art imitates life
snow slid right off the picture
life imitates art
3/28

snowy river bank
season coming to an end
great melt off begins
3/30

following the dark
sun pierces through the heavens
birth of a new day
March 30, 2024

Granby County, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, spring, Walks with Zephyr, Winter Park
Spring Is in the Air
This past week marked the start of spring. I am thrilled! I absolutely love spring. The trees are starting to blossom, green is starting to show in the yard, temperatures are rising, and there is MORE DAYLIGHT. As someone who must have plant DNA, I live for light. It fuels me like nothing else can. After the short winter days where I tend to retreat like a turtle, nothing stirs me to action like a sunny day. I want to be more active and get more things done. My creative brain wakes up and imagines words, colors, and possibilities. Of course, spring in this area can bring more snow and send us all back inside. But my friend, the sun, will quickly melt it away and invite us out again. Spring snow never lasts for long. I hope everyone feels the joy of a few more hours of sunlight and feels the same awakening to possibilities as I do.
3/19

weather weighing down
want to keep it together
maybe by summer
3/20

searching for the light
following one who always
finds joy in the day
3/21

directing traffic
perched above, out of the way
many eyes watching
3/22

look closely above
against the lovely blue sky
new buds opening
3/23

somebody’s lost toy
becomes a hidden treasure
brings joy to my friend
March 23, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, joyful, thankful, Walks with Zephyr
Accountability
So I’ve been absent for a few weeks. It turns out you can’t always dodge the germs all around. And when one thing takes you down, another is happy to keep you down. When you throw a trip on top of this, your creative brain will strike. At least that’s what happened to me. A bout of stomach flu was followed with two weeks of a respiratory cold. The cold hit on the day I flew out of town which meant having no voice at the airport. Being away from home meant not enough rest. By the time I got home from the trip, I was only fit for long naps and mindless TV. I could only stare at my journal. Seventeen syllables were just too many for me to count. I couldn’t wonder about anything other than where did I leave my cough drops. But today, a friend reached out to me about my lack of posts. She didn’t do it to nag, but she said she missed seeing my weekly haikus and wonderings. This came at the end of an all-day writing conference; my first full day amongst the living. Knowing that somebody missed my writing and creating after being surrounded by fellow artist all day, I knew I owed it to her to get back in the game. I don’t have anything witty or crafty to say, but sometimes the first step back is just turning the computer on. To all my readers, I hope to enlighten you with something great next week.
3/9

little turtle friend
garden company waiting
for summer reading
3/11

loyal office mate
willing to discuss effort
prefers muted aid
3/13

they say storms coming
must prepare for heaps of snow
trees blanketed in
3/14

another March day
when everything has shut down
trapped on the inside
3/16

spring blossoms must wait
Jack Frost holding on ridgidly
branches must defrost
March 16, 2024

garden, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, Walks with Zephyr, winter
Fake – Appearing Otherwise than it Actually Is
Here we are in the middle of winter. That time when we are surrounded by white, have limited daylight, feel a frost in the air, and … What is with all the sunlight? Does it really say almost 60 degrees on the weather app? Is that the grass I see in the yard? This winter is fake! Or is it fake summer? Well, fake spring. Warmer weather, longer days, signs of vegetation. Whatever you call it, I love it. I really think my family tree must have a sunflower somewhere on it. I can feel myself stand up taller and lift my head to the sun. As far as I’m concerned, it can continue to pretend to be spring as long as it wants. I know the naysayers will start to spout off about the lack of snow and worry about water levels. And I know that is important. But for these few days, or maybe even a week or so, let’s enjoy fake spring. March is just around the corner and reality will set in. Snow shovels will get used again and gray skies will hang over our heads. There will probably be some fake winter in April when it is supposed to be spring. But today, I’ll be standing tall enjoying this fake season and soaking up the sun.
2/19

playing hide and seek
challenge when trees have no leaves
struggle to dim light
2/20

dogs are like children
cats resemble teenagers
full of many moods
2/21

when given a gift
blue sky, warm breezes blowing grass
leave treadmill at home
2/23

enjoy fake summer
shadow of park bench by lake
before snow returns
February 24, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, Walks with Zephyr, winter
Leftovers
People tend to have strong feelings one way or another about leftovers. I have met people who state they don’t eat leftovers. They usually say this with some contempt for those of us who do eat leftovers. I actually feel bad for those people. They are missing out. I’m not saying all leftovers are good. There are a few things that I really don’t like as leftovers. Just ask my husband about the chicken enchiladas I recently made. My husband was thrilled to take some the next day for lunch. I tried to eat one though, and could not get past the sogginess of the tortilla after it spent the night in the sauce. So when it comes to anything that can get soggy, I will stand by the “No leftovers for me” people. But, there are so many things that make worthy leftovers: Chinese food (sesame chicken over rice), pasta (really anything from an Italian restaurant), pizza (more Italian), most meats (steak after a barbecue). The list just keeps going. Think how great the second meal is when you had a great time enjoying it the first time. Leftovers are like a screenshot of a happy day. And they take the pressure off of over eating. If you save part of the meal rather than stuffing yourself, you can have a second meal the next day. A meal that is already prepared and doesn’t mess up the kitchen. Besides, I hate waste. If my eating a bonus meal means less food getting thrown out, I’m happy to do my part. There really are so many perks to leftovers. If I haven’t tempted you yet perhaps the thought of leftover desserts will win you over. Who doesn’t love the leftover pies at Thanksgiving? Now that Valentine’s Day is over, technically all those chocolate hearts are leftovers. I for one, will continue enjoying those leftovers for a few more days.
2/12

power to make light
such a useful winter skill
when sun works part time
2/13

my inspiration
trying to get me to play
not much of a work dog
2/14

enjoying the view
greeting the lake with a song
brightens day for all
2/15

swimming through the sky
face looking right into the sun
mighty beast hiding
2/16

watching and waiting
tide has turned and taken sun
snow softly falling
2/17

last night’s snow weighs down
sun working hard to lift up
snow creatures lurking
February 17, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, Walks with Zephyr
Cleaning Out the Basement
I was recently cleaning out some boxes in my basement when I came across some old clothing and cross-stitched towels. I had no idea what they were until I found a note. My husband’s grandmother had attached a hand-written note letting us know these items had belonged to one of her relatives, and therefore, one of our relatives. The problem is I don’t think I ever met this person. The note written in her shaky cursive meant more to me because I knew her and liked seeing something she had touched. Those items that must have been important to somebody once, went back into the box and stacked with the other boxes in my storage room. This got me thinking about all of the other things in my house that came from people who have since passed on. What will happen to all this stuff after me? What is the point of boxes of things tucked away taking up space? I don’t see how that honors or remembers anyone. My own grandmother made me several blankets as I grew up. I have the purple one from when I was ten and shared with her my favorite color was purple. She made me other purple things that year, but the blanket is what survived. There is the peach one she sent me off to college with because my new comforter was peach. Then there is the blue one she made when I got married and the new couch my husband and I picked out had blue strips on it. These blankets are kept out and get used. My kids got to meet their great grandmother and still remember her. I don’t think they remember her the person so much as see these blankets and remember she was once part of their lives. I hope they never end up in a box in some strangers basement. When all the people who knew her are gone, the blankets need to go, too. I crochet blankets now and have made my children each one. I hope they use them and someday their kids enjoy them as well. Things should be enjoyed and not boxed up in the basement. That’s how I like to remember people. Besides, I have enough boxes taking up space of my own stuff I can’t seem to part with. I mean how can I throw out that apron I painted when I was a Brownie?
2/4

the sound of the birds
hidden in melancholy
only calls pierce through
2/5

sunny side of lake
crackling sound of melting ice
captured water freed
2/7

morning gathering
just stopping for a quick drink
before flying off
2/9

sky blanket covers
as the flakes begin to fall
follow the trail home
2/10

trees covered in white
winter’s frosting greets today
quiet, snowy walk
February 10, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, Walks with Zephyr