Tiffany Painter

Stream of Consciousness
Somebody’s awake and starting to pace. Wait. Is that rain I hear? Ugh. It’s going to be a wet walk. Now he’ giving me his whimper. Okay, let’s go feed him. Oh, it’s not too bad out there. We’ll have to skip the lake because it’ll be muddy. Maybe it’s stopping. What does the weather app say. Wow. It’s going to rain all day. Better than snow that has to be shoveled. Of course, it’s been wrong a lot lately. I’ll just sit and scroll on my phone for a few minutes and give it a chance to stop. It’s not stopping. I guess I may as well get it over with. Okay raincoat, it’s your lucky day. Oh this isn’t too bad. It’s kind of nice. Maybe I’ll write about how nice a quiet walk in the rain is. Is that a pebble in my shoe? I can’t take my shoe off in the rain. Maybe if I just tap my foot a little it will move. That’s better. Oh, it’s back. Tap, tap, tap. Perfect. Nope. Tap, tap, tap. Good. Ugh. It’s just a tiny little pebble. Why is it so irritating. It’s like that story Princess and the Pea. I wonder if Dad’s relative was right and we’re descendants of Pocahontas. That could make me a princess. Princess and the Pebble. Hmm. I’ll have to think about that for a story. It’s really raining now. Look at how much water has filled up over there. I hope it runs off before it can freeze. I don’t think my sweats are going to resist the water much longer. I hope Zephyr doesn’t mind if we skip part of our walk. He’s not stopping to smell anything. I’ll just go right instead of left at the corner. Maybe he won’t notice. Now wind? Come on! It’s blowing the water off my hood into my face. Time to be a turtle and pull into my collar. Almost home. Stupid glasses. Don’t fog up. Good thing I put Zeph’s orange coat on. I’d never be able to see him. So much for these fleece-lined water-resistant sweats. The wet fleece is sticking to my knees. Yay! There’s my house. Just a few more minutes of this stupid rain. Wait. We should go in through the garage. That dog is going to shake when I take his coat off. I just hope I can get out of the way. Nope. I hope he doesn’t want to play ball for a while. We need to dry off. Stupid rain….That was the start of my day. I hope you’re having a dry morning.
1/30

every step is marked
oblivious app awake
always being watched
1/31

basking in the sun
thrilled not buried under snow
soaking it all in
2/1

opposites at play
lake water frozen across
sun shining down warmth
2/3

always has last word
leaves party with spectacle
guests left marveling
February 3, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, Walks with Zephyr
To-Exercise-or-not-to-Exercise
Whenever I start to get in a groove with working out, something happens to throw my schedule off. It happened again this week. After the busy holiday season, I got back into my routines and settled into an exercise schedule that seemed to be working. I know I need more recovery time than I once did, but I wanted to aim for two weight days and two cardio days a week with longer yoga on the other days. I hate weight days! But, I thought I could manage just two days a week. And then, I started to feel something in my chest. That raspy feeling that warns you a cold is coming. I quickly moved into a proactive state of mind. First, I cut out a cardio day and tried to rest more. By day two, things had not really gotten any worse. A few times I felt like my head might be getting stuffy, but that was fleeting. Made the decision to skip weights and continue resting. By day three and still not any better or worse, tried some yoga. That was okay, even the downward dogs, but felt extra tired by late afternoon. Now, here I sit on day four of not really sick but not 100%. I am wrestling with the decision of to-work-out-or-not-to-work-out. Knowing I have an activity planned for late afternoon today, it looks like another rest day for me. I don’t want to be tired for that. Tomorrow looks like a good day to get back to my schedule. Sundays are a good day for a fresh start, and fortunately we get one every seven days. ***Disclaimer: I have to be really sick to short-change my dog. I’ve still been taking Zephyr out for his morning walk. We enjoy that hour when the day is still new and full of wonder.
1/22

swirling clouds above
mirrors the frozen water
waiting for the sun
1/23

the sun is coming
with all its glorious light
break out your best shades
1/24

standing all alone
challenging ice-covered lake
which one will melt first
1/25

time to judge a peer
summons arrived to step up
seat in jury box
1/26

powered by the sun
even reflected off moon
light energizes
1/27

looking across clouds
only waves on frozen lake
with splashes of snow
January 27, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, winter, wondering
New Normal
It was just over a week ago that I complained of the cold, before the arctic front came through and really showed me what cold was. Life has a way of testing us and helping us appreciate what is right in front of us. Before, I thought a seventeen degree morning was a frigid walk and didn’t exactly enjoy it. After several days of below zero with some blowing snow thrown in, seventeen degrees is absolutely lovely. My mark for what distinguishes a too cold morning from just a cold morning has changed. Life has a way of changing our perceptions. I’ve heard people refer to life after extreme situations as the new normal, but what does that mean? Life is fluid. It is always changing, always in motion. That is normal. A normal life is one with ups and downs. A new normal would be one that stayed constant and never experienced change. Whether this is normal or new normal for you, you’ll still need gloves and a hat this morning, but probably not in a few hours.
1/14

went in for just one
came out with three for the stack
ready for the cold
1/15

all are snug inside
tucked away from the snow, but
still a snowy trail
1/17

watching pink blanket
spread across the evening sky
from behind the glass
1/18

too cold for the snow
hiding from the wind blown drift
soon shoved out the door
1/19

fooling nobody
fake tree towers aloft
spilling all the tea
1/20

open house today
may be a fixer upper
has unique decor
January 20, 2024

change, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, winter
Baby, It’s Warm Inside
In case you are living under a rock, it’s cold outside. Very, very, very cold. There is no point in discussing the outside weather. Even a baby can figure that out. Since we are all inside this weekend, unless you are like my husband and out skiing because fresh powder is calling, let’s discuss how warm it is inside. For me, happiness can be found inside on these frigid days. Fireplace turned on (yes, I make fire with a switch), extra cups of warm tea (coffee if you prefer), stacks of books ready to be read (the kindle is charged, too), and a few shows ready to be watched (or those movies being nominated for everything that you haven’t seen yet). The Danish have a word for just this kind of weekend: hygge (hoo-gah). Since they spend most of their winters living with these frigid temperatures, the Danish had to create a way to be happy. Hygge basically means getting cozy and enjoying the good things in life. Mark Wiking even wrote “The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well” and shared the ten principles of the hygge manifesto: atmosphere, presence, pleasure, equality, gratitude, harmony, comfort, truce, togetherness, and shelter. Since the Danish are often ranked as the happiest people in the world, I think I will be enjoying some hygge this weekend.
1/7

starting from my chair
with cup of tea and new book
perfect adventure
1/8

hiding from the cold
perfect place to curl up
chair fit for a king
1/9

I know it’s cold out
and too dark to play ball
ready with plan B
1/10

place for lost things found
hidden treasures brought back home
just waiting to play
1/11

blustery outside
created tranquility
content in my space
1/13

dancing in the cold
wind blown hair leading the way
laughing with my friends
January 13, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, hygge, joyful, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, winter
New Year, Bah Humbug
Why do we have to start the new year in the dead of winter? I am cold and perfectly happy to stay under the covers a little longer. If we could just have this fresh start in the middle of summer, I would be happy to participate. Getting up early to work out when the sun is already up would be lovely. Eating more fruits and vegetables when everything is growing would be so much easier. I am content to live happily in my winter layers sipping my warm tea and finishing off the leftover holiday treats. Think we could get a petition going to change the start of the year to July 1st? Everyone is tired after the holidays and would like to have January as a recovery month. It’s asking a bit much to think we are all ready to just jump into a new year. I guess I can move to the southern hemisphere for a warm start to the new year, but I would have to give up any hope of a white Christmas. Since I don’t think all my friends and family will move with me, that won’t work. I guess I’ll just have to keep finding ways to enjoy these winter New Years. Maybe I’ll just celebrate the half-year mark, like children who celebrate their half-birthdays.
12/31

be brave as you go
through the pass to the new year
it’s waiting for you
1/1

some daily habits
worth keeping year after year
walks with my buddy
1/2

cheeks and nose are cold
warm breath turns to foggy guide
but view warms my soul
1/4

hard to head outside
a month of cold, grey mornings
just thirty-one days
1/5

forgotten treasure
who will come searching for it
frozen on the rail
1/6

bright sun awakens
generous with light today
withholds warmth for now
January 6, 2024

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, resolutions, scbwi, Walks with Zephyr, winter
Reflection Then Resolution
It’s that time of year again. Everyone is busy making their New Year’s resolutions. Promising to eat better, work out more, find a work-life balance, spend less time on social media. Ever notice how resolutions tend to be about changing yourself? A new calendar means there needs to be a better, brand new you. The idea of new beginnings is a a chance for a do-over. That sounds like the makings of a Hallmark movie, or maybe I watched too many of them this last month. But before we start reinventing ourselves, let’s stop and notice who we are at the end of this year. We will never be perfect. It’s time to put away the notion that a new year equates to a new person. Maybe, just maybe, the person we are today is worth keeping. Why do we always want to throw out all the hard work we’ve already put in and start over? Instead of looking forward, take time to look back. Pat yourself on the back for all the times you did reach for your goals. Enjoy where you are right now. Life is messy and the picture is not going to be without smudges. After you realize you aren’t half bad after all, go into the new year with some revisions in mind for that first draft. You don’t have to throw it in the trash and start over.
12/24

not a star in sight
just the lovely moon up high
pulling us along
12/26

after holiday
will share the couch for a nap
even with the cat
12/27

when the sun is up
but the bed is calling out
must follow your heart
12/28

stronger than nature
protected from windy days
staying put till spring
12/29

looking for treasure
difficult task when lacking
opposable thumbs
12/30

end is approaching
time to reflect on changes
relish all the growth
December 30, 2023

change, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, resolutions, scbwi, Walks with Zephyr, wondering
Christmas Eve Eve
All of the work put in over the past few weeks is about to come together. If you celebrate Christmas, the big day is just about here. Really, for many, the celebrations start Christmas Eve, tomorrow. That makes today the last day. The last day to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. I hate to say the calm before the storm because I don’t want to compare Christmas to a storm, but when the wrapping paper starts being thrown and the kitchen is in full use, it can feel like a storm blowing through the house. There is a lot of bustling and hustling and not much time for just sitting and enjoying the season. Christmas Eve Eve is the perfect day for that. If you are still running around trying to finalize everything, I challenge you to aim for completion by December 22nd next year so you can enjoy the splendor of Christmas Eve Eve. It is a peace well earned. This year, I hope a few lighthearted words can give you some peace before you jump back in to your to-do list. To my Jewish friends who enjoyed their celebrations already, thank you for putting up with the long lines at the stores and post office. I hope you enjoy your quiet Monday.
12/17

challenge of winter
flowing around the frozen
white water landscape
12/18

picnic by the trail
you can have the shady side
I’ll sit in the sun
12/19

when moon and porch light
are more than enough to play
just waiting for you
12/21

before the paper
before the internet news
the world is calm
12/22

late to the party
warm weather confuses the geese
they are flying west
12/23

pieces of puzzle
sky picture breaking up or
joining together
December 23, 2023

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, scbwi, Walks with Zephyr, Winter Park, wondering
Baking All Around
What a week. I think I might be over baked at this point. I started the week completing my holiday cookie baking for the gift tins for family and friends. The following day my daughter came over to start her cookie baking. She spent a couple of days using my kitchen to create her cookie tins for her friends. The house smelled of freshly baked sweets all week. It was nice having her around and watching her carry on our family traditions. She has made it her own with different recipes, but still likes to bake in the kitchen at home. All the tins for both of us were made and moved on from my kitchen last night, except for one. My son needs to pick his up now that he is done with school for the semester. That’s the great thing about holiday cookies, they bring everyone home again. Maybe I’ll start making tins for all the seasons to call my family back home more often.
12/10

it’s that time of year
gather the ingredients
preheat the oven
12/11

oh, all the baking
flour sprinkled across the floor
sun will clean it up
12/13

so much stuff to do
leaves one dog tired each day
stretched out on the couch
12/14

empty plate of treats
only powdered sugar left
no birds will visit
12/15

separating egg
only the yolk is needed
to light up the day
12/16

snow is glistening
frosty sugar crystals found
winter wonderland
December 16, 2023

baking, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, scbwi, Walks with Zephyr, wondering
So Many Lists
We all know how Santa has a list of kids who are naughty and nice and he checks it twice. I don’t want to one-up the jolly fella, but I have so many lists right now, and some I check twice an hour. In addition to the ever growing to-do list, now I have the gift lists, the card list, the food list, the event list, and the things I’m thankful for list. Okay, confession time, the thankful list is only in my head because I ran out of paper to make a new list. It’s more of an ongoing list that I add to as I rush around all day. There are big items like health, family, friends, and my beloved pets. But I add the little things that make me happy for even just a moment in time. These things may not have a big impact on the course of my life, but in that moment bring me great joy. I think it’s not only okay to be thankful for insignificant things, but essential to be happy on busy, cold winter days. Things that I added to my list this past week: Starbucks was out of blueberry scones so I had to try their holiday cranberry bliss bar (yum), the grocery store still had the ingredients I needed for cookie baking and I didn’t have to make a second stop, my cousin had all the addresses I needed to complete my cards and I didn’t have to wait to track them down elsewhere, my friend’s baby gave me the up signal so I could pick him up and snuggle with him, and a little bit of snow fell last night to change the color of my surroundings (but not so much I needed to shovel). I know these are trivial things, but I am thankful when little things go my way to help me when I am juggling so many lists.
12/3

another day gone
sinking into the past, but
not before the show
12/4

sign directs the way
could make life easier, but
would you follow it?
12/5

lap got up and went
blanket and pillow still here
can make it work
12/7

sun sets for the day
season lights illuninate
shine through the darkness
12/8

too early for white
too late for long days of green
stuck in brown middle
12/9

unexpected gift
moisture hanging in the air
December rainbow
December 9, 2023

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, joyful, poetry, scbwi, thankful, Walks with Zephyr, wondering
Migration Mindset
There is a week or so every fall when the geese stop over at the lake where I walk. It seems to be their Motel 6 as they make their air trip to the south. The cacophony of bird calls disrupts my normally quiet time of waking up. Just when I am starting to get used to the sound, a morning of complete silence will be just as jarring. The birds will continue their migration to warmer parts, and I won’t see them in large groups again until spring when they make their return trip. This past week I witnessed this traveling of hundreds of geese, sometimes it felt like thousands, as they sought a warm winter home. It made me wonder about migrations in general. By definition, migration is movement from one part to another. Animals such as birds, butterflies, spiders, and, in a way, snakes all make grand moves yearly. Throughout history we have seen large groups of people migrate to new areas. But I think we can look at migration in a different way as well. Sometimes it feels like I am staying in one place, but my environment completely changes. It was just a few months ago that my morning walks were done in shorts and t-shirts under the blazing summer sun. Now the same walk is undertaken with heavy coats and warm gloves and hats with a sun still trying to climb up in the sky. When my world changes I am forced to change how I can best fit in it, how I think about it. My mind has to migrate and seek joy in other ways. This month I get to enjoy all the holiday lights around, next month it might be playing in the snow with my dog, who loves it, and when the cold and darkness are really pushing down on me, I will migrate to the warmer climate of relatives for a quick reprieve. But it is clear to me, the simple act of living is just one migration mindset after another.
11/26

whether saying hi
or goodbye, sun knows how to
leave us wanting more
11/28

sound of geese flying
coming to disturb to peace
unwanted houseguests
11/29

only asked a few
but word spread from flock to flock
need to get more food
11/30

bloom frozen in place
petrified by winter’s wind
token of summer
12/1

waited patiently
for the perfect lap to stretch
cozy contentment
12/2

sitting on this bench
watching my thoughts travel far
migration mindset
December 2, 2023

birds, change, fall, haiku, haiku Saturday, migration, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, wondering