Tiffany Painter

Garden Bliss
I spent last Sunday at the Denver Botanical Garden with a friend. It was the second time I visited and a vastly different experience. My first time at the garden was around 2005. It was a cold, rainy day, and I was chaperoning a group of second grade boys for a field trip. Nothing about that day was relaxing. My friend enjoys it so much that she got a membership and invited me to join her. I went, but almost begrudgingly. I kept thinking about herding a group of boys around mud and puddles all those years before. Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise. Walking amongst flowers on a sunny fall morning with a friend is probably as close as one can get to actually walking in Heaven. All the nervousness I was feeling about going back evaporated before we even got through the first section. We even have our next visit on the calendar. What a great reminder to allow myself to be open to new experiences at old places. That, and some places do not make great field trips for second graders.
9/24

behind the dark clouds
glorious light secluded
waiting to dazzle
9/25

flower holding on
warm day invites butterfly
soon to flitter off
9/26

flamingos lined up
never dull at the garden
hanging lobster claw
9/27

splashes of water
the morning dew refreshes
summer’s final bloom
9/28

beaks open for food
blue ginger flower waiting
hatchling on the vine
9/29

supply store for dreams
lumber for building new home
tiny house awaits
9/30

sapphire bookends
serenity in between
peaceful oasis
September 30, 2023

garden, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, wondering
Bird Camping
During this last week of summer, I noticed all the different bird houses/feeders in my neighborhood. Some were unique and others were more on the ordinary side. The one thing they all had in common was they were empty of birds. I never saw a bird visiting one of these lovely places designed just for them. I saw and heard birds everywhere on my morning walks, but never in the man-made structures. They preferred the trees. This made me think of a meme I recently saw about camping. It asked what was the one thing you always take when you go camping. The answer was a hotel. These birds feel differently as they seem to prefer roughing it and avoid all the hotels. After some thought I had to admit I am not like the birds. I enjoy being outdoors and exploring nature, but I’ll take that hotel at the end of the day.
9/17

ice crystal layer
night time visit from Jack Frost
sun beams rush to warm
9/19

another work day
just hanging with the birds
view from loft office
9/20

little cottage house
home for Tinker Bell and friends
or neighborhood birds
9/21

favorite color
the blue of an autumn day
behind tall green trees
9/22

cool mountain river
brings solace as summer ends
soaking it all up
9/23

lonely little house
nobody comes to visit
no amenities
September 23, 2023

birds, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, scbwi, Walks with Zephyr, Winter Park, wondering
Blue Sky and Fluffy Clouds
Fall started pushing its way in this week. The mornings were cooler and the afternoon heat didn’t last as long. There were also more clouds overhead. The thing with clouds though, is breadth versus depth. I prefer deep clouds that rise high in the blue sky. They tend to be fluffy and might even have a picture in them. The best part is you can still see the blue sky peeking through. The clouds that have breadth are not as nice. These clouds spread out and cover up the blue sky. The don’t tend to offer any pictures. These are grey, gloomy days. I am definitely a blue sky and fluffy clouds person. Everyone waiting for their pumpkin spice lattes can have the grey days.
9/10

early morning walks
watching the world wake up
with the rising sun
9/12

behind the grey clouds
blue sky waiting to shine through
eagerly prepared
9/13

company today
face in the sky watching
friend in high places
9/14

a fork in the road
morning sun guiding my way
happy to follow
9/15

summer sky no more
cloudy days of fall arrive
just for a visit
9/16

ever wonder where
plane soaring through the blue sky
to unknown places
September 16, 2023

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, wondering
Need for Rest
I didn’t start the week thinking about rest, but then I found it all around me. Labor Day is the signal that summer has ended along with the relaxing pace we all enjoyed for a few months. Fall has always been a busy time with busy schedules and new routines. As we settle into these new routines, it’s important to make sure time is scheduled for rest, a time to “relieve weariness by cessation of exertion or labor.” My pets have been providing great role models for this much needed rest.
9/3 a place to wonder many thoughts to reflect on under the surface
9/4 rain to cool the day work break for the tired sun holiday for all
9/5 resting before lunch waiting to find some takeout too lazy to move
9/6 another work day motivation isn't there need a cozy nap
9/7 panda on the loose dug all the way from China resting from the trip
9/8 proud rototiller sitting on a pedestal tired of yard work
9/9 catching and fetching hard work when done correctly much needed rest break
September 9, 2023

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, scbwi, wondering
Mother Nature Therapy
I was fortunate enough to get to spend a few days in the mountains as August wrapped up summer. I find being in nature recharges me. My husband refers to it as Mother Nature therapy. Some people like retail therapy, but I don’t really like shopping. It could be all the people out there. Sometimes I might indulge in food therapy, especially dessert. I know several people who benefit from actual therapy, and that works for them. For me though, Mother Nature therapy is just what the doctor ordered.
8/27 racing the storm clouds weekend hiking in the trees earning a couch nap
8/28 one more thing to do light up moon for the night shift changing of the guard
8/29 burdens too heavy Mother Nature therapy quiet summer hikes
8/30 some days are worth it another day to enjoy skip reading the news
8/31 dogs, sun, and dirt trails few of my favorite things guiding my journey
9/1 Wonderland mushrooms brighten hike through the forest looking for Alice
9/2 rings on a tree show passing of time takes a toll years change a person
September 2, 2023

Granby Countuy, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, scbwi, Walks with Zephyr, Winter Park, wondering
Looking Up
I spent a lot of time looking up this week, emotionally and physically. I used to dread the end of summer. In my mind summer ended and winter started with nothing in between. Last year was the first time in a long time I was able to enjoy fall since I wasn’t heading back to the classroom. Fall welcomed me with open arms after leaving teaching. I hope I get the same greeting again this year. Fortunately there are still a few weeks of summer left to revel in.
8/20 light trying to shine menacing clouds pushing in curtain coming down.
8/21 scorching August day wringing out last of summer sunflowers hiding
8/22 energy from sun foliage ready to absorb eating out today
8/23 faithful friend watching telling me much with one look while waiting on hold
8/25

rainy night
clouds linger
sun pushes through
8/26

across grassy field
mountains hiding in the sky
simple landscape art
August 25, 2023

haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, poetry, scbwi, Walks with Zephyr, wondering
Change
It was a week full of change. The weather couldn’t seem to decide between summer and fall. Students headed back to school for another school year. Trees gave way to the consequences of birds. And clouds were constantly changing in the sky. The one thing that brought back memories from the past was my cat resting on my daughter’s bed waiting for a story. But even that was a sign of change as it is no longer her bed except for when she visits. Change is inevitable, make sure you take the time to notice.
8/13 many years ago adopted this regal boy glad he lets me serve
8/14 heading back to school grey clouds hover overhead weighs down the backpack
8/15 land developers take over a neighborhood Woodpeckers at work
8/16 soft caterpillar strolling across the sidewalk still fallen eyelash
8/17 crows watch from above wait for the dog to trot by security guards
8/18 clouds strewn all over spilled milk flows across the sky wipe away the tears
8/19 clouds after the rain before the sun sets today drama playing out
August 19, 2023

haiga, haiku, poetry, scbwi, Walks with Zephyr, wondering

Haiga

There is a name for what I do: Haiga (Hi-gah). This is when you combine some type of artwork with haiku. In my case I take a photo of what I am wondering about and add haiku to explain what I am thinking. Sometimes there isn’t time to get a perfect picture, like when a moose is close by watching your every move, but perfection is not the point of wondering. True haiku doesn’t use personification, but this past week I found myself humanizing nature by thinking about trees that can see or experienced the green “hair” from swimming, beavers working in the forest, and moose spying on intruders. I can’t wait to see what I can imagine next week.

8/6

eyes closely follow
every move we make noticed
not even blinking

8/7

every shade of green
after swimming in the rain
must rinse and repeat

8/8

smallest member 
rules over the rest
with gentle paws

Max is not often included because he 
stays inside and doesn't get to wonder on our walks with us.  But it was a cool summer morning and he enjoyed some blanket time for a nap.

8/9

work in the forest
Mother Nature's engineers
no need for dentists

8/10

out chasing squirrels
flushed out an enormous one
moose spies our retreat

Imagine my surprise when this big moose joined our walk.  We moved quickly away before snapping a picture.

8/11

following the curve
never a straight line to guide
adventure awaits

8/12

bath waiting for birds
fresh sprinkler and rain water
cold drink for a dog

August 12, 2023

haiku, Walks with Zephyr, Winter Park, wondering

Looking With Wonder

As I continue reading the book by Charlotte Digregorio, Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All, I focused on looking at things with wonder this week. The book states that “one should write haiku by looking at nature and everything around them with amazement and wonder toward the ordinary, everyday occurrences.” This hit home for me. I think one can find joy just by noticing how amazing ordinary things can be. When we are in a place that allows us to set aside all of our stresses and really take a look around us, we can more easily see the beauty of it all. Getting to that place is the trick. I hope my writing can help transport people, even if just for a moment or two.

7/30
holding back the sun
rays break through to spotlight hills
summer morning stage

I love seeing sun rays shining through the clouds.

7/31

summer heat still strong
too early for falling leaves
season tug-of-war


I was surprised by the leaves on the ground during my walk this morning.  It is much too early to think about fall

8/1
the face of the sun
flower standing tall facing
the face of the sun

The sun flowers have been abundant this summer.  I liked the play on words here.

8/2
searching in the grass
looking for hidden treasures
swish, swish, swish returns

Zephyr loves running in the tall grasses along our walking trails.  I love hearing him swish through the fields.

8/3
more than just a bench
holder of many secrets
so many stories

This old tree was turned into a bench for people to sit and enjoy the views.  It is showing its age and makes me think of all the people it has held.

8/4
party guests won't leave
maddening unless it is
a stellar object

The days are getting slightly shorter and the moon is still up when we head out in the morning.

8/5
symbol of his love
fresh smell of blooms fill the room
pink, peach, and purple

A special treat just for me

August 5, 2023

haiku, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, wondering

Escaping the Heat
My haiku journey continued this week with an escape from the heat. I was able to head up to the mountains with a friend and my dog. A change of scenery is a great way to reawaken the sense of wonder. Before my trip, I discovered a small garden in the center of town that had painted rocks displayed. They were painted by a children’s group to bring kindness to all who saw them. I wonder if my musings bring joy.
7/23 river of kindness messages to lift spirits hidden in plain sight
7/24 quiet morning walks before the heat of the day with my loyal dog
7/25 summer evening walks are for watching the sun paint streaks across the sky
7/26 mountain daisy field playground for a dog to run on this summer day
7/27 mighty fallen tree crashing down in the forest loudest home wrecker
7/28 warm day mountain bliss cool water rushing down stream doesn't stop to breath
7/29 setting sun wants to stay up gets last word in
July 29, 2023

haiku, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, Winter Park, wondering