Gliding – Sunday Snapshot

Posted on June 10, 2012 by TommiaW

Gliding by Tommia Wright

Nothing says ‘bold’ like gliding through the air – with or without the parachute.

Imagine stepping out of the library, arms heavy with stories to carry me away only to see a solo sailor making their way to…where? I can only guess they left from the mountain top in town (wind wasn’t that strong to carry one over a good fifteen miles that I could feel).

I have two high-reaching dreams: learn to fly an airplane and gliding. Once upon a time skydiving was on that list, but alas, I let the one opportunity to take the plunge slip away. A hot air balloon was once on that list, too, but I had to settle for riding in a helicopter. Reality check states that a zip-line might be a sane place to start.

What lifts your spirits? What daring goals do you seek on land, sea, in air?

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Awaiting the (Re)Opening

Posted on June 9, 2012 by TommiaW

Steps Towards the Falls by Tommia Wright

This photo was taken a couple of years ago, a path from the fish hatchery to the lower part of the Falls. That part of the trail has been closed now for renovations and there’s still a year to go before footsteps can be taken to the base.

Looking at the steps from this side, it’s hard to believe that this lone stretch of fence (the power station is on the right side) can create a momentary claustrophobic feeling before getting to the freedom of the Falls.

Are there any particular paths you’ve journeyed that have either been closed off or gone completely?

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A Fine Founder of the Sci-Fi Frontier

Posted on June 8, 2012 by TommiaW

 (photo from the Raybradbury.com site)

There are only a few things I remember about Ray Bradbury:

  • My joy in listening to Leonard Nimoy reading “The Martian Chronicles” (and briefly planting a seed/wish of being able to go to Mars some day)
  • The sense of awe in reading and hearing “Farenhiet 451.”
  • The mischievous feeling I had staying up later than logic suggested just to watch the Ray Bradbury Theater.
  • Feeling equally scared after reading and then watching “Something Wicked This Way Comes.” (No, I’ve not been to a carnival since).
  • He inspired an artist to create the Ray Bradbury School of Creative Arts.
Have I read all of Bradbury’s books? No. Have I heard all the various readings, including those by the author himself? No. Are they added to my ‘things to do’ list? Yes.

Which writer will continue the weaving of wonders about this world and other wonders?

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Themes, Theaters and Other Things

Posted on June 7, 2012 by TommiaW

 (Image courtesy of Google.com/doodle.)

This June is jumping with many themes, so of course I have no ‘proper’ focus for this month’s collection of posts. The first drive-in theater opened on the sixth of June in 1933 and that turned my focus to memories of the drive-in we used to go to when I was a child.

The space is gone now, of course. Replaced by a 12-screen theater on one side, a series of small shops on the other. What made it fun on ‘Friday Film night’ was the routine involved before getting there.  PJ’s were the attire, complete with sweatshirt and blankets. Snacks were picked up at the ‘milk barn’ in town – pretzels, two candy bars and two favorite sodas. Dinner consisted of the chicken-box dinner complete with ‘spork’ – the greatest invention for small hands trying to keep the dinner mess contained to the box.

The spot paid for, speakers secured in the window, new friends were made at the swing set until the movie began. I can’t name any of the films I’ve seen there now. I can’t think of a time of remaining inside a drive-in lately (they are getting to be harder to find). Driving by the drive-ins provided a moment of ‘guess the film’ at night – the reader board hard to read at freeway speeds. Otherwise, it is almost a lost art. I’m sure enjoying a movie in a theater will be next (I’ve yet to go where a cell phone hadn’t rang, or someone wasn’t talking/texting/twittering during a key scene).

What fond theater memories do you have?

Posted in Ponderings | 3 Comments

Words and Art

Posted on June 6, 2012 by TommiaW

Raven by Tommia Wright

The wonderful thing about libraries is the  many works of art within and without.

This raven was spotted a few steps down from the Poetry Machine just before the main doors.

What is the story behind the casting, the artist, the decision? How many patrons have paused to sit beside the work? What are the responses, shared or kept in silence?

Is the raven reading Poe, perhaps? Or another bit of fiction as a flight of fancy?

What fun finds have you stumbled upon while looking around in the library?

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Melodic Trinity Hymns

Posted on June 5, 2012 by TommiaW

A Hymn to Play by Tommia Wright

Tunes – Holy Trinity Sunday brings out the most wonderfully woven hymns praising the Triune God. There are favorites. There are discoveries. Each hymn offers a thoughtful reflection of the foundation of faith.

This Sunday’s ‘focus five’ included:

* Come, Though Almighty King (Italian Hymn)

* Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (John B. Dykes)

* Father Most Holy, Merciful and Tender (Johann Cruger)

* Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices (Kornelius Dretzel)

and

* Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (Grosser Gott)

 

Having dusted/found the instrumental collection in the corner, the challenge will be to play these songs in such simplicity (God bless organists and other music providers in services, even those days where it is only a capella). Will I be able to remember these hymns with ease – the same ease that allows melodies by Miller, Manilow, Mancini come to mind? Maybe, Hopefully.

What songs move you? Which ones have you tapping a toe or humming in ‘one-part harmony?’

Posted in From the WEL, Ponderings | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Mini Monday

Posted on June 4, 2012 by TommiaW

Drawing Lines by Tommia Wright

Today’s Mini-Monday project invention is based in part on an art form called “Zentangle.”

Once again, thanks go to my crafty friend, “R” for the introduction (plus a chance to sketch part of a quilt that added a touch of color to the corner cubicles)!

Giving doodling a disciplined form. I know I lack discipline. I know I don’t want my doodling to make sense. But after a while, I did lose a sense of utter wandering, meaningless meandering and whatever other way one wants to call ‘getting lost in lines.’

Can I make a habit of this? Maybe. (Most likely not) One thing I can say and will say, is this: Lines have been drawn! (Once I find out where Kit hid the pen!)

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Trinity Sunday

Posted on June 3, 2012 by TommiaW

It would be a challenge to find a fitting photo to go with a significant Sunday, so the usual corner will be bare today. A detour (or major delay) towards the WEL(s) of faith.

Trinity Sunday is the time on the church calendar to look at the Triune God, to remember He who saves us, counsels us and is a loving Father to us.

While this is the Sunday in which the Athanasian Creed is spoken, simplicity in remembering our blessing can be found, also, in the Apostles’ Creed:

“I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”

 

I hope I have not offended you, dear reader. May you stay strong on the rock of foundation that is your faith.

Posted in From the WEL, Ponderings | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Friday Fun – belated

Posted on June 2, 2012 by TommiaW

Poetry Machine – by Tommia Wright

Just a bit back from Front Street, adorned with balloons on each corner, the Poetry Machine sat. On an index card, passersby scribbled down five words. Fed into a slot in the machine, an echoing typewriter heard yet not seen. A few minutes later, a poem would emerge. How it was done-. Wait, to tell would spoil the fun.

Thank you, Reisha!

When was the last time you and a friend had a talk, strolling down an art walk?

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Thinking…

Posted on May 31, 2012 by TommiaW

Kit-Kat Life by Tommia Wright

An admission to make: There are two cats who liven my day. Kit and Kat.  (I know, Reader, you’re thinking ‘give me a break!’).

Kit is the adventurous explorer like Kit Carson. The first kitten to figure out how to get behind the washing machine despite the so-called obstacles. The first one to figure out how to get from one side of the bed to the other without being on the bed.

Kat is more like Katherine from Taming of the Shrew. Her ‘royal’ attitude comes complete with a morning offering of a shrew on the doorstep and daring me to sweep it off into the lawn. She’s the one who has no hesitations of coming between me and my keyboard whenever she wants.

These fabulous felines provide a different outlook to routine, intruding on my habits, setting me up on new ones (tripping me at the top step being one of them). We’re into the ‘terrible two’ stage now (how did those couple of years go by so fast?!).

 

Yes, it’s fair to say that Kit and Kat always give me a break.

Posted in Mischief, Anything, Yammering | 2 Comments