Sometimes you stumble across pictures that just make you smile.

4/22/17

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017

Sometime years ago, the neighbors on Melrose Street all planted redbud trees. They are about to be in bloom. Great time of year to walk the middle block of Melrose to check them out.

4/21/17

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017

Spring at the MAG

4/20/17

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017

She was so torn. Should she go with the dashing but somewhat dim Lord Stanton? Or should she go with the dark and steamy foot man, Ashford? What was in his mysterious past? If only this garden could answer her question. Which way should she turn?

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017

Many times parents and others come in with a seemingly straight forward question. Some basic question about why their child, their life, their family is the way it is.  It is as if they are asking is the glass half full or half empty?  Sometimes that’s the question I answer first, because it is a worthwhile question.   However many times, the least important question is about the glass and about how full or how empty the glass is. Meaning the question they are asking is not the important question, it is just a symptom of a bigger problem.

Sometimes the glass is literally heating up so hot that it is about to burst or the liquid to boil. Whether it is half full or half empty does not matter as the glass and the liquid are about to be destroyed.

Sometimes when parents or others ask the glass half full question, the glass itself is so precariously balanced that one slight shift in the liquid will cause the entire glass and its contents to fall and shatter.  The whole assembly is on a high perch and any fall will shatter the glass and spill the liquid. But still the question is – is it half full or half empty? Not recognizing how precarious the situation is, or where the real dangers or real issues lie.

Sometimes the glass is already falling. It just has not hit the ground yet. But still the question is – is it half full or half empty? Not realizing that if steps are not taken, the whole issue is going to end in great pain and sorrow.

So the next time, you find yourself facing a problem, before you start focusing on the leaves. Ask yourself, should we really be discussing the trees, or should we start with the forest?  Then take that glass with its liquid, add some vermouth, an olive, and a lemon twist, then sit back and enjoy. Ah, see you did it again, you thought the glass had water in it.  At the end the glass will be empty. If your still perplexed, refill, and then repeat.

4/20/17

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017

The gate, even such a flimsy gate, was closed. On one side was my childhood, and on the other my adulthood. Oh to be able to go back and forth at will to travel again those many paths. But the gate was closed, and all that was left was my memories.

© words and picture by Dan DeMarle 2017

In the early morning, the trolls wander, often disguised as trees.  You can tell them by their luminous eyes that light their hair as if on fire.

© words and picture by Dan DeMarle 2017

Give me the open sea.

Give me a strong boat.

Give me a stout crew.

Give me the wind always at my back.

and I you will find me sailing the seas beyond the farthest stars.

© picture by Dan DeMarle 2017

At the end of the day we all have an appointment in Samarra. Whether we run to it with open arms, whether we crawl to it on all fours, whether we run from it as hard and as fast as we can.  Samarra calls all of us.   When the day comes, when you finally arrive in Samarra, and you open that door, to meet the one waiting there for you.  What will you bring with you?  What will your answer to that final question be?

Thanks to John O’Hara for an excellent read Appointment in Samarra.

1/1/17

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017