That which blossoms

falls, the way of all flesh

in this world of flowers.

sakeba chiru

mi no yukuse ya

hana sekai

KIKO 

death poem 5.2.1823

The Bosque del Apache is a wetland wildlife reserve about an hour and a half south of Albuquerque. This time of year the sandhill cranes and snow geese arrive from their summer homes north. Besides hundreds of bird species the Bosque is home to coyotes, snakes, mountain lions, wild cats, occasional bear and an assortment of other species.

It is funded and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bosque_del_apache/

Makes for a glorious fall adventure and escape. We were there yesterday. A birthday gift to myself!

fall grasses wind whipped, Bosque del Apache

lone crow Bosque del Apache

 Bosque del Apache

Church

Every Sunday morning I walk Finn and Sophie, my border collies in the Sandia Mountain foothills. We arrive before dawn and are there to see the sunrise. Each week the mountain offers a new and different beauty. This morning a storm is moving in and clouds lay gently over the ridge to the north. Today we startled a deer, and stepped over (or sniffed as the case may be) several large and very fresh piles of bear scat full of red berries.

My Sunday morning church.

\

Fight your shame

throw out your pride and learn all you can

from others.

this is the basis of a successful life.

Rikyu

 (written as a guide for the student of tea- all of us really)

early morning light Placitas Open Space

That which blossoms

falls, the way of all flesh

in this world of flowers.

sakeba chiru

mi no yukusue ya

hama sekai

Kiko

5.2.1823

zen monk death poem

To depart while seated or standing is all one.

All I shall leave behind me

Is a heap of bones...

Koho Kennichi

10.12.1316

Zen death poem

Tarryall Mountains, Colorado... view over the bones

Cargoless,

bound heavenward,

ship of the moon.

Tsumimono ya

nakute jodo e

tsuki no fune

Dohaku

1673

Zen death poem

Colorado Rocky Mountain sky

Bro and Tracy Spay and Neuter Project had its first official trial run this weekend.

Bro and Tracy http://www.broandtracy.org/ is an animal rescue organization in the Albuquerque area. They recently inherited enough money to put together a spay and neuter mobile clinic. They will take the van to outlying communities in the area, ones that have poor access to vet care and offer affordable spay and neuter surgeries. The horrendous and heartbreaking problem of unwanted dogs and cats can only be met this way... offer services that are convenient to those in need.

My Occasional Gallery (ACOG) is planning an art fundraiser this December to help support this effort.  http://annecooperstudio.com/ACOG.htm

Please contact me through my website if you have questions or want to help out.  http://annecooperstudio.com/contact.html

Bro and Tracy Spay and Neuter Project in action, Pine Hill, NM

Teach us to walk the soft Earth as relatives

to all that live.

Sioux prayer

Clio, my favorite donkey