Patience

Patience

Noel Laflin

3-8-18

I feel like Glaydys Kravitz,

Peeking thru the blinds,

Waiting for small beaks to rise,

In that nest outside.

But patience is a virture,

Or so the saying goes,

And so I wait, all the while,

Bewitched by nature’s show.

Boundaries

Boundaries

Noel Laflin

3-7-18

My next door neighbors installed a sun screen on their patio the other day.

Over the fence this morning, Steve said it was to block hummingbirds from buzzing them when they sat there.

 

‘Works like a charm,’ he said amicably enough.

I need to have a talk with the flock and establish better boundaries.

But I don’t think they’re gonna listen.

And I didn’t tell Steve that there are dozens more on the way.

Springtime

Springtime

March 6, 2018

We may be two weeks early, but I tell you, it’s Springtime here right now - and it’s glorious!

Doors and windows are wide open and the heavenly scent of citrus blooms fills the house. Outside, starlings are startled, doves are dozing, sparrows are singing, crows are cawing, parrots are parlaying, bees are buzzing, hawks are hovering, and hummingbirds are ... well, humming. And more are showing up every day.

And as wonderful as it was to travel to the far East and see some fantastic sights, there is nothing like Springtime in Southern California.

Sign of the Cross

Sign of the Cross

Noel Laflin

3-5-18

There’s a spot at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, where the Little Colorado meets the larger Colorado River, which river guides tell of the mid-air collision of two airliners back in 1956.  They point to not-so-distant hillsides still littered with rusting debris.

I have never forgotten the sight or the telling of that story.

On this day, March 5, 1966, a British airliner broke apart over Mt. Fuji when the pilot veered a few miles off course in order to give the passengers a better view of the mountain. They were caught up in violent turbulence caused by tremendous wind gusts; the pilot lost control, and the plane broke apart.

Like the canyon incident, all were lost.

I was at the base of Mt. Fuji just a week ago today, but was unaware of the tragedy that took place there half a century back. It surprised me on a history site this morning.

I have often thought of the Grand Canyon crash while flying over Arizona, and always find myself making the sign of the cross when we catch sight of the river confluence way below.

Should I ever catch sight of Mt. Fuji again, my fingers and hand will know the drill.

Lazarus and Bread

Lazarus and Bread

Noel Laflin

2-18-18

Five of us walked for miles around Kaohsiung Harbor the other day and naturally this one later fell asleep on the car ride home.

 
We stopped at a popular bakery and I carried her inside while her mother and David placed delicacies on their checkout trays.

The sudden, indescribable scent of fresh baked goods woke her from her slumber faster than sun rays breaking through a cloud.

She sat up in my arms like Lazarus called forth into the light - not to mention a feast.

It was a funny moment which I thought worthy of sharing.

Plus, I just really liked this shot.

Maps and Lions

Maps and Lions

Noel Laflin

2-25-18

There was a mural-size map of the United States in the bedroom of my youth. My father had gotten it from Congressman Utt, way back in the early '50's. He placed it dead center on the wall facing the bunk beds my brother and I shared. It was framed in knotty pine paneling.

The map was so old that Alaska and Hawaii were still shown as territories of the U.S.

Being young of eye, I could see the small print of even the tiniest of towns and hamlets quite clearly. The giant outline of the Louisiana Purchase looked like a lion and sometimes steered my dreams as it was the last thing that caught my eye as I drifted off to sleep. It then greeted me as first light of morning broke in through the old bedroom window facing Flower Street.

When an addition to the house was completed, Bobby and I moved into the new, cooler room so that our grandmother could have the map room.

Grandma was ancient and frail, frequently leaving the house in her old fashioned clothes, wandering until lost, but always returned safely home by friendly policeman.

She suffered a number of strokes and died not long after her stay with us.

As she only spoke Norwegian, I never did think to ask her how she liked my old bedroom.

But I bet she loved that map and the lion.

Leaving Tianan

Leaving Tianan

Noel Laflin

2-19-18

Our time in Tianan City is coming to a close. Tomorrow we travel north to Taipei.

I am going to miss the old narrow streets, the temples, shrines, the rich history of this ancient town.

I am going to miss the friendly family gatherings and movable feasts that seemed to take place every few hours.

I am going to miss running and sliding across the condo's long smooth floors in stocking feet. Every kid that stops by with his or her family does likewise.

I already look back with fondness on the new friendships made here in Southern Taiwan.

But Taipei beckons and new adventures await. Besides, there are more friends and family there.

Lunch dates have already been planned.