Saturday, July 7, 2012

The Reluctant Dog

July 5
Thursday

Bought groceries early this morning. Another hot day, so had to leave Duke at home. Felt guilty when I returned. He needs to get out.

I have some books to give to a friend who is battling lymphoma; called but he wasn't home. Later took Duke for a ride to Ft. Wayne on the chance my friend might be at home. He wasn't. We drove around town a while just to give Duke something to look at. There was still a lot of storm damage visible.

It was warm even with the air conditioning running. Duke normally likes his window open when we are in a town so he can hang out and smell everything. Today when I opened it he looked at me as though I was crazy and went to lay in the back. I rolled the window back up. It is hot.

Even my dog
won't venture outside today--
the fiery sun.

Spent much of the rest of the day reading. Normally I read three or so books each week. These past two weeks with my ministry winding down and the heat I have read more.

One was a new translation (to me) of Basho's journals. The translator, David Landis Barnhill, did a very nice job and I enjoyed it more than an earlier translation I have. It helped me get my mind set to journal--and it exposed my haiku as second rate. 

The book, Basho's Journey, contains many of Basho's haibun and I am comfortable recommending it to others. An example of the beauty and simplicity of his haiku is below:

          how easily it rose
          and now it hesitates,
          the moon in the clouds
                         Matsuo Basho, 1691

I am so envious!



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