Category Archives: Pioneer Valley

SNOW

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Touch2Touch

Yes, snow. Stark and simple word for the white wilderness that circumscribes our lives here in the Northeast US. I can’t find adequate words to do justice to it. Maybe photos can convey some of our winter: Our patio at the beginning of December … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Pioneer Valley, winter | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments

AUTUMN LEAVES

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Touch2Touch

It’s late October. We’re past the blue and gold, and into the fallen, fading autumn leaves of ocher, beige, dull red and brown. They’re EVERYWHERE! On the patio: Sitting on the chairs: It’s clearly time to wrap up outdoor living for the winter, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Loneliness, Memory, Music, Nature, Pioneer Valley, winter | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

After the Deluge

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Touch2Touch

October being what it is, autumn in New England, we have mild days and cold, gold and gray. We also have not infrequent deluges, and yesterday was one of those. The rain approached Biblical proportions. Worcester, not so far from us, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Color, Nature, Pioneer Valley | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

A New Strain: “Last Gasp” Morning Glories!

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Touch2Touch

When my gardening neighbor planted the vines on the other side of the trellis shared by our patios, I was delighted. The quickly climbing green leaves made no distinction between thine and mine. They clambered through the lattice to my side as … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Buddha, Challenge, Color, Flowers, Nature, Pioneer Valley | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

TODAY’S PORTRAIT: HERE’S JOHNNY!

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Touch2Touch

Not only because I think he resembles an impudent rascally adorable little boy — but because that’s actually his name! I can hear you thinking, What is she talking about? That’s a pansy! Well, yes and no. Johnny Jump-ups are … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers, Happiness, Personal Essay, Pioneer Valley | Tagged , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

Hey, Fat Lady!

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Touch2Touch

“It ain’t over till the fat lady sings….”   It’s a great phrase, isn’t it? It references what used to be the stereotypically overweight sopranos of Grand Opera. (Since the advent of the Metropolitan Opera’s HD television simulcasts, we’ve been getting glamour … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Challenge, Etcetera, Life and Death, Nature, Personal Essay, Pioneer Valley, Spring, winter | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

A Cherry Hung with Snow…

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Touch2Touch

Simply trust, Simply trust! Cherry blossoms in bloom                 Japanese haiku poet Kobayashi Issa It’s Japanese practice (as I understand it) to display each seasonal decoration, like this cherry blossom bonsai, a little in … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers, Japan, Nature, Pioneer Valley, Poetry, Spring | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Thanks for the Memory — with Pork Chops Attached

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Touch2Touch

(Note: Vegetarian readers, avert your eyes. This post is NOT for you.) When I was quite a small girl, a thousand years ago, one of my favorite places to go with my mother was to the butcher store. It had … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Food, Memory, Personal Essay, Pioneer Valley, Shopping | Tagged , , , , | 28 Comments

Promiscuously, in a Vase

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Touch2Touch

Why have I been sequestered so long, away from my blogs (and yours)? I’ve been preparing to moderate a seminar on the Cultural Arts of Japan in our local Learning in Retirement program. I’m sure that in a previous life … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge, Etcetera, Flowers, Japan, Nature, Pioneer Valley, Quotes, winter | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments

Knitting up that Sleeve!

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Touch2Touch

Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care — You may be thinking that Shakespeare had a bit of a spelling problem.  Actually, though, he didn’t. Spelling hadn’t been codified yet in Elizabethan times, and so people pretty much … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddha, Etcetera, Health, Medicine, Pioneer Valley, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , | 42 Comments