Tag Archives: Words

Borrowed Words (3): KINDNESS

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Touch2Touch

In Japanese landscape gardening the word shakkei means “borrowed view.” The designer “borrows,” or incorporates, any view beyond property borders, thereby visually enlarging his own property and landscape.  In tough times of winter and darkness, cold and wind and discouragement, borrowed words have brought me (and … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddha, Quotes, Spring, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

Borrowed Words (2)

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Touch2Touch

In Japanese landscape gardening the word shakkei means “borrowed view.” The designer “borrows,” or incorporates, any view beyond property borders, thereby visually enlarging his own property and landscape.  This winter in Northampton has meant enclosure in the house, trapped by unrelenting cold and snow, and enclosure … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Quotes, winter, Wisdom, Writers | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

HOW WE REPINE — OR SING

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Touch2Touch

“Each bird sings the song its beak allows.”                                              Mère Tarsisius This piece of wisdom has long been an … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Personal Essay, Quotes, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , | 41 Comments

In the Midst of Winter —

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Touch2Touch

Friends who fled the wintry North for Florida sunshine want to know how it’s going back home. Here’s how it’s going: And here’s how we (try to) deal with it. We rub two words together until the sparks fly, until … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Nature, Quotes, winter, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments

Sailing on a Ship of Thought

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Touch2Touch

We’re all familiar with the phrase, a “train of thought.” To follow our thoughts wherever they lead, without worrying about consistency or logic. That’s what I found myself doing this morning when I was brushing my teeth, but — considering … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Life and Death, Mindfulness, Personal Essay | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Real Or — Something Else?

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Touch2Touch

“Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced — even a proverb is no proverb to you until your life has illustrated it.” John Keats What exactly does Keats mean by this? Or perhaps, in what sense does he mean … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge, Doubt, Etcetera, Quotes, Wonderings | Tagged , , , | 26 Comments

Words to Split the Rock —

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Touch2Touch

A Sort of a Song Let the snake wait under his weed and the writing be of words, slow and quick, sharp to strike, quiet to wait, sleepless. —through metaphor to reconcile the people and the stones. Compose. (No ideas … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Poetry, Quotes | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Collectives: A Murder of Crows

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Touch2Touch

When creatures come together, they form a group, an aggregate, a gathering. The words that are used to describe the collectives of any particular type of creature are whimsical, and often delightful. Crows didn’t actually murder Vincent van Gogh (he … Continue reading →

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