light a light

making warmth

chop that wood, carry water

not only is the winter wood harvested, chopped and stacked,

 it beautifully lines the path toward the outer tea garden.

neighbors and friends visit the garden often 

and chris ezzel 

brings guests to

practice tea ceremony throughout the seasons.

it is a very good thing.

fresh water haiku

Fresh furo water

     Gum tree and bamboo reflect

       What spent fir cone mars?

-ishi

The Studio

The Studio, a set on Flickr.

the west wing includes a studio and bath which has integrated the architecture of the main house into the entrance of the tea garden.

sit here

the tea room is beautiful and serene and lends itself to meditation in different ways. the captain would like to practice sitting more comfortably and since buckwheat hull pillows are part of my repertoire, in the tradition of following tea , i made a custom zafu - an informative and interesting project. the traditional meditation pillow is filled with kapok, but buckwheat hulls are malleable and very comfortable. 

 cushions are not traditionally used for guests at tea ceremony but often our guests are not accustomed to sitting on the floor so a set of zabuton are on the cutting table and coming to the tea room soon.

and finally, the buckwheat hulls are added.

true heart

Veil against the moon

Shadows of the Master play

across the cold ro

- Ishi

www.calm

 amidst the blowhard bluster of current political debate

i find it so heartening to read about lael brainard

who is calmly negotiating on the world stage.

and there's a book by susan cain titled 'quiet: the power of introverts

in a world that just can't stop talking'.
pico iyer has written a lovely piece for the nyt
'the joy of quiet'

i had been thinking about starting .calm,

as a way to distinguish information, business, ideas,

people and places that have an approach that is quiet and 

thought provoking.

as well as innovative and vibrant.

perhaps i'll have a cup of tea instead.

 

warm haiku

My saki cup
        suspended in the furo
        my warm pleasures equal

     - isshi