Rangitoto

Aside from its incarnation as a work of art, Rangitoto is a volcanic island, just off the coast of Auckland in New Zealand. It is a young soul: by the standards of islands, it is only 600 years old. I read that the Maori who were already living in New Zealand were awed at its creattion. Imagine a volcanic eruption creating land out of fire and sea.




This view is from the peak which we hiked up on a warm summer's day. Auckland is beautiful. Funny how cities can look calm through the haze of distance and blue skies.


The island is made entirely of black, jagged volcanic rock that was killer on my boots. I admit I am a klutz, but by the end of the hike, my soles were shredded.









Some people got tired on the hike and needed an afternoon nap. I hate naps. As AE Houseman wrote,

Clay lies still, but blood's a rover;
Breath's a ware that will not keep.
Up, lad; when the journey's over
There'll be time enough for sleep.

A Rainy Day in San Francisco

At last a weekend at home. And the rain was falling. I ate breakfast to the sound of rain splattering against the skylight in a darkened kitchen. Ah that "good to be inside, reading by the fire" feeling. I hope the Sierras get much needed snow. This print captures my rainy day mood today: the solitary hut, trees bare but just starting to bloom, the hope of a wet green spring and the heat of summer to come.

The woodblock print is by Shiro Kasamatsu, entitled Suenaga District in Rain, 1939.

Waiheke Island

Art and nature, artifice or landscape. An outdoor sculpture display on Waiheke Island made for a great art walk/tramp (the New Zealand lingo for a hike.)




Seek a relentless clarity
which frames the soul



drinking a glass of the wine dark sea
in a harbor of shadow and sun




only connect...
with fragile bands of thread
to earth and dust, ourselves




Dickinson's certain slant of light
this crossing, those other journeys
to be endured



sinews of steel,
our carpace of flesh,
yearning for release.

A Rainy Day in Hawaii

Who could resist a day in Hawaii, even a rainy misty one? The destination for a few short hours was Manoa Falls and an arboretum near by. Abundance and lushness. Mud and bamboo. The question arose as to whether bamboo is indigenous to the Hawaiian islands or was introduced by Polynesians or Europeans. I ventured perhaps it was from China, a notion Gene found extremely amusing. He then asked whether the mud getting all over us our boots and legs was imported from China as well. Ah the humble beginnings of a running joke. The mud however, would hold us up in customs in New Zealand, when a rather dour-looking officer temporarily confiscated our boots and sterilized them.


The flowers on our short hike were stunning.





The rain conspired to make each more beautiful than the last.

And then there were the wild orchids...