Earth Girl

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April 22, 2026- Hana was born under the sign of earth, much as her father was born under the sign of water and I, her grandfather, under the sign of fire.

I had a penchant for controlled, responsible burns, in my twenties and thirties. Earlier, I loathed arsonists for their destructive use of what I saw as a element that was cleansing, when used the right way. Fire should be controlled, with a system for extinguishing in place before the spark is even lit. My continuing connection with fire is mainly a concern with cleansing places. Clean-ups can be accomplished without burning.

Aram could while away hours playing with toy boats-in a sink, on a pond or lake. Eventually, he took his sign one step further and became a sailor. He took to swimming at age five and has never stopped. He steered a destroyer in and out of crowded harbours, around the Pacific Rim. He remains in the Navy Reserves.

Hana turned four months old today. It will be a while before we know her interests. She does look at signs, and logos on t-shirts, scanning them from right to left. She sometimes laughs at the appropriate moments, even before the rest of us are chuckling. As for any earth connection, it’s probably there. She does like sitting and watching the mother rabbit that has taken a spot in our backyard, probably getting ready to birth a litter. She also loves watching the leaves on trees being blown by the breezes (Yes, I know that’s an air sign thing.) She is dedicated to her army crawling exercises, and knows when to turn at corners and stay within boundaries. I will have a better sense of how strong her earth sign is, as the weather warms and I get her out in the yard or to the park. Will it be a passing interest, like mine with fire or abiding, like her father’s connection with water?

Happy Earth Day, everyone.

Out-Stubborning

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April 27, 2022- The fire found itself blocked, north and east. “Aha”, thought the conflagration, “I see the enemy is only concerned about property. Thus, I shall head west and south, and burn the campgrounds!” It also had visions of doubling back outflanking the firefighters, and burning the towns! “Ha, ha, silly humans! I was here, in the craters and pits, long before any other form of energy. There was no water, no solid land or rocks, just the molten lava and meeeee! Thus, shall it be in the end!!

The craven demagogue looks upon the masses and thinks, “How right Lenin was, with talk of useful idiots! I have them in the palms of my hands. All I need do is tell fanciful tales, demonize the other side and tell the crowds that only I truly understand them, and only I can get them what they need.

The firefighters look at the wind prognosis, and plan for the long run. One crew will work the north, another, the east. A third crew will focus on the west, a fourth team, the south. Then the aerial team will pound the fire from above. They will out-stubborn the force of doom. They will lead the way for rebirth and regrowth.

The voice of reason ponders all options. Freedom and the right to choose for oneself apply to everyone. This is a long, drawn-out process, he knows. His team knows this too, even those who dawdle and fret. All in the room are ready to out-stubborn the dark. All in the room are embracing the light.

Not Blustery

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April 29, 2018, Prescott-

While it is a bit windy, outside

and there is a fire threatening

folks in a rural area up north,

I find myself in a calm mood again.

I was shocked to learn,

yesterday,

of a trusted friend’s

mid-life crisis.

The person is

taking steps , though,

to deal with some

deep-seated issues.

I went to exercise

at my local gym,

and then watched

“Inifinity War”,

the latest comic book-based

film saga.

Sleep came fairly easy

and was intense.

A pleasant breakfast,

and a nice greeting

from a new friend,

who’s far away,

made for a relaxing morning.

This is the Ninth Day of Ridvan.

On this day, in 1863,

the weather cleared

and the flood waters

subsided,

on the riverine island,

where Baha’u’llah

and His family/followers

were preparing for their

journey from Baghdad

to what is now Istanbul.

I will join several friends

in mid-afternoon,

to commemorate the occasion.

Now, though, it’s time

to honour those whose

service to the Red Cross,

this past year,

has been above and beyond.

I’m not blustery inside.

 

Burning On

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June 26, 2017, Prescott-

This double haiku refers to the Goodwin Fire, now burning southeast of Prescott.  From 8 PM to 8AM(Tuesday), I will be manning the small shelter set up by the Red Cross, in the village of Spring Valley.

I would get packed,

then, I’d buy two tires

and head on out.

Mother Nature requests pause.

The fire down the road,

won’t be put out.