How do I Reboot My Blog?

I realized I've been absent from this Blog since May. It's been a strange six months with the death of friends, a highly contested election. But, Wow! Although I haven't been blogging on the blog, I've been on social media, but mostly on my Iphone.  That said, I have been micro blogging via Instagram. Although I still write (yes by hand) in my journal, I 've somehow grown accustomed to typing quickly with a finger or two or a thumb in my phone's Notes pad. 

I then cut and paste into Instagram with a photo and voila, I've posted there along with Facebook, Twitter and Tumbler with one press of the share button.  Color me lazy. Haven't figured out how to get it to post to either of my Blogs yet.  

I've also been in my studio painting.  But with that too, it's easier to take a quick Iphone pic and then upload on Instagram with a mini Bloggy post. The painting on the right sold almost as soon as I posted it. Loved it so much I'm going to do a series on the theme of Windows to other worlds.

I've also been cooking and sharing pictures and recipes of the result, but and again instead of Blogging it as I used to do, it goes straight to Instagram. And as always, Jazzmine expects a bite of whatever I'm eating.

Now with a new year before me, and this most contested election behind me, I've decided to actually sit at my actual PC or alternately my Surface Tablet and post here at least once a week for starters. 

Pretty much everywhere on social media I am Perle Champion.  But on Instagram I went with Perlesrose if anyone wants to follow me there. There's an inside story to that handle. It is shortening of Perle alias Rose. Maybe I'll tell it someday. ( https://www.instagram.com/perlesrose/ )  

I'm trying to do a painting a day for a while, until I get in the habit.  The below book help put me on the track. 

In Memory of Genie

Continuity

miles and miles i’ve
come
some walked
many run
alone and not too
and with you i’d walked
but just a few
but there was something
familiar in the pace
my mind recalls that
gentle face
somewhere, somewhen
my friend
we’d walked in step
before
and somewhere, somewhen
we’ll fall in step again
and share a few
miles more

© Perle Champion

When will the hate end?

This is from an old journal entry as valid today as on that other sad day.

Sad commentary that I have occasion to ask the same question time and again,  year after every year. ”We always ask why. There is no answer good enough. There is no reasonable, rational reason for the events of this day."  

Why?

I want to know what madness is,

and where its edges and beginnings are.

what path does a twisted mind travel

that can explain taking pride

in the slaying of innocents

what slight was so great that

it warrants wanton murder...

Walkabout

“Why are there trees I never walk under but large and melodious thoughts descend upon me?” - Whitman

Most of my friends know I try to go Walkabout every morning at or a little before sunrise. It’s an unplugged walk of 3-5 miles.  The above quote by Whitman is as true for me as it was for him, but I don’t think anyone would hear those ‘melodious thoughts’ with the interference of earphones.  There's enough noise in the world.

My personal fringe benefit list.

Nature is all around. As I live in an old neighborhood, there are trees everywhere inhabited by all manner of creature. There are old houses (the once gated Glen Iris Park’s homes date from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s); old and new apartments (my 4-plex dates to 1938); various chain and local stores (I love the old Wilson’s now run by a lovely Indian family and Western Market is open 24-7) and then there’s the University.

The University campus if it can be called that begins just 2 blocks from my home.  Actually it encompasses a large part of the city. There are a myriad of sculptures gracing the front of their many buildings, so another fringe benefit is the art. I love photographing them in all kinds of weather and all times of day.  My right pocket carries my IPhone for pictures.  And then there’s the Muse.

The Muse walks with me often, whispering in my ear lest I miss some of the tree’s melodious thoughts.  My left pocket carries a small spiral pad with a pen clipped to it.  If you think walking while texting is dicey, try writing.  It’s a good thing I walk early and the foot traffic is minimal (a few joggers, dog walkers).  I do stop here and there and sit on a porch stoop, wall or the occasional bench when necessary. 

Health is the final and I’d say most important benefit of my morning Walkabout.  There’s no doubt that walking daily keeps me sounder of body, mind and spirit than I would otherwise be.  If I miss a day or two I feel the loss on many levels.

Tomorrow, I turn 67 and thinking I’ll actually park by Golden Temple and begin my
Walkabout there and head for the string of parks along Highland (haven’t been there in a while).  Might stop in at Starbucks on the corner before driving back home.

Later y’all.