It is, the way it is

March 5, 2026March 5, 2026JT Twissel 30 Comments

I mind my feet while on walks these days because I live in a rural area. There are no sidewalks and often there is no place to walk but on a narrow street. However, every now and then I stop and look skyward . . . At the clouds, at the moon, at a passing plane and sometimes, at a bird on a wire.

I stopped to observe this fellow for a while. Still as a statue was he. And then I continued on with my walk.

One of my neighbors had a curious pile of stones sitting in his delightfully overgrown garden. Perhaps the resting place of a favorite fur baby? Who knows. Otherwise the neighborhood is typically suburban. I can’t prove that to you because, as I’ve complained about before, most of my neighbors have cameras mounted on their garages or over their front doors taking nonstop of pictures of anything that moves. I’m just paranoid enough to imagine seeing my face flashed all over social media with the caption “Do you know this sick pervert taking pictures of my front yard?”

Things have gotten quite nuts as I’m sure most of you would agree.

On my way back home I noticed the hawk was still perched on the wire but not for long. Before I could adjust my camera (iPhone) on him, he’d swooped down into a garden, thrashed about a few minutes and then returned triumphant. This time facing me proudly clutching his prey.

Yes, I know. Poor snake. Hissing and striking at the hawk to no avail. The hawk, bidding his time, takes time to pose.

Then returns to the task of preparing a meal. It’s a sad business but to live we all must eat.

I decided not to watch final scene but continue on.

To mind my feet as I returned along a rural path.

Requiem for a Tree

August 6, 2025JT Twissel 20 Comments

Once the view from the ridge above my house. To the right is a group of pine trees, as of tonight – after six long days of chainsaws and limb grinding – gone. All gone. Sliced and diced and thrown into the wood chipper.

The granddaddy of the tree family was visible from my deck. When I heard the chainsaws and realized what was up, I ran out to get a shot before the sawing began. Unfortunately the rising sun made a good shot impossible.

I know logically that if a tree that size fell it could cause great damage and so it had to go. Slowly and carefully as there are houses nearby. Six days it took and for six days I listened. I could have gone elsewhere but I felt I must stay and mourn it’s passing.

When it comes to trees, I guess you could say I’m a wee bit fay, as the Irish would say.

For thirty years I’d watched hawks perch on top of this tree, surveying the whole valley for prey or just taking in the view. They mounted no defense for fear of the chainsaws, the ropes, and the men shouting and whistling as they worked.

All in Spanish, such a lively language for a grim task. But I had to admire their bravery and skill.

Sawing and grinding until …

The final surrender; only the skeleton remained. Not a dignified ending, my friend, but you will be remembered.

Sunrise Sandy Beach

October 18, 2024JT Twissel 21 Comments

Hawaii is a five hour flight from San Francisco and across two time zones which can be rough on early risers. On the first morning of my visit, I awoke at 4:00 am local time and in the dark. There being no coffee in the house and no nearby coffee shop open before 7:00 am, I forced myself back to sleep and missed the sunrise. My daughter had a dizzying schedule of activities planned and so I didn’t get another opportunity to catch a sunrise until Saturday morning.

Sunrise Sandy Beach. Once up, the sun was much too bright to look at directly.

Sandy Beach is a rocky point on the southeast end of Oahu. People do surf and body board here but it’s not advised. Too much broken bone, as the Hawaiians say.

I actually enjoyed the pre-sunrise show more.

I think my favorite shot is the last one. It would have been more dramatic if I climbed out onto the rocks, knelt down and caught the water smashing against the beach at the same time. Not happening folks. Not without coffee (and a new knee).

If you ever make it to Sandy Beach, keep an eye out for this guy. He supposedly lives there.

To eat or not to eat? #SilentSunday

January 28, 2024JT Twissel 26 Comments

Message to the World #WordlessWednesday

October 11, 2023JT Twissel 22 Comments

#ThursdayDoors: Set Design

June 23, 2016June 23, 2016JT Twissel 13 Comments

These doors are magic in the making. One night soon the Starlight Players will emerge on stage to perform to small but loyal audiences. If you peak through the “windows” you’ll see another door.

Door to the dressing room?

Prop room?

I’m guessing the above pic shows the prop room. I was trespassing as all good ThursdayDoors folk must at some point or another. The Players are in the process of getting ready for their first performances of the summer. On the day we visited no one was working on the set but this is a community theatre group, most of whom probably have day jobs. For obvious reasons they don’t perform in the winter!

View from the stage, the stone stairs on which the audience sits.

I dabbled a bit in theatre in high school but I’m shy and can’t act so I primarily either helped with set design or props and watched the magic from behind the curtains. There’s a lot of flurry backstage during a performance. A lot of excitement. It’s addictive like so many things, for instance, blogging. I tell myself I must stop. The day is beautiful and there are things to see and do. But here I sit.