the week

in the trees

 flocks

 in the ottawa sky,

more flocks

 flocks at the national gallery of canada 

i went along with the art club and art classes

from my school

we saw the monet show,

the rideau center for lunch (good indian food)

and shopping (best forgotten)

an imax film at the museum of civilization

and got home late tuesday.

 guarded by mamon

 and another great one.

and wednesday i went to the tiny ogdensburg airport

and picked up hannah

 for thanksgiving

 a knitter is in the house

she brought wool to touch and smell...

she's knitting wool and having tea, 

i'm weaving paper and having tea,

 and she asked if i knew how to make bento bags.

i asked if they are the same as horn bags.

tsunobokuro.

 so using some old sheeting

i'd dyed with indigo and rust

we each made our own.

she was impressed by my stitching,

i by her enthusiasm.

an equal exchange.

 and i had my birthday. 

i am 59. 

wow, i've lasted a long time!

there was a small box with a huge surprise.

 another present

(the knitter queen brought me two knit garments!

and a woven shawl!)

 paper and indigo and walnut and silk and 

 a promise to hold on to

 a wave of shifu!

 glory!

 the setters and my partner and his daughter and her partner

 and hannah and me

all went walking at the new place

we call home.

 the beeches hold their leaves,

clinging to the last year.

 while these three 

 examine secrets in yesterday's overcast.

thanksgiving and my birthday

two days apart.