The Lighter Side of JzB

Here you will find photos, poetry, and possibly some light-hearted foolishness. For the Heavier Side
of JzB
see my other blog,
Retirement Blues. (There be dragons!)

I claim copyright and reserve all rights for my original material of every type and genre.


Every day visits*
From Moose, Goose, and Orb Weaver
All seized by Haiku


"Why moose and goose?" you may ask. Back on 2/04/13 Pirate wrote a haiku with an elk in it, and I responded with
one with a moose and then included him every day. A few days later in comments Mystic asked "Where's the goose?"
So I started including her with this post on 2/07. A week later on the 14th, Mark Readfern
asked for and received a spider. The rest is history.

*Well, most days, anyway. Grant me a bit of poetic license.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Carpe Diem - The Night Before Christmas


"It's December the 24th"

The day all the kids and grandkids come to our house to celebrate.



From our Winter Wonders concert on Monday.

Trombone solo by me.

~~::~~

with the family 
on the day before Christmas
all can be children




Friday, December 23, 2016

Carpe Diem -- Meditation

So much to reflect on this year - so many things that have happened, and many of them very bad indeed.

But keep hope in your heart, and cherish the ones you love.

Have a joyous holiday season, and let's hope that next year is better.





songs of life and love
hold them fast in your soul
through this vale of tears


Thursday, December 22, 2016

Early Autumn

This is from our concert on Monday.

A wonderful Anita Kerr arrangement of Woody Herman's Early Autumn, featuring our vocal ensemble.


~~~~

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Carpe Diem -- Christmas Candles

My mom had the little candles in this pic as part of her Christmas decorations.



We never lit them of course.



a single candle
spreading an aura of light
defeating darkness

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Carpe Diem -- Silent Night

I'll admit I've grown increasingly pessimistic during this young century. World events from Aleppo to Russia to our own disastrous, flawed election here in the U.S.A. have only made it worse.  I'm afraid we are in for some very bad times - possibly another depression or world war, with our new mad man president at the helm.   He, like Putin, will not tolerate criticism.  But I, for one, will not remain silent.

So --  cherish every moment you can share with the ones you love.  There's no telling many you have remaining.

I'm not as despondent as this sounds.  I have many blessings in my life, and much to be thankful for.

Maybe that is the human condition - to be torn between competing emotions.


This rendition by Christopher Bill is from 2013.





that night long ago
silent but filled with promise
where has the hope gone


Not a legitimate haiku, I'm afraid. Senryu, maybe?