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 Enga mellom fjella: where from across the meadow, poems sing from mountains and molehills. |
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Enga mellom Fjella  Sentinel Marked as if you own me I bow before the Bitterroots and just like you my rocky soil, my withered grass lays prey to the empty sky. © Kåre Enga 2007 "Sentinel"   Reader's Choice of Poems: "Sentinel" "In Lagada, la vita" "A radiant moon has set" "Boise City" "Drugs sold here" Reader's Choice of blog entries from my old blog "L'aura del Campo" :"Death of Jeannie New Moon" "Winter: 18 Mas'il (December 29)" "Even in chaos ... More hockey poems." "Holy day. Autumn in November. A mole." "Poems inspired by maps. Remember 1963?" FACES     PLACES            Kåre  Enga~ until everything was rainbow, rainbow, rainbow! And I let the fish go. ~ Elizabeth Bishop The Fish |
| Positively me: Today is the ending of Winter and the ushering in of Spring in the Northern hemisphere. It is Naw Ruz in Iran, the Zoroastrian community and among the Bahá'ís. For us the year 170 begins at sunset. For me it means a new notebook (green) for my journal. And my first piece of prose/poetry will start with [170.1] ...when I write it. This past year has been spotty for my blog and even worse for my other writing. Did some editing and I've kept up my journal. Have traveled a wee bit. The new year looks like more of the same. More travel and attempts to keep up with writing and more editing. Travel: I'll visit Europe for two months. Plan on seeing my sister and my mother in Washington ...maybe July. Really want to get back to Costa Rica ...maybe August. Africa in November seems iffy as the regions I really want to visit are experiencing some turmoil. Could go back to Europe in the autumn. Too soon to decide. Winter? Far too soon. Writing: I've written so much it doesn't really matter. Something will enthuse me and I'll respond with poetry or prose. Editing: Need to get on this! If I can publish, even self-publish some of what I've written it would help tremendously in organizing what I have already written. Publishing: A chapbook is my first goal. Should've had it done a month ago. I have made progress. Photography: Same as writing. Need to edit! Most importantly: I need to work on relationships. I seem to be crawling into my shell and not staying in touch with people. In the end this will keep me sane. 40,265 |
| ...a polite word for rut? Etymology of routine: French, from Middle French, from route traveled way First Known Use: 1676 Etymology of rut: perhaps modification of Middle French route way, route First Known Use: 1552 Knew they were related... -ine makes me think of a diminutive or feminine form. Rut was too masculine? Yes, I can go there. Although the "rut" in "an elk in rut" supposedly has a different root... ME: Stuck in a rut. Facebook.  Yahoo: Blog: Even my impending trip is almost boring me (...almost; I'm still prepping it). And my friends and surrounding circumstances? Maybe it's just the book I finished last night. I've read 4 Henning Mankell novels in just over a week. Finished "One Step Behind" at 1 a.m. Who needs a life when there are books to read? They do help with insight into the Swedish national character. Explains why I enjoyed Norway more! Although ...the dark and moody psychological Norwegian novel can disturb me to the core. In "One Step Behind" the mass-murderer basically kills "happy" people. This may seem absurd ...but it isn't. Ever meet someone who projects misery to blunt someone's happiness? They're usually found in toxic offices. Me? I smile a lot; but, certain "happy" events depress me ...like birthday parties. Still, I don't punish happy people by shooting them.  In other snews: Warned my brother-in-law that he may be weeping when the Montana Grizzlies have Orange for supper on Thursday. If they do beat Syracuse, he said he'd call...  Want a better blog entry? Read yesterday's... |
| Snow veils the mountains to the north. Spare flakes dare to fall to the valley floor. Green peaks out beneath the rubble of last autumn's de-leaving. I need a haircut. Like I needed a vacation ten years ago. There was no reason to stay in town I was told. Only when I got back did the decision seem foolish. To my friend Gare it was coming back so soon that was foolish. That year I watched the basketball championship with my brother-in-law. I cheered for Kansas while he cheered for Syracuse. His team won. Since then Kansas has done better. This year Syracuse plays Montana on the 21st. Ten years ago I called Gare on the 21st. I was sitting in my car in front of the house my father lived in in 1928. On Lake Street, Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Green warmth, the essence of Spring. A white house. Gare's cheerful voice. My father would've been 87 that day. Born in 1916; gone 1999. Age veils some memories; new ones spring forth like grass. New shoots growing next to the old. Me: These 41 pieces of prose have been edited. Now need a quick look-over before I hand them to "victims" to read, to help me sort them out. I want to make a chapbook. I hope there are 22 that can arise to the occasion, or at least 16. "This and Every November (prose letters) " I'm reading too much! Finished another book last night. Started a new one already. |
| me: Cold day. Nearly got smacked by a snowflake. Mountains are sugar-powdered. Raw... but I can guarantee you that the green beer's flowing.  Still reading... a great day to curl up with a book. Went to Bernice's Bakery in the morning. Good choice. Ended up in conversation with two Montanans, Loris and Linda (of Minnesota Swedish background ...can't avoid Swedes ...they are everywhere!) and one Alaskan (Iñupiaq). Very intelligent and interesting conversation. History... women's roles... West-Asia (a.k.a. Europe) and other subjects. It's moments like that that make me stay here. The people are usually interesting and tolerant and kind. Usually ...I'm no fool; but, in general that's how it is here in Missoula. A group speaking Spanish just left the booth at Liquid Planet. That too is heart-warming ...one can speak another language here with getting mean looks or fear in the eyes or worse ..."why don't you speak English". As if a private conversation is anyone's business! Language when I visit Europe? That needs to be addressed. Danish, Dutch, German... plus my raggedy French and tattered Norwegian? Ouch. Need to have a translator or phrase book. Only one month to go.  |
...stayed up and finished another Henning Mankell book last night. Started another today.  me: Went to the Lady Griz basketball game today. For $8 I was entertained. Game never in doubt as home team (and Big Sky champions) hit 20 of 21 free throws in spite of shooting only 27%. The men's game is tonight but I'm not going. Tomorrow will mean snow, a temporary dip in the temp but nothing serious. Spring is here. Also, St. Paddy's parade today ...forgot about that... No real news. Some days are like that. Denmark and Germany: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubeck Hope the weekend has gone great for you-all.  |
| Gone for a whole day? Gone where you ask? me: Ate my corned beef and cabbage, green pistachio desert, orange carrots. Lovely meal for $3. It pays to be old! Irises (miniature) are in bloom at the Peace Center. They join the crocus, dandelion, snowdrops, buttercups, grape hyacinths... and who knows what else. Snow is in the forecast ...of course. Took a walk through the hills yestereve. We've had a couple mild days.  I finished the man who smiled by Henning Mankell. His character, inspector Wallander, haunts Ystad. I will visit Ystad in May. They have been made into movies in Sweden and by the BBC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallander_(British_TV_series) You'll have to click further to get to the link on the movie series. I didn't want to put the book down. Quite a pleasant and fast read. But definitely not to be confused with Nesbø's work which seems to me to be "literature", haunting, difficult to read because it is so psychological. Mankell's work is lighter in tone. That said, I identify with the fog at the beginning. Very apropo for the trauma Wallender is dealing with. I'm hoping to see the movies before I leave on my travels. So there's the answer to your question: I was reading! Yep. |
| I need to write about my life using the vernal pool as metaphor. I'll link when I get to it. ME: Will my friend Dustin be able to meet me in Paris? He owes me a coffee... This possibility cheers me up. I realize I'm not spending enough quality time with friends. Not enough quantity either. I easily crawl into my cave. When I'm out and about I greet everyone, but friendship demands more than a how-do... Real connection is dicier and more time consuming. I think I did better in the 1980s and 1990s. Times have changed ...and I've lived in 5 states in the last ten years. *sigh* One cannot have the Past back. Moving slowly ahead... Belgium and Luxembourg: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruges http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghent http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg_(city) I intend to print out some info and only take my Norway and Sweden travel books with me (maybe). Too heavy. Also figure a new tablet needs to be bought. Still, paper copies are useful for me. Especially maps. Finished Jo Nesbø's Phantom. Very painful book. Excellent writing; typically psychological, so Norwegian... but very very painful and non-sentimental. One shouldn't care about characters that much.40,165 |
| She woke a week ago and smiled at us. Today she shook the dandruff out of her hair. Then she yawned (oooh ...the smell). She needs a shower! Fortunately she's the generous sort. When she showers she shares with all of us. (Like a happy labrador.) MEMEMEMEMEME ME: The black smoke made me sigh relief. One more day of not being made pope! I wouldn't want the job. Too much drama. Too much responsibility. And red shoes... not so sure about those...    For Alfred:  I will be in Holland when the spring bulbs bloom. Not sure which will be blooming at the end of April, but something will. When I get to Norway in mid-May I could see flakes again. Especially if I visit Røros first. It's an old mining town ...and cold. But Paris... in April... hopefully they will have the pope straightened out by then ...or maybe he'll have the Catholics straightened out. If he speaks French... At one point the papal seat was moved to Avignon. Maybe Rome's the problem...  Rome is not on this trip. Neither is Montenegro, Dubrovnik, Istanbul or Prague. There are so many places to visit! The trip itinerary is almost planned except for minor details in Holland and major details in Norway. Norway is a problem because my wish list is way too long, some hostels don't open up until June when I'm gone, expenses must be considered, too cold for me to camp out (I'd have to learn how to first). But experience teaches me that in the end I'll manage. Holland needs extra attention because of Queen's Day, the abdication and the coronation. Definitely the place to be! There are still beds available but there won't be... One thing nice is that Leiden (Keukenhof Gardens), Delft and 's Gravenhage (Den Haag) are all close to each other and not far from Amsterdam. Delft in Holland: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delft Leiden in Holland: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiden Keukenhof Gardens (near Lisse): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keukenhof Maastricht in Limburg: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maastricht Time to get serious! Spring today: 43º and grey skies. 40,147 |
| ...as in ...why is my world insane? For Linda Zern: insanity of a march evening in montana Placed two blueberry pop tarts in my toaster. Plugged it in. Held the handle down because it wouldn't stay down. Have had this problem before. Wondered why the filaments didn't glow. Wondered whether the toaster had met its maker (mixed metaphor I'm sure) ...then realizing... ... ... ... I'd plugged in the blender instead. I ate the only witnesses. sheepish me: My temp has been yo-yo-ing. Yester-afternoon it was 96.8 before going up to 98.0. In the evening it was 99.5 after eating; then went down to 97.9. Not sure what this means. But it does warrant mention to the doctor when I see him. As for me: no need to panic if I get an odd reading. I am feverish though when it's above 99.5. Debra Earling mentioned a "reading workshop" at her (Second Wind) reading yesterday. She has a point. She reads well but there are tips on what not to do and what works best for writers. Connecting to the audience comes to mind first. And she did! Marvelous reading. Interesting that Alfred mentioned taking a down sleeveless vest on my impending trip as a comment my last entry. I do have a zippered vest ...not down though. Down can be bulky... but I should ask around regardless. This is a good town for any hiking autumn, spring or winter wear. Last night: clean sheets to sleep on! It's the small things some daze... 40,130 |
| Need to write a piece of prose or a poem for Carrie. "Shiny things" is our inside joke. A piece about someone "recently planted" comes first to mind. She likes daffodils, bear grass, poppies and Indian paintbrush... I bet I can weave it into something special for her. me Today is brought to you by springy colors. Saw snow-drops in bloom yesterday. Today the yellows and purples of crocuses. It's "warm" during the day, like 10ºC but just below freezing at night. We will still see some snow and March can be bitterly cruel here so no bets on the weather. Still, winter seems to be gasping in the heat and the Spring pattern seems to have taken hold. Other snews: went to a basketball game last night. The home team looked like they could've been beat by a group of high-school freshmen (Hellgate HS did win their Montana championship game BTW) but they woke up in the 2nd half and won 63-50 over a mediocre Northern Arizona team. So they are Big Sky Champions. As are the Lady Griz. Both will host the tournaments to decide who goes to the NCAA. I'm not holding my breath. I did enjoy going to the game regardless. $7 ticket won't break the bank and sports are important to many of the folks here. Also... breaks up the routine and boredom. I'll prolly go see the Lady Griz this week unless I have scheduling conflict. The controversies (ongoing and many) about the conduct of the UM teams is eroding support on many levels. As a friend told me ...go to Stockman's Bar late at night and met some of the bad boys... He knows too many of them and isn't amused by their conduct. But sports are king here in Montana. Back to Spring: did a big load of wash. At least I didn't have to fight the weather on the walk there and back. Weighed a bit though. I even did underwear! Pre-soaked and boiled of course... So I now have a whole bunch of clean clothes (and sheets) hanging all over my place (they dry quickly in Montana). Soon it'll be time to choose what goes to Europe. It'll be Spring in Paris in April (weep for me now) but not necessarily warm in Norway come May. June in Sweden may be a "toasty" 25ºC So... short sleeves, long sleeves, hat and scarf, coat... the only thing that's certain is my underwear... my black travel-wear is already folded and ready to go. 40,109 |
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