October 9, 2010

For a special Saturday morning treat my son, Jeb, and I buy donuts and eat them in the park.  I buy him his first surfing magazine at the check out counter and we look at big waves – “oh…look, he’s in the tube!” – while eating maple glazed pastries.  Sugared up, Jeb wants to run the training course and swing really high.

Back home, we try playing Neil Young‘s “Razor Love” together.  I’m strumming the guitar his dad brought back from India and Jeb sounds great with the harmonica and shaker.

jade and garnet on waxed linen - photo by Jessica Dofflemyer

I’m still obsessing on jade and spent part of the morning stringing beads on to waxed linen.  I ponder over the coincidence that we saw a toddler named Jade at the playground on the swing set.

There is no point to me making a necklace but it feels good and I don’t want to stop.  A line from what I think is a poem by Rumi comes to mind – something about following a thread.  But after searching through old journal entries and online queries, I realize that I’m thinking of William Stafford‘s poetry.

The Way it Is

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change.  But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.

Something’s changing.  I don’t know exactly where I’m going but I’m following the thread.

October 8, 2010

I go to the Princeville library on a mission but they don’t have a single title by Robinson Jeffers.  I get a book of poems by Maya Angelou instead; “And Still I Rise.”  By donation only, I get a facial at the Rainbow Ministry and am told what I offer is too much.  Afterward, with a fresh face I buy a single strand of jade beads.  On my way home my surfboard almost flies off my car crossing Kalihiwai bridge when the bungee pops off while driving.

 

book cover design Janet Halverson, Random House 1978

 

After school my son loses his tooth when the tether ball hits him in the face.  I am in the fundraising meeting planning salsa dancing when he comes to me with blood smeared on his lips:  “Mom, don’t tell anyone…I lost my tooth.”

It’s Friday night and we get take out, play with beads and watch a movie.  It’s a film made by Christians but if I ignore some of the church talk I still get teary in the scenes about having faith.