Winter Ptarmigans

An icy wind tugged at our hats. On occasion, it sounded like an engine starting. The first mile of the trail was set and hard packed. After that, we veered uphill, cutting our own track. Periodically, we would sink into a hole masked by the snow. It was like a march, lifting our legs up higher than normal walking. At one point, John lifted his hand for me to stop and pointed below a bush. There were white mounds that looked like puffs of snow. Then I saw the black beaks and eyes. They were the most beautiful snow ptarmigans I’ve ever seen. As we gradually pressed on, they lifted off in flight. Finally, we got to the place where we could see around the bend. The rocky walls and peaks had that laced effect that early snowfall brings.

Sperry Chalet

Sperry Chalet, Glacier National Park, was recently destroyed by fire. In memory, I am posting this photo from my trip there in 1976, after having climbed to Sperry Glacier and subsequently descending a steep snowfield on my bottom which resulted in the wet clothes hanging on the railing to dry. The Chalet was built in 1913.

Back on the trail!

Went on my first hike yesterday since injuring my knee 6/17. Delighted to see many of my favorite wildflowers still in bloom: elephantella, paintbrush, columbines, Parry’s primrose and asters. The beauty was heightened by my absence and it was a completely joyous day!

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Remembering my mom

Today is the four year anniversary of my mom’s death. This photo of her was taken in 1970, when she was 49.

Wish I was sitting at her dining room table right now, scooping a serving spoon into a bowl of her tomato sauce and meatballs.

I miss you, Mommy!

A Sampling of Poems by Yamoransa Students

Here are a few of the poems written by my students in Yamoransa during our week of classes in August, 2016:

Green walls
black cardboard
closed windows and open door
different kinds of books
Library
—Charlotte Aidoo

Yellow color
Pointed mouth
Wooden body
Red eraser
Pencil
—Francis Awotwe

I am like education
always hoping for the best
I replace an empty mind
with an open one
I challenge blockheaded people
I never give up in life.
—Jacob Owusu

I am like gold
I can shine for everybody
I cannot break
I can help the one who needs me
No one can stop me from shining
—Matilda  Ekuwa Acheampong

If I were water
I would always be pure
and good for drinking
I would be mineral water
—Prosper Mensah

If I were a president
I would always rule the nation
good and give the nation anything
they need and make sure
there is peace and stability
—Prosper Mensah

If I were a bird
I’d fly in the sky
to heaven and I will
be with God everyday
—Edmond Mensah

If I were an animal
I would be a dog
barking to scare the robbers
who try to steal or kill
So that the owner of the house
will know that a robber
has appeared.
—Benedicta Boakye

Red

A light of fire roaming about
A bright clay on a floor
The dress we wear to a funeral ceremony.

A sad day
When you are worried
Thinking about someone else

Red berries blending into juice
drinking hot water
Swallowing toffee

A crisp morning
swimming in a pool to cool your body
A very serious volcano destroying houses

Red can change your life.
—Priscilla Adede Ocansey

White

The love between a couple
A bright, clear sky in summer
The kindness in a person

Footprints in white clay
The sharing of love
The tenderness of children

Milk added to tea for breakfast
Chewing popcorn
Eating brazed rice

Clouds in the sky
The root of a tree which water penetrates in plant growth
the purity of Jesus Christ

White can bring peace.
—Bonaventure Kumah Munkoh

Yellow

Yellow is like a mango
Yellow is like a golden cup
Yellow is like a sunflower
Yellow sounds like a bell ringing for lunch
Bananas taste yellow
Yellow makes me feel happy
Yellow makes me smile
Yellow makes me feel like I am in a dream
I love my color yellow.
—Benedicta Boakye

September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001

Yesterdays frustrations recede
as news of crashing
hijacked planes
explode into my kitchen.
I watch as one of New York’s
tallest towers crumbles,
trapping thousands in a massive
tomb of debris,
unable to erase the image
of people jumping
from the building.

The second tower succumbs.

Just two days ago
at 12,000 feet
wind floated across Gibson Lake
mountains coated with fresh snow
dazzled against the cobalt sky
marmots fattened for impending hibernation
sunned themselves on boulders
like vacationers at the beach

Now peace seems so far away,
the world unsafe
as my thoughts scurry
like frightened mice
for a shelter
that doesn’t exist

Linda Keller, 9/11/01

From Comet Dreams, ©2004