Author Archives: Mary Strong-Spaid

About Mary Strong-Spaid

You can find me any time wandering around in my own mind gathering thoughts.

Two Entangled Kites

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Mary Strong-Spaid

An unsuspecting kite on wings of wind dancing in the bright sunlight. Focused on blue sky, it paid little attention to dark shadows nearby.  Watch out—NO—too late! Zing! Bounce! Thwack! its freedom faded quickly hung on limbs of fate. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Nature, photography, Poetry, Spring | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

Cherry Trees Announcing Spring

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Mary Strong-Spaid

A gift from Japan— cherry trees announcing spring blooms pink in D.C.      ~ ms In 1912, the cherry trees that are now growing around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., were given to the United States as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Haiku, Japan, Nature, Photo Essay, photography | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

Lost Without Language

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Mary Strong-Spaid

I went to Tijuana, Mexico a few times when I lived in California. Reading signs and communicating with other people was not a problem for me there, because I had a good understanding of the Spanish language. It was quite … Continue reading →

Posted in food, Photo Essay, photography, Travel | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

Monk with Begging Bowl

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Zen Buddhism Begging bowl in hand, practicing non-attachment— the humble monk stands.     ~ms

Posted in Buddhism, Haiku, Philosophy, photography | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Carp and Stone

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Mary Strong-Spaid

The Carp Stone (rigyoseki) at Kinkaku-ji appears to be swimming upstream against a pounding waterfall. I am told that this stone image symbolizes strength, courage, and the will to persevere even when struggling against adverse conditions. Creating circular ripples in … Continue reading →

Posted in LIfe, Nature, Philosophy, photography | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments

Tired of Winter

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Roads quickly vanished and all cars went nowhere on this stormy day. Searching for solace underneath an umbrella, four chairs leaned forward trying to escape blowing snow and freezing ice— Tired of winter! We were scheduled to fly out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, Snow, Spring | 47 Comments

Cold Cat Winter

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Mary Strong-Spaid

6, 8, 10 degrees (Fahrenheit) at night, with freezing snow and ice— how will I survive? I gave away my blankets, my pillows and my bed, when blue eyes came begging without a word and said: “It’s a cold cat … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, cats, Photo Essay, photography | Tagged , , , , | 46 Comments

Life is a Dramatic Opera

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Mary Strong-Spaid

It would be nice if life could always be comfortable and predictable—without arguments, misunderstandings, trials, or tribulations. But it’s not. Life is like a dramatic opera, filled with ups and downs, and love which sometimes goes awry. There are times … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Photo Essay, photography | Tagged , , , | 22 Comments

South Vietnam House—Phở Gà

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Mary Strong-Spaid

When  the cold winds of  January blew in, I caught a nasty cold or maybe it was flu? My head hurt, my throat was sore, and I could not stop coughing. I even lost my voice! Couldn’t think, couldn’t write—I … Continue reading →

Posted in food, Nutrition, photography | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Thoughts on Time

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

I thought about the new year while sitting in a tree. I did the same thing last year, time matters not to me.Tell me, honestly— Did you see the day pass by the last second in-between, when time inside someone’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Nature, Philosophy, photography, Poetry, wildlife | Tagged , , , | 40 Comments

Super Hero Reindeer Man

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

To my great surprise, he suddenly appeared right before my eyes— Super Hero Reindeer Man with his Santa smile. What was I supposed to do? Wearing deer antlers and a star upon his head, his mischievous eyes twinkled through his … Continue reading →

Posted in Photo Essay, photography, Poetry | Tagged , , | 36 Comments

Deer with Hungry Eyes

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Ice and snow falling, covering the cold hard ground. Deer with hungry eyes come close to my house searching for something to eat. Many of these deer will not make it through winter. It is sad to see there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

Worried Birds and Winter Weather

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

A worried blue jay came to see me yesterday and loudly proclaimed: “I am here to issue a winter weather warning, so please listen carefully to everything I say. Don’t be fooled by this warm sun, for tomorrow all will … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, birds, Nature, photography, Poetry, wildlife, Winter | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Thankful for Life

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Standing here thinking how lucky I am to be alive at this time, enjoying a cold autumn afternoon! Don’t need many things or stuff all around me— No matter what possessions I have or don’t have, I’m thankful for life … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, photography, Poetry, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 44 Comments

Glass Door Relationships

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Searching for acorns, a squirrel suddenly saw the man of her dreams sitting behind a glass door. She stopped what she was doing and ran with great excitement to take a closer look. She tenderly touched his soft dark brown … Continue reading →

Posted in cats, Humor, photography, wildlife | Tagged , , , | 41 Comments

Incredible Edible Art

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

In the summer of 2011, when I first ordered sushi and sashimi at Umi restaurant, I couldn’t believe my eyes—incredible edible art! I knew I was still home in Virginia, but I felt like I had suddenly returned to the … Continue reading →

Posted in food, Nutrition, Photo Essay, photography | Tagged , , , | 71 Comments

Bluebird House with Chandelier

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Each spring, bluebirds move into the narrow newspaper holder beneath our mailbox. Even though we don’t get the newspaper, it isn’t the safest place for them to live. Without looking, people drive by and shove advertisements over their nest and … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, Halloween, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, wildlife | Tagged , , | 52 Comments

Byodo-In Temple — Sacred Space

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

The Byodo-in temple on the island of Oahu is a beautiful replica of the original Byodo-in built in 998 AD, in the city of Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. A reflection of paradise on earth, the temple rests peacefully beneath the … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhism, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, Travel | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Darkness on Summer’s Edge

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Shorter are the days on summer’s edge, darkness comes early. Night shadows reveal natural beauty destined to fade away. What was yesterday and what is today will soon be no more. So please! When I wither and vanish from sight— … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Philosophy, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, Summer | Tagged , | 20 Comments

Sitting on Cat Chairs

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Sitting on cat chairs ’cause they all belong to me. You could have claimed one but it’s too late now, you see. After warming this blueness, don’t ask me to go. With my own claws and cat hair, I shaped … Continue reading →

Posted in cats, Haiku, Pets, Photo Essay, photography | Tagged , , , , | 47 Comments

Looking Down on Heaven

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Looking down on heaven fading beneath me underneath soft white clouds my spirit remains. Many years ago, when I first stepped out into the Honolulu airport and the warm trade winds touched my face, I felt like I had come … Continue reading →

Posted in Oahu, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry | Tagged , , , | 53 Comments

Literary Thief

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Someone took 5 of my posts last night, with all of the photos–and put them on something called “Scoop it.”  These same posts were also reblogged on this person’s WordPress site improperly. Photos were moved around or deleted, and my … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing | 64 Comments

Wordless Language

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Listen! Beneath the setting sun by the water’s edge, trees are telling stories in the fading light.  Creaking and cracking bending in the wind, talking to each other in windswept sighs— their wordless language still unknown to man.      ~ms  

Posted in Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Thinking about Being

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

While I was thinking about being and wondering why I’m here, time appeared before my eyes and melted into years. Yesterday, I was so young and now somehow I’m old? I used to do a lot but now….I don’t do … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, birds, Humor, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, wildlife | Tagged | 75 Comments

The Hawk Stands with No Fear

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

I looked out of my kitchen window this morning and saw a hawk standing on my porch railing, staring intently at something in the grass. What a wonderful surprise!  I was afraid that I would scare it away if I … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, wildlife | Tagged | 111 Comments