Category Archives: Philosophy

Siamese Cat Shelter-in-Place Guidelines

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Big blue eyes in a travel bag going nowhere ~~~~~~~~~~ Since they like to stay home and are perfectly happy in small places, our 2 Siamese cats (Siri and Keona) are trying to teach us how to effectively “shelter-in-place” during … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, COVID-19, Humor, Philosophy, photography | Tagged Guidelines, Pandemic, Pets, Shelter-in-Place, Siamese cats | 27 Comments

Cat Warmth and Wisdom

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Cat wisdom knows exactly where to find warmth and comfort on cold December days. Look! The wise cat knows exactly how to quickly transform an inexpensive insulated shopping bag into a comfortable bed— (just don’t sit on the zipper). Actually— … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Pets, Philosophy, photography, Poetry | Tagged cats, Winter, wisdom | 46 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 Japan, meditation, monks, poetry, Zen | 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 fish, Japan, Kinkaku-ji, Travel, Water | 36 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 Elephants, Happy New Year, Honolulu Zoo, New Year | 40 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 flowers, soul | 20 Comments

Travel Agent from Hell

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

I was living on a soft cloud before I was born, enjoying the celestial music of the spheres. My existence was heavenly until a strange man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a dark cloak, floated in on a hot breeze. He bowed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Nature, Philosophy, Photo Essay, photography, Travel | Tagged clouds, creative writing, Death, Life | 43 Comments

New Year Prayers Rising

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

At midnight, on January 1st, I said hello to 2013. As I watched the glittering ball descend into Times Square, thousands of voices cheered but nothing changed. I felt the same. In spite of all the counting, we have no power … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhism, New Year, Philosophy, Photo Essay, photography | Tagged Happy New Year, Religion, Spirituality | 26 Comments

Something about No Thing

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

While I was sleeping in double negatives, No Thing came and swallowed up my waking world. Without direction in a strange inverted place lost and all alone, I hid behind the branches of a dreaming tree hoping No Thing would not see, or hear me breathing. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Imagination, Philosophy, photography, Poetry | Tagged Dreaming, Photoshop | 22 Comments

Dreaming Eyes

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Listen to dark winds caress the leafless tree that stands in moonlight glowing, capturing words of wisdom on cold gnarled branches a thousand dreams old. Open wide your dreaming eyes as thought creates itself here, there, and everywhere wandering without boundaries in … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Nature, Philosophy, photography, Poetry | Tagged Dreams, Shamanism, Spirituality | 30 Comments

Love Responds to Love

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

In 2009, I took this photo of two siamang gibbons (Elvis and Mahina) at the Honolulu Zoo. The loving affection between the two of them was a delight to see. The other characteristic that was outstanding about these gibbons was their … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, photography, Writing | Tagged Honolulu Zoo, music, ocean | 14 Comments

Tasting Thoughts of Tea

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Mary Strong-Spaid

One pot contains tea leaves steeping in hot water; the other holds thought brewed in its own reflection. From which pot should you drink? Pour carefully, drink wisely! ~ms **This beautifully decorated tea set was given to me by sushi chef and … Continue reading →

Posted in Imagination, Philosophy, photography, Poetry, Writing | 15 Comments

Where Up Meets Down

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Mary Strong-Spaid

In a place where up meets down uniting above and below… Look down into up and see! Leaves float in water hanging on trees overhead, connected by reflections drifting in-between clouds that dance through lily pads. ~ms

Posted in Fall Colors, Philosophy, photography, Poetry, Writing | 23 Comments

Wisdom of the Yawning Tree

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Mary Strong-Spaid

As the old tree yawned its wisdom awoke and said: Bugs that ate my insides out flew off in a woodpecker. I tried to laugh, but only yawned because I was too tired. Life and death circles ’round coming as it’s going … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, photography, Poetry | Tagged buddhism, Death, Life | 5 Comments

Rough Water Rising

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Rough water rising and coming our way. What should we do….fight with each other? That doesn’t make sense! Our time together is limited by nature. The average life expectancy for humans is not very long. All who are alive today will soon … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Poetry | 2 Comments