2022 Gingko Twin Trunk
Posted inmy trees

2022 Gingko Twin Trunk

I bought these two gingko at the October 2022 Knoxville Bonsai Society Bonsai show. They were part of a batch of seedlings that were $5 each or 5 for $20. I purchased 3 gingkoes and a few other species. Unfortunately, the larger single gingko didn't survive a particularly cold spell in January of 2023. We…continue reading
June 26, 2024Posted inmy treesNo Comments
Eastern White Pine
Posted inmy trees

Eastern White Pine

Eastern White Pine - Probably This is my second oldest tree and my second favorite. I have a pair of ginkgoes that I've grown from seeds  from the tree at my childhood home that are about 25 years old that are my faves but more on them later. I'm not sure of the specific species…continue reading
June 26, 2024Posted inmy treesNo Comments
Can you have a parasocial relationship with yourself?
Posted incomics

Can you have a parasocial relationship with yourself?

According to - https://www.findapsychologist.org/parasocial-relationships-the-nature-of-celebrity-fascinations Parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships, where one person extends emotional energy, interest and time, and the other party, the persona, is completely unaware of the other's existence. Our persona is out there moving about in the world. Interacting, mostly reacting to what’s going on. We’re the celebrity in our own lives;…continue reading
April 7, 2023Posted incomics
Body Scan Meditations
Posted incomics

Body Scan Meditations

I used to hate doing body scan meditations but it really is a great tool for getting centered and grounded. Some people like to start at the head or toes and work their way to the other end of the body. Slowly bringing awareness to each part as they go; releasing tension and tightness as…continue reading
March 25, 2023Posted incomics
Dharma Gates Are Endless
Posted incomics

Dharma Gates Are Endless

“Dharma gates are endless. I vow to pass through them all.” Don’t worry, it’s a master key. Zen traditions typically have some form of the Four Universal Vows or the Bodhisattva Vows. They vary a bit but basically they’re like these from the Soto Zen tradition - Living beings are limitless; I vow to deliver…continue reading
March 14, 2023Posted incomics
Posted inart meditation

I think this drawing is a koan

The relative and the absolute. I'm assigning a meaning to it after-the-fact but it fits so that's where I am. I was doodling while on the phone one day and sketched the basic idea. Something about it made me want to draw it bigger. To do it "for real". At the time I was also…continue reading
March 6, 2023Posted inart, meditation
Posted inSweeping the Zendo

Life Is Like A Multi-Dimensional Color Picker

Most things, conditioned phenomena, exist on spectrums of being. We slide along, on some spectrums in only one direction, like the time spectrum. Others we may move back and forth, or just back, or not much at all. The spectrum of my height changed rapidly for about 20 years then started slowing down. It has…continue reading
February 24, 2023Posted inSweeping the Zendo