Category Archives: Dog

The Ecology of Gratitude

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Jim Stewart

I’m clearing the decks. Here’s another essay nobody will publish. JimS. Ah, gratitude: a simple way to honor the place in which you find yourself, an emotion that encompasses the breadth of a life and lights the sometimes stony path … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog, family, Friendship, Gratitude, Home, Hope, Humans, humor, Kids, laughing, Oregon, pals, parents, prayer, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Muselessness

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Jim Stewart

I’m supposed to be finishing a novel but I’m not. It’s a murky late summer day with an uncertain sky and a directionally challenged breeze smelling of salt and fir, marsh and cedar. My characters are all hovering around the … Continue reading →

Posted in Absolutes, animals, Brian Doyle, Dog, Dogs, Gratitude, Novel, Slice of Life, Uncategorized, William Stafford, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Amble du Jour

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Jim Stewart

The dog catches my eyeand whines his question:“Now, Boss, now?”An idea: the smell of saltopens my mind.I laugh and nod.He stands with a clatterof claws on hardwood,tail high and boisterous, ashe prances around the couch.His eager head presses throughthe red … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, Beach, Dog, Dogs, family, Friendship, Gratitude, Morning, Ocean, Oregon, pals, Poem, walking | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Haiku–The Nose Knows

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Jim Stewart

In what we call stink a wealth of information finds your active brain. (photo: *Toulouse as a youngster–jrs; *model for Bucket in Ochoco Reach)

Posted in animals, Beach, Brain, Consciousness, Dog, Haiku, Humans, Poem, Uncategorized, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mister Sniffy

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Jim Stewart

In the grey light before sunrise you examine the yard and driveway: sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff Snort! sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff Snort! The new light catches the focus in your eyes, much as it might catch the focus … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, Dog, family, Friendship, Poetry, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Haiku–Great Day Beginning

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Jim Stewart

Dog butt precedes me, dappled sunlight up the path into this morning. (wetcanvas.com)

Posted in Dog, Haiku, Poem, walking | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Haiku–Red Squirrel

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Jim Stewart

Little red squirrel, dainty, but talking loud trash to the dog below.   (squirrel: mirror.co.uk; dog: flickr.com)

Posted in Dog, Haiku, Poem, Slice of Life | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Acceleration Antidote

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Jim Stewart

Rain taps on my window, but I don’t seem to hear. I’m buried in myself again wondering about this year. It’s gone so fast, it’s almost past, and coming to an end. The wind outside is fitful; the wind chime … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Dog, Friendship, Poem, Work | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Haiku–Inside Day

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Jim Stewart

Rain constantly swirls rolling wet, in from the beach; inside is just fine. The fire warms us: the dog sleeps before the stove. Home is a haven. (beach: pmansbach.com; woodstove: desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com)

Posted in Beach, Dog, family, Haiku, Oregon, Poem | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Oregon Membrane

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Jim Stewart

(Note: I first heard “snort fort” in Leo Kottke’s “Jack Gets Up” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghHhRklLQzE). I’d love to take credit for it, but can’t.–jrs) An oddly unfamiliar sound seeps to me in my snort fort of sheets and pillows. The dog yawns … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog, Morning, Music, Oregon, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment