Love Notes – #20

July 19 1. I got salt in the mail from you. It reminded me of King Lear and his misunderstanding of his daughter's assertion. So I felt loved, though that was a misunderstanding of your intention. The salt was from Bali. I don't know if it was from the north coast or not but I … Continue reading Love Notes – #20 →

Ceiling – #19

July 17 1. His photographs showed the perimeter of the ceiling of a cheap hotel room. There was something beautiful about them, uncluttered, quiet, almost still (but the gaze shifts). I asked him what was the point of view he was asking the viewer to occupy in order to engage in the investigation of a … Continue reading Ceiling – #19 →

Orang halus – the subtle people and the ring – #17

July 11 1. I lost the ring, that Julian made for me, in the yard after taking a bath. 2. I carried my jewelry with me from the bath house and set it all on the table. 3. I put my leather collar on (always first), earrings, necklace, rings, but was missing the one for … Continue reading Orang halus – the subtle people and the ring – #17 →

Spice – #15

July 8 1. The counter is too high in this kitchen for me to straighten my arm and use my weight to crush the ingredients of my spice paste (bumbu). I can't put my mortar on the floor because there is no door on the kitchen and the puppies will come in. 2. When I … Continue reading Spice – #15 →

Magic Jar – #14

July 6 1. I looked at the rice cooker - the Magic Jar - and commented to Suartini that the first time I stayed with her and Nyoman, 22 years ago, she was cooking rice in the traditional way, albeit with an aluminum pot over kerosene as opposed to a clay pot over a wood … Continue reading Magic Jar – #14 →

Hair – #13

July 4 1. When I comb my fingers through my hair to pull the knots, long grey hairs come away in my hand. 2. Mom used to touch my head and smooth my hair when I was sick. Sometimes Dad rested his hand on the top of my head, then moved his hand to the … Continue reading Hair – #13 →

Lightning Bug – #11

June 25 1. You and the firefly converged. But then you didn't. 2. I watched the lightning bug and said nothing. You were talking. 3. Each time I thought a firefly would be caught up on you, it was drawn through your stride. 4. I learned to do a lot of things from my elders, … Continue reading Lightning Bug – #11 →