dVerse — haibun — Today I’m Thankful

I woke up this morning to a light fog hovering over the field. The temperature is even warmer today than yesterday. Most leaves have been washed and/or blown off of the trees, so the view out back is fairly unobstructed.

The bird feeders are full from yesterday. They draw in ever more diverse species. A young possum acts as clean-up duty under them, contenting his wee self on the crunchy hulls of the seeds and other crumbs.

Both cats are curled in their favorite sleeping spots. When I slipped out to run a few errands, they barely noticed. On the way back I traveled one of the main roads in and out of the area. It had been worked on this past summer for the entire five or so miles leading between the old highway and the lake. Part of the work was widening the shoulders on both sides to the extent they become safe for bicyclists.

Old man, new bike lane
Snug helmet, thick overcoat –
Bright smile in grey sky

 

Frank J. Tassone is today’s host for dVerse.  Frank says:
This week, let us consider gratitude: Its essence, those reasons we have for feeling it, and what our lives—and our world—may look like if we live it.

Use this as your jumping-off point and write a haibun that alludes to gratitude. For those new to haibun, the form consists of one to a few paragraphs of prose—usually written in the present tense—that evoke an experience and are often non-fictional/autobiographical. They may be preceded or followed by one or more haiku—nature-based, using a seasonal image—that complement without directly repeating what the prose stated.

Image by Sheena Graham-George

36 Comments Add yours

  1. It must have been me on that bicycle… sounds like a wonderful ride… just like mine to work

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      lol it is a beautiful stretch of road

      Like

  2. There’s something joyful about being on a bicycle just for the fun of it. I’m not into lycra and competitiveness. I love your haiku.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Yes there is, Sarah, and I’m a non-lyra-ite also. Glad you enjoyed the haiku. His smile brightened my day.

      Like

  3. Glenn A. Buttkus's avatar Glenn A. Buttkus says:

    I liked the detail in your descriptions–a very strong sense of place. A very tidy and interesting first-hand recall and haibun.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, Glenn, glad you enjoyed it.

      Like

  4. kanzensakura's avatar kanzensakura says:

    Wonderful haibun full of memories. At least the old man is smiling! Love the details about the possum clearning up the crumbs under the birdfeeder.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      :) Thanks Toni!

      Like

  5. gillena cox's avatar gillena cox says:

    Wishing the mist clears to sooo much happiness today

    Much🌻love

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you much, Gillena.

      Like

  6. Rob Kistner's avatar Rob Kistner says:

    Wonderful haibun Lisa! Thank you for including me in your morning. ;-)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      lol Rob, was that you I saw??? I should have waved ;)

      Like

  7. Gratitude exhudes from every image in this iconically present haibun!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      :) Thanks so much, Frank.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. This is lovely! :)

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I love all the details in your haibun and your haiku is endearing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you very much :)

      Like

  10. rothpoetry's avatar rothpoetry says:

    I love your story. The simplicity of life is such a gift!~ W have so much to be thankful! I am always thankful when the county finally makes the roads drivable again!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks Dwight. Isn’t that funny when we think of drivable roads as a treat? ;)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. rothpoetry's avatar rothpoetry says:

        With more and more cars that becomes the reality!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. calmkate's avatar calmkate says:

    delightful, I love cycling :)

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Sabio Lantz's avatar Sabio Lantz says:

    Superb — no sanctimonious signaling, but instead pure vision of the day. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Sabio, glad you enjoyed it. It’s my life :)

      Like

  13. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:

    It’s all those little things. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

  14. When we take the time to observe the present, and not be swept up in the anxieties of what we cannot see.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. lynn__'s avatar lynn__ says:

    This is heart-warming gratitude for the simple joys of living…lovely, Jade!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks, Lynn :)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. lynn__'s avatar lynn__ says:

        My pleasure :)

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Jules's avatar Jules says:

    Reminds me of a roadway here that used to be a single lane low bridge – finally it got widened. I think it was because the last cornfield was sold to make a 55 and older community. And they had to make the road safe. As it was on a township border the two communities could never get together to ‘fix’ it. I’m happy they sort of fixed the road, but adding sidewalks would have made it even safer…

    (Oh in traditional sweet potato casserole remember to top it with mini marshmallows…)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      One of my old co-workers used to put coconut milk in his. Haven’t tried it yet but it might be tasty :)

      Liked by 1 person

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