Category Archives: Home

Dead Tree

Posted on March 2, 2023 by sputterpub

I don’t know what variety it was,but there are three adjacent to the fence.I’m noticing it recently, becausethe guy who tends the garden pointed thencea month ago. Its death conveyed no sense,but he and I intend to make amendsto dirt … Continue reading →

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Efflorescence

Posted on February 27, 2023 by sputterpub

The mortar’s not supposed to turn to dust.It shouldn’t bulge and powder-drop this way.I’ll call and pay a tradesman if I must,but that’s an errand for a later day.I’m sure there’s water – we had so much rain,there has to … Continue reading →

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Condensation

Posted on February 22, 2023 by sputterpub

I boiled water for a nasal rinseand fogged my kitchen windows thoroughly.The garden view is looking wintry since,but spring in fact approaches bloomingly,so pollen irritates me, probably,producing mucus and persistent drainthat coats my throat and chokes phlegmatically,distilling a desire for … Continue reading →

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Homecoming

Posted on February 12, 2023 by sputterpub

Returning after 20 years awayfrom where she started life and spent much time,the differences she notices dismay,but most the views are charming – urban grimeand old graffiti, weather off the bay,drug deals half-mistakable as crime,lights and bikes and ambience so … Continue reading →

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Other People’s Problems

Posted on February 3, 2023 by sputterpub

I bought the cottage 15 years ago.Its genesis in 1944was guest room in the yard, where it won’t show,behind a single-family shingled house.A college town, the place would undergoprogression into flats to rent, then buy.An H.O.A. of 5 at last, … Continue reading →

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Local(e) Benefits

Posted on January 21, 2023 by sputterpub

How fortunate I feel for living here.Not only does this cottage suit my soul,but I selected gentle atmosphere,away from floodplains, chosen with a goalof walking where I need, with merchants near,and thus with timing under my control.You’ve heard me advocate … Continue reading →

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Echeveria

Posted on January 19, 2023 by sputterpub

We planted succulents a year ago.Removing ivy and some old bamboo,I wanted drought-resistant green to grow,intent to tuck the roots in rocks. But yousaid soil wouldn’t stay in place, and sowe wedged in pots (some hidden, some in view).They did … Continue reading →

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Ant Skunk Opossum

Posted on January 15, 2023 by sputterpub

So far the winter here is crazy wet.Reports about La Niña have gone mute.Like seasons of my youth I don’t forget,the storms arrive in waves from a commuteAlaska sent, Hawaii made. The threatof parked high pressure’s this month destitute.It’s likely … Continue reading →

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Rain Check (A Curtal Sonnet)

Posted on January 11, 2023 by sputterpub

My brother’s Covid means we must postponethe dinner reservation that we madeto celebrate completion of each speckof year-end office work. We’ll use the phoneinstead of seeing Mom for brunch, and tradegood words for food, and peace for pain in neck(induced … Continue reading →

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Poor Baby

Posted on January 10, 2023 by sputterpub

On Tuesdays I commute, to lend a handwith work I’ve done for half a century.My brain’s still functional – I understandthe guts of a consulting industry.But he whom I support has got to beat home in isolation (Covid’s way).So I … Continue reading →

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