Category Archives: personal blog

Off-Broadway (a Paint Chip Poem)

No Love For Fatties invites us to join in on her Paint Chip Poetry by creating our own poem inspired by the paint chip colors of the week. I think this is a really creative and fun idea. Check out her original post and join in too if you feel inspired.

Paint Chip Poetry

Be well,

Monty

More Thoughts from My Journal

Saturday has arrived. It’s Mid-Autumn Festival or “moon-cake” holiday here. I slept through the moon’s rise and fall last night, but I’ve seen some beautiful pictures on my WeChat feed. Tonight I’ll be sure to take a look.

We might be locked down but that hasn’t kept us from having access to the outside world…which means lot’s and lot’s of deliveries of moon cakes from family and friends. Both sweet and savory of all variations. I’m personally a fan of the “meat pie” versions, which are savory pork mix inside a flakey pastry. I limited myself to only one though as I’m trying to look less and less like a full moon myself these days.

I’m sitting in the garden. I’ve shown this view before, but it doesn’t get tiring to me. I’m blessed to have such a beautiful spot to write in. My wife and I just received our Chinese “Green Cards” meaning that we can stay and retire here. It’s a big financial and emotional relief to have that option although still aways on the horizon.

A Rare Selfie

I don’t know why I’m showing my face today. I’ve shared a photo of me and my dog Jack once before, but my face was mostly obscured behind a ball of fur. Maybe I’m coming to terms with myself in some way? Maybe I’m just coming clean with all of you about not being a cartoon pig. Haha.

In response to my less than ideal medical news, I’ve been losing weight. I’ve lost 10 pounds in the past three weeks — about 5% of my starting weight. I’ve still got aways to go, and I’m sure the progress will slow down, but I’m proud of myself for getting this far.

I feel like I’ve lost most of my weight from my neck and face though so I’m turning into a reverse bobble head. Haha. My daughter said I’m looking more and more like our dog Jack since he has a small head compared to his body. Isn’t it common for loved ones to start taking on each other’s looks?

Well, I’m about to join a fellowship session. Part of my recent spiritual exploration. I missed last week due to an overnight hospital stay. I’m not sure what you will make of my random thoughts but thanks for coming along with me.

Be well,

Monty

Thoughts from My Journal

I’m feeling a bit low today. I want to write but I’m uninspired. So I sit with my fingers on the keyboard and type the obvious. It’s a beginning at least.

I’ve recently received some disappointing news health-wise. Nothing critically dangerous, but significant. It’s a wake-up call for sure.

I want to be left alone, yet I don’t want to feel lonely. I just want to sit across from someone I love and not have to say anything. To feel whatever I’m feeling without explanation or reason.

There are two guards dressed in blue medical gear outside my house. I’m locked down due to a covid case at my office. They cast a wide net and I was caught. Today is day two of what is likely to be seven. Unless there is another positive case…then its hard to know.

I’m tired and a bit hungry. An effect of the diet that I’m on to address the aforementioned health issues. It’s a good thing that I’m doing and I’ve already lost about a quarter of the weight I need to. It’s progress. But its not easy and its taking its toll on me.

My dog, Jack, has been nosy lately. As in he comes over and aggressively uses his nose to push me. I wonder if he can sense something is wrong? Or perhaps he is feeling a bit needy himself?

It’s Friday morning and I’ve got some meetings ahead of me. I don’t feel like pretending to care today. That’s a dangerous feeling at the beginning of a work day. It’s when I get myself into trouble being too honest. Perhaps writing this down will be enough of a reminder to bite my tongue a bit.

The battery is winding down. 18% and falling. I guess I will have to wrap this up soon. Or not. I could always recharge. Just like myself. I could do a bit of yoga or get on the bike or meditate or just breath. I know it works from experience. I also know I often choose not to. What a strange creature I am.

I don’t usually journal. I like to write shareable content. This is not really shareable or interesting, but I’m still going to post. A writer is not always interesting. This is an honest peek into my mind. Un-curated. Un-edited.

Well, that’s not quite true. There is always a bit of a filter on. It keeps you and I both safer. Trust me on this.

Be well,

Monty

Prairie Rose (a Paint Chip Poem)

No Love For Fatties invites us to join in on her Paint Chip Poetry by creating our own poem inspired by the paint chip colors of the week. I think this is a really creative and fun idea. Check out her original post and join in too if you feel inspired.

Paint Chip Poetry

Be well,

Monty

What’s in a Name?

Today marks a new month and if not factually, at least emotionally, the start of Autumn for me. On this morning’s eve, I was happy to discover that @murisopsis from A Different Perspective is offering up a new poetry challenge. I participated in her ‘poetic scavenger hunt’ last spring and found it super inspiring. Lots of new forms to learn and experiment with. This time the theme is Names, as in poetic forms that feature a name (e.g. one of the prompts is to write a poem in the form of “Amandas Pinch” — a form I’ve personally never heard of before). There are thirteen prompts in total so this is more manageable then a daily commitment challenge. Check out all the prompts and the way it works here and join in if your up for some poetic puzzling.

Be well,

Monty

A Perfect Morning

A cool breeze under mostly clear skies. 

Home brewed iced coffee. Black and bold.

Sitting in the garden watching commuters go by…

But I’ve still got time.

Be well,

Monty

Seeking Autumn

A few images inspired by the temperatures finally cooling and catching a glimpse of Autumn on the horizon.

A Touch of Autumn
Naked
Autumn in Bloom
Tree in Prayer

Be well,

Monty

The Orchard on Putney Hill Road

The road home from school passed by an orchard;
A fence protected the harvest from our thieving hands;
But there were several old apple trees that reached over the fence and hung their wares for our taking;
It was a long ride home; all uphill;
Too hard a ride to be weighted down with heavy overgrown apples in our hands —
So we stopped and ate some on the spot,
My brother and I;
A fond memory.

Be well,

Monty

I’ve No Words

I’ve no words ugly enough.
I open my mouth and silence spews out.
I write wildly upon the page in blank scrawls.
A supposed writer, poet even, yet
I’ve no words.

They told me He would listen with understanding.
That He would love me.
Forgive me.
But what if all I can do is cry in shame?
What if I’ve no words?

Will He understand my silence?
My pages, empty
But for the stains of tears?
How can I confess if
I’ve no words?

Be well,

Monty

Believe

The following found patterns were all generated from “believe”. Perhaps the diversity of results is part of the answer?

Be well,

Monty