Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #31: Found Haiku

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #31: Found Haiku

Confession: I adore words. Yup, I am one of those people who notices how words are arranged and used in books or poetry, in advertisements, in songs, quotes, even in social media posts. How amazing is it when just one word changes the meaning or tone of a whole piece?

Just call me a word nerd. 

When I have some extra time, I like to create found poetry - sometimes by myself as notebook work, sometimes with my daughter. 

Last night, as I was combing through some magazines, I realized that I have never merged Haiku and found poetry before. I cut out some words that stood out to me last night and arranged them this morning as I drank my coffee. It ended up being a fun challenge for me: 

Found Haiku 12-31-18

Escape the perfect/

wellness with beautiful care/

more thought to healthy. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #30: Things That Worked For Me in 2018

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #30: 

Things That Worked For Me in 2018

I am often guilty of focusing on all of the things that don't go right in my life. I can listen to negative self-talk and suddenly find myself stuck in a low place. After reading Elisabeth's recent post about what worked for her in 2018, I thought that it would be interesting (and healthy) to focus on a few things that worked for me this year. I wrote bit of a list poem in the form of a double Haiku: 

Pausing to breathe in,

out. Writing for myself. Lists

of gratitude. Walks.

Reading. Listening.

Noticing. Showing up when

discouragement came.  

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #29: Christmas Virus

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

         Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #29: Christmas Virus

It never seems to fail that every Christmas someone in our immediate family gets sick. This year was no exception. My daughter began with a sore throat on Christmas Eve morning - no fever, but just enough to make her feel crummy and adjust our plans a bit. As viruses often spread, I found myself with the same sore throat a few days later, at the tail end of a family gathering. 

Today's double Haiku is about having a virus over Christmas Break:

Today you'd find me

burrowed in Sherpa blankets,

Kleenix balled in hand

head elevated.

stuffy nose, vaporizer - 

yearning for healing.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #28: Winter Travel Home

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #28: Winter Travel Home 

Today's double Haiku was inspired by our recent long car ride back home from visiting family: 

Western side to East

we pass partially frozen,

smooth cranberry bogs.

Dreary, sun-concealed

endless highway drive. Winter's

snow mashes windshield.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #27: Whimsical Windmill

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #27: Whimsical Windmill 

I often enjoy reading posts from Margaret Simon, blogger of Reflections On the Teche. Today she posted about a 15 Word or Less Poem challenge from blogger Laura Salas. I was intrigued and decided to give it a try.

Based on the picture (see below), the idea is to write a poem using fifteen words or less.  

Photo Credit: Laura Salas

Below is my response to the 15 Word or Less poetry challenge, written as a Haiku:

Whimsical windmill

-a Seussical awning to

instill sense of joy. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #26: Learning Mindfulness

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #26: Learning Mindfulness

In preparation for my 2019 One Little Word of mindful, I recently listened to a conversation between Oprah and Jon Kabat-Zinn on SuperSoul Conversations. Shortly after, I wrote this Haiku:

On autopilot

you may miss the beautiful,

important aspects

of life. Attention

is necessary for your

mind. Thoughts are noisy.

I yearn for moments

of peace, well-being. Become

aware more often.

Tuesday Slice of Life & Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #25 Mash Up: "Silent Night"

Looking to connect with a positive, supportive online community?  Consider sharing a slice of your life with Two Writing Teachers. All writers are welcome! 

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Tuesday Slice of Life and Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #25: 
"Silent Night"

Since I was a small child, one of my favorite traditions is attending Christmas Eve worship with my family. In my opinion, one of the best parts of Christmas Eve service is when our congregation sings the nineteenth century carol "Silent Night." At our church, each person - regardless of age - participates in lighting a candle (or using a glow stick, as most of the youngest children do) as we sing this two hundred-year-old carol:

Christmas Eve stillness:

"Silent Night" candlelight song.

Hope illuminates.  

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #24: Creating Gifts

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #24: Creating Gifts

My ten-year-old daughter is always making something. In joy, she made most of her Christmas gifts this year: 

Delight: she creates

handmade gifts - thoughtful sketches,

jewelry, ornaments.

Precious time making

instead of Internet clicks,

mindless shopping trips. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #23: About Mary

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #23: About Mary

This month our pastor has been leading a worship series about stories behind Christmas carols. Most of the carols we learned about were written in the nineteenth century, but today Reverend Allie spoke about one of my favorite and modern Christmas songs, "Mary Did you Know?". According to the book of Luke 1:39-55, Mary was not at all gentle, silent, and minimized as she is described in many traditional Christmas carols. Instead, she was a fierce, bold prophet - not always properly recognized for her bravery. 

I wrote today's double Haiku following our church service this morning: 

Nineteenth century

carols recount Mary: meek,

mild, docile maiden.

Yet Mary knew the 

prophecy...still kissed little

baby, face of God.  

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #22: Art is Not A Privilege

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #22: 

Art is Not A Privilege 

Last night I attended an exquisite art show curated by my smart and talented friend Chloé Allyn. As I was casually chatting with a few people, I spied a button that local artist Cristian Andersson had fastened to his jacket: Art is not a privilege. 

This is worth retyping: Art is not a privilege.

Several hours after the show, I could not stop thinking about Cristian's button and its powerful message. For me, art encompasses so much - writing, photography, poetry, making music, sculpture, painting, sewing, building... creating. Unfortunately, art is not always valued in our schools and in our society. In my experience, creating art occurs after work is done, and often instruction is only available to those with the financial means and time. Yet it is an outlet for healing. It inspires worthy conversations, revealing new perspectives. It enables deeper meaning. 

I went to bed last night still thinking about it and it persists on mind today, inspiring a series of Haiku:

Pause. Button message 

spools in mind: Art is not a 

privilege...ponder

why must some kids earn

time to create after math?

Art instruction wanes.

Opportunity 

differs among groups. Why must

we value rote skills?

Meaning resides in 

art. Beauty holds purpose too.

Magnify response.  

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #21: 'Twas the Day Before Winter Break

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #31: 

'Twas the Day Before Winter Break

Although I wasn't at school any longer than normal today, I left school this afternoon drained. It's not even five in the evening, and I am ready to retire for the night. 

I could barely muster enough energy and motivation for writing and posting today's Haiku:

Full day before break.

Sugar-coated drama, zest

creates exhaustion. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #20: Teacher Warrior

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day December #20: Teacher Warrior

This post, from talented writer, teacher, and staff developer Kate Roberts, showed up in my Twitter feed recently: 

I was moved at the bravery of this teacher, championed by Kate Roberts. As as cisgender white female working class teacher from the Midwest, I continue to discover how privileged I am and how much needs to change in order to create a more just society. I still have so much to learn in order to be an ally and supportive to all students, friends, and colleagues. 

Unfortunately, I know too many individuals - students, friends, and colleagues - who have not felt comfortable or safe in sharing who they really are, and this makes me feel so disheartened. Bravo to this teacher who came out to her students. I hope that she continues to feel support and love by her school and community. 

Thank you to Kate for sharing it. 

My Haiku for today celebrates this bold teacher:

Teacher warrior:

Twitter ripples bestow your

bravery, in truth. 

Haiku-A-Day December #19: Dusk

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day December #19: Dusk 

We are close to Winter Solstice. It is typically dark when I leave my house in the morning. Most of the hours of daylight occur when I am in school (in my mostly windowless building). Last night, after staying late to get caught up with school work, I left work just as the sun set. I caught this shot and penned this Haiku:

Open spaces in

lot - exhaustion looms...surprise

sky reveals beauty.

Slice of Life Tuesday & Haiku-A-Day December #18 Mash Up: One Little Word - Mindful

Looking to connect with a positive, supportive online community?  Consider sharing a slice of your life with Two Writing Teachers. All writers are welcome! 

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Tuesday Slice of Life & Haiku-A-Day December #18 Mash Up: 

One Little Word - Mindful

Many bloggers write about their selected One Little Word - a word they will focus on for the upcoming year. According to Ali Edwards, you can meditate on this word, reflect on it, even research about it. You can read more about One Little Word in this post.

Last year my One Little Word was peace, but I never took the time to blog about it. If I am really honest with myself, I could still work on finding inner peace in many ways. 

This year I am still trying to determine what my One Little Word will be. One thing that I am constantly working on for myself is being mindful in my words, my actions, my responses, and even what I eat and buy. 

In thinking about the word mindful, I wrote this double Haiku:

How could I better

myself in more purposeful

actions, words, response?

Mind too easily 

strays. Automatic response

without intention. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #17: I Can Only Change Me

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day Challenge #17: I Can Only Change Me

Each school day, I flip to a new page in my Book Worm Trivia. This morning, soon after I arrived at school this morning, I saw that my Saturday/Sunday page shared this quote by Rumi:

"Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself." 

In response, I wrote this triple Haiku: 

Much is beyond my

control: student attitudes,

demands, lack of time. 

So much depends on 

my response, my words, my hope.

How I can show up.

Looking inward - I

reflect. I write. I wonder.

I only change me. 

Haiku-A-Day December #16: Trust, Bit by Bit

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day December #16: Trust, Bit by Bit

I met S a little over a year ago at my church. She had just turned three years old-hesitant to stray far from her parents. To this little one, I am sure that I was a strange, scary grown-up. 

After seeing her nearly every week at church, helping out with our church's Vacation Bible School, and even sporadically visiting her house, S started waving to me from afar. 

A few months ago S started talking to me, a little more than just a greeting. Then she started having little conversations with me. I loved hearing her observations and telling me what was happening at her school. 

Early last month, much to my surprise, one Sunday morning S came over to me during our church service and sat on my lap. Along with my ten-year-old daughter, we colored together. Ever since, each week S finds me part way during the church service and we color together. 

This brings me so much joy. It reminds me when my children were toddlers. I love listening to S tell me about the colors she selects and what she is drawing. 

Here's a double Haiku I wrote about this:

Four-year-old climbs on

my lap. "Wanna color now?"

This shy girl now trusts.

Purple faces, hair

entwines throughout the page. Bold

imagination. 

Haiku-A-Day December #15: What did you see this week...

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day December #15: What did you see this week...

One of my favorite things about weekends is going to church. Our church is a small, close-knit United Methodist church, open to everyone, especially children. It a place that nearly always leaves me feeling full of hope and comfort when I physically leave. 

Our amazing Pastor, Rev. Allie, posted this question on Instagram recently: What did you see this week that reminded you of God? 

In response to her question, I penned this double Haiku:

Moving forward when

difficult tasks emerge...calm

replaces worry. 

Unexpected gifts.

Tender, sincere, hope-filled chats.

Community warmth.

Haiku-A-Day December #14: Frustrated Friday

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day December #14: Frustrated Friday 

Picture high school students off task - cell phones out, checking their latest Snapchat notifications, viewing You Tube videos. Students talking over me, lots of giggles and raised, excited voices. If you could have peeked into my classroom this morning, this is what you would have seen. 

My students are not usually allowed to check Snapchat or watch You Tube unless it is a part of that day's learning activity. Students were supposed to be finishing up a written reflection about learning from recent guest speakers. My students were engaged, but not with anything academic from my class. I used the proximity move - hoping that physically standing by students off task would remedy the problem. That didn't work. I gently (and privately) asked students to put away their technology. That didn't work. I used turn-and-talk followed by a full group share out, calling on random students. That didn't work either. 

To my surprise, there is no full moon on the horizon. No upcoming storm. It's just Friday and the week before Winter Break. There is a lot of energy that I could not harness, and most of my students didn't show up wanting to learn today. 

In reflection, my lesson plans were okay. I was prepared with teaching provisions. I shared my learning targets with students. I tried to get students moving and talking. I held students accountable for conversation. I did my best to be responsive for my students' needs.  

Yet today was a day that I felt like nothing worked to nudge my students back to work. I got so frustrated. If I am honest, I don't feel like many professional teaching books or blog posts share enough about difficult teaching days like today. For me (and most teachers I know), these frustrating, difficult days happen.  

I already know that I will spend a lot of time carefully planning next week's instruction this weekend. 

In reflection, here are today's thoughts in a triple haiku:  

Is there a full moon?

Has a pressure change occurred? 

Extra energy

makes me wonder if 

external factors create

classroom chaos here. 

How can I create
conditions for meaningful
and worthy learning?  

Haiku-A-Day December #13: Waiting

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day December #13: Waiting

If you are anything like me, you spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting in line at the grocery store. Waiting for an appointment. Waiting for dinner to be ready. Waiting for my kids to be ready to leave for school. Waiting for that website to load. Waiting in line at the school copier. Waiting for winter break. 

How do you deal with waiting? Do you have a horrible habit like I do - you immediately check your phone as soon as you realize you need to wait?

As I recently waited for a doctor's appointment, I thought how I wait. I wrote this Haiku in response:

Why do I feel so

impatient waiting? I check

my cell phone, fidget. 

Why can't I just be?

Observe surroundings? Welcome

calm? Focus on breath? 

Haiku-A-Day December #12: Christmas Lights

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day December #12: Christmas Lights

Several few evenings ago, following a violin lesson, my daughter and I took an unplanned detour. We ended up exploring a nearby neighborhood decked out in lights. As December is the darkest month of the year - full of early sunsets - I am grateful for the joy that a simple string of Christmas tree lights brings to me and my tween daughter. 

We crave the extra light during December. 

In response, I wrote this Haiku:  

Long December nights,

diminished sunlight, but joy

strings through beams of light. 

Tuesday Slice of Life & Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #11 Mash Up: Break the Fake

Looking to connect with a positive, supportive online community?  Consider sharing a slice of your life with Two Writing Teachers. All writers are welcome! 

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #11: Break the Fake 

Each of my high school classes begins with at least ten minutes of daily independent reading. Many of my sophomores are currently reading To Kill A Mockingbird as a requirement for their English Language Arts class. Although I encourage students to read a book that they like and want to read, I allow students to read books assigned from another class. 

Yesterday, in between conferring with students in one of my literacy support class hours, I observed one of my students pretending to read To Kill a Mockingbird. 

Yup, fake reading. 

It is December and even after all of the book talks, conferring, and sincere conversations about the purpose of reading, fake reading still happens. This used to bother me a lot, but it just reminds me to not give up on my students. 

Read about fake reading in my double Haiku below: 

She giggles. Page turn

in To Kill A Mockingbird.

Book tilt. Pretend read.

Phone concealed inside

novel. Body shifts when I 

walk by...break the fake. 

Haiku-A-Day December #10: Stories

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day #10: Stories

Most nights, just before I retire to bed, you can typically find me either writing or deeply engrossed in a book. I am especially drawn to memoirs. For me, I appreciate when a writer is vulnerable and shares his or her experience of pain or overcoming some sort of obstacle. I certainly don't celebrate that so many others go through pain, but somehow it brings me great comfort knowing that I am not the only one who has gone through something hard - a subtle reminder that life is often messy and can be painful.

Recently, I came across this quote by James Baldwin:

 "You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read." 

This quote is taped inside the cover of my writer's notebook. I have found myself compelled to reread it several times in the past few days.

Today's double Haiku was inspired by my experiences in reading and from James Baldwin's wise quote:

Stories remind me

so many humans struggle - 

pain is not unique.

Where would I be if

no writers chose to show up

brave, vulnerably? 

Haiku-A-Day December #9: Christmas Nostalgia

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December #9: Christmas Nostalgia

Our Christmas tree is not anything to brag about. It would never be highlighted in Better Homes and Gardens or Real Simple. It is a small, artificial tree, bought several years ago on clearance a few weeks following that holiday season. It is, however, the perfect size for our tiny living room. 

Some of our friends or extend family members decorate their trees by theme, creating fancy, elaborate holiday displays. Our Christmas tree is anything but lavish; instead, our tree includes a mashup of ornaments my grandma made for me each year when I was a kid, a few Hallmark ornaments from my husband's childhood, and a bounty of handmade ornaments courtesy of my children. This year our Christmas tree skirt is one my grandma hand-stitched decades ago, comprised of felt, sequins, and embroidery.

Growing up, my family's Christmas tree was similar - donned in mostly handmade or meaningful ornaments. I love remembering this

As I was thinking about passing on this tradition to my children, I penned this Haiku:

Handcrafted Christmas

brings nostalgia - rooted

joyful traditions.  

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #8: Sanctuary

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. Please let me know if you are posting a Haiku-A-Day too! I would love to read your work.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #8: Sanctuary

Earlier this week I wrote about how my topics, word choices, and audience has been so different in my Haiku-A-Day challenge this year. (You can read that post here.) In a greatly appreciated comment from my friend Elisabeth, I was reminded how my writer's notebook is where I can retreat. My writer's notebook is where I craft poetry, ask myself the most painful and complex questions, explore my thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement. 

As I continue to try to make sense of some really tough, painful things in my life, writing continues to provide an outlet and healing. I am thankful for notebook writing:

Pen, paper, pages-

my sanctuary housing

most intimate thoughts. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #7: Great Horned Owl

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. Please let me know if you are posting a Haiku-A-Day too! I would love to read your work.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #7: Great Horned Owl

As I wrote about in yesterday's post, I have been paying a lot more attention to the every day birds I see in my city and neighborhood. To my delight, we have a Great Horned Owl in our neighborhood. Although I have not had the opportunity to actually see it yet, I hear the owl's calls on most early morning twilight walks with my dogs. I have heard the hoots in different locations through our neighborhood, causing me to wonder if the same owl made a new nest or if there are two different Great Horned Owls.

Here is today's Haiku:

Although I've never 

spied you, I hear your rhythmic

call before dawn. Hoo.

Are you the same Great 

Horned Owl who perched between the

nearby woods and church? 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #6: Noticing Birds

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. Please let me know if you are posting a Haiku-A-Day too! I would love to read your work.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #6: Noticing Birds 

Earlier this year I read a beautiful memoir called Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation by Kyo Maclear. Goodreads describes it as, "A writer’s search for inspiration, beauty, and solace leads her to birds in this intimate and exuberant meditation on creativity and life—a field guide to things small and significant." 

Although my dad is an avid bird watcher and photographer, I gained a deeper respect for bird watching as I savored Maclear's work. I adored reading Maclear's memoir, especially in how it reminded me that one does not need to travel or see something exotic in order to write something amazing. Great writing comes from first noticing what's around you. 

I thought of this as I wrote today's double haiku:

I've never recalled

a day without bird sighting- 

no matter weather.

Appreciation

for daily simplicity.

Birds enhance city.  

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #5: Audience Adjustment

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. Please let me know if you are posting a Haiku-A-Day too! I would love to read your work.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #5: Audience Adjustment

For the last three years I have challenged myself to write a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. This is the first year I have shared each Haiku publicly. In the past I only shared my daily Haiku with people I already knew and trusted. Their daily Haiku was shared back with me. 

This year I quickly realized how different my Haiku writing has been in comparison to past years. Before I knew exactly who was reading my Haiku. I knew my audience; my audience knew me. I was vulnerable with them; they were vulnerable with me. My Haiku poems were much more personal, intimate. I felt emotionally safe to share. 

My audience shifted this year. I think that most people who read my posts are friends and/or teachers or involved with education, but I cannot be certain. After all, I have no idea who reads my posts or who might stumble on them. This makes me hesitant to post anything that is too personal or revealing. Above all, I do not allow myself to be as vulnerable. 

I am reminded that audience matters. 

This reflection inspired today's Haiku:

Unknown audience.

Careful topics, words, phrases - 

guarded poetry.

Slice of Life Tuesday & Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #4 Mash Up: Quiet Walks

Looking to connect with a positive, supportive online community?  Consider sharing a slice of your life with Two Writing Teachers. All writers are welcome! 

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. Please let me know if you are posting a Haiku-A-Day too! I would love to read your work.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #4: Quiet Walks  

Podcasts and audio books are among some of my favorite forms of media. At one time I wouldn't leave my house for a walk or run without downloading an episode of Heavyweight or On Being. If I was in the middle of listening to an audio book, I made certain that each section was downloaded and ready for me to listen to. Then we got our second dog, Hondo - a temperamental border collie pup. It became challenging for me to focus on walking Hondo if I was paying attention to anything else. He didn't heal very well. He pulled on the leash, often knocking out my earbuds. And so, I was forced to leave my earbuds at home  - my iPhone safely stashed in my pocket. I didn't give up listening to podcasts or audio books, but I stopped listening to them when I walked our dogs. 

After a few weeks without technology, I got used to quiet walks. I don't regret this change like I thought I would. 

Now I notice more of what is happening around me - bird calls, sunrises, ice cracking on sidewalks, and even the rhythm of my steps. For some reason, I was thinking about this on today's early morning walk with Hondo. 

Here's my Haiku for today in the form of a double Haiku: 

Former walks filled with

podcast banter. Audible.

Mind distracted snips.

Now strolls sans earbuds.

Paws pattering on pavement.

Observing what calms.