R.L. Swihart's Blog, page 50
March 1, 2023
Green-tailed Towhee
Green-tailed Towhee in Lakewood (along San Gabriel River). Didn't get him at Harriett Wieder this winter, but I finally got him here (after several attempts). Took him forever to come out and he stayed in the shadows.
#rlswihart #lakewoodca #sangabrielriver #wintervisitors #towheesofinstagram #greentailedtowhee #birdphotography #nature #beauty #poetry #readmorepoetry2023 #ukraine 🇺🇦
From Maupassant's Une Vie
She had gone to rest a young girl; she was now a married woman. She had crossed that boundary that seems to conceal the future with all its joys, its dreams of happiness. She felt as though a door had opened in front of her; she was about to enter into the fulfillment of her expectations.
February 28, 2023
From Maupassant's Une Vie
Some unknown power seemed to make their glances meet whenever they raised their eyes; between them there existed already that subtle and vague sympathy which arises so rapidly between two young people when the young man is good looking and the girl is pretty.
February 25, 2023
From Maupassant's Letter from a Madman
It was a phrase from Montesquieu that suddenly illumined my thinking. Here it is: “One more organ or one less in our body would give us a different intelligence. In fact, all the established laws as to why our body is a certain way would be different if our body were not that way.”
February 22, 2023
Least Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher in Lakewood CA (near San Gabriel River). In its fave spot beneath the bougainvillea.
#rlswihart #lakewood #sangabrielriver #flycatchersofinstagram #leastflycatcher #wintervisitor #bouganvillea #nature #beauty #smallbirds #poetry #readmorepoetry2023 #ukraine 🇺🇦
Cedar Waxwings in CA
Cedar Waxwing in Lakewood CA (near San Gabriel River). "Toyon berries are my fave, but these purplish berries will do in a pinch." Do something special today.:)
#rlswihart #lakewood #socalbirds #sangabrielriver #waxwings #cedarwaxwing #waxwingsofinstagram #nature #berrypicking #winterincalifornia #beauty #poetry #readmorepoetry2023 #ukraine 🇺🇦
February 12, 2023
Manuscripts Never Burn
3 December 1939.
From the sanatorium at Barvikha to Moscow To his sister Yelena Dear Lyolya! Here is some news of me. A considerable improvement has been observed in my left eye. The right eye is lagging behind, but also seems to be trying to do something useful. According to the doctor it turns out that if there is an improvement in the eyes, that means there is an improvement in the functioning of the kidneys. And if that’s the case, then I feel a new hope stirring in me that on this occasion I will get away from the old crone with the scythe and finish one or two things that I would like to finish.
February 10, 2023
Canvasbacks @ Alondra Park
Canvasback Ducks @ Alondra Park. Lawndale CA.
A dozen or more (scattered). Some coming right up to the edge. Lots of people there to feed them.:)
#rlswihart #lawndaleca #alondrapark #ducksofinstagram #canvasback #canvasbackducks #nature #poetry #beauty #winterincalifornia #readmorepoetry2023 #ukraine 🇺🇦
Manuscripts Never Burn
12 February 1937
This is M. A. ’s sore point: ‘I am a prisoner … they’ll never let me out of here … I’ll never see the world … ’ [ … ] M. A. is in a dreadful state. ‘They won’t perform me at home, while abroad they rob me.’
February 9, 2023
Manuscripts Never Burn
30 October 1935
During the day there was a ring at our door. I went out and there was Akhmatova with such a dreadful face, and so much thinner, that I scarcely recognized her; nor did Misha. It turned out that in one and the same night both her husband (Punin) and her son (Gumilyov) had been arrested. She had come to deliver a letter to Yosif Vissarionovich [Stalin]. She was quite clearly in a confused state and was muttering things to herself.
