Author: whippetwisdom

The stories, poems and photographs on this blog are the original creative work of Xenia Tran. Inspired by life in the Scottish Highlands and in awe of nature she gives voice to the wisdom of her two adopted whippets Eivor and Pearl.

Tanka: Holding Light

a blue and white whippet walking through a tidal lagoon

holding light
the way it happens
when a heart opens
in this new, quiet landscape
where angels can be heard

© Xenia Tran

a blue and white whippet walking away from a tidal lagoon

We are staying positive for the dogs and they are a great help in filling us with hope for the future.

We hope you all stay well and healthy and wish you a peaceful Thursday and a beautiful rest of the week,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/2.8 – 1/2000 s – ISO 100.

Dutch Goes the Photo Tuesday Photo Challenge: Hope

Twiglet #170: Holding Light

Discover-Prompt #2: Open

Wordless Wednesday: Following my Reflection

a blue and white whippet with a pink ball splashing in a lagoon
a blue and white whippet with a pink ball walking through a lagoon

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/2.8 – 1/2000 s – ISO 100.

Wordless Wednesday

Jez Braithwaite’s Water Water Everywhere #21

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Pick a Topic from this Photo (Water)

A Tribute to Stuart Quine

(1962 – 2020)

new year’s day only the wind comes to my gate
Stuart Quine, Presence 14

a blue and white whippet walking beside a tidal lagoon with a pink ball

as real as any dream cherry blossom
Stuart Quine, Presence 51 (2014)

We were very sad to learn that Stuart Quine, a very gifted English haiku poet, has died of Covid-19. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and all who were close to him.

Stuart was a practitioner of Soto Zen Buddhism and wrote beautiful haiku. I didn’t know him personally, but admired his writings. His one-line-haiku, also known as monoku, especially resonated.

In honour of his life and his work, I am sharing three of his one-line-haiku with you today (previously published in Presence, a British independent haiku journal) that I especially love.

a sandbar and lagoon on the shores of the Moray Firth

alone on the shore finally the peace of nothing left to say
Stuart Quine, Presence 56 (2016)

Please stay safe and well and keep your distance.

With love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/2.8 – 1/2000 s – ISO 100 and f/4.5 – 1/1600 s – ISO 100.

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #90: Distance

Haiku: Spirit Mountain

two whippets running on a sandbar in the spring sun

far yet near
snow still dazzles on
our spirit mountain

© Xenia Tran

Moray Firth and snow capped peaks across the water

Wishing you all a very happy Monday and hope you are safe and well,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/2.8 – 1/2000 s – ISO 100 and f/4.5 – 1/1600 s – ISO 100.

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #90: Distance

Ronovan’s Weekly Haiku Challenge #299: Bright & Fight (Dazzle & Spirit)

Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Slick

Haiku: Rocks and Stones

a blue and white whippet in a winter jacket walking away from the surf towards the dry sand

split rocks
on glittering sands
this abundance

© Xenia Tran

a black whippet in a winter jacket walking across wet tidal sands

We are very grateful for all the amazing work the health service and everyone else who is making a positive difference is currently doing.

Following the example of Spain, France, The Netherlands and India, the UK is organising a #clapforourcarers event tonight (Thursday 26th March) at 8 pm where we can show our appreciation with a massive round of applause.

You can clap your hands on your doorstep, balcony or indoors and share it online through social media.

Hoping you all stay safe and well,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Canon Powershot SX60 HS, Settings: f/5.6 – 1/1250 s – ISO 200 and f/5.6 – 1/800 s – ISO 200.

Nurturing Thursday

On the Hunt for Joy Challenge: Create Abundance Out of Ordinary Things

Wordless Wednesday: Together

two whippets in winter jackets on tidal sands beside the surf
two smiling whippets walking side by side on wet tidal sands

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Canon Powershot SX60 HS, Settings: f/4.5 – 1/800 s – ISO 100 and f/5.6 – 1/1250 s – ISO 200.

Wordless Wednesday

Jez Braithwaite’s Water Water Everywhere #20

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Pick a Topic

Word of the Day Challenge: Together

Haibun: Strengthening Connections

two whippets in winter jackets on tidal sands beside a rock

A music of wind and waves we would never have known weaves her magic through delicate times. An invisible urge helps us connect at a deeper level, with ourselves, our fellow humans, all living creatures.

slowing down
the earth can breathe again
listen, listen

© Xenia Tran

two whippets in winter jackets sniffing a rock on the beach

Wishing you all a very happy Tuesday,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Canon Powershot SX60 HS, Settings: f/4.5 – 1/800 s – ISO 200 and f/4 – 1/1600 s – ISO 200.

Dutch Goes the Photo Tuesday Photo Challenge: Connect

dVerse Poets Quadrille #100: Abracadabra – Where’s My Magic Wand?

Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Delicate