Haibun: Anniversary

a smiling brindle whippet in a black jacket leaping across the beach

Misty is smiling from ear to ear as she zooms on the beach where we spent our first holiday together. It is a year ago today that she walked into our lives and came to stay as our forever foster.

Death had swept past and taken loved ones away from both our lives and chance carried a light we recognised the moment our eyes met. For that, I will always be grateful.

silver sea –
the sun glitters our new life
together

© Xenia Tran

sun bursting through the clouds above the sea, leaving an almost moon-like glow on the silvery water

A warm-hearted thank you for all your good wishes for Misty’s 13th birthday, which we celebrated on 28 May. We had a lovely time away and created many new memories.

It is also good to be back home, remember Eivor and Pearl and celebrate the journeys we shared.

Wishing you all a happy Monday and a peaceful rest of the week,

with love from Misty and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Hammad Rais’ Weekend Sky #103

Jez Braithwaite’s Water Water Everywhere #177

Haibun: Playground

a smiling brindle whippet in a black jacket running across the tidal sands

The wind is picking up as the tide flows out between rocks, exposing seagrass, bladderwrack and multi-coloured stones washed up from the river. A fishing boat heads west. The gulls that follow pour out high notes in excitement.

Rain is falling across the water. This side of the firth is still dry. We know that happy feeling that stirs inside when we are given extra time to enjoy these smells and sounds a little longer.

spring weather –
a smiling dog shows us
how to play

© Xenia Tran

a fishing boat and sailing boat beneath storm clouds approaching across the water and rain falling on the opposite shore

Wishing you all a happy Monday and a peaceful new week,

with love from Misty and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Weekend Sky #101

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #250: Skyscapes or Cloudscapes

Sunday Stills: Appreciating Our Pets and Playgrounds

Haiku: Snow Flurries

a smiling whippet in a yellow jacket walking through the dunes in the snow

snow flurries
each flake even softer
than it might be

© Xenia Tran

snow falling on the dunes and marram grass

May you all stay warm!

Wishing you a blessed Thursday and a peaceful rest of the week,

with love from Misty and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Weekend Sky #82

CMMC: December Violet or White Color

Haibun: Where Love Sails

a smiling brindle whippet walking across the shingle towards the dunes

It is almost a month ago when we first met Misty. The morning after she moved in we went on a short break to a small village further along the coast. She had been on day-trips with her family before, but never on holiday. It was a blessing to have this quiet time to get to know each other. And Misty loved it.

When we returned home there were vet visits and blood tests and since then, our bond has only strengthened. We admire Misty for her spirit, the way she seems to understand and read us, the way she fits into our lives so easily. The ripples can be felt when love walks where we walk, sails with all who sail beyond our sheltered bay.

flowing river
in tune with the moon
she finds the sea

© Xenia Tran

the moray firth seen from the dunes where the river meets the sea

Wishing you all a happy Monday and a wonderful new week,

with love from Misty and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Weekend Sky #67

Jez Braithwaite’s Water Water Everywhere #133

Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Sail

Wordless Wednesday: Birds of a Feather

two whippets in winter jackets playing on the beach with a ball
a flock of oystercatchers in flight

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Sky #55

Puente Poetry: Walkway to the Light

a blue and white whippet in a pink winter jacket pausing on top of wooden steps towards the beach

on the weathered wooden walkway
marram grass bursts through the slats
birds rest on the handrails
human hands no longer touch

~ structures built to help us ~

are smoothed by wind and rain
the last two years have taught us
to seek the light again
where natural kindness rises

© Xenia Tran

pink light between purple clouds at dusk over the Moray Firth

Wishing you all a happy Monday and a peaceful new week,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

PI Poetry Prompt: Structure

Weekend Sky #53

Tanka: Halo Around the Sun

a black and white whippet in a winter jacket running through the dunes

happiness
the seamless flow
in letting go
when frost that starts at night
melts when the sun rises

© Xenia Tran

dunes and marram grass with the sea beyond under a blue sky

The halo around the sun in the header image was caused by ice crystals high in the atmosphere.

We will be back tomorrow with a special Review of the Year as we are preparing our countdown to 2022.

Wishing you all a happy Thursday,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Weekend Sky #51

PI Poetry Prompt: Start

Word of the Day Challenge: Countdown

Wordless Wednesday: Run with the Wind

a black whippet chasing a ball on the beach, watched by a blue and white whippet
a cloudy sky over a windy sea with rolling waves

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Sky #50

Tanka: Soothing Waves

sea and sky
each new day
a rebirth
reflecting on the light
a soothing wave emerges

© Xenia Tran

Wishing you all a happy Thursday and a wonderful rest of the week,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Weekend Sky #31

CMMC: June – Pick a Topic from my Photo (Sea, Waves)

Sijo: Where Eagles Rise and Soar

Cairngorms National Park

a blue and white whippet in fleece jacket on a mountain trail

catching the scent of deer, their presence feels so near
the trail we’re walking, from glen to hill to snow-filled pass
our eyes rest on the eyrie, where eagles rise and soar

© Xenia Tran

a snow-covered corrie in the Cairngorms

If you’re new to the Sijo form, you can find an earlier poem and short description here.

Wishing you all a blessed Monday and may you stay safe and well,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Settings: f/5.6 – 1/1250 s – ISO 400, f/4 – 1/1000 s – ISO 400 and f/8 – 1/500 s – ISO 100.

PI Poetry Prompt: Soar

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word – April 2021 (furry)

Weekend Sky #25