Haikus: August 2008

HAIKUS: August 2008

By Peter Y. Chou
WisdomPortal.com

These haikus were written as exercises in mindfulness—
an attempt to catch the fleeting moment in my daily walks,
while reading, listening to music, and pondering about life.
(Underlined words are not for emphasis but to web links.)
This web page best viewed with Times font size 14.

Friday, August 1, 2008, 10:28-10:31 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Lang Lang,
plays Alexandre Desplat,
The Painted Veil: River Waltz, (2006)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

The River Waltz of
Guilin brings the commorants
out to catch their fish. Friday, August 1, 2008, 10:43-10:49 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Alexandre Tharaud,
plays Frederic Chopin,
Prelude #15 in D-Flat, Op. 28 "Raindrop" (1839)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Raindrops— you feel them
in Caillebotte's painting and
in Chopin's music.

Friday, August 1, 2008, 7:30-9:20 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
James Whale directs
"Show Boat" (1936) starring
Irene Dunne & Allan Jones

Paul Robeson as Joe
sings "Ol' Man River—
he just keep rolling along." Friday, August 1, 2008, 9:30-11:25 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Woody Van Dyke directs
"San Francisco" (1936) starring
Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, Spencer Tracy

San Francisco quake
brings Blackie to his knees
as he gives thanks to God.

Saturday, August 2, 2008, 9:49-9:53 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Franz Schubert,
Scottish Galopp, D. 735, Op. 49, (1822)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Galloping music
for horses on race track
or joyous child skipping. Saturday, August 2, 2008, 9:54-10:09 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven,
Consecration of the House Overture,
Op. 124, (1822), (Listen), CD, YouTube, Notes

Many mansions are
in my Father's House to which
I'm born in this world.

Saturday, August 2, 2008, 7:37-7:46 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Antonin Dvorak,
Cypresses for String Quartet, B152, (1887)
(Listen), CD, YouTube, Notes

The breeze sways cherries
on the tree branches as if
they are tiny bells. Saturday, August 2, 2008, 8:45-11:55 pm
Cubberley Pavilion, Palo Alto
James Kleinrath teaches intermediate tango.
Dance east coast swing & merengue with Ann

I find myself teaching
two beginners, Sarah & Lee,
steps in ballroom dancing.

Sunday, August 3, 2008, 10:03-10:11 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: George Frederick Handel,
Xerxes: Ombra mai fu "Largo" (1738)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

King loves his plane tree
in the garden more so than
his harem of wives. Sunday, August 3, 2008, 1:15-3:30 pm
Hometown Buffet, MacArthur Ranch,
212 Ranch Drive, Milpitas
Scott treats Connie & me to lunch

Fish fillets, egg whites,
beets, cabbage, pumpkin seeds,
spinach salad and milk.

Monday, August 4, 2008, 11:20-11:27 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Sarah Chang
plays Niccolò Paganini,
Violin Concerto #1 in D major, Op. 6, (1817)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Niccolò Paganini—
virtuoso violinist
weaves his magic spell. Monday, August 4, 2008, 12:03-12:11 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ying Quartet plays
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Andante Cantabile,
String Quartet #1 in D, Op. 11, (1871)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Music taps into
our inner strings to
vibrate us to higher spheres.

Monday, August 4, 2008, 7:23 pm
Mountain View, San Antonio Road
Waiting for Bus #35 on bench while
meditating on the setting Sun

Solar energy—
may it flow through us
so we merge as One with Light. Monday, August 4, 2008, 11:00 pm-2:00 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM
George Noory interviews Chad Lewis
"Haunted Spots: Dartford Cemetery, Wisconsin"

Ghost spirits would push
off people who dare to sit
on top of their mausoleum.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 9:42-9:48 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky,
Swan Lake: Dances, Op. 20, (1876)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Princess Odette turned
into a swan by a curse.
Will she transform back? Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 11:45 am-12:45 pm
Mountain View: Friend takes me grocery
shopping at Safeway on California Street

Two gallons skim milk,
apple & cranberry juice,
fresh orange juice, and
frozen medium-size shrimp.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 1:30-7:00 pm
Los Altos Hills, Foothill Computer Lab #4201
Composing web page on Wang Yang Ming
"On Prime Force, Essence, & Spirit"

Force, Essence, Spirit
are all one as seen from
the pure mind of a sage. Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 1:30-7:00 pm
Los Altos Hills, Foothill Computer Lab #4201
Composing web page on Wang Yang Ming
"A Sage's Lament & Sigh" (Poem: "Soul Weight")

The sage sighs because
people run for falsehood
rather than for truth.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 7:30 pm
Mountain View, San Antonio Road
Waiting for Bus #35 on bench while
meditating on the Sun that's buried.

Dark clouds fill the sky
burying the sunshine.
Birds fly to the northeast. Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 7:30 pm
Mountain View, San Antonio Road
I write haiku on the buried Sun
when it bursts out and shines on me.

Just when I lost hope
seeing it, the Sun breaks out
from clouds and says: "I'm alive!"

Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 9:34-9:48 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky,
Symphony #6 in B, Op.74 "Pathetique" (1893)
(Listen), CD, (YouTube: Karajan, 1st movement)

A swashbuckle march
to the woods doing good deeds—
Robin Hood's merry men. Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 11:19-11:25 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Franz Joseph Haydn,
Symphony no 88 in G major, Finale (1787)
(Listen), CD, YouTube: Leonard Bernstein

Haydn's Symphony 88—
galloping tunes too fast for
August 8 Olympics.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 7:30-8:45 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Paul Leni directs silent film
"The Cat and the Canary" (1927)
starring Laura La Plante

Early horror film—
dark lighting, eerie music,
killer on the loose. Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 8:55-10:10 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Walter de Leon directs
"The Cat and the Canary" (1939)
starring Bob Hope & Paulette Goddard

Suspense cut short when
Bob Hope cracks his jokes—
more humor than horror here.

Thursday, August 7, 2008, 9:06-9:14 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,
Magic Flute: Overture, K 620, (1791)
(Listen), CD, YouTube, Notes, Freemason:
Book, Brother Mozart, Magic Flute

Waking to Mozart's
Magic Flute Overture—
May wonder fill my work! Thursday, August 7, 2008, 10:02-10:12 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johann Sebastian Bach,
Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 (1708)
(Listen), CD, YouTube, (Bach imprisoned for a month Nov. 6-Dec. 2, 1717 for breaking contract)

Ominous music
full of suspense— theme in
Phantom of the Opera.

Thursday, August 7, 2008, 5:00-6:00 pm
Foothill College, Los Altos Hills Campus
CTIS Office 4104: Chatting with Mimi Will
on teaching students, meditation & yoga.

With millions of sound
waves around us, we're blessed
our ears tuned them out. Thursday, August 7, 2008, 7:25-7:34 pm
Mountain View, San Antonio Road
Waiting for Bus #35 on bench while
meditating on the Sun shining on me.

The Sun's rays spray
on me like a fountain of gold
and I am enriched.

Friday, August 8, 2008, 9:06-9:14 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Aram Khachaturian,
Gayneh: Sabre Dance, (1942/1957)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Fellini's 8-1/2
used this tune for a party
walking up the hill. Friday, August 8, 2008, 10:06-10:17 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Chen Gang,
Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto (1959)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Butterfly lovers—
soulmates united at last—
a beautiful tale.

Friday, August 8, 2008, 12:55 pm
Mary-Marcia Casoly gets on Bus #22
on El Camino Real, Palo Alto and I thank
her two emails & letter on poem "Canary"

Received her letter
last night with "Canary" poem—
lovely tribute to Greg. Friday, August 8, 2008, 2:20 pm
Art Library, Stanford University
Michelle sends me a beautiful email
about Lourdes calling her soul

She'll bring her Mom there
not asking for healing but
to give thanks for life.

Friday, August 8, 2008, 7:30-9:05 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Anthony Mann directs western film
"The Naked Spur" (1953) starring
James Stewart, Robert Ryan, & Janet Leigh

Nice scenes of the Rockies
as backdrop for a cowboy's
inner turmoil. Friday, August 8, 2008, 9:15-10:48 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Delmer Daves directs western film
"Broken Arrow" (1950) starring
James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, & Debra Paget

Dad took me to see
this film when I was nine—
now I feel like a kid.

Saturday, August 9, 2008, 11:37-11:42 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Franz Joseph Haydn,
Symphony #94 in G major "Surprise" (1791)
(Listen), CD, YouTube (* Cupid & Psyche *)

She lit a candle
and was shocked she married
not a monster but Cupid! Saturday, August 9, 2008, 7:09-7:23 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven,
Symphony #6 in F major, Op. 68 "Pastoral" (1808)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

In love with Nature,
Beethoven's Pastoral
celebrates Mother Earth.

Saturday, August 9, 2008, 8:45-11:55 pm
Cubberley Pavilion, Palo Alto
James Kleinrath teaches cha cha.
Dance tango & waltz with Sally

Waltzing to Moon River
she asks me to sing to her—
my Huckleberry friend. Sunday, August 10, 2008, 12:04 am
Mountain View, San Antonio & California St.
Ann gives me ride home after ballroom dancing.
Seeing a huge orange half-moon setting

"The Moon is so big!"
she says— the biggest orange
slice I've ever seen!

Sunday, August 10, 2008, 10:58-11:06 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Sol Gabetta plays
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Andante Cantabile
for Cello and Strings, Op. 11, (1871)
(Listen), CD, YouTube (Press on Sol Gabetta)

There's soul weight in this
tune of Tchaikovsky whose heart
was buried in grief. Sunday, August 10, 2008, 11:35-11:45 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: James Ehnes plays
Erich Wolfgang Korngold, (Listen), (CD),
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35 (1945)
(YouTube: Anne-Sophie Mutter, Hilary Hahn)

Just before the dawn
around the wooded lake,
young swallows are singing.

Monday, August 11, 2008, 10:20-10:25 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Richard Goode plays
Ludwig van Beethoven,
Piano Sonata #18 in Eb "Hunt" (1802)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

He has command of
full range of emotions—
stormy to serene. Monday, August 11, 2008, 11:57 am-12:00 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Henry Purcell, (Listen), (CD),
The Fairy Queen Z 629: Sinfonia (1692) (Notes),
Anthony told me Spenser's "Faerie Queene" (1596)
is really an allegorical tale about enlightenment.

Tony knew the real
meaning of The Faery Queen
but his teacher didn't.

Monday, August 11, 2008, 4:00-9:00 pm
Art Library & Green Library, Stanford University
Finished Notes to Poem: Soul Weight
Commentary on Emily Dickinson's Poem 303

Emily chose One—
Philosopher's Stone that leads
her to enlightenment. Monday, August 11, 2008, 9:36 pm
Palm Drive, Stanford University
Chinese physics student from Sichuan
gives me ride to Cal-Train Depot

After hitchhiking
four long blocks, someone from
my hometown gives me ride.

Monday, August 11, 2008, 10:06-10:36 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,
Symphony #40 in G minor, K. 550, (1788)
(Listen), CD, YouTube,

Composed 220 years
ago— this music
is quite amiable. Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 2:00-2:15 am
Mountain View, Outside on my balcony
looking for the Perseid meteor shower
(Sky & Telescopes: Week's Sky at a Glance)

Clouds cover the skies
as I scan for bright specks
of lights that never appeared.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 9:22-9:28 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Jon Nakamatsu plays
Frederic Chopin,
Polonaise, Op. 40 #1 (1838)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Lovely to wake up
to Chopin's Polonaise on
this bright summer day. Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 11:04-11:07 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Vladimir Horowitz plays
Franz Schubert, (Listen), (CD),
Moment Musical #3 in F minor, D.780 (1823) (YouTube: Horowitz)

Dancing the minuet
to Schubert's Music Moment
with my fair maiden.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 7:30-9:15 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto: Henry Koster
directs "Harvey" (1950) starring
James Stewart & Josephine Hull

Is Elwood insane
with his invisible Rabbit
or everyone else? Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 9:25-11:22 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto: Henry Koster
directs "Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation" (1962)
starring James Stewart, & Maureen O'Hara

Everything goes wrong
on this vacation instead
of relaxation.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 11:50 pm
Mountain View: Pondering on the film
"Harvey" & James Stewart's philosophy
influenced by his pooka rabbit Harvey

He spent his life trying
to be smart and learned
it's better to be pleasant. Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 3:00-5:00 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM
George Noory interviews Craig Hogan (Book)
"The Afterlife & Contact with the Dead"

Death is more real
than Life which is illusion—
it's hard to believe.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 12:00-12:10 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ralph Vaughan WIlliams,
(Listen), CD, YouTube, George Meredith Poem,
The Lark Ascending (1914)

Blake's 28th Lark
ascends to the highest skies
singing with angels. Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 1:00-2:30 pm
Mountain View: Friend takes me shopping
at Best Buy for Nikon digital camera
and at El Chico Produce Market

Cabbage, tomatoes,
red bell pepper, green onions,
broccoli, black grapes.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 7:30-8:40 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
H. Bruce Humberstone directs
"Charlie Chan at the Opera" (1936) starring
Warner Oland, Boris Karloff, & Keye Luke

Gravelle looks guilty
but Charlie Chan finds the real
killer at the end. Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 8:50-10:00 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Norman Z. McLeod directs "Horse Feathers" (1932)
starring Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx,
Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, & Thelma Todd

Chico's piano, Harpo's harp,
Groucho's guitar— each
serenading Thelma.

Thursday, August 14, 2008, 10:06-10:12 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven,
Piano Sonata #8 in C "Pathetique", Op. 13 (1798)
2nd movement, (Listen), (CD) YouTube

Beethoven's music
soft and gentle lures me from
sleep to wakefulness. Thursday, August 14, 2008, 11:16-11:24 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johann Sebastian Bach,
Goldberg Variations (1742),
(Listen), CD, YouTube

If we have music
decathalon— Bach would win
an Olympic Gold!

Thursday, August 14, 2008, 2:00-4:00 pm
Mountain View: Friend takes me shopping
at Sears, Wal-Mart, Target for digital camera

Friends' suggestions, Amazon's
ratings, Consumer Reports—
It's decision time! Thursday, August 14, 2008, 4:30-5:30 pm
Mountain View: Friend takes me shopping
at New Castro Street Market

Bran dough, water chestnut,
tofu, bean curd, fish fillets,
and vegetable dumplings.

Thursday, August 14, 2008, 10:03-10:51 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Hilary Hahn plays
Ludwig van Beethoven, (Listen), (CD) YouTube
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 (1806)

I love this music
for the sweetness pouring
out from Beethoven's heart. Thurs-Fri., August 14-15, 2008, 11:00 pm-2:00 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM
George Noory interviews Jim Marrs
"The Fourth Reich in America" (Book)

Those in power are
creating a Fourth Reich
while we are all asleep.

Friday, August 15, 2008, 9:30-9:36 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johann Sebastian Bach
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube), (1725)
Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook: Little Suite

Bach wrote this for his
wife Anna Magdalena—
so jovial and sweet. Friday, August 15, 2008, 10:08-10:12 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Camille Saint-Saens,
Carnival of the Animals: #13 The Swan (1886),
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Why we feel so peaceful
watching a swan? Because
it's an image of our soul.

Saturday, August 16, 2008, 9:13-9:26 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Bedrich Smetana
Ma Vlast: The Moldau (1874)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Smetana's Ma Vlast wakes
me to ponder on this vast
House of my Father. Saturday, August 16, 2008, 10:33-10:40 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Felix Mendelssohn,
Three Etudes, Op.104b (1838),
(Listen), CD, YouTube

He didn't play this
in concert halls but at home
for his best friends.

Sunday, August 17, 2008, 10:22-10:28 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven,
Piano Sonata #14 in C-sharp minor, Op.27 #2 "Moonlight" (1801) (Listen), (CD) YouTube
Poll: Beethoven vs. Dvorak's Moon Song: 55%-45%

Green Corn Moon, Sturgeon Moon,
August Full Moon— here is
Beethoven's song for you. Sunday, August 17, 2008, 10:50-10:54 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Pietro Mascagni,
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo (1889)
Listen, CD, YouTube, Poll: Mascagni's Raging Bull
vs. Beethoven's Rage over Lost Penny: 70% to 30%

Rage over a lost love
has to be greater than
loss of a penny.

Sunday, August 17, 2008, 2:22-2:38 pm
Loch Lomond (Felton, Santa Cruz)
Hiking with friend on MacBain Trail,
Loch Lomond Hike & Haikus

Strenuous uphill climb—
Huff, huff, puff, puff—
why trek up this hill to the lake? Sunday, August 17, 2008, 2:43 pm
Loch Lomond (Felton, Santa Cruz)
Cunningham Trail down to the Lake,
Loch Lomond Hike & Haikus

This trail is a breeze—
short and sweet and soon
we're down at the lake's shore.

Monday, August 18, 2008, 9:49-9:57 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludovico Einaudi,
Divenire: Andare (2007)
(Listen), (CD) YouTube

Tinkling of bells
ring throughout this piece
keeping me in my dream state. Monday, August 18, 2008, 10:42-10:51 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Luigi Boccherini,
Guitar Quintet #4 in D major, "Fandango" (1798),
(Listen), CD, YouTube, Notes

The bull charges as
the matador sweeps up his
cape and the crowd cheers.

Monday, August 18, 2008, 10:51-10:58 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven,
Symphony #5 in C minor, Op. 67 (1808)
(Listen), (CD) YouTube

Coronation march
music for royal procession—
it's Beethoven's Fifth! Monday, August 18, 2008, 1:00-3:00 pm
Mountain View, Friend takes me grocery
shopping at Safeway (California Street)
and Nob Hill Foods (Grant Road)

Blueberries, milk, ice cream,
red grapes, sunflower seeds,
and sesame sticks.

Monday, August 18, 2008, 4:30-5:00 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Library closing at 5 pm instead of 9 pm

Power outage at Stanford
and surrounding towns—
Only time to email Jack. Monday, August 18, 2008, 7:00-9:00 pm
Los Altos Library, David Pfeiffer
sees me and gives me a ride home

Dave tells me about
his digital camera and
Olympics in China.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 9:46-9:56 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven,
Piano Sonata #21 in C, Op.53 'Waldstein' (1804)
(Listen), (CD) YouTube

Beethoven's "Dawn" wakes
me with radiant music
so I may leave my dreams. Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 10:49-10:54 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: John Williams,
Superman: Theme (1978)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Can you read my mind?—
then let's fly to that realm
where angels are dancing.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 11:06-11:15 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Remo Giazotto used
a fragment of Tomasso Albinoni to compose
Adagio in G minor (1958), (Listen), CD, YouTube

Out of the ashes
of Dresden, this phoenix rose
to uplift our souls. Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 1:32 pm
Palo Alto, Galvez Street: Waiting for
Shuttle Bus B to Stanford and finding
a handwritten note from Julio on bench

"I cry and bleed from
my deepest soul for the one
I love doesn't love me."

Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 9:43-9:57 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Christian Thielemann conducts
Johannes Brahms (Listen), CD, YouTube
Symphony #1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1855-1876)

Hints of Beethoven's
Ninth sprinkled throughout this
First Symphony of Brahms. Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 10:30-10:38 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Janine Jansen plays
Antonio Vivaldi (Listen), CD, YouTube
"The Four Seasons: Winter" (1723)

Snow descends slowly
but her playing is too fast
like a blizzard storm!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 1:45-1:53 pm
Maybell Ave & El Camino, Palo Alto
Sitting on bench waiting for Bus #22,
Meditating on Sun shining on my face.

Pharoah bows to Ra,
God of sunlight for bringing
wealth to his kingdom. Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 4:00-6:50 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Web page: "Can a cow be Self-realized?"
(Conversation with PB, October 26, 1978)

Clever Hans was smart
reading body language
to answer math problems.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 7:30-8:55 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto: D. W. Griffith
directs "Broken Blossoms" (1919) starring
Lillian Gish, Richard Barthelmess, Donald Crisp,
with Dennis James on the Wurlitzer

He sprinkles moonlight
on her hair, gives her a doll,
calls her White Blossom. Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 9:05-11:06 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto: Howard Hawks
directs "Only Angels Have Wings" (1939)
starring Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Thomas Mitchell,
Richard Barthelmess, & Rita Hayworth

Flying through the fog
of the Andes, these macho
men show their bravado.

Thursday, August 21, 2008, 12:31-12:40 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Concert of Nations plays
Johann Sebastian Bach, (Listen), CD, YouTube
Brandenburg Concerto #4 in G, BWV 1049 (1720)

Concert of Nations
plays tunes for Olympics—
Bring Bach back to Beijing! Thursday, August 21, 2008, 1:03-1:45 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Osmo Vänskä conducts
Ludwig van Beethoven, (Listen), CD, YouTube
Symphony #6 in F major, Op. 68 "Pastoral" (1808)

Beethoven's homage
to the landscape he loves
on this beautiful earth.

Friday, August 22, 2008, 10:27-10:37 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Franz Danzi
(Listen), CD, YouTube
Fantasy for Clarinet on a Theme by Mozart (1818)
Clarinet & orchestra #2: "Là ci darem la mano"

"Let me take your hand"
Beatrice tells Dante
and lifts him to Paradise. Friday, August 22, 2008, 5:00 pm
Art Library Lobby, Stanford University
Dozens of colored art prints free on tables
I select four arts prints to take home

Renoir, "Alphonsine Fournaise" (1879)
Raoul Dufy, "Normandy Trees"
Zoltan Hecht, "Skaters"
Marguerite Zorach, "Autumn Colors" (1940)

Saturday, August 23, 2008, 8:46-8:56 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Gioachino Antonio Rossini
Turk in Italy Overture (1814)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Rossini's rousing
Overture catapults me
from sleep this morning. Saturday, August 23, 2008, 11:11 am
Mountain View: Ortega Ave & El Camino Real
Man restrains his labrador retriever on leash
as woman runs away from barking mad dog

Mad white dog lunges
at woman dressed like a witch—
now dog passes me by.

Saturday, August 23, 2008, 11:45 am
Mountain View: Ortega Ave & El Camino Real
Boarding Bus #22 that's an half-hour late

Everyone on this bus
is frowning— upset that bus
is an half-hour late! Saturday, August 23, 2008, 12:12 pm
Galvez Street, Stanford University
Walking by the Eucalyptus Grove

Star, cross, and crescent
from Eucalyptus as I walk
through this Holy Land.

Sunday, August 24, 2008, 10:54-11:00 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: James Ehnes plays Max Bruch,
Scottish Fantasy in E-flat major, Op. 46 (1880)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Forty minutes of soothing
music slipped by me
before I awoke. Sunday, August 24, 2008, 11:36-11:40 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: William Boughton
conducts George Sainton Kaye Butterworth,
Two English Idylls (1911), (Listen), CD, YouTube

He lost his life in
World War I but his music
enlivens us now!

Sunday, August 24, 2008, 4:17 pm
Portola Valley, Alpine Road
Friend takes me hiking at Windy Hill
July 4, 1999 Hike, Aug. 24, 2008 Hike

Bay Tree at entrance
of wooden bridge— Sentinel
to the Meadow Trail. Sunday, August 24, 2008, 4:17 pm
Portola Valley, Alpine Road
Friend takes me hiking at Windy Hill
July 4, 1999 Hike, Aug. 24, 2008 Hike

A giant oak archway
welcomes me forward
as white labrador passes by.

Monday, August 25, 2008, 10:32-10:42 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Jean-Yves Thibaudet
plays Frederic Chopin,
Polonaise in A-flat major "Heroic", Op. 53, (1842)
(Listen), CD, YouTube: Horowitz

Chopin's "Heroic"
Polonaise wakes me up
so I may get to work! Monday, August 25, 2008, 11:36-11:40 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Hilary Hahn
plays Johann Sebastian Bach,
Concerto For 2 Violins in D minor, BWV 1043 (1731), (Listen), CD, YouTube

Bach's Double Violin
Concerto enlivens me
to dance this morning.

Monday, August 25, 2008, 1:25-1:40 pm
Mountain View: Friend takes me grocery
shopping at La Fiesta Super Market

Bananas, broccoli,
red bell pepper, green onions,
and bunch of radishes. Monday, August 25, 2008, 1:45-2:00 pm
Mountain View: Friend takes me grocery
shopping at Safeway Super Market

Fish fillet, fish sticks,
muesli, banana nut cereal,
frozen corn, and red grapes.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 9:22-9:35 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johann Strauss, Jr.
Danube Maidens, Op. 427, (1887)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

The Danube Maidens
want to waltz with you—
so wake up and dance with them! Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 10:32-10:42 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Bedrich Smetana
Ma Vlast: From Bohemia's Woods & Fields, (1875)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

He lost three children
to Death, then lost his hearing—
composed this when deaf.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 7:30-10:10 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto: Otto Preminger
directs "Anatomy of a Murder" (1959) starring
Jimmy Stewart, George C. Scott, Lee Remick,
& Ben Gazzara, Music by Duke Ellington

Best court drama on film
with star performances by
Stewart and George Scott. Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 10:20 pm-12:02 am
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto: Richard Quine
directs "Bell, Book and Candle" (1958)
starring Jimmy Stewart, Kim Novak,
Jack Lemmon, Janice Rule, & Ernie Kovacs

Repeat performance
by Stewart and Kim Novak—
this time it's witchcraft!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 11:21-11:29 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Camille Saint-Saens,
Carnival of the Animals: #13 The Swan (1886),
(Listen), CD, YouTube

The serene swan swims
slowly in the lake— then spreads
its white wings and soars. Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 12:25-12:35 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,
Piano Concerto #20 in D minor, K 466, (1785)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

This Mozart music
is Beethoven's favorite—
so calm and soothing.

Thursday, August 28, 2008, 10:21-10:24 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Horowitz plays last concert:
Franz Schubert, (Listen), (CD),
Moment Musical #3 in F minor, Op. 94 (1823) (YouTube: Vladimir Horowitz)

Music for cartoons—
mice tiptoe to the kitchen
to steal some Swiss cheese. Thursday, August 28, 2008, 10:24-10:32 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludovico Einaudi
plays Ludovico Einaudi,
Divenire: Primavera (2007)
(Listen), (CD) YouTube

Effervescent—
the bubbling spring brings
fresh water, new ideas.

Thursday, August 28, 2008, Noon
Mountain View: Today is Goethe's
259th birthday— inspiration in
art, poetry, science.

Goethe's birthday today—
I honor his spirit for
inspiring me so much. Thursday, August 28, 2008, 2:00-5:00 pm
Art Library, Stanford University
Web page of photos & haikus
on Loch Lomond Hike (8-17-2008)

Twenty-six haikus
for my digital photos
that came out quite well.

Friday, August 29, 2008, 11:10-11:20 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Frederic Chopin,
Piano Concerto #2 in F minor, Finale (1830)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

Waterfall of bells
tinkling as the snow melts
in the wintertime. Friday, August 29, 2008, 6:30 pm
Mountain View: Friend asks me
"Is this all there is?" and Peggy Lee song
with this theme (Lyrics), YouTube

Is this all there is?—
What we see is just the tip
of a giant iceberg!

Saturday, August 30, 2008, 10:31-10:35 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johann Sebastian Bach,
Cantata #140: Sleepers Awake (1731)
(Listen), CD, YouTube

We're all asleep to
the spirit universe from
where this world appears. Saturday, August 30, 2008, 11:10-11:15 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: George Frederick Handel,
Water Music: Suite #1 in F major, (1717)
(Listen), CD, YouTube: Horowitz

Temperature in the 90's—
Pour Handel's Water Music
here to cool us down!

Sunday, August 31, 2008, 9:51-10:05 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Gordon Hunt plays
Domenico Zipoli (Listen) CD, YouTube
Elevazione "Ascension" (1716)

Ascend the Ladder
of Jacob with the Angels
for cosmic vision! Sunday, August 31, 2008, 10:05-10:10 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludovico Einaudi
"Two Sunsets" (Due Tramonti) (2003)
CD, (Listen), YouTube

Two sunsets remind me
this sun that we see is but
a metaphor for the Real Sun.

Sunday, August 31, 2008, 3:00 pm
Long Ridge, San Mateo County
Hickory Oak Trail Entrance
Long Ridge Hike & Haikus

Last day of August
near the end of summer
I step into Long Ridge. Sunday, August 31, 2008, 3:05 pm
Long Ridge, San Mateo County
Redwood tree at entrance
Long Ridge Hike & Haikus

Giant Redwood welcomes
me at the entrance gate
for today's nature hike.