Ninepatch OnLine Magazine

PUBLIC TRANSIT MUSINGS Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 2002 Old express buses awesome with the double swinging-hinge middle, the old smell of leather ancients. These transits are ghosts, no air-conditioning, and I’ll tell you what else is awesome – elderly woman bent over toddling, her shuffling, white hair with clutch purse carried in hands, whose shirt reads […]

Beauty is everywhere! And now and again Sometimes when You least Expect it. Thank you, God. Simon Stargazer III (Feb.’20) says, “I used to carry a Cannon camera everywhere. Now my phone has taken over with almost instantly-sent pictures. (I miss the quality and editing abilities though.) My favorite subject is God’s beauty expressed in […]

The nice thing about Pets, They have no political Affiliation, No preferences of Candidates, Limited their likes, To which Dry or wet food, Adamant about Treats, (you would Think they could read Labels), Love they give Indiscriminately, Unconditionally, Not Needing to be Analyzed, No marriage counseling Is needed— The issues we question Focuses narrowly on […]

We??need to ??update our ??door to the past,??to look for the beauty,??wisdom and strength that ??we can find in our past memories,??associations and learning experiences.? ?And share the good stuff all around now!? ???????? Simon Stargazer III (Jan.’20) adds, “When I wrote these lines, it had just suddenly struck me while I was puttsing around Facebook […]

First cup Of coffee, Throat warmed, Slowly downed, Or forgetful – I …might set it Aside … Or Have a second cup, Stirring up aliveness, …Open door …sit On the patio … make …my list, …in changing shades Of greys, Everything a-stirring …when you have A cup of coffee … to rely on. Gayle Bluebird […]

Sun shines through Morning chill, Jacket on, I hear Chir-up, chir-up From a tree. Pink cherry blossoms Reach for gold in the sky. And live oaks still hold shiny brown leaves. Spring! But not quite. Calendar says, “February” And gray Spanish moss hangs from the trees like Christmas tinsel Proving it’s weather in My Gainesville […]

While it’s what’s inside your brain And wants to get out that counts, What, where, when, how And with whom you share – Can be more important, Dontcha’ know? Simon Stargazer III (Dec.’19) adds, “I learned two important things at an early age. Most importantly is to put my mouth in neutral long enough to […]

Wish for all of us—Save questions for laterYou already have theAnswersTo life— You can’t changeWhat already is— Gayle Bluebird (Dec.’19) adds, “We are always looking for answers, to what happen-ed before to what happens next.  We cannot change things but life moves us along and we have to accept what is and what was.”

A friend repeatedly recommended the book The Art of Racing in the Rain. While it is a beautiful and charming and soulful story told by a dog, it really tugs at the heart. Racing is also about auto racing as a metaphor for life. It provoked reflection and thought, and I love Garth Stein for […]

Perspective is your filter on reality– Every individual has his own,And that affects what He hears you say. Simon Stargazer III (Nov.’19) adds, “I tend to think a lot about perspective and points of view… especially where mine differs from others. In those cases, I try to be understanding, or at least tolerant.”