I have written before about how the singer songwriter Bob Franke said that his songs sometimes came to him in dreams. This morning in that moment between sleep and wakefulness, I was blessed with a visual and a first line, and it’s high time. I had a run of poems a while back, haiku in particular. It’s always only a moment, so I am glad to see the inspiration return, if only for just this moment.

Sand grains cross the moon
Birds in formation far off
We stay to observe

It is an image at some level given to me by Geoff Bartley’s “Sanderlings.” Speaking of the migration of these tiny beachcombers migrating a mile high, he intones “Someone with a night telescope might see them as fine grit streaming across the face of the moon.” Still, I hope you enjoy.

A perfect recipe for February: it’s American Heart Month, freezing cold temperatures are the norm and for Catholics, it’s time to give up meat on Fridays.
This ingredient list may have a few vegetables that you’ve never tried before, but I encourage you to step outside of your iceberg lettuce and baby carrots safety zone, especially if you have any finicky family members that “don’t like vegetables.” You just might find something they like!

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, diced
3 cups peeled and seeded butternut squash, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium parsnip, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large sweet potato, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes, undrained
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, diced
1 tablespoon…