I have already spoken about addiction, and now it is time to reflect on the end of summer, my daughter and the neighbor boy so fascinated with the three model rockets we had built in our kitchen never again to rub the stains of glue from mom's counter top. Daughter, young man of 8, and I took the rockets painted all red and blue to the empty school play area, welding rod launcher, and jetex wick in hand to shoot our constructions into the air above the school. I lit the first fuse, and blue rocket climbed about 200 feet above the building to glide into the parking lot with little effort. We experienced the same with the second model rocket, and the kids joyfully jumped into the grassy area behind the school to retrieve the second rocket, and then the third. Liftoff went fine, but the colorful yellow plastic parachute carried our creation into the trees separating school from houses. This finely decorated red projectile lodged up about 25 feet into thin branches. I somewhat haltingly offered the bow a quarter to shimmy up the tree and bring back the rocket from trees. This young man propped his arms and fists on hips, "What will you give me if I go half way up?" Let us not practice Ango and Jukai as I did last year for my first Jukai, and bargain to shimmy half way up the tree. I will never forget my daughter's disappointment as we walked away with only two rockets. Today, I had time, so rather than practice nothing, I practiced something most of the day. I know that not all have the luxury I have of retirement time, and still at age 65, I intend to make hay for the harvest, and find the middle way.
Tai Shi
std
Gassho
Tai Shi
std
Gassho
for positive poetry 優婆塞 台 婆
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