Shrouded Shore: The Many Musings of Thom Singleton

  Peace Peace of mind creates peace in the world. Be a peacemaker. Bring peace to everyone you encounter. Start with the one in the mirror. 

  Changing Light The low arc of the winter sun shines a light on places shaded in summer but now displayed. In the new light the stout old maple appears quite able of lifting its burly arms, a great weight. The leafless woods is streaked with the lowered light, revealing daily its main denizen, deer. The birds, it seems, shine brighter now, especially the reds of the cardinals and woodpeckers. Even the tiny red squirrel has his tail set ablaze when he holds it up to the sun’s rays. The sun’s lower angle makes many a bangle even in the woes of winter.

  Life…You Have a Better Alternative? Life, live it to the fullest Not in a destructive sense In an affirmative one One that first probes the question, “Why am I here?” Then brings into being the answer Taking the raw materials of inherited traits and life learning and forging a new  life Will it be one of service?                      of attention to the plight of others?                      of concern for their well being?                      of enjoyment of their similarities and differences?                      of utilizing my being here for the betterment o...

  Winter Sun At its smallest arc way south, winter solstice Up, if you can call it that, only about ten hours a day 8AM now, and it’s finally burning through the trees Come back north, Sun, we love you here More so than in the southland where they take you for granted Listen, the sun hears us, it’s already on it’s slow journey north A little longer, a little higher arc in the sky Until it’s over the top in midsummer Our gardens and trees and wild places thank you, as do we, For making your return trip   

  Olde English Translated As one who writes, I now, with expressions that will be in ink, will create poetry. Wonderful! The rustling of the trees sounds like a whistling flute in the unsettling wind. This wind foreshadows the weather and anticipates a large snowfall, covering old patches of snow. Listen to the wind. It is not one to joke. It tells truth not banter, surely a loud whisper meant  to be heard. Do not be one who wishes to trouble himself by going abroad in the town.  The snow will fly everywhere, and you will lose your way, stuck in the street all night.

  A  Weather Warning in Olde English Saith wordpecker me, with terms of inkhorn I eftsoons will poeteeze rhyming-ware. Woonkers! The wuthering of the tree limbs about be as a wiffler in the wee-wow wynd. The wynd is a weatherwiser that speaketh of snow-blossoms to come. Soon multitudes will fall, covering old snow-bones. Listen to the wynd. It is not one to skybosh. It tells truth not scaum, surely a pig’s whisper. Do not be a seeksorrow by going abroad in the towne. The snow will fly round and square, and nightfoundered you’d be a key of the street. 

  Name the Ramponi Family Cousins A sailor, a fine woodworker, and a dad to two teenage boys  A high school teacher whose students can gain college credit, and a double daddio (two boys) An interceptor of would-be kidnappers and a dad to three little people A guy who loves trading cards and who melts you with a smile A hospitable and outgoing mom residing with her husband and two kids in the Twin Cities area A mom who, with her husband in Great Britain, dance to keep up with their dancing daughter A newly married natural food maker and baker An RN who is a tower of power for his two little sons  Another RN, an award winner and mom to two itty bitties, a boy and a girl A store worker who also does his many chores around the family farm

   Gratitude for My Son and His Keith Straight shooter What you see is what you get What you get is pretty special Great Dad  Builder of dreams Aesthetic sense Maker of beauty Smooth sailor in life, even in rough waters Great son A man whose sons are lucky to have him Kai Artist Writer Big brother Sparkling personality Kidder Hot tubber Footballer Doer  Organizer of fun A brilliance rising on the horizon Connor Merry trickster Card player Big little brother Artist Video gamer Hot tubber Food lover Put the fridge on the stove, Connor’s coming A good buddy A smile you can see for a mile

  Thanks for Being You Thanks to… Aaron A tower of power In front of his college-credit class, a teacher of the best Appleton has to offer As a Dad, a model of what is important in life A model of love Amy A woman of many talents A teacher of long-standing, one who will be remembered by her students for her resolve for their betterment As a Mom, one who knows how to love her children, and does so with aplomb For Aaron, their kids, and us grandparents, a great cook as well! George At eight years old, a reader, like Mom, of many books A football player A big brother to August A good student, how could he miss with parents like his? August At five years old, a builder of legos A super hero A happy fellow A boy with a great future ahead of him 

   Haiku: Our Wilderness Friends Teeth inspection time The dentist says, “Open wide.” Easy for ‘gators Saw one far away A Yellowstone grizzly bear It was close enough! Ponds bring in wildlife Saw two beavers at their pond Then also, two moose River otters play Play near the bow of our canoe On Isle Royale Coyote crossing In the meadow and the woods Our front and back yards We have “daily deer” We’re one stop on their food run They love our bird seed They’re tiny squirrels But they’re not as squirrely They are called chipmunks A giant elephant In Nepal the males roam free Except when they mate Paddling our kayak Paddling the Intracoastal Paddled with dolphins Those were killer whales And not killer as in cool But as in dead meat In Olympic Park Mountain goats showed us the trail To the Park’s highest point California coast Seal with a trunk for a nose An elephant seal Elk were in the dunes And also in the mountains Diverse habitats Our lone opossum Tried to make our deck her ho...