Nathan Lowell (he/him) 📎

nlowell@zirk.us

Professional teller of talesI write the books I want to read but can't find.I will, on occasion, post the picture of a park, usually taken in the morning on the day of the post. I use the tag <a href="https://zirk.us/tags/tommw" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#tommw</a> for Talking On My Morning Walk, my somewhat daily podcast. I never post the link. The picture is the "first word" of the podcast and tells my listeners that the new episode is coming. They know how to find it. he/him<a href="https://zirk.us/tags/selfpublishing" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#selfpublishing</a> <a href="https://zirk.us/tags/sff" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#sff</a> <a href="https://zirk.us/tags/dailyhaikup

Posts

Post #4375376
a breath of fresh air cool before the day's dawning to refresh my soul #DailyHaikuPrompt
Post #4278680
A new day. A new chance to succeed. An early one. The kind that has me up well before the sun and not because it's midwinter. I'm looking forward to my walk before the sun gets too high in the sky. My list holds only wood and water tasks. The last week has been somewhat fraught with extra tasks. Jobs gone sideways. Things not working out very well. And now this unexpected boon. I hope I use it wisely. I hope you, too, catch a break or two #today
Post #4278660
nodding in the sun yarrow in a dusty lot filling in the gaps #DailyHaikuPrompt
Post #4150594
meteors streaking flashing in summer night's sky slow motion fireworks #DailyHaikuPrompt
Post #4113429
A new day. A new chance to succeed. Nothing new on the agenda beyond chop wood, carry water. I need to get back to writing. I've let the ideas slosh around in brain juice for months now and just need the spark to ignite a good, ol' fashioned writing binge. The kind where I disappear for a week or two, sinking into the fictional world spooling off my fingers. I can't seem to break free of reality just yet but the pressure is building. I hope you can do the thing that matters mos...
Post #4088962
buckets on the beach life is but a sand castle waiting for the tide #DailyHaikuPrompt #Senryu
Post #4061808
A new day. A new chance to succeed. Workman coming to repair some loose pieces of siding this afternoon. Not a big job. Just one beyond my capabilities. Many of the finicky bits of life are that way these days. I rely on younger, stronger, more knowledgeable people. Really, I've just had to own getting old. I don't have the strength or flexibility I need. But, contrary to dire predictions in my youth, I survived to get here. I'll take the win. I hope, at a minimum, you survive #...
Post #3987051
A new day. A new chance to succceed. Up before the sun. Only one extra task this afternoon. The rest of the day is mine. Will I spend it "wisely?" Will I spend it on "should?" Or will I seek joy in the living of it? I choose joy. Sure, there's wood and water. That one extra task. But in truth, I try to choose joy every day. Even if it's only stuffed between the cracks of the day. I hope you, too, choose joy #today
Post #3934428
A new day. A new chance to succeed. Struggling this morning after a poor night. It's been a while since I had one of those. Sure, sometimes they've been a little short on one end or the other. Last night wake-ups plagued me. No real lessons to learn or conclusions to draw. Some nights - like some days - are just like that. Meant to be endured rather than enjoyed. I'll be a bit groggy but a groggy morning is still a new chance to succeed. I hope your morning is clear and bright...
Post #3894325
sidewalks are broilers when every day's a cook out without a backyard #DailyHaikuPrompt
Post #3784248
A new day. A new chance to succeed. A second early morning in a row. I'm hoping to get out before the sun gets too high in the sky but that means getting a hustle on now while it's still predawn. I've one extra task for later but dealing with the summer heat will take some attention. I'm still a little yawn-y but I've fresh coffee and breakfast calls. It's enough to prime the pump and get the day flowing. Even if if sputters a bit at first. May your day start smoothl...
Post #3761279
scattered here and there buttercups in the meadow jewels in the grass #DailyHaikuPrompt
Post #3760709
A new day. A new chance to succeed. I've missed this predawn hour. The sun's not up yet and my corner of the world still sleeps. I feel like I'm sneaking in an extra hour. I expect I'll play a lot and read some. Might even crack open the word processor for a little writing fun. Been a while since I've done that. It's overdue. Mostly I plan to just let the day unfold and smile a lot. Whatever you do, I hope you have a little fun in your day #today
Post #3694995
Redefining "Wake and Bake" These loaves slept in the fridge overnight and went into a hot oven before sunrise this morning. #Bread #today
Post #3672396
A new day. A new chance to succeed. Up before the sun for a change. As satisfying as the lazy morning lay-a-beds have felt, I've been off balance. Like the day's half over if I sleep until 6:30. The sun will still beat me out to the sidewalk. It'll rise in about 10 minutes, but it won't have reached broiling levels by the time I get out there. The day just feels better and it hasn't even started. Weird. I hope your day starts from a good place #today
Post #3628162
baleful sun rising golden eye on parched landscape lighting up the dust #DailyHaikuPrompt
Post #3538902
A new day. A new chance to succeed. I got up and baked bread at 3am. Went back to bed at 4. Now I'm hustling to try to catch up with a day that feels out of control. The sun's been up 3 hours now. Walking outside will be a challenge. The longer I dither the worse it will be. But some things need to happen in the correct order or the day unravels in unfortunate ways. Looks like this is going to be a "suck it up, Buttercup" day. May your day start more smoothly #today
Post #3503630
hot night pressing down sweltering in sweaty sheets mosquito whining #DailyHaikuPrompt
Post #3457465
A new day. A new chance to succeed. I better get this day rolling. Up almost an hour, I still need to take a walk outside. It's not getting any cooler out there. Nothing much on the docket. A couple of low-key tasks which, honestly, will probably be pushed off until tomorrow. I'm feeling the need to write again. Finally. It comes like a stretching of the skin. An itch that no finger can scratch but a keyboard can reach. I hope you scratch an itch in your life #today
Post #3432615
A new day. A new chance to succeed. Nothing much on the docket this morning. A few routine tasks. A few I've already done. Few enough left on the list, if I can just focus long enough to do them. I've sourdough to play with later when the household wakes. Perhaps a special breakfast then, too. I have no idea what. But I've got a game to play, a book to read. Another that needs writing. Wood and water. I'm not too concerned with enlightenment. May you enjoy yourself at least...
Post #3316804
A new day. A new chance to succeed. A scattered day. What usually takes a few minutes has already taken nearly an hour. Just getting through my wake up routine feels impossible. But it's not. Trying to go faster? A trap. Slowing everything down. Checking on intent with each tick of my inner clock. Deep breath time. Remembering what I'm trying to do in the larger sense by focusing on the smallest. I have wood to chop and water to carry. May you find the focus that works for you #...
Post #2574003
A new day. A new chance to succeed. Oh, coffee, my coffee. You betrayed me in the night, but stand redeemed in morning&#39;s wat&#39;ry light. I made the mistake of brewing myself a single cup at dinner last night. Strong. Rich. Delicious. That one cup lasted until I realized - at bed time - I still nursed it. Caffeine at bedtime, slow dosed and dripped over hours. A poor night ended with the aroma of the morning drip. Resurrected. May you find the right cup for your day #today
Post #2573993
at long days ending distant thunder grumbles on raining somewhere else #DailyHaikuPrompt
Post #2365970
A new day. A new chance to succeed. The day&#39;s reading speaks to the conflict between ideal and actual. Desire and reality. The old chestnut about 10 years to become an overnight success plays into it. That the struggle matters more than the goal. Without it, you never reach the goal. That nobody achieves mastery in a day. Something worth doing, that you believe in, is worth struggling for. And, if once achieved, continuing to struggle. May your strength be up to the struggle #tod...
Post #2337817
A new day. A new chance to succeed. Nothing on my calendar beyond the daily wood and water. A leg rest day. No need for any trips out side. An early wake up has me appreciating my morning quiet. The last few weeks, I&#39;ve been sleeping much more, rising with the sun instead of in the tail end of night. Not actual quiet. The motors of modern life provide a background noise. One that seems comforting in these hours before dawn. May you find some quiet comfort in your day #today
Post #2337816
new season, new clothes summer&#39;s blossoming raiment dressing for success #DailyHaikuPrompt
Post #2337812
A new day. A new chance to succeed. Workman due this morning. A different crew tomorrow. The week will not end quietly but it will end. Eventually. Slow going on reviving my Practice. It improves a bit each day. Watching everything happening, I realize I&#39;m both privileged and blessed. Perhaps cursed with memories of better times that were never perfect and fears about what comes next. So I&#39;ll chop wood, carry water. Keep hope alive. May you find a kernel of hope in your...
Post #2337811
spreading spray and spume tall waves roar on rocky shores cresting with the tide #DailyHaikuPrompt
Post #2337810
A new day. A new chance to succeed. A quiet, recovery day after two days of workmen, blown schedules, and stress. A day to reset and start anew. Again. It happens. Not regularly, which is what makes it stand out. I don&#39;t notice the days that unfold quietly except when I remember to pay attention. Yet so many of them do. So I&#39;ll reset. Chop some wood. Carry some water. Maybe take a walk that&#39;s not on the schedule just because I can. I hope you can do something just...
Post #2290722
ancient oak tree lies moss covered log in deep woods forest feels no grief #DailyHaikuPrompt