Paloma Mohn

  Queen of the Tank There’s one Amano shrimp in my tank who has become the true queen of the aquarium, and she’s always a joy to watch. Over time, she’s grown quite large, easily outpacing the others in size and presence. Whenever she emerges from her rocky hideout, it’s like she’s surveying her domain, gracefully gliding through the water with an air of confidence. Her natural coloration stands out beautifully amidst the other shrimp, which have all taken on transparent and brassy tones after mingling with the others in the tank. 

  This is a cozy and quiet spot!!! Zzzzzzzzz

 

From my lookout at La Paloma Observatory, I gaze west, Across Colina del Sol, to where the ocean rests. In sunsets’ golden glow, I sense you near, My sister Michelle, your absence so clear. I miss you dearly, your laughter, your light, In the hush of the evening, and the deepening night. The world feels colder, the days seem long, Without you here, where you belong. Yet in moments of quiet, a tiny bird appears, A hummingbird, bringing whispers of what I hold dear. In many lands, this bird is a sacred sign, A bridge between worlds, the spirit's design. Messenger of joy, of love, and light, With each fluttering wing, it lifts my plight. It dances with the sun, it drinks from the flowers, A symbol of hope in my darkest hours. Michelle, in every sunset, in the vibrant sky, In the hummingbird’s flight, I feel you nigh. Your presence in the twilight, a comforting grace, A reminder of love that time can't erase. I see you in the sunsets, the colors so bright, I feel you in the littl...

  The hallways here were reminiscent of those at the hospital where Michelle had received her care, so she told. The imagined similarities struck a painful chord within me, the déjà vu of sorrow. But amidst the clinical environment, a dark hallway led me to a sculpture. It was of thoughtful form, shaped by hands that clearly understood grief. The piece stood as a silent testament to loss and resilience. In front of this sculpture, I found an unexpected sense of calm. The hands that had created it seemed to hold my sorrow, allowing me to feel less alone in my grief. A wave of peace washed over me, mingled with sadness. I began to cry, a light smile forming on my lips as memories of Michelle's bravery filled my heart. I couldn't tell which came first, the tears or the smile. My sister had been so brave. Her strength and spirit lingered in my mind, a constant reminder of the transient nature of life. Michelle, I miss you every day. Life moves so quickly, in the blink of an eye, it...

  One of the nicest afternoons I’ve had recently was spent with my little buddy, Lucky, an African Grey parrot. I had bought her some Legos, intrigued by the idea of her playing with something that matched her intelligence and curiosity. It seemed perfect for her, so I couldn't resist. We set ourselves up in the living room, music playing, creating a chill atmosphere. Lucky perched beside me, watching intently as I opened the Lego box and spread out all the colorful pieces. She tilted her head, examining each part with keen interest, and I could tell she was excited for our project. As I started assembling the Lego pieces, Lucky eagerly began to 'help' in her own way. While I connected the bricks, she busily worked to disassemble whatever she could get her beak on. It became a playful tug-of-war, me putting parts together and her expertly taking them apart. We snacked on some treats in between, Lucky enjoying her bits of fruit while I munched on some crackers. Lucky’s enthu...

Desesperación a Alegría In a town called Salina Del Sol, Paloma and Lucky did appear, With dreams of a new home in their hearts, but also a hint of fear. They searched high and low, both near and far, For a place they could call their own, their shining star. Anxious and excited, they signed the dotted line, Hoping their new abode would be nothing but fine. But as they moved in, their joy began to fade, For everything was falling apart, a plumbing escapade. Water leaks galore, a very wet floor, It seemed like a nightmare, and they could take no more. Paloma was crying, Lucky was in despair, Their dream of a cozy home seemed beyond repair. But then, in the midst of their plumbing plight, While in San Diego, shining so bright, Celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chuck came to the rescue, what a discovery! With a gift of a new toilet, oh so grand, And Uncle Chuck, with loving hand, Installed it with care, and oh, what a thrill, To make working a toilet was qui...

A Slice of Despair In Colina del Sol, I bought a slice of despair, A condo painted in shades of deepest wear, Restless nights were the stars of my domain, Tired, anxious, yearning for a change's gain. I've dwelled in this place far too long, it's clear, The longing for a change, did I steer wrong here? Days stretch, long and sad, in hues of gray, Melancholy madness taints my thoughts each day. I struggle to grasp the present, it slips away, Living in the realms of what might come, I stay, Is this the final night in my confining flat? Does it really matter, in the grand scheme, just that? As the year's end nears, sadness upon sadness I fear, Lucky Girl, she ages, but life's song is what she'll hear, I'm aging too, aware of the sands that fall in time, Family's distant, not close enough in this rhyme. My sister, in my heart, her presence is clear, But I yearn for her closeness, her presence near, Will I miss this place, its melancholic grace? Or am I lost,...

In San Diego's bustling cityscape, Paloma sighed, A soul feeling weary, her spirit untied, Stressed and tired, finances a looming haze, Escrow woes and lease troubles in the maze. Dreams of a place where her heart could soar, Beyond worries and woes, where troubles wore, Longing for Lucky to find joy in the sun, Paloma yearning for peace when day is done. And in this tapestry of life's complex thread, A desire emerges, where hearts can be led, For me, a wish for comfort, a place to call mine, Amidst new adventures and paths that entwine. A tranquil night on the California coast, Paddle boarding, the waves in the moonlight engrossed, Tracking stars through a camera's lens, Infinite dreams and hopes that it transcends. Scaling mountains, reaching for the sky, A metaphor for life as years pass by, Yet amidst the journey, a wish to find, The warmth of family, hearts intertwined. To embrace depression as a storm that shall pass, Learning and growing, like blades of grass, In the...

 In a quaint tale of two weekends so fun, With the James family and Daddy-O, a divine time, Soccer games and victories, coach James' team soaring high, Undefeated they stood, reaching for the sky. On the field, young Seneca played with zest, Her knee took a tumble, a little scuffed and stressed, But she rose again, brave and strong, Determined to play, where she belongs. I'm  A stop at Vista point, such a scenic site, Lunch at Milton's Deli, oh what a delight, Then off to FreeFlight bird Sanctuary we'd go, Dad enjoyed it and made a generous donation. A leisurely drive along the PCH, The beach town's pass bye, a calming display. Games of Uno and a movie to share, Bonding with family, beyond compare. Sunday arrived, a birthday soon to come, Grandpa Mike and Senny, new tools what fun, Skillful hands, a budding toolkit's start, Fixing things together, a work of heart. Home again, reflections in the night, Grateful for moments, oh so bright, In the heart's memori...

  In Paloma's World In Paloma's world, where moments ebb and flow, She captures life in rhythms, soft and slow, With camera poised, she seeks the simple things, Yet yearns for tales that grander vision brings. In frames of daily life, she finds her muse, Recording scenes where most would just refuse, For though they seem mundane to other eyes, She sees the beauty truth often belies. A second, even third look she'll take, To find the details that the world forsakes, In overlooked minutiae, there's a grace, A world concealed, a secret hiding place. In capturing the missed, her heart takes flight, For in these moments, she finds pure delight, To Paloma, every speck and grain, Is like a note in life's intricate refrain. But hidden deep within her lens's gaze, There lies a well of grief, an endless maze, For she has lost a part of her own soul, Her sister gone, a gaping, haunting hole. The camera is her solace, a retreat, A way to manage loss, bittersweet, With each ...