October 2017 – ZACDAQ

Witchy Days

Today is Halloween. Recently, I had a revelation about witches. During this time of year, you can find them everywhere — in stores, as decorations on porches, kids in costumes going up and down the streets in pursuit of candy (“Trick or treat!”) — but, I can’t help but wonder, could witches really exist in real life?

I believe they do. The reason I write that is because there is one thing that I have grown old enough to understand about life: The true magic happens when hard work, focus, and dedication are put to good use. When these three ingredients are put into a cauldron, a spell can be cast. And the real magic happens.

There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to be reminded to be strong and to pick up our broomsticks and to just keep flyin’. Do your magic! After all, no one ever faulted a good witch for tryin’. So, Happy Halloween, witches! Sending love and all my best wishes.

Dedicated to Elizabeth Seurkamp (09/06/1926 — 10/14/2017). I had the good fortune to call her my Grandmother.

Wanders in Nature

With the assistance of my talented graphic designer in NYC (Liz Daggar), my second book of poetry and photography has been released. I have attached two reviews of Wanders in Nature (WiN) below and a link to purchase a copy. My hope is to inspire readers to step outside and notice the beauty that is out there, waiting to be found.

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/naturewanderer

By Cathy Norwood
Oct 28, 2017

This book is like the perfect cup of coffee, striking, comforting, and reminiscent of things I have felt, smelled, tasted before. The photos speak volumes on their own, some stunning and some haunting, but paired with poems that invite us right into Zac Gilbert’s heart and soul, the combination is intoxicating. He seems to capture beauty in details I might look right over and completely miss. To me, his photos are a quiet reminder to slow down and look around. I sat down to read/look at a few pages and I found myself soaking up each page to the end. These will be my coffee table books for the foreseeable future!

By Brianna Ross
Oct 29, 2017

These books are so inspiring! The pictures make you want to go outside and look at the world around you. The poems are perfectly paired with the creative pictures! Zac really knows how to turn something you normally wouldn’t notice into something amazing. I highly recommend these books if you are looking for a work of art! Each time I look at them I notice something new.

An Avocado Tree

I have tried growing an avocado tree a few times and have finally had some success. I started this one in May and potted the little tree yesterday. The process has taken patience and a bit of faith. As my friend Debbie put it, when I sent her a photo of the first leaf, there is perseverence to be found here– as is often the case with nature.

Here are a few tips that I did figure out with my tree:

Change the water once a week to prevent mold
Use toothpicks! Don’t get too creative when suspending the pit
Needs moderate sunlight
Don’t give up!

A Vine Grows

A Vine Grows

Sliding up timeworn panels
Of the old wooden fence,
A vine can be found
In places fresh life is needed,
The winding and the climbing
Do not stop

Up and up,
Toward the sky
From roots up to the ends
A vine is growing,
Keeps right on going,
On a beaten track

October Breezes In

Traveling at high speed, 2017 seems to be flying by. I find it hard to believe the time for pumpkins (I simply adore the tiny ones) and all the fall decor has arrived. But, I do embrace the change. The season really conjures up a flock of memories — and my sweet tooth always manages to crawl its way out of the grave. Oh, the candy!

Here’s a witchy little thing I wrote earlier, for fun:

I’ll escape from the state that I’m in
Then you’ll ask, “Where the hell have you been?”
I did search for you,
But, what could I do?
You were off, cackling on your broom