Category: Uncategorized

Wanders in Nature

IMG_2015.JPG
img_2079
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

FullSizeRender (4).jpg
10.13.17
FullSizeRender (3).jpg
10.12.17
FullSizeRender (2).jpg
10.03.17
FullSizeRender (1).jpg
10.01.17
IMG_9110.JPG
06.25.17

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!


Z

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

Z

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

Z

 

Fall Sweets



Earlier this week, I received an unexpected present from a sweet lady at the bank. I was making a deposit for work and the friendly face behind the counter lit up when I walked up. She reached under the counter and revealed a bag of M&M’S. Being a person who appreciates both gifts and sweets, my face also lit up when she handed it to me.

She and I had been discussing, days before, this limited-edition fall flavor and I had mentioned that I never heard of such a thing. But, I also asserted that I find great joy in trying things I’ve never tried before; I think she might have taken it as an oppurtunity to introduce a new flavor of a popular candy into my life. So very sweet!

Taste-wise, are they my new favorite thing to ever hit the shelves? Maybe not. The pecan pie taste is subtle and not everyone I shared them with was smitten. But, they are a fun reminder of today’s change of seasons and I am always a fan of autumn. I will also always be a fan of trying new things. When it comes to comfort zones, I think it’s a good practice to reach past our personal boundaries from time to time and to at least taste a bite of something new—even if it’s only seasonal. I think I’ll grab another handful of M&M’s now.

Z

Never Enough

Never Enough

I want all the best for you
Would give all I have to you
But, it never seems to be enough

When I think of all I’ve tried to do
Dressed you up, gave so much to you:
Money
Time
Pleasures
Treasures
They were never enough

At times, you wanted more than I had
A piggy bank with an endless tank
With tired eyes I tried to say,
“It will never be enough”

I watched you walk away today
I thought of all I want for you
And how much I do love you
Still giving what I can to you,
I just hope, someday, that you might say,
“It was always enough”


Z

 

Weeds are Pretty

IMG_1555.JPG

Weeds are Pretty

Weeds are pretty,
Just like any flowers
Maybe a little more wild and free,
Living where they please

The rain falls down,
Dirt settles on the ground
Not at all lacking, they’re solid,
Colorful, intact, and pure

Bees, birds, and insects
Need what they gladly share
So much to be discovered—
The splendor that is theirs

So, go right ahead, pretties
Never change, please stay this way
The whole world is your garden
Such a stunning display

Z

Surprise Greeting from Google Maps

Screen Shot 2017-08-29 at 10.18.10 AM.png
A few weekends ago, my dad and I were at a truck rental agency in Cincinnati, OH. We were headed to the house my grandparents bought 57 years ago. With my Grandpa having passed away a couple years ago and my Grandma in a nursing home, the house is now for sale and we needed to get our things. My dad asked me to bring up the directions on my phone.

Knowing the address by heart (I can recall addresses and phone numbers from my childhood better than those of today), I typed it into Google Maps. The map appeared, along with a small photo of the house at the bottom left of the screen. The Street View provided a nostalgic glance at the house I knew in my heart I might be going to for one of the last times— if not the last time. I clicked on the screen with my thumb and enlarged the image.

There he was, my Grandpa Ed, sitting on the porch with his legs crossed, in one of the two Cracker Barrel rocking chairs my parents gave him and my Grandma for Christmas many years ago! I couldn’t believe my eyes. How in the world had the Google Maps Street View driver managed to capture him at this exact moment? Then, I realized Grandpa was probably in this same position every day and I was just lucky an update of Burch Avenue had not already occurred.

Modern technology can be so strange, at times. But, there are definitely moments when you can’t help but just be thankful for the ways it provides moments of awe and gratitude and maybe even an unexpected hello from a deceased relative. For me, this was one of those moments.

Z