I seem to be going through a photography phase. It's nothing serious, really. I'm just using my phone to take pictures when nature's beauty seems to jump out at me. I have an actual camera somewhere. (My son borrowed it, but though it made the trip back from college, I'm not sure where it landed.)
Nothing planned, nothing posed. More of an, "Ooh, I'd like a picture of that." Perhaps since I've returned to enjoying the beauty of the written word I'm more sensitive to visual beauty, as well. (See what I thought of the last book I read here.) Or maybe it's part of my renewed awareness of the simple magic in everyday life (which I acknowledged to myself here). Of course, springtime is filled with beautiful imagery. We'll see if I can remember to notice the beauty when the snow is covering the ground, too.
My son has been taking art and design classes. Maybe I figure if he can expand his horizons in that direction, so can I. One of my best girlfriends has picked up her acrylics again after several years and is rediscovering her love of painting. Maybe the idea of finding another creative outlet has rubbed off on me.
Whatever the reason, it makes me happy. These aren't award-winning photos. They won't be in a show or a gallery (though some have made it to my Facebook page). But they've captured some beautiful moments for me. And it can't hurt to catch and hold onto beauty when you find it.
I wasn't going to write a post today. I can't send him good wishes and love in person, by phone, or through the mail. (I do try to blog for him every Christmas though.) But then a few random thoughts popped into my head. Perhaps he's nudging me...
I do love and miss my dad. As I think is often the case, I probably didn't realize the depth of our connection until after he passed away. But there wasn't any unfinished business between us. I know he loved me, and he knew I loved him.
I realize, however, that some people do not love, don't have contact with, or maybe don't even know their father. A strained relationship...or no relationship.
But good or bad, your dad (and mom, too) had an effect on who you've become. You either learned how to be the person you want to be, or discovered what you don't want to be. Positive or negative, your dad is part of what makes you...you. You can thank him or blame him. But you have to admit that as an adult, what you do with that information is up to you. It's your identity, under your control.
I'm glad I had a dad who pointed me in the right direction.
And I had one more thought; this one actually came to me as I was falling asleep last night. I was fortunate enough to have my dad for 47 years. Years before me, however, was a sister I never met, and who was only able to spend moments with my parents. If I feel a twinge of sadness that my dad isn't here to be honored on this holiday, I can remember that he's getting a chance to catch up on lots of missed time with another one of his babies. And they both deserve that.
Happy Father's Day, Daddy!
03/03/32 - 12/12/10
I feel pretty good about my efforts to get back in the habit of reading on a regular basis. I'll admit I'm not reading every day, but I am picking up a book several times a week. Reading is good for you and fun, too (if you're doing it right)!
Early this year, I reread Dracula. (I wrote about how proud I was of myself here.) This spring, I finished one of my Sherlock Holmes collections. (More pride in myself here.) And this was all part of my deliberate attempts to enjoy the pleasure to be found in a good book. (Happily, I didn't give up after I read some so-so stories.)
After Sherlock, I wasn't sure which direction I should take next. Should I stick with the "classics" that I already own and probably read years ago in college? Should I find out what my friends are reading? Or perhaps I should just randomly choose something more modern at the library. So many choices!
As it happens, my son had just finished a book and he was anxious for me to give it a shot. I wasn't sure what to expect from a book titled Mogworld with what looked like a zombie on the cover. Hmm, there's also a bunny rabbit on the cover. This could be interesting. I was also hesitant because I'm not a gamer, and I don't think I fit into many of the target-audience categories. (The author, Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw, reviews games in a video series titled Zero Punctuation on escapistmagazine.com.)
I have to say, however, that I was pleasantly surprised. It opened at a magic school, but this is no Harry Potter wannabe. Add a necromancer and hijinks ensue. No, really...hijinks, antics, and mischief. There is also adventure, and a major plot twist that completely caught me off guard. I snickered, chuckled, and laughed (or at least smiled) on virtually every page. The style reminded me of Douglas Adams (though no one is really in the same category as Adams). I could also imagine it as a movie in the style of Mel Brooks. There are certainly some adult situations and language, but it wasn't enough to bother or offend me.
I may not be the audience for whom he was aiming, but he hit the target nonetheless. (See what I did there? "Aiming"? "Target"? Give me a break. It's late and I amuse myself.) I admit it: It actually held my interest and made me eager to find out what was going to happen next.
I'm glad I tried something new. And I'm glad I'm rekindling my joy of reading.
What have you been reading lately?
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