Petdad

I just added a new essay under Musings, “Now I Know”. I decided to write about the rather a-musing topic, I suppose, to help come to terms with something that occurs with age. I do notice everything, and the essay will give you insight into my degree of observation.

On Saturday there was an amazing display of clouds all day. Every time I went outside, there was different beauty to view. Check out the latest imagery in Sky.

Each and every day, although we may have a plan of sorts of what our day will entail. However, we really have no idea of what might occur. As such, we have no clue how a sequence of events could modify one’s plans.

New under the Musings tab is an essay just published titled, “I Think Her Name is Noel”. Check it out.

“How much time is left?” I hear this from my students often. My response to them, “Let’s worry about the here and now.” Yet, this question is one that is weaved into the fabric of who we are, and our place on this earth.

How much time is left? I for one, am glad that I don’t know that answer as it pertains to my life. Rather, not knowing puts me in a place where I can envision a glass that is perpetually half-full. There is so much more to say, and do. There is so much opportunity for anything and everything. Possibilities are endless.

If we are constantly ‘worried’ or concerned about the end of our time, then we do not allow ourselves the gift of the moment. Linear time as we know it is unforgiving, and therefore is always scribing what is immediately considered history.

There are immediate benefits to living your life for today. Embrace it. Do not wait…NOW is the time. Live.

Anyone with a creative mind, knows that he or she must always push the envelop of norm in order to grow. While my temporary shift in practice even has me intrigued, it may ‘say’ absolutely nothing to you. Navigate to my latest Sky update, and you decide.

Years ago, I penned the phrase ‘We do not stop, nearly enough, to observe the unobserved. -Sky’ I created that statement as I started noticing the beauty of clouds in our skies.

As I was drinking my AM Liter of water this morning this is what I saw.

There was only one light on in the kitchen where I stood as it was still early. The composition of the image is fascinating, complete with the semi-translucent cup and the shadow of fingers from my left hand. I always drink my liter of water in the morning, typically with the same lighting situation but I have never noticed such a visual phenomenon whole doing so. I knew I needed to capture this coolness in a pic. The only detail that I wish could have been included is the shadow of my right hand fingers as well.

It’s always interesting to entertain perceptions from a different perspective. What do you see? Perhaps a tunnel, a concert stage setting? Today, take time to observe the unobserved and allow yourself to see everything you have never seen before. Leave a comment if you are so inclined.

There is a wonderful young adult book titled book titled A Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray. The book is written by Newberry Honor author Ann M. Martin, whose reads are always winners. I have read this story to my students nearly every year. Written from the perspective of a dog who calls herself Squirrel, as she recounts events in her life that include her brother Bone, and a found friend Moon. The story has many applicable life lessons, complete with the highs and lows of daily life. Yes, you will experience a gamut of emotions as you read, but it will all culminate with a smile – I promise.

I was reminded of this story shortly after I awoke this morning, and saw the brightness of our post-Full Moon. It’s pretty incredible just how much an unencumbered view of the nighttime moon can produce so much reflected light. Especially on those super-clear nights when the air is kind of chilly, and the crispness of the stars and moon are spectacular.

I have always been mesmerized by the moon, and will often find it difficult to remove my gaze from it. To me, there is something powerful about the moon that draws me to it. I don’t know what it is but I can surely feel it.

We all know that the moon has actual effect on our planet that toys with Earth’s gravitational pull. We are most likely to see this effect at the ocean shore. I do not track the moon phases, but I am clearly affected by the moon during the height of it’s fullness. The added ‘energy’ is awesome, although it can also lower my patience cap thus increasing potential for personal crankiness.

We see it in our students. They don’t know when there is a Full Moon, or if the moon is Waning or Waxing, and at this stage in life they most likely don’t care. However, just as crime in society rises during those few days of the cycle, so does the frequency of schoolyard shenanigans. For the most part, we see a heightened level of excitement. While this is perfectly fine, the teacher must be ready to be a part of the frenzy. Fun, yes. Challenging, yessss!

I added a photo today to the Sky page, taken just over three years ago. Ever since I was a kid, I have always thought that I was very close to the act flying. The idea absolutely fascinated me. So much so that I tried and tried, and tried to actually fly. I can still relive the exhilarating emotion of what it must feel like to fly. When I looked closely at this sky image, I felt as if I was flying in and through the clouds. Imagining the cool (I’m sure rather cold) atmosphere, as I speed through the air…just me and the beauty of Sky.

Years ago in the mid 1980’s, when ‘fitness’ and ‘working out’ had become super popular, mega gyms were opening up everywhere. I guess society needed this at that time, because it was all about ‘the look’. Remember Jordache jeans? Oh my!

This movement in health and fitness and ‘the look’ was, at least in my view, aimed at people in their 20’s. I think at that time even 30 was regarded as ‘old’, at least in my mind. No, no, no… I wasn’t even going to watch Thirty-Something on TV, I couldn’t relate.

I did join a 24-hour gym however and decided to do something with the look of my physical body. As a kid I was always a little thick, especially when was in upper elementary. I remember being devastated when I found out that I weighed the second most in the entire school. I knew that because there was a very large guy in my grade level who was very funny and really nice. Not that I was huge, because I wasn’t, but I was definitely ‘Husky’ and I was also rather short.

Once I finally grew taller in late Junior High and High School, I most definitely ‘stretched’ and soon became the antithesis of husky. Now I was skinny and loved it. There would be no way I would ever be thick, or husky again in my life if I had any control over the matter.

The people who worked at the gym were actually there to help you, and they cleaned all the time. The equipment and facility was maintained and immaculate. Gym staff always wore matching shirts with some kind of motivating phrase on it. The shirts and phrases would change from time to time to keep things current but there was one phrase that was once worn and it has stuck with me to this day.

You are either striving to make yourself better, or allowing yourself to get worse.

Hold on to that one, and make your own decision on which option is best.

I added three new pages this weekend. One is found in the I Remember tab, one can be found in Art Center, and the third page is found in Sky.

I am finding that self-reflection creates it’s own cause and effect situation that can go on and on like a cable-knit sweater. The more I write, the more I want to write. The more I reflect on ‘stuff’, the more I find myself reflecting on… stuff.

This all reminds me of a book I read for the first time about 30 years ago. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pursig. The book title is intriguing enough to want to know more, but the message and meaning of the story is one that brings the reader into the life of a man and his relationship with his son. It’s quite a great read and I have re-read it several times since. The main character is always pondering, always looking deeper into thought and action that underlies personal essence of being.

Although I do not ride a motorcycle, I do ride a Vespa electric scooter to my workplace. Adding this change in my daily routine has afforded me with even more time to reflect, which is really great. No radios and no phone calls. Just me and my thoughts.