Virginia Commonwealth ...

dependent on independence and cookies /  by admin

©2011 gary garbett.com
As I've become older, my day to day has become busier, yet simple and my value of time is more precious than ever before. Days have never been long enough, though I make a daily effort to achieve the almighty time management balance with a far too long to-do list. This isn't a new discovery, just the facts of my independent, over achiever; need to be better than yesterday character.

My dogs are independent as well. Sort of. At least until I wake up and greet them in the morning, or when I walk in from my day at the office when they happily welcome me home, or until they hop into the truck for a ride through the countryside to the landfill, or until they become my dedicated kitchen helpers. They also have a tendency to loosen their independent nature just after letting them out before I call it a day and head to bed for a few hours of sleep. After doing their business, they rush back in from the star filled darkness and the chirping of crickets as I close and lock the door behind them. Sitting patiently near their cookie jar, side by side, they wait for my goodnight talk followed by their regimented peanut butter biscuit.

Independence has its moments and I bask in them often. At other times my independence seems to include others. This happens to make it not nearly so busy or even independent. The balance is welcomed.

61 mph and her name /  by admin

©2011 gary garbett.com

It's been nearly two years since my mid century mark and the celebratory used MINI Cooper purchase for having survived and lived that long. I've never had more people ask, "what's her name?" than with any other car I've ever owned. As if I don't have other things to be concerned with in my life, I've spent numerous hours over the past two years attempting to have an answer for the next person that asked. Nothing ever seemed quite right. In the mean time, the nameless six speed silver bulldog rests most days, sometimes months, under a car cover for fear of getting dusty.  Yes, I'm just like that and I never wanted her to be an everyday car. She's special and I plan to keep her that way. Now that I'm older and everyone has their day to day life to live, I have several friends that are kinda like that car. I rarely see them, but when I do, it's always a special reunion. The biggest difference is that all of my friends have names. She still doesn't.

With summer winding down, my 6AM morning commute today couldn't have been much better. It included a rare drive in the MINI, a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee, an open roof with stars and a crisp breeze, and a stellar soundtrack from the cd that I picked out as I headed towards the door, Derek and the Dominos. That was it. The stars aligned at 61 mph while I sang to the Clapton classics, pausing only for another sip from the steaming mug and to turn up the volume a notch or two. Hell, maybe even three. The wait was over and she finally has a name. Layla.

Perfect, now to find a project for my upcoming year 53.

fortunes of good graces /  by admin

©2011 gary garbett.com

I had a visit from UPS yesterday. It was a fabulous day. In addition to the driver and I having a really great conversation about living healthy, family, and attempting to outlive the short lifespan of our "passed away far too young" fathers, he also delivered my new Olympus E-5. My two crazy, life loving pups ran around the yard showing off as the two of us stood in the gravel lane and talked for several minutes. After about five minutes and with more deliveries on his route to make, we brought our talk to a close. I thanked him, shook his hand, and returned the favor by sending him away with a package... a bag of freshly picked tomatoes from my garden.

An hour or so later, I received a phone call from a longtime friend who I hadn't spoken with since her husband's memorial service last year. I'd been thinking about her quite a lot lately and it sounded like she's been moving forward with things pretty well since we last spoke. During our conversation, she asked if I could visit sometime to assist her with some computer issues she's been having. Without even looking at my calendar, I asked if today would work for her. I'll be stopping by to see her on my drive home from the office this afternoon. I may even pack a bag of tomatoes for my visit.

I scouted and reviewed the reports on my new camera for nearly a year before finally making the purchase. It really is a beauty and a phenomenal piece of equipment, but with all of my anticipation of it's arrival, it just wasn't the highlight of my Wednesday. It delights me at how the little things like a brown bag filled with garden picked tomatoes or a jar of homemade pickles can soothe the soul. Combined with a few minutes of genuine, honest conversation and you have something far more valuable than any cardboard box could ever hold. Sincerity is simply golden.