Influential Yesterdays ©2013 Gary Garbett
My life is a record album. I have no top 40 radio singles, but the liner notes are extensive. An ever-growing list of thank-yous and special guests continue to make appearances in my unending swansong.
Winter Survival /
I have a list of favorite things that wrap themself around my life. Even after deleting a few of those faves from my youthful years, my list still stretches longer than I can reach.
Following last night’s wintery weather, I spent today’s lovely Saturday morning with a few of my listed items. Each of these faves played a big part in preparing my breakfast feast of egg, bacon, and mozzarella on thick cut fresh baked whole wheat bread; arugula, spinach, and avocado salad with balsamic and parmesan; navel oranges; and steaming pot of freshly ground java all accompanied by a soundtrack of Grover Washington, jr. arrangements.
It’s important to note that these are in no particular order of preference since each carries about the same weight of goodness in winter survival… or for any day.
cameras of various kinds
a spinning turntable
aromas from the kitchen
snow
hot coffee
warm socks
deli cheese
fresh produce
obedient pups (who also scored breakfast eggs for their good behavior)
bacon
more coffee
a record collection of 43 years
a flickering fireplace
me time
love of life
Old is New /
Old is New ©2013 Gary Garbett
Along with a handwritten note, a gift awaited me at my office yesterday. It was a morning of timely lost arts.
Motion of Peace /
Standing ©2013 Gary Garbett
Days from the last week were not for memorializing the bitters of the past, but rather a celebration of the forward motion of peace.
love of obedience /
Obedience ©2013 Gary Garbett
Over the past several weeks, I've spent a good amount of time working with our latest family addition. Without detailing the lists of new things that he's learning, it seems the best word to describe them all would be respect. Happiness, pride, dedication, and love each follow that "R" word pretty darn closely. Although he's not quite mastered all of his new skills yet, he's one happy boy who gets so excited with himself and absolutely loves doing the right thing. He also has a fond appreciation for peanut butter dog biscuits.
I think these past few weeks have been obedience training for myself as well. Perhaps I walk on two legs instead of four, but aside from those peanut butter treats, my list of things that make me the happiest aren't much different than Zero's. Good Boy.
secondhand beauties /
Today I submitted my proposal for my semester long independent study. Over the next five months I'll be capturing images with cameras from my personal assortment of film and instant cameras. Though they’ve not seen a roll of film in decades, each film camera in my collection is a secondhand beauty. I’m sure however with a new roll of film, each will find stories that they'll want to share. I'm happy to have saved them.
The essence and beauty of photography is found in its most physical and tangible medium. A photograph is story intended to be printed, held, displayed, and shared.
just a man /
Incognito ©2013 Gary Garbett
I've been incredibly fortunate to be lots of things in my life. Unquestionably, one of those things I'm most proud of was the younger version of myself as a youthful, dedicated, full on, wrap my world around it Dad. In my children’s bright young eyes, they made me feel like I was their superhero. In reality however, I was just a man, doing my best, with what I had at being Daddy.
With the kids well into their young adult lives now, those days have long passed. I still remember them though, even if I didn't get the chance to wear a cool cape or fancy boots. Those years were the most inspiring, creative, and loving times of my life. Super powers aren't just for comic book heroes.
Live life. It gives far more back when you do.
Liner Notes: A big thank you to my good friend Matt for tripping the shutter on this image.
silent celebration /
Yesterday I made a two-hour drive to say my goodbyes to a longtime friend. Most of my drive was spent listening to the silence of my thoughts equally balanced with the soft hum of the road. An overflow of memories was my co-pilot.
The emotional evening was a celebration of lives touched by a beautiful, spirited, and love filled woman. Selfishness always seems to get in the way when I unexpectedly lose a loved one. My thoughts are always the same, wishing I'd had the chance to say goodbye.
With fewer than twenty days marked from the calendar this New Year, most have been filled with unexpected love, including these past few days of recent loss.
A gorgeous bright moonlight assisted my headlights in lighting the long rural road trip home. Just as I had done earlier in the day, my co-pilot was once again the silence of memories, this time though, they were paired with many tears of love. A life’s celebration continues.