I was looking out my window the other night. I have a nice view of the lake from my living room window. I was watching the dark water, the way that the wind forms waves, it seems so mysterious to me. As one who grew up around water and in a state where going to the lake was a regular summer activity I have always felt a kinship with the waves. Now as I observe them on a regular basis I am again, again struck at the beauty of the water. The ability of the waves to continue to suprise and delight. The lake that I observe now is big enough to be effected by currents and home to large ships, that makes it even more mysterious to me.
Being used to the smaller lakes of my youth, ones you could swim across at their widest points, I am awestruck at the massiveness of the body of water that I now call my own. Even on my worst days, when I am tired, worn out, angry, and just generally fedup with the world I can take in the simple beauty of the lake and feel better.
I long for the breaking of spring and the onslaught of summer so that I can walk along it's shores feeling the sand between my toes, I've never been much for sandles however I look forward to doning a pair this summer and walking along the shore to feel the sand in my toes.
I am awaiting a time when I can take my painting to the shore and allow inspiration to find me. So this write up has been my simple tribute to my secret love, the lakes and streams and oceans of this floating rock we call a planet.

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines day! This most corporate of holidays where we are required to be romantic. As a bonified hopeless romantic I'am insulted that our society tries to tell us when we have to be romantic. However I am not so stupid as to stiff my girlfriend, I got her a gift expressing my love because you know that old saying "Happy wife Happy life" but I also send her cards and flowers throughout the year just to express to her my love and and effection. That is the advice I would give to others, especially men who are so worried about getting the right gift for Valentines day. If you express your love and be romantic the rest of the year. She will give you more breathing room on this corporate holiday. I hope St. Valentine can't see how is name is being used!

Something to ponder

I was thinking the other day about how short life really is. I recently turned 28 and I must say that It seems to have gone by in a blur. Therefore I can deduce that the next twenty eight will go by just as quick. Before I know it I will get up one morning, go into the bathroom to shave and realize that I'm an old man. That I have less steps ahead of me then I do behind me, and I know that I will feel sad about that. But I just hope that after I feel sad I then feel happy about the choices I made. The fun I had, the things I saw, the places I went and the people I loved.

I'm not going to say "Live life to the fullest!" or "Make everyday count" because those are sayings that by there very nature we dismiss because of there simplicity.
What I would say is do what I try to do, because thats all any of us can do is try. Try not to wait to die, but try to live in order to make your death meaningful. Because a death is owned by all who live. But all who live sometimes never have a life.

So I hope that when I do "Give up the Ghost" that I can go with a smile on my face. Knowing that I at least tryed to give my all at my turn on this blue rock.