Looking up…
Like many I went out into my yard to witness the solar eclipse… I was not in a good location so I did not experience a total block of the sun. The most amazing thing is that I appreciated little things like bugs and flowers and watching birds. So the day was great after all.
When typeing out my frustrations, most of the time I would just take out the paper and toss it; I felt better and that would be the end of it. Today I kept my words because I realized the advantages of having to take the time to pull out the piece of paper, scan it then upload it. Unlike just type and press and the world see’s your thoughts without benefit of any reflection by the author. Not that reflection stops all things better off in a trash can.
What I mean is I learned one thing about my manual typewriter effort my complaints are not earth changing and that is a good thing… and perhaps it is better to think my thoughts are not set in stone and only on paper. In the time it took to process these words I have time to reflect on just saying: “Have a good day everyone” have joy where you can find it… thank you for your time. On twitter I would have run out of space…
When I look back on the films of Sidney Poitier I view a positive possibility of what America is. The high road toward the future with hope and steadfastness and a big heart for others.
It use to be that around 350 miles on my bicycle was when long distance riding became fun; up to that distance it was a grind and just getting in shape. This year I had to reach 500 before I felt happy every mile I rode and the next day started with a smile instead of a groan thinking about getting on board a bike. How lucky I am to still have the ability to enjoy the day.
During the past week my Uncle (94) saw the light and moved on to another place. He had spoken of seeking work far away… I felt that as his soul rose up for future employment the calming breeze that angle wings generate reminded me of calm interactions; quiet strength and examples adults once set.
A new car…. at least for me is a commitment of 7-10 years. I look to what and where I will be on the road into my early 70’s and I find I still think to going along back roads and far off places to see the wonders of America!
We live in a time when other’s want to know what we think; but only if it is a yes/no answer. We agree with the question or we do not. My problem is often the question… I question the question and wonder how yes or no is a true answer!
After taking the survey I was asked to make a contribution… my ego is such that my insights and knowledge is a better contribution than money.
I learned to drive a car on a 1962 Ford. It had power windows, power steering and brakes. A 3 speed automatic transmission, AM radio and no seat belts. It was my fathers car… and all these years later I still think of my father when I go looking at new cars. My father had a pet peeve…. he did not want his car to have a decal from the dealer on it. It was free advertisement for the dealer… and unless the dealer was willing to lower the cost of the vehicle to keep its decal on the car… why have it.
I find dealers will not lower the price to keep their decal on the car… but always point out it help’s ID the car when I come in for service…. helps them make a living… why not display a dealer decal… Just following a family tradition I say…
I typed this post on a 1962 Royal Futura… the same year that Duke Ellington recorded an album with Coleman Hawkins. I have found that listening to this recording and typing on a typewriter lifts my mood.
I will also add I listened to Duke Ellington with Count Basie… and found on the INTERNET a 1969 video of Johnny Hodges playing “Black Butterfly” and he was smiling… I had forgotten how easy it is to be amused… to become captured in the sound’s and mood of great performances of good music…
I saw a series of posters… it sets out to evoke the 1950’s by showing images of James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart and Elvis Presley interacting in various setting. This is nice except I kept looking at one poster that depicts the group at Rick’s from Casablanca. A movie made in 1942 (Marilyn would have been 15, James Dean 11 and Elvis 7). In the background is a 1958 Cadillac (which when it was made Dean & Bogart were both dead). Not that this means anything at all… but this is how my mind works
