constant reminder
March 1, 2012
scene 36˚ ©2012 Gary Garbett
Landscapes, personalities, and refrigerator shelves are a constant reminder that little changes from day to day.
the look of goodness
February 26, 2012
goodness looks ©2012 Gary Garbett
I spend fewer days in the studio than I wish I could. Life has a fascinating way of getting in it’s own way sometimes. Those days when I am able to lock myself away in that creative place are treasures. Today was one of those days. When I’m able to share that time with my closest friend, we both own the day… together.
This is exactly how goodness looks. I love goodness.
life mirrors life
February 26, 2012
be the ram ©2012 Gary Garbett
Since I was a child, I’ve often thought that the car someone drives resembles the driver; the headlights, the grill, and the smile of the bumper each miraculously makeup an uncanny likeness of that person behind the wheel. We’re drawn to things that remind us of ourselves. That same likeness thing is present with pets and their owners. Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself.
This morning, following last night’s dynamic VCU regular season finale win over instate rival George Mason, I woke to a similar likeness situation. I believe in the VCU Rams. It’s apparent and with next week’s CAA Tournament, my horns are coming in quite nicely.
My pups and I may just take a relaxing Sunday afternoon ride later today. You won’t be able to miss me. I’ll be the one that looks exactly like my passengers and my truck.
Be the Ram!
viewing the dance
February 24, 2012
light dance ©2012 Gary Garbett
My morning commute is generally made up of miles and miles of light dances. I love the performance.
groundhog day
February 2, 2012
game over ©2012 Gary Garbett
Go ahead and wait for Puxatony Phil all you want.
The way I see it, the heck with February 2nd groundhogs, 12″ sprouting bulbs win. Break out the shorts and Wayfarers. Game over.
surviving the silence
January 30, 2012
home alone ©2012 Gary Garbett
While my wife vacationed in Cancun with her parents this past week, I spent a great deal of time with my thoughts and myself. I’ve changed a lot since I was a younger man. Then again, I haven’t changed much at all. My wild and frenzied week of being home alone looked vaguely similar to this.
I listened to more records on my turntable at high volume than I have in a decade and even found a few rarities that I forgot I owned. I prepped a few new recipes in the kitchen and made bbq chicken twice. It was delicious. I cleaned the refrigerator. Every single shelf is spotless, including the condiments shelves and the crispers. I laundered all of the Mexican blankets and linens. I drank coffee whenever I wanted and took my medications regularly as prescribed. I watched football, basketball, music videos, and Bogart films.
I danced with my pets. They make me laugh and I’m willing to bet they laughed at me too. I just can’t tell. I made the best grilled cheese sandwich in the world… three different times. I wore a ponytail, a baseball cap, flip flops, $600 slacks that I paid two dollars for at a thrift store, and many nights I wore pajamas before Brian Williams welcomed me to the 6:30 evening news. There was even one night when I sat with the flickering glow of candlelight while reading liner notes.
I did those mundane things like the dishwasher, the litter box, the laundry, the grocery store, and my weekly jaunt to the landfill and recycling center. I reorganized the kitchen cabinets. I captured a few moments with my camera and a few more with words. I taught myself how to do a few things that I didn’t know before last week. I spent time with each of our three children. They’re all adults now, but they’ll always be my children. I saw red cardinals on several different occasions during the week and I managed to catch an unexpected afternoon nap one day, something I rarely ever do.
I talked to my Mom on the telephone and told her I loved her before saying goodbye. Several nights I was in bed before 10, and other nights not until after 2AM. On Saturday morning I served up a wonderful breakfast, just for the pups and I. I made it a point to say my prayers before going to bed, but admit that I missed a few nights. I also cursed a couple times during the week and apologized whenever I caught myself.
Looking back, my week was everything that it normally is on any given week, minus the company.
eclectic breakfast
January 28, 2012
eclectic breakfast ©2012 Gary Garbett
I treated myself to a few of the things that I love most this morning – music and cooking. As a result, my Saturday morning looked a little like this.
Scrambled eggs with tabbouleh and feta folded in and sprinkled with parmesan; crispy turkey bacon; toasted oatmeal bread topped with a friend’s delicious homemade lavender peach preserves; a pot of Puerto Rican coffee; and orange juice. Of course an excellent dining experience could never be had without the right ambiance of music, so my turntable soundtrack included Little Feat, Eddie Kendricks, and Cheech and Chong’s Los Cochinos. I do my best to keep the peace around our ranch. So yes, I made enough to share with the pups. The world is a happy place.
I’m almost certain if you Google Map “eclecticism”, you’ll see my house and get directions. See you for dinner.
days of color
January 22, 2012
days of color ©2012 Gary Garbett
With snow leaving traces of white on our roof and winter painting the afternoon gray, my kitchen was filled with color this afternoon.
defining self. remembering others.
January 15, 2012
defining self ©2012 Gary Garbett
Between the news I heard last week and the question I was asked this morning, I’ve spent much of today taking a far closer look than normal at myself.
Following my morning coffee, weeding through emails, and a few good morning kisses from the pups, I headed out the door for Sunday worship. Recently I’ve missed more sermons than heard and today I wanted to change that trend. It is after all a new year. For me, the best messages aren’t those that are simply well prepared and delivered from a pulpit, but instead the ones that suggest deeper thought and self-evaluation. Today was one of those kinds of sermons. The takeaway as I made my walk to the car was quite simple, “what defines me?”
Ironically I’d already begun asking myself this very question on Friday afternoon upon hearing that a friend had passed away. I was shocked by the news and to my surprise, she hadn’t passed recently, Friday marked the fourth anniversary and I never knew. Naturally, I spent the balance of Friday in memory mode. It was a healthy mental time and two days after receiving the news, it continues.
The older I become, I find myself holding onto my past more than I once did. I certainly don’t make it a point to live for the past, but I have great respect for it being responsible for much of the very thing my pastor discussed this morning. In all of it’s greatest, worsts, and more than it’s share of mediocre days, my past defines the very man that I am today.
Reflection is a way I continue moving forward. That evaluation of knowing where I’ve been propels me. My father guided and taught me more than his share from the time I was a child through my adulthood. His far too early death nineteen years ago however didn’t erase those life lessons. I still use them… many of them daily.
Although we hadn’t seen one another in several years, the news of Donna’s passing still saddens me. To say that she died too young is such a cliché, but it’s the best I can come up with and the fact is, she did. I’m incredibly grateful however for all of the life and laughter that she brought to mine. Each of them are now blessings.
The passing of time continues to move quicker than it once did, all the while defining me and defining us. Hold onto it.
pre-game warm up
January 14, 2012
chili summer ©2012 Gary Garbett
In preparation for the weekend playoff games, I spent some quality time in the kitchen today for a little pre-game warm up.
My homemade chili and skillet baked salsa cheddar cornbread are ready and waiting for the coin toss. The afternoon cooking soundtrack had a number of LP fare on the menu from southern rock to Donna Summer’s Live and More spinning on the turntable. It all worked just fine together. Playoff games after all are about the spice and the last dance.
Good luck to your team this weekend and Bon Appétit. Life is delicious.
