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.
beneath a blue sky and a green canopy
January 8, 2012
moving forward ©2012
Yesterday marked the end of the first week of 2012. The weather and the day were nearly identical to the week before. Almost to the minute from a week earlier, I passed a cemetery yesterday that I’d driven by on the afternoon of New Years Eve. On a date generally known for celebrating great hopes and new beginnings, a funeral was taking place. Beneath the largest blue sky was a green canopy providing shade for family, friends, and loved ones who instead were spending this final day of 2011 by saying farewell. There was no champagne, no confetti, and no loud countdown to a brilliant display of lights. There was only sunshine, silence, and goodbyes.
I’ve spent the last few weeks thinking quite a bit about those things that I control; and more importantly, those that I don’t. I’m not generally one that’s big on making annual resolutions. A good idea is a good idea. Whether you begin it on January 1 or May 5th is really unimportant. The importance comes from making a healthy decision, committing to the right people, and being honest with yourself.
I’ve happily committed to a number of those in recent years. On December 30, I celebrated my second year of sobriety. It certainly would have been far easier for me to wait until January 1. Then I could have bookmarked it as one of those happy, new beginning, resolution kind of things. It couldn’t wait though and neither could I.
I owe it to myself to be surrounded by the right people; to learn how to forgive; to wake in the morning and live the entire day until I lay my head on my pillow at nighttime for a few hours sleep; to smile because I truly mean it; and to move with a forward momentum. I’d like to dance everyday to the music in my head and sing the lyrics …whether I know all the words or not. I need to leave any random aches from my past where they are and move with one step in front of the other.
I’m responsible for me, so if a large blue sky plans to shine on my day, I refuse to be invisible.
best i can
January 4, 2012
best i can ©2012 Gary Garbett
Relaxation has never come easy for me. I’ve always been one of those “I must always be doing something” sorts of people. I love working for the university. It forces me to take time off when the campus is closed. This year with the way the holidays fell on the calendar and my adding four additional vacation days, I ended up with a good spell of two and a half weeks away from the office.
Of course I had all of these lists of chores and tasks that I knew I’d accomplish during the time off. As usual though, things, projects, and days change. I did accomplish quite a bit and after working through the holiday and family commitments, I was able to make some healthy time for me in the studio. It may not have been the most artistically productive time, but it was great spending several days in the space that’s become more and more difficult for me to find time for. I still have a few more days to bask in this down time thing. As difficult as it is for me to do, I’m finally in relaxation mode and to my surprise I’m actually enjoying the idea.
Today was day fourteen of vacation. I walked two miles, ate tacos for lunch, read liner notes, conditioned my hair, and got a zit. I’m doing the best I can and with only four more days to get it right, I promise to do my best… whatever it is, including getting better with this whole relaxing concept.
a man. a camera. a day.
December 31, 2011
new years eve ©2011 Gary Garbett
Twelve months ago I wanted to be challenged creatively every day. It didn’t matter if the inspiration was for five minutes or extended five days. From that idea, this daily photo blog was born on January 1. I committed to it. Not only was I dedicated to the process; it was equally important that I share it with the world. Every… single… day.
The daily promise I made to myself was for one year. Today marks day three hundred sixty-five.
Over the year, my cameras and I became best friends, opening my eyes to the world probably more than they’d ever been before. I saw average things that had gone unnoticed for years and I saw remarkable things that I’ll never see again. I met new friends, greeted the mornings, and anxiously looked forward to tomorrows. Surprisingly, I learned a great deal about myself by documenting each day. The images I took became diary entries, my words a road map.
After three hundred sixty-five days, A Passing Glimpse went from seven views on January 1, 2010 to over 13,000 visitors as of last night. Those numbers pale in the corporate world, but for a guy that just wanted to share a new photo every day, I’ll take it. I’ve stood behind my cameras to capture more than 30,000 images using three different cameras. Some of them will never see the light of day, but a few are keepers. It’s interesting to look over a year’s worth of images. They take me back and remind me. They celebrate moments, days, and light.
Upon stepping into 2012 tomorrow, I don’t plan to do much different than I did this year. I’ll continue unfolding my creative path. I don’t have much choice with that. It’s what I do. New Years always invite new direction and with this post, today fulfills the creative promise I made to myself one year ago. I love how this blog has become such a healthy retreat for me. As I look toward 2012, A Passing Glimpse will continue to be the home for my images and my thoughts… just not on a daily basis. Bookmark this blog, share it with a friend, and follow me on my Gary Garbett Art + Photography page for all of my creative updates. Happy New Year.
And yes, I promise to still be creative. Every… single… day.
restoring yesterday
December 30, 2011
restoring yesterday ©2011 Gary Garbett
Today was one of those kinds of days. It was beyond fabulous and the weather even more so, especially for late December. I spent my entire day working on the restoration of the 1944 dinette table I gave Karen for Christmas. After eight hours, everything on the table had been totally disassembled including every screw. Following hours of elbow grease, steel wool, vinegar, oil, and sunshine most of the chrome was restored and reflecting its original beauty. I still have a bit more to do, but with a little luck and tomorrow’s weather looking even better than today, there’s a chance that we’ll celebrate New Years Day with dinner on our new dinette set.
This full cleansing project seemed relevant with today being my two-year anniversary of personal cleansing and sobriety. Last year this date marked an achievement, a celebration, and a hurdle all wrapped into one. I certainly wouldn’t dilute any of those. December 30, 2010 was more than life changing for me. It was reaffirming for me to re-read my post from last year.
Today however seemed more normal. It was a day balanced with fond memories of my making such a life decision and confession two years ago. I know that I’m a better man for having made that decision. Perhaps not better at math, but certainly far better overall.
As usual I drank my share of coffee today and listened to hours of classic rock while restoring that old table. At one point I stopped to take another sip of java and heard the Who sing out “The Kids Are Alright”. They just might be right.
still on holiday
December 29, 2011
holiday breakfast ©2011 Gary Garbett
I’m a lucky guy who has some of the greatest pets known to man, at least to this man. Ask another man and I’m sure there’d a be debate.
Still on holiday vacation, I decided to treat the critters and I to fried ham and eggs for breakfast this morning. Everyone was more than pleased. Let me reemphasize. Make that far more than pleased.
I do remember the days however when Pita wasn’t quite the greatest pet, nor did she sit patiently for ham and eggs. Instead, she disobeyed nearly every single command that fell from my lips and dined on a beautiful antique oak armchair.
That favorite antique chair is no longer with us. Pita is. She loves ham and eggs and me. I’m a lucky guy.
a calming storm
December 28, 2011
a calming storm ©2011 Gary Garbett
Yesterday, the morning was filled with plenty of rain, a coffee pot of endless cups, a collection of Bogart films, mental down time, and a nap.
A shade of blue and sunshine surprised the afternoon. It opened a window for the pups and I to take a walk to the mail box. We watched our reflections in the puddles.
counting on yesterday
December 27, 2011
santa brings yesterday ©2011 Gary Garbett
I’m not sure there’s anyone that knows me much better than Santa Claus. It’s almost like he’s inside my head… kinda like we’re one in the same.
The jolly guy left several gifts of Christmas pasts this year under our Christmas tree: a 1950′s Magnavox phonograph with AM radio, a 1944 Arvin dinette set, and a 1940′s Hunter Zephair hassock floor fan. Some of these are restoration projects. Others are already in use.
The older I get, the more yesterdays mean to me. I can always count on them being everything I expect them to be… with no surprises.
