liner notes
January 27, 2013
Swansong ©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
January 26, 2013
Survival ©2013 Gary Garbett
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
motion of peace
January 24, 2013
Standing Together ©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
January 23, 2013
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.
rare chance
January 16, 2013
Seen Light ©2013 Gary Garbett
Rarely is there a better chance to see the light than with open eyes.
celebrating the happies
January 14, 2013
Taco Night ©2013 Gary Garbett
My new $8 thrift store Cuisinart mini food processor is helping out with Taco Night. And if that weren’t beautiful enough, Zero’s had two and a half consecutive days of new pup housebreaking success. He’s the happiest puppy in the world. Life is beyond good and winning is just winning.
Pass the salsa… we’re celebrating.
imperfectly beautiful
January 12, 2013
Rescued ©2013 Gary Garbett
I believe in second chances far more than abandonment.
Fewer days thrill me more than those where I can take something that’s been discarded, breathe new life in it, and have it resuscitate the same in me. I’m constantly surrounded by hand me downs, throwaways, secondhand left behinds, and rescues… each by choice. With their used to be past, their visibly less than perfect flaws, and their distinctive individualities, each mirror my own life perfectly.
Popularity is generally temporary fluff. The combination of uniqueness, imperfection, and originality however, will always display a sincere timeless genuine beauty.
I believe in believing.
pondering thoughts
January 9, 2013
Pretty Lady ©2013 Gary Garbett
Upon dashing towards the door, I grabbed my coffee as I filled a bag with fruit for my lunch. That’s when I saw her. A lovely blonde with big wavy curls dressing up my bag of grapes while sporting the brightest red Santa hat I’ve ever seen. Her lips were the only thing redder. I paused my hurried pace for a moment …just to stop and stare. Then after taking another sip from my coffee, I pondered about what it all meant. At least for a second or two. Maybe even three.
After arriving at my office, it dawned on me that perhaps those who in their own hurried pace, visit my little slice of cubicle heaven may just pause at my mid 20th century pop culture office decor to ponder similar thoughts.
The world has something for everyone. Ponder away.
as big a gift
January 8, 2013
As Big a Gift ©2013 Gary Garbett
As the sunshine warmed my face, I sipped my morning coffee during my commute to the east. Listening to what the words had to say, these lyrics were as big a gift as the day.
Babies get born
Even in a war
I guess just to show us
What livin’s for
Thank you Dwight.
returned goodness
January 3, 2013
Westward ©2013 Gary Garbett
I’m not usually one that reads too terribly much into patterns or numbers. Common human nature though seems to look for signs, especially when turning over a New Year. Yesterday was a prime example. I found two like new Polaroid cameras at two different thrift stores on day two of this New Year. It was clearly a sign, so I was left with no other option than to add them to my collection.
Today, I adopted a new member into our family. It just so happened that the two of us met several months ago while I was hanging my art exhibit. Little did I know on that hot summer day in August that he and I would be taking a car ride together on January 3. As I write this, he and our other two dogs (that makes three on day three of January) are sitting in my office together, getting acquainted, and chatting about our new family.
New Years always have a tendency to offer us fresh beginnings. Both are incredibly healthy and provide a way to look forward while at the same time allowing us the opportunity to recharge from our pasts. On January 1, the idea of adding a few more cameras or another love to our family by the end of the week was the furthest thing from my mind. Things just happen some times. Out of the blue. I’ve always believed in the idea of making good of those things around you. In return, they’ll find a genuine way to return that goodness back to you.
