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
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.
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.
Do Ya?
January 6, 2013
Walking the Dog ©2013 Gary Garbett
Life is chock full of uncertainties, ponders, and Google searches.
Today, while Zero and I were on our quickened pace and heading towards the end of our four mile hike, a kind middle aged stranger approached us. His warm smile delivered his pondering thought.
“Have you ever heard that phrase “Walking the Dog”? I’ve heard it on several sports casts and I never really understood. So a little while ago when I saw you walking your dog, I thought maybe you’d know. Do ya have any idea?”
I thought about it for a second, knowing I’d heard it countless times, but realized I didn’t have a really solid answer. I replied with having control or ownership of a competitor or situation. I didn’t bother to explain that it was also an Aerosmith song from the group’s first album. Thanks to Google I discovered that it was originally written and recorded by Rufus Thomas on Stax Records in 1963, reaching number 10 on the charts of December of that year. Rufus’ song has also been released by at least fourteen other artists or groups including The Rolling Stones, Johnny Rivers, The Everly Brothers, and Ratt.
Zero and I are still learning. How about you?
day of busy
January 4, 2013
Day of Busy ©2013 Gary Garbett
Some would call a visit to the vet, a four mile hike, a warm bath, a lazy nap in a soft bed next to the fireplace, a car ride in the sunshine, and enjoying a cookie in the shape of a bone a day of busy. We just call it today.
Looking forward is often the best way to avoid looking backwards.
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.
celebrating birthdays. celebrating years.
July 29, 2012
Birthday Wishes ©2012 Gary Garbett
We recently celebrated our daughter’s birthday… again. It feels like I light the candles on that family tradition birthday cake every few weeks rather than years.
Aside from those years when I was an ambitious teen managing my small town paper route monopoly, fatherhood feels like it’s been a fixture in my life for my entire life. With everyone now grown, my position, as a father is certainly different than it once was. The love and dedication I have for our children has never wavered. Those emotions however, much like our children and myself, have all matured. Adjusting from so many years of dedicated full time parenting to an occasional visit a few times a year has certainly taken some getting use to. I get better at it every day.
From the time I was a child myself, I’ve always been an avid collector of music. With this new level of parenting, I’m now able to listen to quite a few more albums in their entirety than I was able to find time for over the past three decades. My dogs and I also spend more quality time together than we once did. They love it and so do I. Luckily for me, the pups are also music aficionados. It’s a double win for each of us.
Perhaps there was a day or two during my endless years of parenting that wasn’t quite perfect. The whole parenting thing is so judgmental. It doesn’t come with a manual or even a report card, but I’m convinced that I did a better than average job as Daddy. What I do know for sure, is that every moment of it came from the heart.
Before you know it, we’ll be celebrating another birthday year with that same cake recipe and lighting a few more candles. Before that time though, the pups and I have enough time to listen to a few more records. Life, like a song, is beyond that good.
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!
