Thursday, June 11, 2009

Back to Basics

I've now logged over 200 posts since I first began my blog in April, 2008. Whodathunkit? I've recently been having great fun taking photos of my day lilies and other flowers in my yard, and posting them for all the world to see and yawn over -- yeah, yeah, another flower! So what?

However, I recently had an email from my youngest daughter, who currently resides on the island of Okinawa, Japan, telling me that my flowers were "pretty" but she would really like to have more "stories." That comment reminded me of why I started a blog in the first place. Forgive me, I quote myself from Post #1:

"It's the discovery of those other sites which has encouraged me to begin my own journal of remembrances. At age 73, I am still blessed to have a good memory that, at present, goes back quite a long way. I decided that while I still have that capacity, I'll jot down a few random remembrances of my life, along with some current happenings. Fear not! I'm not going to post a chronological listing of all my life's events. Some are best forgotten, anyway!

I hope at some time my remembrances will be of interest to my family, and perhaps to others, as well. I don't make any assurances that they will be "fascinating," however!"

My father used to tell me (regularly) during my formative years that if I could not excel at something, "for heaven's sake have the decency to be an abject failure. Nothing's worse than being 'average.'" (Daddy had very high standards, for himself, his wife and children, which was a bit hard to tolerate at times, and made nervous wrecks out of several of us. Daddy died when I was 30, but his words had a lasting effect: at the age of40, I received an "average" performance rating from a supervisor for whom I had worked for one whole month. I was devastated and, I'm sure, shed more than a few tears -- in private, of course. It was the only such performance rating I had ever received, or did in future receive, in my entire career.)

So...I've done a bit of soul-searching during the recent blog-dry period. I have accepted the reality that I will never, ever, ever, take as beautiful and beautifully composed photographs as Kate, Abe, David, Hilary, Klaus, Mojo, the East Gwillimbury WOW, and myriad other wonderful photographers, nor will I ever be able to put into words and share the deep, heartfelt and beautifully expressed thoughts of Janine, Ruth, Jeannelle, and countless others, nor be as witty, funny and clever as rhymeswithplague (who is also erudite), Arkansas Patti, and Flurrious, nor write poetry like Jinksy. (Note: most of the myriad 'others' have links in the sidebar of my blog.)

Therefore, I am taking cowardly refuge in something I know I can do better than any of the above mentioned -- to write the remembrances of my life, since no one else has lived my life, and no one else can report my memories. Whether or not they are written "excellently" is of little import. They will be what they will be.

How strange! I think that's what I intended to do in the first place! How easily I was led astray!

Oh, I'll still post some flower and other photos, but I'll (try to) save those for Today's Flowers on Sundays.

I'll close this post with one very recent memory: I distinctly recall having called the refrigerator repairman before noon yesterday. He assured me that he could have my problem fixed before the day was out, but he would have to pick up some parts in Little Rock. At 5:30 I called to remind him that I needed to leave for my mid-week church service. I distinctly remember that he said he would be here at 10:00 a.m. this morning. My clock says it's almost eleven, and I haven't heard from him. Am I losing my memory?

Tomorrow, Lord willing, a story.

P.S. The repairman just called. He's on his way. Guess my mind wasn't playing tricks, after all.

ADDENDUM: He came, he stayed, he fixed it and it set me back $160.00 (notwithstanding the "senior discount." Oh, well!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pat, dear Pat, you sell yourself short. You take marvelous photos and your prose is just fine. I always enjoy coming here! Just do exactly what makes you happy! Blessings this day.

NitWit1 said...

You are on my daily blog check list, but I understand having "dry spells" which is a Texan expression for long periods of no rain; I interpret it to long periods of no inspiration!

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Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, Pat...you are a wonderful blogger!!! I love your writing, your photos...EVERYTHING you do!!!!!! And your stories are as wonderful, and as beautiful as you are!!!!! Don't sell yourself short!!!!! We love you for a reason!!!!! And return for our visits, over and over again!!!! Love and hugs, Janine XO

Patty said...

That's one reason our daughter decided not to have a repairman come look at their refrigerator, she went out and bought a new one. It matches things in her kitchen better then the old one and this way it's brand new. But we can't all do that.

Happy blogging tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat. It's Jackie. Thank you for visiting my blog (I'm the new kid (cough) on the block.) I'm a retired school teacher, and am so happy to have found friends through blogging...the nicest friends. I love reading your post about the memories of your Dad. My Daddy is 83....and I promise, he looks a lot younger than that...) and the wisdom I'm gained from him is beyond words. Thank you to God for those that are around us that share true wisdom. It sounds like you had a wonderful Dad, too.
Now...about that refrigerator repairman....I can only shake my head and smile....and I smiled even more when I read your comment about when he FINALLY showed up. Of course! If it's the Air Conditioning person...(whew...to live without air....who can imagine??) it's usually after choir practice...late...Wednesday night...NEVER when scheduled. I think that we would truly be surprised if they showed up on time. Whaddaythink? Again, I enjoy reading your blog. Thank you for sharing...

Snap said...

You take wonderful photos and I love them, but I love your stories, too. I guess as long we get both -- that's okay! :D I have a godson living in Okinawa. He loves it.

Hugs to you.

cottonpicker said...

Pat - For what it's worth, you are am accomplished writer and great story teller. I love all your pics but your stories of life and living are what brings me back time and again. I can see your story through your eyes and you indeed have lived a facinating life. Looking forword to your memories!

Arkansas Patti said...

How about you give us both stories and photos. Am I greedy or what?
I think telling stories is a wonderful use for a blog.
Stories of real people can make us smile, remember, and understand. It does open you up, but that is a good thing.
Bring the stories on, I will be here tomorrow. Just don't forget the beautiful photos also.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I love your flower photos and your stories too. I look forward to both.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Pat, I love your 'new' blog!!!!! You made me think about my own blog... When I first started, I wanted to leave a journal of my life and experiences to my grandchildren and the future generations. But--like you, I have strayed from that a little. I do publish alot of photos --especially our roses and flowers, the birds, our waterfalls, etc... I guess it does become boring to others.

WELL-- I for one look forward to reading more about YOUR life. I will try to talk about mine more also...

Hugs,
Betsy

Jeannelle said...

Pat, what a great post! Talk about expressing yourself in excellent form, you certainly did here. Thank you for the mention....I look up to your writing abilities, though!

Yes, put more of your memories into written form.....you said it well: ONLY YOU can report your memories. I'm looking forward to reading them.

Snowbrush said...

Pat, here I am again after receiving your latest comment on my blog. Right, you DID say you would tell the milk story in a later post.

rhymeswithplague said...

Pat, thank you (I think) for calling me erudite. If I am, I am erudite enough to know a good blog when I see one and a good blogpost when I read one, and you are one excellent blogger/blogposter. Never sell yourself short! Very few of the young whippersnappers out there can hold a candle to your beautiful, wisdom-filled self (I don't know what you look like; I'm talking about the inside, the part displayed on your blog.)

This has been one person's humble/erudite opinion.

Hilary said...

Pat, you don't have folks returning to read, view and enjoy your posts around the 200 mark if they're not everything they want to see and read. I think you're a fine photographer and a fascinating writer. I started reading your blog from just about day one, and I've never seen anything remotely average about what you do.

Rose said...

I am looking forward to reading your memories....