A year ago

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A year ago I received my proof copy of Tao of Thoreau. It’s still a very cool moment and memory. I continue to try to appreciate every step on this journey.

I wondered then how many books I would sell. I frankly wondered if I’d sell any after friends and family bought theirs. As I write this, I have sold 495 books. A big number beckons, and 500 seems like a real milestone.

Though this is not the big dream I began in childhood, as I have said here before, it is better. It is reality. Instead of fantasizing about future success, I am planning ways to promote the book and get it to as wide an audience as possible.

If you’re interested in finding out more about my book, this page will give you some background and links to purchase on Amazon.

Backyard Beauty

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A long time ago, my wife and I were looking at a waterfall in a warm, exotic country. The falls were magnificent, yet she turned to me and asked “Is this any more beautiful than the waterfall we hike to at home?”

It’s still a good question. Yes, going to a foreign land and witnessing its grandeur adds to the power of the view. Yet I think it’s equally important to appreciate the beauty in our own communities, our own yards. Pay the money to go see all the beautiful sights of faraway places, but don’t neglect to appreciate the flowers that grow in our own small gardens.

The Fairy Door

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I made myself small. I had to fit through the fairy door.  

The door creaked on invisible hinges. There was a skittering, the sound of tiny feet running … away. At first, I thought they must be hiding, but when I heard a door slam, I knew that they were gone.  

I stepped in boldly. There was a light that came from nowhere but lit everything like dawn or early dusk. I looked behind me: the door was still open, but it framed only darkness, though I’d stepped over the threshold from daylight.  

It was hard not to be apprehensive, but there was no obvious threat. I realized that I was in a storeroom. Tiny jars lined the walls. I got closer, almost expecting garish figures in formaldehyde, but this was not a horror movie scene. 

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That Look

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There are those who say
"She saw right through me"
Is the worst thing to hear.

But her face 
Tells me she is seeing
Past me.

When you see in her eyes
you are fading
it is awful.
When you see that 
something else has started
It's worse.
It's over.

Portrait of Lady Agnew of Lochnaw (1865-1932) by John Singer Sargent, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The #tankatuesday challenge was to write a Ekphrastic poem about this painting. I found her look very intriguing, and the set of her eyes inspired this poem.

Disc Golf – maybe I don’t hate you

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In my prime, I was a good Ultimate Frisbee player. I am still very handy with a disc, although I’m obviously not as fast as I used to be.

So you’d think it would follow that I would be good at Disc Golf. But consistently, over decades, I have at best been mediocre, and at worst I was the guy always losing his disc in the woods and holding up the round forever looking for it.

But yesterday was different. My good friend wants me to get back into it, especially since we’re not playing as much Ultimate as we used to. So he arranged a round where we played “best disc” – we would take the longest throw made by our group of three, and take the next throw from that spot.

I had a good group, so I felt no pressure to play well. And I actually … PLAYED WELL! I even contributed some solid throws as my team took most holes.

I learned two things: my friend is really considerate, and that maybe I like Disc Golf after all.

Color Challenge from #sundaystills weekly photo challenge

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I chose this photo for the Red Color Challenge. This is the lineup of performers from last weeks Tell Me Another. The theme was “love”, appropriate for Valentine’s week and this challenge. It was a great night of stories exploring this theme.

Time is almost up on this challenge but it can be found here: second wind leisure

Is this true of me now?

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This one hit me. I certainly have achieved a lot since I wrote this. Becoming a storyteller, getting published, publishing Tao of Thoreau, all the DIY projects I have completed.

At the same time, I think this still applies to me. I have grown a lot, but there is still so much to do. Finding unique and impactful ways to market and advertise my writing is on my mind all the time, and I don’t feel like I have done enough. I believe I will do more, but I need to change belief into action soon.

The line that really strikes me is “the highest level I can reach.” I know I wasn’t even close to that 7 years ago, because I am sure I am not close to that now. Although that doesn’t sound positive, I think it is. I have gained a higher level. And that’s an accomplishment. Now it’s a matter of taking it to the next.