Spontaneity

Summer Solstice (or Winter Solstice). Father's Day. Memories. Spontaneity. And (click on picture for full effect) objet trouve, or found art. I was just minding my own business, walking along the beach at Teddy Bear Cove here in Bellingham, and looked down to see this lovely shot, which has grown on me with each viewing.

Father's Day is filled with memories, which have been unleashed by my latest foray through my favorite blogs. Sometimes I feel a little sad for the man I called "Daddy" -- and who was idolized by my young mind. I remember when I was in my early teens wishing my mother would die so I could take her place. That youngster did not realize what the word "incestuous" meant. Now both of my parents have passed away and in my now-much-wiser imagination, are together looking down at me and smiling indulgently at their progeny. But my father and his memory are distant, since he died thirty years ago.

Both of my parents died of cardiovascular disease in their sixties. All five of my siblings (as well as me) take statins, which were not available to our parents. I keep my genetics in check with simvastatin, but of course something will come along to help me join with them at some future time. Until then, I can be thankful for the health that allows me to play, jump, skip, and dance.

The Summer Solstice marks the longest day and the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Last night, here in Bellingham at 49 degrees latitude, I went to bed at 9:30 (with my latest book) and noticed that it was still light outside. Now the days will begin to shorten, and by the harvest moon the days will be equal in length to the nights.

The other thing I have noticed is how hot it is around the country. So many people in the southern states and southwest are complaining in their blogs about the heat, while here in Bellingham today we have clouds and sun, the possibility but not probability of showers, and a temperature of 57 deg F (14 deg C). The windows are open and a sweater is required in the house for comfort. We moved away from Boulder because we wanted the ocean environment and no more 90-degree days. So far, after 14 months, I can say we have gotten just what we wanted in so many ways.

Now there is one more thing I'd like to add. Why am I having such trouble getting people to follow and read my blog? Is there something I should be doing differently? Are my posts lacking in some way I can't see? What do I need to change? The reason I ask is that I notice how much I enjoy reading the comments on other posts, and how encouraging it is to have someone care enough to say something about my ruminations. Because of this, any time I feel moved by somebody's blog, I comment. Just asking.
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