Monthly Archives: December 2020

Travel

The recommendation is no unnecessary travel due to a virus. Yet, people cannot abide.

Presently I sit in my truck. Sandhill Cranes, snow geese and other waterfowl grace my view in a large pond between the rising sun and myself. A gorgeous day!

Also, there are people. Many people. Talking and moving about. Disturbing the nature sounds and distracting from the view. Especially since I am a people watcher. I am not bemoaning their obvious reason for bombarding this pond. No. I know that they need to be out and about.

People cannot stay cooped up.

Where I am is where others want to be. Anywhere but home. Doing something that requires little thought. Enjoying this God given country.

Many needing this therapeutic oasis. Their sanity depends on this escape. Many travel to view my view.

HOLIDAYS!

What makes our holidays?

If you had to choose one, just one, thing that makes the holiday for you, what would it be?

There are plenty of choices. Visiting family and friends. Christmas music. Festive lights and displays. Baked goodies. But to pick just one that signifies the holiday for you can be challenging.

For me it is sugar cookies. One sugar cookie can conjure up memories stored a lifetime. Many holidays that have come and gone all return with the first bite.

So sometimes we must ask ourselves one question that brings to mind a memory that can be written for all to see, feel, smell, touch, taste and even hear.

So, what makes the holidays for you?

Linger

An old building can set off an imagination and fuel creativity.

With a question like when was it made can set off a story. Maybe a story of how a family decided they needed shelter for their livestock. They created a plan and through struggle, conflict, sacrifice commandeered the materials. The family gave it purpose and life. And even after its usefulness to the family the building lingered.

The old building could be painted on canvas. An artist could add color or whimsy to bring it life. Or use the drab to accent sadness in its lingering. To give this old building Anthropomorphism.

I love driving the country and finding these lingering artifacts and wondering how I could keep them alive and show their emotion.

Mask Beards

I was born with an observant eye. A great gift for a writer. Lately on my excursions out and about to get supplies I have noticed mask beards.

So, what is up with mask beards?

No, not the those that look like a beard on men when they wear a mask. Those are appropriate and a neat idea. I am asking about those who choose to wear their masks on their chins.

What is up with that?

I have no problem with masks. I think that the eyes are the window to the soul. A person can express so much with their eyes. Something that I am trying to express in my current book. But what does wearing your mask on your chin express?

One could write an article on that, I am sure.

Does wearing it on your chin show ingenuity or laziness? With Christmas upon us, does it imply a desire to emulate Santa Claus? Is it a way for one to feel like they are keeping their mask safe from germs? These are a few questions that run through my mind.

Seriously, though, I think we are becoming a masked new generation. Hiding behind a beard of blue (and so many other colors). Making authors like me question why. Making authors like me finding it harder each day to observe characters behind and above the mask.

I will continue to observe because that is who I am.