Take a bit of Time to Dance...
This is one of my all-time favorite photos. I am thinking all the way back to 2011 or 10 (can you hear Festus say "musta been ought 11) I was just getting back into photography just for my self. Lake Buffalo is a treasure of memories as my father and I haunted it for fish many many times.
So naturally, I found my self there one spring morning wanting to capture a bit of those memories and my father's spirit. The sun coming up was spectacular despite being a nearly cloudless morning. I sat in my truck lost in memories when this happened. I loved the simplicity of the sticks and clam water and reflections.
Now not far off was a fisherman who later reported what I looked like...
As soon as I jumped out of the truck, I was hit dead-on in the face with a mosquito the size of a Buick. And as soon as she got the taste of my blood she must have sounded the alarm as about 50 million more descended upon me. There I was innocent trying to frame this amazing shot being eaten alive my 200,000 million mosquitos (a good story always should grow).
The fisherman started laughing at me as he said I looked like his Aunt Fanny who had too much Christmas spiked egg nog doing the Watusi on the kitchen table. No clue that I was fighting for my life against this horde of the bloodthirsty mob of insects who I was sure were about to drag my lifeless body to the depths of the lake. He was laughing out loud at my helpless plight!
Well out of about 100 shots, I got two that were nice, and one that I liked... this one.
I remember that old fisherman describing me and feeling very embarrassed. I was trying so hard to look and be professional and here I looked like his drunk spinster aunt dancing wild and crazy on the kitchen table ruining Christmas. Now I am giggling and wish he had taken a video.
Funny how ten years can rob the uncomfortable feelings and actually make them seem funny and nice. I imagine whereas we might be over-focused on the negative issues of the day's historical events, there will be many amazing and wonderful memories 10 years from now. Question is what are you doing to create those amazing memories. Please take a bit of time from the worry and do something fun, reach out to an old friend, watch the sunrise, make something yummy or try some drawing or write that poem or book. Read that book you have been putting off. I am not making light of the situation.
Today June and I go to Texas oncology, a very sobering thought but I loved the sunset last night holding her hand. There is heaven about in the little moments if you let go of the worry. I say this as much to me as anyone.
Our prayers are for this to end soon and all of us to be safe and healthy and come out better for it.