THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: perspective


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Yes

Sleeping and waking up in my own bed today. A pretty good feeling and some good rest. I slept like a rock when I hit the sheets. It was nice to be away but nothing like home.

Days of work await because things don’t stop because I was away. The grass continues to grow, bills come in, home maintenance needs continue to build. And I still have a smile on my face even though I can see I’m going to be beat at the end of the weekend.

I’ve spent a few hours cutting grass and weeding till lunchtime and I’m sore already. Plus, two other injuries of late have this body feeling the pain again. Well, it’s mind over matter today. I’m going to power through.

But first I am going to take a break and put my feet on the gas and clutch on the Miata. And remind myself how much my tires like a warm track and some great rock and roll. YEEE HA. Don’t worry, I’ll calm down a bit before engaging gears. That shower revived the body a bit. Time to free the mind.

It feels so good also to have taken a break from writing and it feels great to be back to it. A change of perspective is sometimes helpful.

From Top of the Rock. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Perspective in a shovel

In some ways, I enjoyed shoveling this month. The exercise, cool air in the lungs, and snowflakes in the face. I looked across the street at a neighbor’s home knowing he was probably inside looking out wishing he was on his tractor with the plow doing his driveway and helping others as needed.

Unfortunately, he is in his 90s now and unable to get around much and his better half said he wasn’t doing well. A very nice man with a great smile. Always a wave and would take the time to chat for a few minutes if we were out together working. Yes, my better half and I did shovel them out along with another neighbor. But that isn’t the point.

You’re going to need a bigger plow. Centennial HS – Photo by Mike Hartley

I remember the year I had surgery one summer and for the first time in my life, I had to hire someone to cut the yard. I would look out as they cut and wanted to get back out there so bad on my mower and do it regardless that I despised wasting time on a mower. It was the first time in my life I wondered how many more cuts I would have the pleasure of doing. From that day forward I never looked at cutting the yard as a chore.

And now recently I thought about how many more times I would have the pleasure of shoveling my driveway. After not having snowed here in 2 years, getting back-to-back ones in a week was a change of pace but one that I have appreciated also. That was till my back reminded me that I was too old and should be done with a shovel and either get a snow blower or tractor.

We take a lot of things in life for granted for long periods till reality shakes us and we realize things are finite. Surrendering to those devices (equipment) also means my time with them may be limited. So enjoy life as you can, one shovel full at a time or one crank of the engine. You never know when you will be looking through that window at others outside.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I’ve been talking to myself a lot for a very long time. Maybe I need a new therapist.
  • Fandom is a nice thing that can also go too far.
  • I’ve been wasteful of time in the past, I regret that.
  • The joy is in the work.