What a fun morning I'm having. I'm trying to have a completely different outlook and really notice the little things (which we all know are really the big things). Those every day magical, amazing, hidden moments that we're always too rushed to notice. I decided this morning to take pictures of Dawson today from a different perspective. I'm taking pictures of "A day in the life of Dawson". We took pictures of him eating breakfast, getting in the car for school, in his classroom. I'm enjoying this because it's forcing me to recognize and remember how important all of these little moments are.
Also, I had fun driving through my little town today. This morning I drove through town and kept noticing little things. Strangely, things that I see every day but I don't see. Do you know what I mean? So, I kept driving through town back and forth and kept noticing new stuff. It was quite fun. It's a cloudy day so you notice going's on in the windows (okay now I sound like a peeping Tammy ;) and people walking down the street. Most of you know the town, but I'm sure these folks thought that I was crazy for driving back and forth so much given that the town is about 2 or 3 blocks long and all on the same street.
Observations on my town and what I saw this morning:The wonderful town barber taking his morning walk. Jerry always has a story for you. He is such a funny guy and always seems to have a smile on his face. I stopped to look at an old stroller in front of an antique shop this am and he walked by and said "Oh you're looking at the stroller that carried Rosemary's baby, huh?". I laughed. I thought it would make a great prop but the inside of it was a bit spooky and he creeped me out with that comment- ha!
I wen't through McDonalds to get my McDonald's diet coke fix. There is NO diet coke on the planet as good as McDonald's. Jeff always says there's no difference in their coke. I have to disagree! Anyway, I take a picture of the drive through sign with some folks in the parking lot giving me some pretty strange looks. I get my diet coke......yummy! And then, like every morning, I see the local older gentleman sitting inside, right next to the drive through. Same guys every morning. They appear to be having a meeting, but I'm sure it's more like chatting about the goings on in our little town. I think we need a town government and I'm going to elect them all to office. =)
I was also trying to imagine new life in those old broken down lifeless buildings. I get annoyed at some of these buildings because I know that our town could look so much better without their unsightly distraction. Today though, I kept thinking "hmmmm, that would make an awesome background in a picture". I've gotten better about imagining things in this perspective but for some reason have ignored our main street - an apartment building in desperate need of help but has ivy growing up the side of it's brick (oooo that would look cool in a picture), the weathered side of an old antique shop. Quite the different perspective.
I tried to notice the business "signs" today. The local security company has quite a bold sign that seems a little out of place for an old small town, there's a neon orange Stihl sign that looks oddly out of place on our old post office building with pink trim. Just notice the signs around you one day - one letter missing, weathered, bright, dull. They each have their own personality.
I wanted to take a picture of Dawson's school, but figured for internet purposes that's not a great idea, so I won't ;).
More thoughts on my town......
I know LOTS of people here, being born and raised here. When I'm feeling chatty (which I'll admit is most of the time=), I love it here. When I'm tired or not feeling well, going to the grocery store makes me crazy. There's no way to get in and out of a grocery store quickly when you live in a small town. You know everyone that works there and that doesn't. I will say that there are ALOT of people in this town that I don't know because it's growing so quickly. I'd like to know who authorized that! Who said that it was okay for people to move into this town without meeting me. I would soooooo like to have been copied on THAT memo!
I've always wanted a huge cross up on Granny's hill (and so has mom). Okay, I guess it's not really her hill anymore, but in my mind it always will be. I miss spending holidays up there. It's such a beautiful spot with such gorgeous views (for those that don't know, that view was the front of the Christmas card).
I've always wanted to start a committee. A committee to help local businessess clean up their act (literally). To help them paint their buildings, put awnings or flower boxes on their windows and help them give their signs some personality (I know, AGAIN with the signs). This could be SUCH a gorgeous town with such little effort. We could give that OTHER local snotty town a run for their money, I know we could!
Okay, so many more thoughts on my town, but if you even made it this far, I'm sure you're bored to tears. I'll leave you with this.........
I challenge you all today to do this. To really look at your daily life a little closer and notice the details. I also challenge you to notice your town, every little detail. If you blog, I challenge you to blog a day in your life and to blog about your little town or big city. How long will this new perspective of mine last? Honestly, I almost lost my perspective while trying to wrestle Dawson to the ground this am (aka getting dressed), but I pulled myself up by the boot straps, shook it off, and wen't on about my business ;). Life and daily grind will probably win out (sooner rather than later) and I'll stop noticing the little things, but now I have this blog to remind me.
n playing on the boat with his Aunt Lorrie
