Hello, my friends! What in the world have I been up to? Going to car races? No, not at all, I have just been talking to my Dad!
Two days ago, he called me and said, "Look outside! You have PINK clouds over your way!" It is refreshing to talk with someone who has an interest in ...well, almost everything! He was very excited to tell me that he had seen one of the best car races that he had ever seen. Just a few weeks ago, Martin Truex won the Coca Cola 600 in Charlotte in a very exciting race. Now, you must understand, even with my Dad's influence, I don't care one thing about car racing. Not one thing. Still, if I am speaking with someone and they are passionate about their subject, it always makes me listen even though I care very little about what they are describing to me! (Does that makes sense?) It makes me happy!
When our son was growing up, I remember some of my friends asking me, "What do you do when your son says he is bored?".
My reply, "I don't know, it has never happened yet." It was true! And I do wonder if our son is a lot like my Dad, always finding something of interest, something to share with someone that expresses joy in the subject!
Joy...it is a word that you don't really hear much any more. In England, they have an expression..."any joy?". It means were you able to accomplish a certain thing or if something had come through for you in a positive way. I think we should ask ourselves that at the the end of each and every day- Any Joy? And if it is hard for you to do so, then search out positive people like my Dad...seen any pink clouds lately?
I will be going to visit my Dad today...there might be discussions on baseball, politics, cows, chickens, cucumbers, butterbeans, homemade pimento cheese, tractors, weather, or his childhood in Toccoa. One thing for sure, I won't be bored!
Hi, Kay! I'm back from wandering in England and Italy, and just in time to catch this profound post of yours. You've discussed a topic that is really important: a passion for living that's illuminated by joy for all the incredible things in our everyday lives. I'm thrilled that Christopher has inherited your father's zest and curiosity. (You have it too, in spades!) There is joy and grace all around us, if we only open our minds and hearts.
ReplyDeleteIt's summer in Colorado now, and the past few days that I have been home, we've been sleeping with the windows open. I wake to one of the sweetest, purest sounds in the world: meadowlarks singing in the rough grasses in the open space that surrounds our home. The sounds are aural fluffy pink clouds. Have a wonderful day! Wishing you joy!
Hey Louise! You are one of the most joyful people and it shows in your writing! Joy and grace, if we only open our hearts and minds...that is lovely.
DeleteGuess what? Our son was just in Denver this past weekend! I can't wait to hear about it. Funny, I wonder if you would recognize him if you saw him on the street?
I love meadowlarks by the way, I see them at my Dad's! :-)
I know exactly what you mean, love for people to be passionate about things and to share that interest.
ReplyDeleteHere's some joy, the Braves played a really good game against the Cubs and won.!!!!
I hope we had some joy on that game on Friday night since they STUNK the next two games, am I right? :-) OH WELL!
DeleteI'm with your son and your Dad -- there's NO excuse to be bored in this world! There is always something of interest going on -- people just have to bestir themselves and go find it! I never understand people who say they're bored.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Debra! There is NO EXCUSE to be bored! This is a great big world we have, surely there is something to interest everyone!
DeleteI love those clouds
ReplyDeleteMy husband takes some amazing photos and he constantly looks at the sky!
DeleteYour father is a smart man. People have thought I am weird for years because I blurt out things that catch my eye. To see the wonder in everyday happenings is to see the world through the eyes of a child. It keeps us young.
ReplyDeleteWonder, I think Rachel Carson wrote a children's book about it, The Wonder of Nature. And like you, I often blurt out what catches my eye, just like a kid!
DeleteYour father is someone i'd love to meet, as are you!
ReplyDeleteThanks! You would love my Dad, everyone does!
DeleteI can't even remember when I was last bored (when I wasn't in a business meeting that is).
ReplyDeleteSee, that is because you look for JOY! (And I don't blame you for business meetings, I have never understood the need for them myself.)
DeleteIt's good to have an active mind and folk who have one usually stay sharp as a pin into old age. " Any joy?" to me usually means I've agreed to fix something for a customer with the words "No problem" and usually comes somewhere down the time line, depending on how complicated the job is to fix.
ReplyDeleteSometimes "any joy?" is repeated several times at intervals in person or over the phone :o)
Funny thing, I have never once heard the expression, "Any joy?" in this country, only in England. (Gee, I am never quite sure of what things mean over there...you don't want to know how puzzled I am at words and their meanings, even after being married to a Brit and visiting England for years!)
DeleteI don't recall ever being bored when I was a kid. I never get bored, now. I live a simple life, but I never get bored, nor do I get lonely. "Bored" and "lonely" are two words that aren't in my vocabulary when it comes to referring to myself.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your Dad had a lovely time together. My statement is redundant...because, of course, you did! :)
Lee, you have such a joyful, active mind that it shows in your writing!
DeleteAnd yes, we had a great day together, you know we did! :-)
It is such a joy to be the sort of person who has a healthy dose of curiosity and also of appreciation for all that is and the amazing world we inhabit....Wonderful that your Dad lives close enough to visit often.
ReplyDeleteHe lives about 30 miles away, so I wished I lived a bit closer! Still, I am grateful I can get there by the interstate, so it is only a 30 minute drive. Stay curious!
DeleteSuper clouds!
ReplyDeleteAnyone can enjoy clouds, free for everyone!
DeleteHi Kay
ReplyDeleteYour dad seems a great guy. Sadly my dad died in January and I miss him a lot. Thanks for the comment. Will attempt another post!
Oh Paul, I am sorry for your loss. You are so much like your Dad, I remember that you looked very much like him. I am pleased to see your comment here. Try to write a post when you can. I miss your great photos from New Zealand!
DeleteTake care.
Most of the clouds around here have been black. We've had some wicked thunderstorms but some pink clouds would have been nice too.
ReplyDeleteWish we could have some rain, we need it very badly. It is so hot and dry. Today, our high was about 95 degrees!
DeleteEnjoy your time with your Dad. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gigi! My Dad has been to Hawaii and loved it. ALOHA!
DeleteOutdoors seems to be one of the best places to find Joy (for me, at least!). And pink clouds definitely make me happy.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good time with your dear Dad. He sounds like a fun guy to be around.
Nature brings me much joy, as you know!
DeleteYes, my Dad is like a mushroom...he is a FUN GUY! (Ha...that is a punchline from a joke but typical of me, can't remember the joke!...Oh wait, yes I can... A mushroom walks into a bar and says "Drinks are on me!"... Someone asks why is he buying, and he replies...you guessed it, "Cause I'm a FUNGI! (Fungi). And yes, I know FUNGUS is the singular but hey, it's just a joke, not an English class!! :-)