Embracing the big picture, visually and mentally. Looking out over the Nittany Valley, home for the past 40 plus years, it’s easy to let the mind wander, imagine, and plan. I always think I know what the picture is. Experience proves otherwise.
On the way to work, wet morning, early enough to stop and look. I never plan to stop, it just happens on the way to somewhere. The new tires are worn in and fine on the damp pavement. For a few moments, taking in the view, it’s as if there are no cares or concerns, just breathing and living.
Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, ““A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” It’s taken years to understand what that means and even longer to become, if not a good traveler, at least a half-assed one. I have a love-hate relationship with plans; I love making them and hate abandoning them. Riding has helped illuminate the value of unexpected paths and detours, roads and routes outside the plan. Still, I make plans both large and small.
A few evenings ago while wandering through the grocery store I was building plans for a quiet evening dashed by a broken waterline in the basement. Not so many years ago this unexpected change of plans would leave a sour, bitter, angry taste in my mouth. Remarkably I’ve found some satisfaction in embracing the unexpected. So an evening of work with flux and solder, mop and broom, delivered an experience I would neither anticipate or choose.
In the flood in the basement reached a collection of journals, written evidence of my existence all neatly stacked, stored and soaked. The road this evening called for methodical, careful work to retrieve these books, drying what I could, turning pages, inspecting the faded, bleeding ink. And here and there reading of life from five, ten and twenty years earlier. Standing in the basement I had a glimpse of the big picture that I call my life, all thanks to an abandoned plan.
A tiger was drenched in the flood, a Moon Tiger, icon of the Moon Senior High school’s Flame yearbook from 1972. Paging through history it was hard to fathom how quickly the years have passed, and wondering what’s become of all those people.
Earlier in the evening I was surveying the valley, gazing at the big picture of Boalsburg, State College, and the Nittany Valley. I’ve always been attracted to high places, overlooks, promontories, places to take in the world, wander, and think.
Junior and I share the experience though for decidedly different reasons. The plan often changes during our walks, or at least my plan. Can’t really speak to his though I have my suspicions. I want to walk, throw the ball, and just spend some time with my thoughts. And keep Junior out of the ponds so neither Kim or I have to endure the fragrance of wet dog. And more times than not my plan changes when Junior decides to head off for a swim.
He’s just missing the big picture.
Thought provoking post….I got the following from it:
Don’t forget your past as it helped make you
Plan but remain flexible
Sudden troubles can become insurmountable if you let them
Worry about stuff you can affect, the rest will unfold regardless until it reaches a condition you can affect
Not used to thinking this much Steve….going riding.
Thanks
Hi, Steve
My post is far more common, but I think your scooter looks amazing, considering all the miles you put on it and considering the weather conditions you put it through. My golly, out here with the much easier weather, other than the sun, I think a Vespa might become the eighth wonder of the world! I realize there may be some oxidation hiding in unseen places on your scoot, but other than a few scratches here and there you must be very happy with the overall condition.
Too bad about your little flood, but you seem to have handled it well.
Karlu
It’s not so much the high school yearbooks, rather the experiences of those who graduated with your class where are they now or moreso how many are still living and breathing?
My entry year to high school here in my hometown graduated in 1962; for various reasons not always positive was not allowed to leave secondary school until 1967 when the system decided I was not worth retaining and was given the boot. Graduated but not legally.
So these many days past know some things…virtually 3/4 of all the graduating classes between dates in June 1962 and 1967 have left Canada for happier countries where
one may earn unlimited incomes with much lesser taxation.
Time passes; will you could be applied however it’s how we now are.
Just ask Junior, not after he takes a swim, dogs do smell eh?
Hi Steve ,
I must say it and I know I speak for us all…..you are a fantastic writer and a really great photographer .
You really do have the ability to push life into your work.
Absolutely great.
Regards
Len
Steve,
When I come here and stop by…..it’s always well worth it!
Regards
Len
Charlie6: Sorry if I overheated your brain. I just keep jotting down the stuff that comes into my head…
Karlu: All the journals are just about dry. Takes awhile to get a bunch of wet pages separated and dried. And they grow in size. Don’t ever think they’ll be as compact as they once were.
Bryce Lee: I’ve not kept in touch with anyone from high school and don’t have any idea where anyone is. Guess I was sort of a loner back then too.
Junior tells me he doesn’t smell bad, he says he smells like a dog.
On bad days I think he smells like a damn dog.
Len: Thanks for the kind words. It’s always funny to see how people respond to various posts. The ones I “labor” over go unnoticed. The ones I pound out quickly, (like this one) often generate more connection. There’s a lesson there for me I think.
Steve, Just wanted to say how much I appreciate your images and words. This one, especially, inspired the scooter adventure I took this weekend. I made it a point to stay focused on the present allowing myself to take some unexpected turns with no scheduled stops to prevent me from appreciating what was in my current field of vision. That’s not something that comes naturally to me but it was certainly worth the effort. I have included (I think) a link to flickr set containing some shots from the trip.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22037353@N06/sets/72157644828983461
Hello Jason,
Thanks for the kind words about my posts to Scooter in the Sticks. Glad you find some use in them.
Your pictures reflect a fine landscape and ride. The black Vespa is pretty nice too. Tennessee has some fine riding roads and seems to not be so different than here though I suspect the weather might be warmer.
Riding without a plan is no easy thing. I feel as if I am constantly conditioned to have one, follow it, and evaluate success based on how well it was implemented. Riding the Vespa for me is a big “NO” to that kind of thinking. Glad you found a chance to try it yourself.
Love all the pictures. Have to add some of those places to my hope to see list…