Happy Birthday Daddy

The dogs greeted me with reminders of the big day — geezerdom and eligibility for Social Security all coming together in a cosmic event.  There’s a full moon in the sky as I write.  I still remember throwing rocks at plastic soldiers dug into a road bank after school. Shooting photo assignments for the Daily Collegian at Penn State seem like they happened yesterday.  And now suddenly, without warning or explanation, I’m 62 years old.

The dogs think it’s just another day.  You have to love them for that.

There are no Vespa photographs in this post.  I rode to work today but didn’t feel the urge to make any photographs of the scooter.  It’s a holiday.

It’s Late in the Day

Long shadows indicate the end of the day.  I see a metaphor for the position I occupy on the course of my life.  A birthday offers an opportunity to think about what’s ahead.  Lily and I walk in the park, a chance for me to exercise and her how to walk on a leash.  I’m averaging 12 thousand steps a day.  She’s not doing so well on the leash.

Progress not perfection.

Watching the Sunset

Late in the day Junior and I take a walk to the top of the hill to watch the sun go down over Mount Nittany.  Behind me a full moon rises to later illuminate the night.  Kim bought me a Nikon DSLR camera and two lenses for my birthday.  After years of lugging big, heavy professional cameras I’m looking forward to a smaller, lighter version — the D3300.  I’m excited to entertain the next steps in my photographic journey.  Personal and reflective.  No art directors or clients.

Just me and the world.

So far, it’s been quite a party.