Chasing Ideals

Today was quite a day for me. I can't really put my finger on exactly why but I think that the Slovakian countryside has done something for me in a way that previously only a hot crumpet from behind could have (perhaps only Aran will get that). It reminded me that I was born for the fresh air and the open country. Living in the city for so long, my lungs have been starved for air that is as fresh as a newly formed breeze. At each breath here I feel that I am healed of the years of abuse that city life has done to me innards. The last time I felt so revitalized in that way was spending time on the western coast of Ireland where the ocean air for me is intoxicating in its blissful freshness. I can recall times in Phoenix when I could literally taste the foulness of the air and I know that at times it made physical activity far more difficult and far from enjoyable. The other day hiking the Tatras was exhilirating and for the next two days I plan to hike and explore the nearby "Slovakian paradise" (translated). In a sense I feel that I am given a new lease at such things because my body is responding to the environment in such a marvelous way. Driving here has also reminded of the joy that one can experience in such trivial pleasures. The roads for the most part are long and empty and at times I can just put the car into neutral and coast downhill for long periods with the wind rushing around me. It is a truly marvelous experience and makes one imagine the joy that the pioneers of car making experienced only a century ago. Environment is certainly what you make of it but here in the awe inspiring natural beauty and freedom of the open space the effort of "making it" is minimal.

Hopefully all of you have enjoyed the new pictures from Slovakia and should look again at Lovable Quirks as there are more new photos of my day today at Spiššky Hrad. The Hrad which I assume means castle was a spectacular site to see and I enjoyed taking photos from a myriad of angles. Which brings me to what I wanted to mention that while staying in Nowy Sacz I was taught many new ways to use my camera. Marcin was a gracious and informative teacher into many of the features of my camera that I was wholly unaware of. I can see already that my picture taking has improved and also that I have gained greater enjoyment in it knowing now more of the capabilities in it. Previously I had felt very limited in what I could learn but Marcin was encouraging that the features of at least my camera are not so complex as they seem. I think that someday he should perhaps consider teaching though that may sound a nightmare to him. He in just a short time explained the functions of my camera in very clear and for me simple terms and I now feel much more confident about what I can do with my pictures in the future. It is amazing how when someone takes some of the complexity out of something it gives one a freedom and a confidence to learn and to try new things. I know now that I can only improve as a I practice and take pictures in ways I have not tried. My hope is that my future additions to Lovable Quirks will be a testament to this.

I wish to give me mother a long distance pat on the back for her recent accomplishments and to tell the world or at least you 3 or 4 lucky sods who read my blog what she has done. This week she was to start her full time work as a medical assistant and I am so proud of all that she's done to get to that point. After spending 34 years as a full time mother of high esteem she decided that she wanted to go back to college and complete the course. I will never forgot seeing her excitement about the material that she was learning and every time I saw her she was diagnosing my ailments and those of others. She enjoyed learning in a way that I have not since my early days of being schooled and it was encouraging for me to see that such enthusiasm is still possible. My mother puts all of herself into whatever she is doing and approached this with a conscienciousness that surprised me. If she felt that the teacher was making the tests too easy for instance she felt cheated because she understood the weight of becoming a medical assistant demanded better. I am blessed that I have a mother who can and will continue to inspire me. In her position now I have no doubt that she will be a success because of the care and attention she has for people, especially those that are in need. She will approach her work with an integrity that will inspire those that she works with wherever she goes. She must already have displayed some of this as the office she did her clinicals with hired her on immediately after she had them completed. Kudos to you mother