ha ha ha.. a permanent case of shingles. God forbid!!! giggles Nate.. and more giggles as you write/draw your way for my pleasure and of course all those other lucky people who bought you a beer and sat back semi not believing that some kid made a book of your snot nose made up thing. I love it.. keep it up..
Some of your aunties also loved your monster books -- and what a great gift from Mike F. --an "official" book! You are so right about birds, nature and JOY! My personal joy tends towards plants -- flowers, trees, ferns, etc. (they don't move around as much as birds) -- I always get a sense of joy and calm when I can get out outside and walk among the trees. I really enjoy your posts and writing, Nate!
I should have sprinkled a few more monsters into the post!
There's something to that--the plants not moving around as much. My morning walk around the garden is so calming. No binoculars needed, and I can take my time seeing the subtle and not-so-subtle changes from one day to the next. Thanks for reading, Aunt Sue!!
The Monster Book is a keeper! That's great that you and your friend have kept those drawings and musings from childhood and bound them into a book. Laser bird would make for a great comic. :)
I like your point about the Cedar Waxwing and joy. Appreciating Nature and birding can certainly help with that and make the world and somebody's day better by spreading joy.
This reminds me of a story Brad Warner (author of Hardcore Zen) mentioned some years ago. He had been working at a Japanese company in Tokyo and studying Zen in the evenings and weekends with a Soto Zen priest.
Brad was feeling conflicted though about working at the company while trying to live Zen ideals. Brad told his Zen teacher about it as he felt that the corporate job was pointless. The Zen teacher told Brad that he should try to make each day a little better by helping make the world a better place while still doing his job and not focus on a grand plan or trying to be 'perfect.'
That story always stuck with me and think that activity like birding and creativity in art, writing, etc. is a way to do that. I hope is to make the world and the day for even one person, a little better. Laser bird did that reading this as well! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this wonderful comment, Neil! That's it. It's so great to wake up and see that someone got some joy from a piece of writing I did. Your sijos and photos and musings always do that for me as well.
That's totally right on about what the teacher told Brad. We have to live our daily lives. It's not going to be 24/7 zen. Little acts to make the world better add up, especially if we're all doing them.
Hey, check that out. Thanks, Nate🙏💐
🤗
That Monster Book is pure GOLD! (And it all is starting to make sense.) Also, thank you for the shoutout!
Well deserved shoutout :)
Yes it is! Thankfully we had the good sense to not throw those drawings away.
ha ha ha.. a permanent case of shingles. God forbid!!! giggles Nate.. and more giggles as you write/draw your way for my pleasure and of course all those other lucky people who bought you a beer and sat back semi not believing that some kid made a book of your snot nose made up thing. I love it.. keep it up..
I had a case of shingles a couple of years ago. God forbid indeed :(((
Thank you Nettie! That book Mike made for me is priceless. He's still kicking himself for not having made a copy for himself. Gotta rectify that.
I loved this post Nate, and the waxwing metaphor. Your work here is absolutely a source of joy.
Thank you James. Coming from one of the elite waxwings, that means a lot :)
Dad still fondly remembers your Monster Book.
Ha! Awesome!! Man, I showed that thing to EVERYONE lol. What patient aunts and uncles I had.
The laser bird! Yes! I'd forgotten about it. So proud of the piping plover video and this new venture of yours. Fun AND delightful!
the drawings. you're a brave soul, Nate. lol
Hahaha... I remember showing these to everyone! No one was suggesting art school though lol.
Some of your aunties also loved your monster books -- and what a great gift from Mike F. --an "official" book! You are so right about birds, nature and JOY! My personal joy tends towards plants -- flowers, trees, ferns, etc. (they don't move around as much as birds) -- I always get a sense of joy and calm when I can get out outside and walk among the trees. I really enjoy your posts and writing, Nate!
I should have sprinkled a few more monsters into the post!
There's something to that--the plants not moving around as much. My morning walk around the garden is so calming. No binoculars needed, and I can take my time seeing the subtle and not-so-subtle changes from one day to the next. Thanks for reading, Aunt Sue!!
The Monster Book is a keeper! That's great that you and your friend have kept those drawings and musings from childhood and bound them into a book. Laser bird would make for a great comic. :)
I like your point about the Cedar Waxwing and joy. Appreciating Nature and birding can certainly help with that and make the world and somebody's day better by spreading joy.
This reminds me of a story Brad Warner (author of Hardcore Zen) mentioned some years ago. He had been working at a Japanese company in Tokyo and studying Zen in the evenings and weekends with a Soto Zen priest.
Brad was feeling conflicted though about working at the company while trying to live Zen ideals. Brad told his Zen teacher about it as he felt that the corporate job was pointless. The Zen teacher told Brad that he should try to make each day a little better by helping make the world a better place while still doing his job and not focus on a grand plan or trying to be 'perfect.'
That story always stuck with me and think that activity like birding and creativity in art, writing, etc. is a way to do that. I hope is to make the world and the day for even one person, a little better. Laser bird did that reading this as well! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this wonderful comment, Neil! That's it. It's so great to wake up and see that someone got some joy from a piece of writing I did. Your sijos and photos and musings always do that for me as well.
That's totally right on about what the teacher told Brad. We have to live our daily lives. It's not going to be 24/7 zen. Little acts to make the world better add up, especially if we're all doing them.