So this is part two of my Venice post I wrote four years ago, that I am reposting on my new blog. Brace yourself, it sucks.
Imagine yourself in Venice, no map, meandering through the streets and canals feeling a little lost, turning left, then right, looking for that sign that will finally point you in the right direction. It’ll come, it’s hard to get lost in Venice, you’ll find your way sooner or later. The whole week was like that, one minute you’re lost, the next minute, there’s a sign for the Rialto. Like Venice, we will wander through these next few posts, you may feel lost. Every now and again I’ll take you somewhere you hadn’t expected, and surprise you with a photo(a great view). Sooner or later we’ll find our way, get to a point, an idea or thought, maybe the end, no rush though.
In my previous post I mused; cappuccino was an event, a chance to sit, to relax and enjoy, but enjoy what? The answer is: the moment. Enjoy, the moment.
A lot has happened in the 4 years, since I have written those words, “enjoy the moment.” Day and I got through our crap, we made it, and we’re better for it. But, there’s always more crap: two back surgeries, three months if a numb arm and the possibility of neck surgery, and most recently, 2 months and a dozen doctors appointments to decide whether or not I had lung cancer. I don’t, it’s some weird ass infection. “Enjoy the moment,” I believe I understand that better now, better than 4 years ago.
Seems like a no-brainer, “enjoy the moment,” but how many of us actually do it? If I could do it, I would sleep better, yes?
I have added a few pictures here, a few chances, a few opportunities for you and I to stop, and enjoy a moment.
Around every corner, down every alley and over every canal in Venice, is something beautiful, and a chance for a great photo. The great thing about Venice; Venice is the attraction. So, leave your map behind, and maunder (that’s a great word, kinda describes my writing) through the streets of Venezia.
As we walked the neighborhood of Murano (an island NE of Venice and famous for glass blowing) we came across this canal. I thought it made an interesting picture. As usual though, I have gotten off track though; Cappuccino, an event, a chance to enjoy the moment.
So, I’m reading this 4 years later, and ya know what I’m thinking, what a pile of crap! It’s frickin crap! What, I stop and take a photo of something pretty, and somehow I’ve learned to enjoy the moment? Who wrote this shit? I am embarrassed to say me, I wrote this crap. Well, let’s keep going…
I have now received my second application for AARP, in as many months. No, I am not at all concerned about turning 50, I could care less about my age, my life has only gotten better over the years. My body is not as enthusiastic as I am though. Years of construction has taken its toll. My back is always sore (I wrote that not knowing a year later I would have my first of two back surgeries) my knees hurt, but with any luck, my wife and I are doing all the right things, to enjoy an early retirement. As I write that, “my wife and I,” I smile, we’ve been together almost, eighteen years and married for almost ten. You do not make it eighteen years without some bumps in the road, and, 2014 was a bumpy road for me and Day.
I know some of you reading this might think 18 years is nothing compared to 40, 50, or more, and you’re right. I took this picture at the train station.
If there’s one decent thing in this post, it’s this picture. I remember taking this picture, watching these two old people for just a minute or two. I watched as the old man fussed over her, and she’d wave him off, as if to say, I’m fine, I’m fine, stop already. I watched, and I thought of me and Day. I wrote…
How long, how many decades have these two cared for, fought with and loved one another? Can Day and I stand the test of time? Will we be one of those couples who are together forever? I believe we will.
What does all this mean? I am in Venice, Italy, enjoy, the moment. Luckily, there is plenty to enjoy in Venice. Day and I took every opportunity to stop, enjoy the moment, and one another. Something maybe, we don’t do often enough. Yesterday is the past, tomorrow has not come yet, we have only today, this moment, to get it right. Learning that takes time, patience and experience.
Blah, blah, blah. Crap, crap, crapola! Oh look, pretty produce, look at me enjoying the moment. The picture is nice, and the market was great, but the writing is shit.
A picture of fruits and vegetables? I like taking pictures, finding an interesting shot. This was taken at the local open air market, go north over the Rialto, and head NE. I liked the colors, and wanted to see how it photographed.
We did a guided tour of Doge’s Palace. Usually I am not a big fan of tours, they are too touristy. We like to think we are not your average tourist, but I suppose we are. (that sounded a bit snooty, and now, years later, we take tours all the time, and we love them) Anyhow, I liked this tour, the guide was great. She gave us some great background and history on Venice. So, for a couple of hours, I was lost in the moment.
Oh good grief, “for a couple of hours I was lost in the moment,” what? This is why I only have 16 subscribers, because of crap like that. It’s good to go back and read posts from years ago. I remember this trip, and all we were going through, how far we’ve come, and how much more crap we’ve been through. But it’s painful to read the writing, hahaha.
I really enjoy spending time with Day. I remember when we first met at UMass, Amherst, we would spend hours outside the Blue Wall Cafe, just talking. Now, we work, we mow the lawn, clean the house, pay bills, on and on and on, you know the routine. Days go by, then weeks, months, and before you know it, the year is over. We don’t talk enough, like we did on the lawn outside the Blue Wall, many years ago.
It’s easy to enjoy one another when you’re on vacation, but now vacation is almost over. Day and I need to learn to take time to enjoy one another, or enjoy a moment, or, just enjoy today, like the Dalia Lama had said.
There is actually a part three and four to Venice, why it’s so long, I don’t know. There’s a saying, “If you can’t tie a knot, tie a lot.” Is the same true for writing, “if you can’t write, write a lot.” This was some pretty bad writing, I hope I’ve gotten better. Next, part three.
Luv ya,
Curly
My son is incredibly patient.