I hung a painting today
For Christmas, my Dad painted me a … painting. It’s a nautical scene, blue ocean, island in the background… and I think he was trying for a fast galleon, but he painted a very cool triple-masted schooner w/ a crew of at least 7. Three birds, twelve clouds. It’s amazing. Really, really amazing. And I’m not saying that from a “Dad-made-me-a-painting so I have to dote” perspective, I’m saying that from a “wow, this is an amazing painting perspective”… and it’s also exceptionally touching. On the back he penned ” `Land Ho!` In memory of the time when `Pirates of the Carribean` occupied our time and formed a common bond. To Matthew – my son.” Yes, I know Carribean is spelled Caribbean. So does he. “Pirates of the Carribean” refers to Sid Meier’s Pirates!, a classic PC game that we both played. Not together, as it wasn’t multiplayer, but in serial. He gave up long before I did, but one of the very few things I remember from my childhood, was dinner conversations dominated by who plundered what Spanish city, who crushed the Silver Train while it was still in Panama, etc.
Most people that know me, know I have a horrible memory. Not in the “I forget a lot” sense, in the “I can’t remember long periods of my life, nor what I ate yesterday”. Sometimes it gets better, but it always regresses. Anyhow, that I can still remember those things reinforces the meaning of this to me.
Most people that know me, also know that I am horribly unmotivated to do anything related to home improvement. Hanging a painting is a big deal for me. Maybe it’s a new leaf? I don’t know. It took me 3 months, but here we are.
