In 14 hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue…
Happy Columbus Day. In my family, the tradition is to play selections from Stan Freeburg’s “The United States of America” on this day. Especially the song “It’s a Round, Round World”. Just because it’s silly and we’ve memorized the whole record. Yes, record. As in vinyl. It was from Jim’s collection.
“You have a dream?” “Yes, I do.” “Would you like to talk about it?”
Yes, I would. My dream is to live a life of discovery, to open my eyes and ears and arms and senses to the vast experiences of this round, round world. To open my mind to possibilities for living, to find ways of peace, of tolerance and acceptance. To learn from the earth, from the other living things around me, what it is to be in harmony with my surroundings. I want to discover how to live in grace.
To look far off
and close up
to notice relationships
and contrasts
Awareness, appreciation, attitude, action, activism and education. Discovery, embodiment, and teaching. The way of the bodhisattva, actually.
Yes, that’s my dream.
scillagrace 
I love your photos! I’m in total agreement.
Thanks so much for the compliment! Seeing your work on your blog puts that into perspective as high praise. I am a believer in the transformative experience. I visited the Grand Canyon when I was 10 on my first trip west of the Mississippi. I was catapulted into my John Denver years and never recovered. Ed Abbey is the voice I hear now when I think of the Canyon. Not an idealist, but spiritual and gritty, acknowledging the dark and light sides.
Related internet quote that you probably hadn’t seen: “Let’s celebrate Columbus Day by walking into someone else’s house and telling them we live there now.”
I chuckled. I also love your pictures.
Decades after having learned it in school, “In fourteen-ninety two” is still strong in my head. I think that must be one of the most remembered school time rhymes there is. Thanks for bringing back memories