I would like to introduce you all to Henry.  Henry is one of my collection of gargoyles.  I started this collection many years ago and continue to this day when dealing with certain ones.  Henry came to me many years ago and is a perfect  companion for my early morning sessions.  Quiet (unlike the dog who prances around like a ninny). Calm (unlike the stellers jays that bark and harass said dog). And as you can tell from his saucy look, he has a touch of imp in him.

The other day I sat contemplating Henry and the yard in general.  It was a particularly quiet morning as the four footed child did not want to come out of his crate as of yet.  So Henry and I sat there watching the mist roll through the trees on its way up the Arbutus mountains to disipate over the Pacific or on the verge of Arrowsmith.  I was doing a great deal of thinking that morning.  Sometimes I think too much.  This particular morning though I was contemplating my work and my life.  (As a side note – I go through stages of loving/hating my job or getting down right exhausted at how much time and energy I invest in it.  But in the end I would never have it any other way. )  I came to the realization that although I spend more than the ordinary person at my job – by doing so I come to value those outside this area even more.

I have precious little spare time so when I do get some time off I find myself choosing very carefully where I am going to spend it.  Some days I decide to crack down and finish a particular short story that will never grace an editors desk or even see the light of day.  Some days I spend with some of my very small circle of friends.  Some days (as in today) I fritter away doing nothing but mindless tasks and enjoying every moment of it.  And in the vein of friends, I found that when I have very little time it makes me appreciate those whom I call friend.  In the past there were people I am ashamed to say I actually thought would make a good friend and in doing so I pursued them and found myself on the brink of begging for a crumb of their time in my lonliness.  Others turned into fair-weather friends and disappeared when my work/life or my health issues came to bear.  Then there are those who are the real thing,  Even when I have not been in contact for 2 – 3 weeks because I am putting in 60 or 70 hr work weeks, they manage to keep me on track and actually seem pleased to hear from me when I ‘come up for air’.

So although I am sometimes dissatisfied with the amount of hours my job drains from my life – I find myself cherishing those moments of life even moreso.  And even the acquaintenances, or soon-to-be-possible friends bring.  I also cherish the contacts I have with my family that I find, as I get older, become more dear and valuable to me as the days go by.

All in all – it’s a good life.  And along with the thorns, I’ve found some pretty spectacular roses along the way.  I intend to keep adding to the bouquet on a daily basis