Right now, there's a soft breeze breathing fresh air through my house. As I look out the window, the trees seem to be giggling. Some even give a few full belly laughs. The birds seem to be chirping with cheer today too. It's a beautiful day.
The whisper of the breeze brings me back to a recent weekend we spent in Montauk. It sounds like the waves of the open shore. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face.
Here's a photo of the lighthouse in Montauk, Long Island:
Montauk Point Lighthouse ©Dawn R. Morris
Here's the view from the top (try climbing that long, spiral staircase):
From Top of Montauk Lighthouse ©Dawn R. Morris
And here's the lighthouse from the beach below:
Montauk Lighthouse ©Dawn R. Morris
And here are some fishermen who stood behind it:
Fishermen of Montauk ©Dawn R. Morris
Like the fisherman, I too love the sea. I like to fish as well, but for information. I like to piece it and weave it together, kind of like a seamstress or a chef. That's why I love blogging. It allows me to connect my dots and make sense of the world.
Back in January, I started to question whether or not I was trying to sort too many pieces. I started to reevaluate, but found it extremely difficult to narrow my focus. I have so many interests, and I am an advocate for so many causes. How could I choose just one? Why can't I, like everyone else seems to be able to? What's wrong with me?!!!
In writing this post, I think I've found the answer. I'm trying to be the fisherman, the chef, the seamstress, the traveler, the photographer, and the lighthouse keeper all at the same time. I absolutely LOVE to juggle all these things, but I'm hurting myself by focusing on too much.
I have been writing fewer blog posts, and I'm sure you've noticed that I've stopped writing about picture books. If you've relied on me for book recommendations in the past, I'm sorry that I'm not able to spend much of my time fishing for picture books anymore. It's the one passion I have that I need to let go at this point. It took me months to realize that, and I fought the realization every step of the way. But it really started to monopolize my time, and I just can't let that happen anymore. I hope you understand.
I will always adore picture books, and I can only hope they will not eventually become lost in the online web of time. It was because of the lack of appreciation I saw for them that I actually started this blog. No matter how much I try, I can't make people realize that they are what I believe to be the keys to peace, cultural understanding, literacy, and even education. Some have even laughed in my face at the thought. And to them I say that when a child reads a picture book, it's like taking a trip around the world. You can go anywhere without leaving the comfort of your own home or library. Every child should have a chance to travel the world, don't you think?
I've also blogged a lot about literacy, but I feel that most of my readers probably are not the ones who need to hear the message anyway. Am I right? There are so many people talking about this subject, and there's so much free information online, that I really don't think I need to continue my advocacy in this area. At least not through this blog.
And so, my friends, I am going to try to be less the fisherman, and more the lighthouse keeper. I will shed light on issues I care about, and that means I have to get over my fear of heights. I'm happy enough to walk along the beach, but at this point, I need to head toward the light, and away from the distractions.
Do I need to rename this blog, or start fresh with a new one? What do you think? One of my biggest regrets about naming this blog is that I put the word "moms" in there, when anyone can inspire learning in a child. My basic goal has always been to help all kinds of caregivers to not only inspire a love of learning in children, but in themselves as well. These days, we all need to be lifelong learners, and we don't have to go back to college in order to do so.
I have more photographs and stories from our weekend in Montauk, which I will share within the next couple of weeks. We took the most amazing walks on the beach, and ones I'll never forget.
I have just a few book and product reviews to finish up over the next couple of weeks, and I will still be mentioning an occasional children's book (mainly the YA ones my children love) here on out.
In the meantime, I hope you're enjoying the beautiful weather we've been having here on the East coast. The trees are giggling even more now here. The wind is picking up, but I'm ready to walk right through it. Won't you join me?
"Never settle for the path of least resistance." ~Lee Ann Womack
You can find numerous children's book recommendations within these categories (see also sidebar):
You can also find many other wonderful children's book blogs at KidLitosphere Central, which I feel honored to have been a part of during this past year and a half.
