Every artist has their spot.
Somewhere, the greatest musicians, writers, painters, poets and photographers create their art ... in their spot. … I know it; I feel it.
Mine happens to be here. ... Well, here on the campfire patio at our home, which you can see above.
I say “campfire patio” because during the summer of 2020, in the peak of the pandemic, Shelley and I created two patios in our backyard, this one by far being my favorite. … I’ve already written those stories, and you can find them here … and here.
This blog was born on this patio that summer, four years ago now. Which actually in a lot of ways feels like a lifetime ago.
And some 1,450 blog posts later, here I sit … creating more.
My 12-by-12-foot, paver stone patio probably doesn’t seem like much to most. But let me tell you, when you are sitting back here in the evening, you’d feel like the prince of your own castle too.
Let me orient you …
The photo you see is pointing northwest. … And on summer evenings I get the view of the best summer sunsets you could possibly ask for living in a small city.
But interestingly, if you sit at my little glass table, fire in front of you, and the two nutso dogs playing in the yard behind you, it’s easy to forget that you live in an urban setting.
We have neighbors, of course, but thanks to the way the houses are situated, our southern neighbor’s house’s backyard abuts ours, and our neighbor to the east’s kitchen and backyard is what we face. … Because we sit on the northwest corner of the block, that’s all.
So, well, a guy’s got a little peace here is what I’m sayin’.
And so, late at night, given how quiet our city is, you can truly believe that you are alone here on our campfire patio. … Friends, if we are not out of town, visiting a lake or traveling, honestly, there is no place I’d rather be than our campfire patio.
The best work of this blog, and frankly, a good chunk of my book “Finding Faith in Life’s Beautiful Cracks” were written on this patio. … Everyone needs their muse, and evidently mine is the backyard campfire patio, with our two huskies running about behind me.
Music is important to the artistic process, of course. Because it’s what sets the mood. Everyone knows that, right?
And for me, my writing sound track over the past half decade runs to a list of about a handful of bands, needtobreathe, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Johnny Cash and, as of late, a new band I stumbled upon called Judah and The Lion. I’m not foolin’ when I say a great number of the posts on this blog were written to the sounds of those artists.
I am bummed that work on the campfire patio started so late in the summer season this year. … My first writing night out here was last night, some three weeks into June. But given the increased tasks because of the book launch, an unusually wet spring and some other obligations, that was realistically the first night to get out here and enjoy this lovely amenity of our home.
Thankfully, it was a productive night, and several writing projects are now in the bank. … Success!
Howie and Gus Gus, who spent the night out here with me are telling me that it’s time to go in, and so I guess I’ll follow their wisdom.
I hope that the inspiration of the beautiful June night, warm weather, amazing sunset, campfire scent and vibrant blues and greens of a summer evening have created something that is beautiful to you as well!
No worries, Faith Family, there’ll be more dispatches from the campfire patio this summer! Hold tight! … And I dearly pray that you have your own equivalent of the campfire patio in your life!
And please, if you’re ever in the neighborhood, stop by! I’m always up for a night on the campfire patio with anyone who’s looking for a little peace, a little getaway … a little escape. We can chat, we can try a good bourbon, or we can just sit and listen to the fire crackle and the dogs playing behind us. Whatever balm you need. Just hit me up, my friend!
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