Meme - Five Words

Here's my attempt at doing it justice.

Kenju sent me the five words. Go check hers out here.


Brave epitaph imagination salute tempest

Brave:
1 : having or showing courage
2 : making a fine show : colorful
3 : excellent, splendid

People tell me I am brave because I often travel alone. I recently took a solo road trip from Houston to Key West to Great Smoky Mountain National Park to Yellowstone and back to Houston. I even camped alone in bear country. I don’t think it’s brave as much as impatient and maybe a little selfish. If I’m traveling alone, I get to do what I want, when I want, and where I want.

There are times that I feel the need to get away from everyone and spend time by myself.


Epitaph:
1 : an inscription on or at a tomb or a grave in memory of the one buried there
2 : a brief statement commemorating or epitomizing a deceased person or something past

I didn’t write this and I’m not sure who did. It’s one of my favorite quotes. I would like it or something similar to be the epitaph on my tombstone.

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘WOO HOO what a ride! ‘ ”

Imagination:
1 : the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality
2 a : creative ability b : ability to confront and deal with a problem : resourcefulness c : the thinking or active mind : interest
3 a : a creation of the mind; especially : an idealized or poetic creation b : fanciful or empty assumption

I enjoy the company of creative people. I admire someone who can conjure up something in his imagination and share it with the rest of us.

I would like to create something. I have a quite vivid imagination, but am not as talented as some people I know and cannot transfer the images from my head to the real world. I don’t play an instrument, don’t sing, and have trouble drawing stick figures. I can write. I have toyed with the idea of writing a novel. Maybe I’ll start writing down my daydreams and turn them into something tangible.


Salute:
1 a : to address with expressions of kind wishes, courtesy, or honor b : to give a sign of respect, courtesy, or goodwill to : greet
2 : to become apparent to (one of the senses)
3 a : to honor (as a person, nation, or event) by a conventional military or naval ceremony b : to show respect and recognition to (a military superior) by assuming a prescribed position c : to express commendation of : praise

I am the first in my family to never learn how to salute. My grandfather served in World War II. My father was a Drill Sergeant during Vietnam. My uncle served in country during Vietnam. My older brother was a Green Beret. My other older brother and my older sister both also joined the Army. My father was not happy when I refused.


Tempest:
1 : a violent storm
2 : tumult, uproar

I won’t stay in a tempestuous relationship. I like romantic passion, but cannot handle people that are too quick to anger. If we can’t disagree without yelling and name-calling, it’s over.

Of course, living in Houston, this word also brings to mind hurricanes. Ike was not fun and I hope it is quite a while before we get another major storm.