I'm like a pencil;
sometimes sharp,
most days
well-rounded,
other times
dull or
occasionally
broken.
Still I write.
j.g. lewis
is a writer/photographer in Toronto.
Month: May 2020
I bought a guitar last week. By no means a spontaneous purchase, I’d been thinking about it for a couple of decades, even more seriously over the past year, or two.
I know myself too well to even think I could rush into a decision like this. A guitar requires commitment, and patience, and attention. You see, I am a Gemini and often plans, goals, or interests can waiver slightly or rapidly move from one thing to another. A passion one day can be a pain in the ass the next week.
A guitar is something to be appreciated.
It’s not that I don’t have some experience with a guitar. I took lessons a few times at different stages of my life. I was keenly interested in the instrument, up until I discovered the drums. After that, my kit was all that mattered.
Drums were the perfect instrument for teenage aggression but you learn, after a while, that they are limited. They are crucial for keeping the beat but require other instruments to be truly effective. Drums, on their own, are nothing but noisy. You can’t take your drums to a campfire sing-along or sweetly serenade your girlfriend. In fact, you can’t just pick them up and take them anywhere. Anytime.
I sold my drums decades ago. I suppose I sold my drums when I grew up. Since then, I’ve always wanted a guitar. I’ve always wanted to create beautiful noise.
I. Have. Always. Loved. Music.
With more time on my hands these days, like everybody else, it suddenly became important for me to pick up the guitar (again). I set a budget and began my search, clicking through the used ads and buy and sell groups. Music stores, or pawnshops, were not an option in these pandemic days.
I bought a German instrument, from the same decade as me. It’s got more than a few scuffs, scratches and scrapes, and needs a couple of adjustments and a new set of strings. But it is, or was, a quality instrument.
In my hands it felt perfect, for me.
I even remembered how to tune it, and most of the open string chords came back to me. Now, my fingers have not stretched like that in years, and the muscle movement (or memory) will take some time. But I, like everybody else, seem to have a little more time on my hands.
This guitar offers a promise. It is an inspiration. It might even be a distraction, but it’s been a long time since I’ve made some music of my own.
Posted on May 12, 2020 by j.g.lewis // 1 Comment
Three letters from across this globe on the same day, and suddenly the planet seems a little smaller.
And closer.
That’s what a letter does; it removes physical distance. More so, especially in these isolating times.
Then there is the element of surprise. You always smile when you find personal correspondence in your mailbox (at least I do).
If you want to brighten someone’s day, from faraway, send a letter.
It’s simple, yet says so much.
It’s civil.
It is sincere.
Thank you.
05/12/2020 j.g.l.
Posted on May 11, 2020 by j.g.lewisLeave a comment
Your life, your direction, is
not just this way or that.
North, south, east or left, is
the right path ever obvious?
All those twists and turns
along the way are often so
unplanned and unexpected,
or simply par for the course
(and occasionally exciting).
Never is it only one way or
another; many times it seems
like choices gone asunder.
There are many chances or
none at all. Which decision
or direction will you follow
today? Are you certain of
your way? Will it be step by
step, or a leap of faith?
Go your own way.
05/11/2020 j.g.l.
