Paul Kilmon: A Life Illustrated in Words & Photos: Spending Time With Me (3 of 7)

Welcome!

Through my writing, photography, career, and personal challenges, you will discover I am just like you, a person on a journey. My goals are simple, to be healthy and happy. You will learn I have many interests. The driving force for all I do is communication, the sharing of ideas and my passion for laughter. It really is the best medicine and a great stress reducer.

I consider myself a down-to-earth guy, who is just making it up as I travel through life, adding a virtual laugh track here and there to amuse others and myself. I have a friendly personality, which is expressive, warm, upbeat, fun, and positive. I love meeting new people. I thrive on communication, organization, diversity, creativity, and laughter. – Paul Eric Kilmon (paerki)

Monday, January 20, 2025

Spending Time With Me (3 of 7)

January 13, 2025: Special memories. I always make the most of my time outdoors. My best moments are spent enjoying nature. Play outdoors, friends. – paerki

January 13, 2019: I like the impromptu approach to life or, as I call it, life unscripted. Many have a problem with the latter, but with me, it’s the only way to live. There is something about embracing spontaneity that brings me much satisfaction. At times it becomes a dare. I like taking advantage of those last-minute opportunities because often the rewards are greater, leaving me wanting more.

For instance, a friend of mine texted me in the late afternoon, asking if I had any interest in hiking. I was still in my pajamas, but within a matter of 10 minutes I was out the door, in her car, and we were on our way. Twenty minutes later we were on the trail.

What I liked about this particular adventure, I had no clue where we were and that was fine by me. (I appreciate those occasional opportunities to surrender my fears, and all in the name of curiosity.)

There is no season that I don’t find hiking pleasurable, but I prefer a winter trail with its naked trees, desiccated flowers and with golden opportunities to get a birds-eye-view of wildlife. What a beautiful trail and so serene! We hiked along the stretch, on occasion seeing a blue heron skimming the water. Herons in flight are magical and meditative. Later in our hike – at dusk, we saw a family of whitetail deer (much to my surprise, they weren’t skittish). I consider this another meditative moment. Thank you, friend for two hours of bliss.

Dear friends, dare to live life unscripted. See how it unfolds. Be teased by the possibilities. Don’t be surprised by the outcomes. With words, action and kindness, my year is off to a wonderful start. – paerki

January 13, 2025: National Gallery of Art (East Building) – Today's museum guards are disrespectful, loud, and lazy. Perhaps not all, but there are enough to ruin the experience. – paerki

January 13, 2025: A futuristic experience, and not a bad one. – paerki

What would life be like without memories? It’s fair to say, there would be no life at all. Memory is our communication, reason, coherence, our action and more importantly, our feeling. Memories create our path in life, developing our psychology and leading us emotionally.

One of the best ways to create and store memories is with video. These simple effortless little snippets of time create diaries and become perpetual time capsules, which justify our walk on earth, telling all with great enthusiasm… I was here! I mattered! I lived! Please, don’t forget me.

Share your views, thoughts and opinions in the written word. Snap photographs so your eyes can travel back in time, remembering the happy and sad moments that made you the person you were, are and became in life. But, whenever possible, capture video to enhance the memories you leave behind, so that others may pass the essence of your life on to future generations. – paerki

I love photographs! They have this amazing ability to tell stories of fun places, special moments, memorable events, and exciting places. They give us reason to pause and remember friends, family, coworkers and so many others. One photograph can conjure up a flood of memories taking us on a journey. They help us remember the past, enjoy the present and ponder the future.

On a cold and rainy day I love sitting in my living room with a roaring fire, a glass of wine, classical music playing in the background and my many photographs scattered about me. I love sifting through what I call my special collection, which refers to my favorites. They remind me of the saddest and happiest moments of my life. They remind me of challenges and overcoming.

My large collection of images are a testament to a life lived. Life happens all around us so it’s important to collect special memories, and what better way than with a photograph. – paerki

It’s hard to believe I’ve been blogging for more than 12 years. This art form has allowed me to showcase and express my creativity. It has bolstered my confidence (not that is was lacking). At times it has been therapeutic, but more than anything it has given me a much deeper view of the world and how I see myself in it.

I use my insights as a barometer for self-change, which helps me reconcile the past, adapt to the present and navigate carefully into the future. I have enjoyed the roller coaster ride of thought as my hands write it and my eyes see it. As always, I hope you can relate to my stories, appreciate my views, savor the wisdom, reflect on the concepts and, more than anything, respect my friendly and genuine interest in connecting with others.

Find you own voice. Think about writing your own blog. Learn your style, share your views and open a whole new world of possibilities for you and your readers-to-be.. – paerki