Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com
Welcome to “Behind the Scenes.” Today, we are visiting with Richard, the creative energy behind the writing journey of Big Sky Buckeye.
Welcome back Richard. It is a pleasure visit with you again.
You have been writing and blogging for about 19 months. Why did you start writing and sharing here on WordPress?
Following my retirement from teaching, I was looking for an outlet for my energy and time in the fall of 2018. With some encouragement from others, I took the plunge with a goal of writing poetry. My first poem was “Early Morning Moments.”
Watching the flame dance in early dawn
Feeling the warmth of a new born fawn
Warmed by an early morning, blazing fire
Viewing a hungry deer jumping over a wire
Enjoying a comforting warmth from the fireplace
Seeing a startled pair running to a new place
Dreaming of a day to stay inside by the flames
Looking out of a window to see deer playing games
You are quite creative with your writing. In the past, have you pursued any musical interests?
My first taste of formal music was with instrumental music, beginning in the fifth grade as I played clarinet. I continued to play through the ninth grade until more and more of my time went into athletics in high school. I haven’t really played since the late 1970s, and the clarinet has been passed down to two of my daughters.
Several years ago when I was teaching in Montana, I sang in the church choir. This was a wonderful experience in sharing with the congregation our appreciation of singing some favorite hymns.
Before we wrap-up, please tell us of some your interests outside of writing.
I enjoy traveling, and my wife and I have enjoyed two highway trips during the past couple of summers when we meandered and found our way back to Montana to see family. Without a need to return home on a tight schedule, we enjoyed taking the scenic route through different states, towns, and attractions.
As some readers have found, I enjoy sharing my love of nature photography in my blog’s Photo Gallery. While I don’t profess to be an excellent photographer, I have found the time well spent in taking photos while traveling or even walking through a nature park near my home.
An early March walk at Walnut Woods Metro Park offers a view of an old farm building framed with an opening in the trees along the border of the park.
We have appreciated spending time with Richard from Big Sky Buckeye. Look for more “Behind the Scenes” in future postings.
Excellent post! Great to ‘meet’ you, Richard!
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Thank you Lisa. Once in awhile, I will share a bit about myself. Actually, I am a pretty humble person. Have a great week!
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It is great to know some more about you! 🙂
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Susan, thanks for reading and sharing. Once in awhile, I will share more. Have a great week!
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I loved reading these informative details of your life, Richard. I remember that we have that experience with the clarinet in common (I played it from 4th grade til about 4 years ago… had to stop because my arthritic fingers wouldn’t cover all the holes anymore and I couldn’t get a B natural out of it for love nor money!). And of course, our love of poetry and of Montana are two common threads. I hope to meet you face-to-face someday. ❤ Thanks for the "Behind the Scenes" today. Have a Thoughtful Thursday.
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Jan, thanks for your kind words. The highlight of my brief clarinet career was earning first chair in 7th Grade. After that year, I kept being passed up until I was in the back row of clarinets.
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I am sure it was because you had other priorities hat took precedence over continuing to practice and remain competitive on that instrument. Probably sports took first place, huh?
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I was destined to be active in sports. My father was a coach as well as an All-American basketball player back in 1958 (played at Rocky Mountain College).
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Thank you for sharing a bit of your life.:)
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You are welcome Bonnie. Every once in awhile I will share some more.
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Thank you for sharing a piece of your life with us, Richard!
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Diana, I appreciate you reading. I will write another post down the road.
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I’ll look forward to t down the road then. 😄
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Thanks for sharing Richard. I continue to enjoy your poetry and photography. To travel through the country at a leisurely pace can be so enjoyable at any time.
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Leola, I always appreciate your feedback. At the moment, my travel plans are on hold. I am afraid my plans have been interrupted by this life-changing virus.
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Thanks for the behind the scenes look! Hopefully you and your wife will be able to do some traveling this summer…
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Yes Jim. I would be wonderful to travel. We intend to travel through parts of Wyoming that we missed last summer when traveling from Colorado to Montana. At the moment, I am quite doubtful of any specific plans due to the virus.
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I think so many people are itching to hit the open road, but their plans are on hold…
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Lovely interview. Knowing you were a teacher makes me like you even more (my husband is a teacher).
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How nice! What does your husband teach? I taught high school business education and later middle school computer applications.
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He teaches special education.
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Maranda, please tell your husband I appreciate all that he does each and every day as a teacher. May God’s peace be with both of you.
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Wow you retired not too long ago
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Yes, I exited the classroom exactly two years ago. I was ready to wrap up 40 years and look for life’s next challenge.
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👍
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Thank you for sharing Big Sky😊
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Crissy, I appreciate you reading and I am humbled by your kind words. Peace be with you!
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