I lived in Destin, Florida for a couple of years in the early 1990's. I was living with a friend of mine and this period was typified by aimlessness. I was slowly (actually glacially) working on a computer science degree, trying to hold part-time work and also thinking I could be a writer with a sketchbook. I actually had pair of poems published; one mediocre and one quite good. Along with that came the "writer's" lifestyle which meant a bit of drink, hit that favorite waterhole with the notebook and become a regular. The barkeep would know before the door closed behind what I wanted and it would be waiting on a coaster at my spot. It didn't take long for me to realize I wasn't going to be the next William Blake and how being a regular here would end. After watching an apocalyptic thunderstorm roll in off the Gulf of Mexico early one morning I decided I had to move on cause I didn't like where I was headed. I packed my bags and headed to Pensacola, Florida to get on with my studies and one might say the rest is history.
Now, sipping my early morning coffee, I notice one of my regulars on a high branch. The kitchen lights are off so I have a good view. These are the kind of regulars I want to see; early risers ready to get on with things. He cautiously works to one of the lower branches and stops, checks left and right. I'm able to get a good photo before he moves to the feeder to get a sunflower seed and back to a higher branch to crack it open. He'll repeat this dance for about 15 minutes before moving off to other daily duties. I'll see him and possibly his lady friend in the morning. It won't be long before those showy Goldfinches show up.
I named this painting "Here Comes a Regular" after the song by the Replacements; a wonderful dichotomy for then and now and the paths we can take. I'm happy to be sharing my morning coffee with this regular.
