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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Explore, part II


Since it's difficult for me to let an Illustration Friday go by without me, I got my fix in today for this week's prompt:  Explore.

School year 2004 - 2005 was notable for me because Meego went off to preschool that year.  He only attended twice a week, a couple of hours each time, but for me, who'd had at least one child always hanging off me like a koala bear for 10 years, it was a bit strange to have those 4 hours a week with just myself.  

One "me" activity I did while Meego was getting socialized was read.  I came across a biography of African explorer Henry Stanley, and became wholly engrossed.  After finishing it, I poured through Through the Dark Continent, volumes 1 and 2:  Stanley's own "classic account of explorations of lakes of Central Africa, perilous journey down unexplored Congo River. Incredible hardships, perseverance." 

When I saw the prompt, I was reminded of those afternoons hanging out at the YMCA where Meego's preschool was.  I'd often go for a swim and then read until his "class" was over.  Reading about Stanley's adventures made me feel that my own life was so safe and easy.

I could say that I purposely chose those hours of free time to broaden my mind and knowledge of historical events.  But the truth is...

 I'm just a sucker for a man in a pith helmet.
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7 comments:

meleah rebeccah said...

"I could say that I purposely chose those hours of free time to broaden my mind and knowledge of historical events. But the truth is...I'm just a sucker for a man in a pith helmet."

HA! That made me laugh, Abby!

ShadowRun300 said...

Maybe not my book of choice when I had some ME time, but I can see why you would enjoy it. Especially if it was well written. I happened to like the Lewis and Clark book, Undaunted Courage, though, so perhaps I should open my mind up to more. Especially when you make a man in a pith helmet look so good.

Guano said...

I think our propensity to leave the security of our homes to go hiking and camping stems from our primal need to explore. Try Shackleton's Antarctica adventures for another astonishing account of unfathomable perserverance, then regale in the realization it actually happened.

Amazed the pith outta me, anyway.

terri said...

Henry Stanley... he's a rugged and handsome sorta guy, according to your illustration. Maybe I should read that book!

agg79 said...

Always felt that one is always stylish in a pith helmet.

Abby said...

"Worst Journey in the World" is one of my faves, for its horribleness.

Anita said...

Just Googled his image. He'd be proud of you getting it right.

Good job with how you spent your free hours back then. I can't remember what I did!