The Reynoldsburg Ohio Half Price Books is in the flight path of the John Glenn Columbus International AirPort. I was there on Saturday and was delighted to see a few airplanes taking off.
As I stopped to admire a Southwest Airlines jet gain altitude over the parking lot, I couldn’t help but marvel over how human beings figured out the science and engineering behind flight.
How does such a large and heavy hunk of metal leave the earth? How does it stay in the air? Also, where is it headed? Who’s piloting the plane and where are all those people going?
I have so many questions and get truly excited every time I see planes taking flight or headed in to land.
But I was seemingly the only one to even notice there were planes. Life went on around me. No one else broke step or stopped talking for even a moment to notice these enormous jets bound for points unknown.
It made me think about all the times I have stopped mid hike to watch squirrels race up trees. The times I have stood in my driveway to gaze up at the stars or at a beautiful moon. How many times have I stopped to stare at a painting or pace around a sculpture that everyone else just walked by?
At the Franklin Park Conservatory, there’s an amazing glass ceiling crafted by Dale Chihuly. I could stand beneath that ceiling for hours but most people just walk by without a moment’s glance upward.
Am I just a weirdo for finding joy in these things? Or am I fortunate to hold this kind of wonder and curiosity for the world around me?
What does it take to get people’s attention these days? What makes people stop in their tracks and gaze at something with wonder and awe? What makes them curious enough to ask questions?
I was talkjng to a friend last night who has observed that many young people are mainly interested in what someone has told them to care about. They want a photo so they can check that thing off the list and dash off to the next thing someone on the internet has told them is a must-see.
Is this what we have come to?
Maybe I am a weirdo but I tend to think the world around us is full of wonders and miracles and things that deserve our attention, even if just for a little while. And I’m ok with being a weirdo if that means I always have something to think about and sometimes have a reason to feel my heart skip a beat.
And I probably do look like a weirdo watching planes from a bookstore parking lot but fitting in is highly overrated.
At least I didn’t pull up a chair.
I understand this. I watch planes fly over my neighborhood and always wonder if they can see me looking at them. I wonder who they are and where are they going. I am so fully entertained by my own backyard that I really don’t have desire to travel. Except to the desert.
Ah, the desert is a an incredible place to visit!
You just have to wonder about all the stories those people aboard planes have to tell. I’m glad to be in good company!
I can be awed just staring out my living room window. It’s a fascinating world out there!
It certainly is! If only more people saw it that way.
Girl, I will hear an airplane coming from miles away or hear one so high up that I’m the ONLY one hearing it and the ONLY one who looks up at it. And that’s despite the fact that I live on the Burbank Airport flight path and have them taking off every 5 minutes starting around 7:15am and then landing in the evening. Sometimes they fly right past my kitchen window when I’m washing dishes in the evening and I’m practically waving at the passengers! These planes are THAT CLOSE. Not THAT close, but you get the idea. They’re close. I’m always wondering where they’re going or where they just came from.
Oh!!! And I’m also the only one who seems to pay any attention to kids and dogs when I’m out and about. Not like in a creepy predator way, mind you. I just find kids and animals fun to watch and sometimes the baby or toddler will be doing THE CUTEST THING EVER and their stupid parents are MISSING IT because they’re staring at their phones. Sigh.
But books and planes at the same time? That sounds like a great time to me!
I’m so glad to hear this! And what a lucky duck you are to be that close to an airport. I love that for you!
What is with all these people ignoring their children for whatever nonsense is on their phone? I swear I’m more attentive to my cat than a lot of parents are to their kids.
I do have a wonderful appreciation for Dale Chihuly work! I was first introduced to his glass art as it hangs from the ceiling in one of the buildings at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN
It’s just so special and recognizable, isn’t it?
I retired last year after 25 years at Mayo Clinic. Walking through the Gonda building and seeing the Chihuly’s there was always a highlight. There’s also a chihuly vase on display there, too.
I’ve also been to the Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle a couple times. The ceiling room is my favorite.
What a lovely thing to see at work! I have not been to his museum but have always wanted to go. Thanks for sharing!
Congrats on your retirement!
Congratulation on your 25 years of service! It is a special place to work at, and I was there for 31 years! The Chihuly art is stunning in a million ways!
We went to the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum a few years ago when we were visiting Seattle and it was such a highlight of our trip. Glad you managed to notice it as his work is amazing! It’s unfortunate to see the impact social media and all these digital devices have had on people, especially youth. Their attention span is so short and as you noticed, they don’t seem to be interested in a lot unless it’s something that’s blown up on social media. I’m okay being a weirdo too 🙂
I have always wanted to visit the Chihuly museum! I’m glad to know it was worth your time! And it’s always a pleasure to know I’m not the only weirdo in the room!