Thursday, March 29, 2012

THE A R C H E R

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My parents got divorced when I was 8 years old. I lived primarily with my Mom, and visiting my Dad every other weekend. We are very similar. In more ways than I ever noticed until Doug pointed it out at my Dad's last visit. We are both anxious and deep thinkers. Worriers and dreamers. When my Dad moved us out to Arizona from Georgia, he had big plans. They may not have worked out how he thought, but he was, and is a good father. Caring and kind, sensitive and supportive.
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When I think about my Dad, a few things come to mind. Our cross country trip to Michigan. Our golden retriever Honey Royal. His 67 Porsche. Archery. My Dad used to take me to the archery range every other Friday night to shoot arrows. I looked forward to it. Our walk through the red mountains of Scottsdale to the range, the stacked bales of hay, running out to grab the arrows and running back as quickly as possible. The hours of just talking to me Dad, whether it was good or bad, it was talk. Now, every time I get the bow out, I think of my dad.
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Yesterday, Doug and I took an outing to The Sportsman's Warehouse so he could stock up on fly fishing gear/supplies and he picked up some practice arrows for me. Living on the mountain, we can pretty much do what we want in our backyard. I set up some targets and after such a stressful day today, spent an hour shooting arrows into the mountainside. It really turned my day around and of course, made me think of my Dad.
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I know with the Hunger Games being all the rage {I can't lie, I haven't read it or seen it...} that archery is becoming more popular. Have you ever done archery? Did you love it or hate it? What do you do to relieve stress?

We're getting ready to go eat dinner and see a movie, I am excited to get out of the house and do something fun!

xo,
Beca

14 comments:

  1. i've never had the chance to shoot an arrow in the air, but I sure would love to. never seen or read hunger games either. I just think it would be soothing.
    xo
    K

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  2. I've actually just started an archery journey of my own. I do owe it to the Hunger Games, but I love it. I look forward to getting better.

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    1. Are you going to take lessons or just go at your own pace?

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  3. Archery was the only enjoyable part of my public school gym class experience. The only thing I was actively excited for and it was the place where I met one of my best friends, Ben. With every arrow he shot, he'd yell "L'CHAIM!"

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    1. Oh man, we never had anything cool like archery in public school...

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  4. its pretty much my dream to learn archery. insert massive envy here. I mean i could take lessons but living on a top floor victorian conversion with no back yard (or outdoor space to speak of) it would be fairly pointless.

    see also: my dream to learn falconry.

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  5. a friend of mine is talking about doing an archery birthday party. i think i would be horrible at it, but it would be fun! i love the idea of letting off steam by shooting arrows in the backyard.
    I didnt' even think of it getting popular because of the hunger games. i think that would be a pretty cool hobby to get into because of a book!

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    1. I agree! Don't knock how good you'll eb until you try it. You could be great!

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  6. Yes! I taught archery at summer camp and I absolutely loved it. Especially since it was an all-girls camp and my little archers were ages 9 to 15. Loved it. The last time I was there I found an old camp yearbook and back in the day they actually had their own archery team! Glad to see I'm not the only gal who likes her bows and arrows. (I've never seen or read Hunger Games so... I'm out of the loop on its hipness level).

    Megan

    http://thedarlingewe.blogspot.com/

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    1. I would have loved to go to camp when I was a kid...especially to do archery!

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  7. i love this post, because i understand how much you love your dad, and i think it's sweet that you have things like archery to bring back memories or make you feel connected to him.

    i'm the same way with my pop. there are little things, whether they're actions or sayings or anything else, that i know we share, and i cherish those things :)

    also, i love your pictures, the bokeh looks beautiful, and please come stay with me so we can shoot handguns and rifles together!

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    1. I can't wait to shoot guns with you!!!
      And I love hearing about all the cool stuff you and your dad do!
      You're the best, dude.

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