Sunday, June 21, 2009

Presenting: Barry of An Explorers View of Life



Barry says about his blog: Welcome to this highly eclectic blog. It began its little life as an lighthearted look at the events of the world around me, especially the adventures of my dog Lindsay. However in March of this year I was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer which, as you might suspect, changed the nature and tone of this blog considerably. It now, for the most part, chronicles my search for a healthy life both within and without conventional medicine. However, I continue to post about my dog Lindsay on Wednesdays, and participate in "Our Town Shootouts" on Fridays. And every now and then, I just post what I want.

Okay, I admit it: I am in love with Barry. I can just stand in line, because that line is as long as my mountain is high. Over the last few days, I have picked up rock after rock, putting it in my hand, seeing how it "felt" - so that I can send to Barry a special "healing" rock from my mountain cove. I'd like to send him two - - one that comes from the cold running creek, and one that comes from the mountain itself. Of course, who knows if my rocks really heal in a physical way, but, I do believe by holding them in his hand and feeling the ancient quality and mystery and wonder of them, he will feel better. For , as his profile reads, Barry has cancer and is going through some rough times right now. Oh, you wouldn't know how that suffering must weigh upon him, because his spirit of strength and his love of beauty and of family and of life, of his wife Linda, his energetic and full-of-personality-and-spunk(Like Barry!) dog Lindsay, his respect and love of nature and exploring--all of these things are Barry the Man. The cancer is not Barry. The cancer is an interloper, an alien that has attached itself to Barry's body. A parasitic bastard. It does not define him, but it is shaping him and his moments. It is calling attention to itself as it is its nature to do. Right now, I have a hate upon all hates of that cancer. But, I won't go on about that, because I'd rather write how much I love Barry.

I go by Barry's place and there is always much going on since I missed my daily "drive by Barry's Place;" so, I scroll down to catch up, gulping Barry's adventures in big hungry bites. I want to make sure he is okay, too. To make sure he's not hurting or feeling unwell. I want to see what Lindsay is up to, or his wife Linda (she has her own blog and I like going by there as well). I laugh at Lindsay's antics . . . I smile at Barry's way of seeing his world and the world of his Lindsay. I know this: The world is a much much better place with Barry in it.

Barry has 611 friends on his blog--think about that number: 611! Yet, when he comes by here and says hi, I feel as if I am special, as if I am thought of and thought about.

I could go on and on, but you should go read Barry, go meet him, go say hello. If you have not gone by Barry's place, go there...right now! Click HERE.

Barry said about Tender Graces: Tender Graces is a complex novel of powerful characters in exotic settings wrestling with life's relentless and all too puzzling demands. It is by turns horrifying and exhilarating, hilarious and all too real. It has one of the most unlikely heroes in modern fiction. I know you've heard that before, but this hero isn't a ghost or a man from Mars, it is a woman who emerged from her own troubled past and became through her own efforts a normal human being. Normal in a clinical, not a statistical sense. A woman whose very normalcy transforms, and challenges, all the other characters in the novel. And maybe the reader as well. [...] Despite its appearance, Tender Graces is not a woman's book, at least not exclusively. It is a very adult book in which very real characters wrestle with life's complexities and come to their own conclusions....for the rest go HERE

13 comments:

Barry said...

What a wonderful way for me to start Father's Day, Kathryn! I'd be hard put to think of a better gift. I'm humbled by this.

Heck, I'm just down right speechless.

Thank you.

Angie Ledbetter said...

I hope I have a Barry who will one day say similar words about my book. Wow. Happy Father's Day, Mr. Barry! You will be on my prayer list as I take care of my own mom with cancer, and whose light, like yours, can never be dimmed.

Meghann said...

A wonderful post, very deserving! Don't worry, you wrote wonderfully well. It is so difficult to write about people we know and love and you did that impeccably well :)
I wish you all the success in the world with your book!

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for the link to Barry's blog. I always love to find new and interesting people, and I think he is definitely one.

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

To Barry: I wish you big, beautiful, healing wishes and the happiest of Father's Days. And, to Kat: I love you and your love of life and the special people in it. Thanks for starting my day with a smile.;-)

Sandra Leigh said...

The very best thing is that Barry was the first to read your post this morning. How cool is that?

Amy said...

Great post on this beautiful Father's Day. Thanks for turning me on to Barry and his blog. I love positive people!

t i m said...

Its only right that I now go to check out Barry's blog, he sounds like a remarkable man.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Kat, thank you for being so good to check up on me. *hugs* I'm well, still writing and enjoying my hiatus. Giving thought to starting my posts again, but not ready quite yet.

Hope your work on VK2 is coming along. Have a great week! And thanks again. :)

colbymarshall said...

Cool post! That's awesome to have someone to talk about your writing in such a complimentary fashion. Barry, you rock! And Kathryn, so do you!!!

nollyposh said...

Beautiful tribute to a beautiful man X:-)

Debbie said...

I'm one of those lucky 611 people that follow Barry around. He is remarkable. Great idea to shine the light on him for Father's Day. You are a great friend to men and dogs:)

Wendy said...

Great post. I'm a Barry fan, too! :)