In Pursuit
At some point in my life, I became nearly obsessed with knowing what I see. I suspect it started with birds, and I can pinpoint that date to 1983. Then it was plants. Followed by rocks and mountains, much later in life. That semi-obsession accounts for my bird, plant, and geology books. I’m no ornithologist, botanist, or geologist by any stretch, but I’ve got just enough info banging around in my head that I stand a fairly good chance these days of knowing what I see.
Every once in a while, it makes me feel good about myself, until I run into someone who really knows what they’re talking about. Once upon a time, I used to think I did know what I was talking about, but I’ve been disabused of that notion too many times to count, because I actually know lots of people who do know what they’re talking about. Lately, I’ve tried to keep things to myself. I’ll find the name of a plant, forget it, then have to find it again.
Maybe what I enjoy is the search for knowledge rather than the knowledge itself. That might explain why I know a little bit about a lot of things. I won’t get into them here, because that would sound like bragging, and I’m still well aware I’m a long way from being an expert on any subject. About the only thing I feel comfortable saying these days is that I feel well-rounded. Although, my knowledge may be too lumpy to be considered well-rounded. I guess I’ll just have to keep on looking, trying to fill in the blanks.