Choices

When we were young, as near as I can remember, we mused a bit about where we would wind up in our old age, but we didn't put too much thought into it, I'm sure. I've come to be fascinated in looking back and seeing where events in my life were pivotal in the direction I would go. The most mundane decisions came to be so important in the overall scheme of things!

I wonder where I would be today if I had married the Farmer from my hometown, instead of the Big City Boy from the next metropolis? Seventeen years later when I was divorcing the Big City Boy and leaving Kansas, what if I had taken the office management job in Oklahoma City instead of the typesetting one in Austin, Texas? What if I had stayed with the husband and pursued a career in professional bowling? (Right: Champion Bowler in the white skirt) Did life with the husband who told me "you can't do that" on uncountable occasions during those 17 years play a large part in my becoming the determined woman that is seemingly unstoppable when I put my mind to something?

Of course, we'll never know what the difference would have been. All those choices were made with my best judgment at the time and I have to think they were the correct ones.

I see now I was competitive from high school days on, as top honors in typing contests and typing class grades went back and forth between myself and another fast typist. The fact that in grade school she used to kick me on the shins in the girls' bathroom had nothing to do with the desire to best her. Right.

Secretarial and executive assistant jobs eventually led me to typesetting, as it paid about double for basically the same skills. During the 30 years in typesetting, my creativity expressed itself in various ways. I attempted to organize the union at one shop. The boss found us out just as we were on the brink of getting everyone signed up, so some employees backed off, and I had to move on to another company. That resulted in 23 years at G&S Typesetters in Austin, Texas, where I was assured there would be no need for my union organizing skills (and there wasn’t). Along with the enjoyment of gaining skills and learning new technology, the years at G&S provided life-long friends.

Retirement in 1998 was a revelation in several aspects, in particular as it impacted my creativity. I’d always thought of myself as a creative person, in problem-solving on the job as well as my personal life, where I created calendars and greeting cards using my photographs, and a nifty 4-page Christmas greeting I’m still proud of. What I hadn’t expected, once the career was behind me, and my entire time was my own, was the explosion in artistic and imaginative projects! The head was freed up to write more and more, being inspired by scenery, birds, and wildlife on my travels, people and events I encountered. Even though I’ve added in some part-time jobs to facilitate home and auto purchases, the stress is gone and in its place is a contentment and enjoyment of life in my little coastal town.

I had thought that moving to the “end of the road” would mean not much going on, but that would be OK, as there were also no freeways, traffic, or bothersome hustle and bustle. To my amazement I discovered that within a mere 50-mile-radius, there was an abundance of museums, small-town fairs, celebrations, market days, musical venues, and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. With Houston 140 miles one way and Rockport and Corpus Christi 50 and 80 miles the other, big city shopping and activities were easily available as well.

I noticed there was no one publication that attempted to promote all this, certainly nothing at all for this endearing shrimping village. Thus was born an 8-page monthly newsletter, “Livin’ on the Bay,” that I started in 2000. "A Coffee Chat with CJ" is my personal column, and seems to be everyone's favorite part. I have great fun with this project, it remains totally my forum, and is well received. I’ve taken a (hopefully) brief respite from publication, to get myself through some personal challenges. I’m hoping this blog will keep my fans supplied for their “CJ fix” for the time being.

I have posted my stories and reminiscences on http://www.ourecho.com/, a website created by Scott Lupo, specifically for such, to preserve the past for future generations. When asked to submit a piece for the “In The Spotlight,” this was my submission. Mr. Lupo introduced me thus: “Carol J. Garriott often delights OurEcho readers with stories and essays that speak to her love of the water. Please check out her ‘In The Spotlight’ piece to know her better.’