Lighthouses

I've had a story concerning a lighthouse in my head for a while now, and I've started to draft out an idea, trying to find the core of it, the meanings and what I want to say.

15 year old me would, right about now, be shaking his geeky head at those words. The meaning? What I want to say?

My 15yr old self would be ranting:

"The curtains are blue, OK? They're blue because that's the colour they bloody are. There's not some metaphysical reasoning behind it all. The author was writing a story, right? They were trying to entertain, not soul-searching some deep answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. "

My 53 year old self would answer:

"I'm colour blind, so blue is meaningless and the answer is 42. Now go figure out the actual question!"

Just because I like an argument and can recognise when that age-old internet meme (age-old, I can remember time before the Internet! Yes, kids, there was a time before computers, internet, memes, and TikTok - ah blessed days, though I do love my MMOs and the internet for researching, or doom-scrolling through YouTube... anyway... where was I?) has collided heavily with the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

However, when it comes to actual writing, then I do, I must admit, hold my hands up and berate my teenage callousness, that I do often think about the meaning of the words and images I use. Life doesn't necessarily imitate art, or art imitate life but you'd be foolish (as I was) to think they do not impact one another both in the creation and consumption.

So, Lighthouses... What comes to mind? What's the meaning and jumping off point into the story? What do you want to say with this story of a lighthouse?

Beacons of safety.

Standing tall.

Alone.

Protectors of lives.

A warning to others.

Strong against the elements.

A light in the darkness.

A promise of safety.

Bravery.

Self-contained.

Hardy.

Cold.

Promise of warmth.

Climbing, ascending?

I'm still working on this, and the characters, plot, story, and what actually happens.

So, we will see how it goes.

Have I said anything of great import, or deep? No, but I am thinking and that's where it all starts.