What I Didn't Buy

For the moment, I'm turning away from the bucolic pauses of this blog and turning my creative lens to something new - retail. My neighbors may have wondered what I was doing with salads, buttons and other such things on a white board in my front yard, and I suppose the staff of Target was talking on their 2-way radios too. What is that woman with the camera and kid doing? 

 

Just as Target has planned, they bring visual delight into my life by way of stuff that I didn't know I wanted. I am just trying to go grocery shopping after all, and suddenly I'm meandering down the housewares aisle with a cart of melting Breyers ice-cream and warm Tropicana juice. 

Today, the Smith and Hawken outdoor thermometer among many items charmed me. I carted it about for a bit but later stashed it back on the shelf. The week before, I ogled brightly colored linen throw pillows for quite a while. In the cart. Out of the cart. In the cart. Out of the cart.

Target merchandises to women and hey, don't they really do a spectacular job? I have been "putting it back" for a long time, but it's never easy. By the way, I have no regrets about what I didn't buy, but I am still thinking about the thermometer and pillows. I hope they go on sale. (see more of what I didn't buy)

Making Room for Creativity

This a.m. I tried a writing exercise called Morning Pages from Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way. Easy and fun. Moreover, extremely effective. Cameron contends that by turning this simple writing exercise into a morning ritual that you can move whatever blocks your creativity. This is not just for writers either. In fact, she says writers tend to be more critical of their own writing and might resist the exercise more than a non-writer. 

While doing the exercise, I was quickly reminded that journaling has always been a great way to work through anything in my life, but had never considered it a way to open the door for creativity. Try the Morning Pages exercise and you'll be amazed! I was delighted and freed. During my morning walk, I was actually able to think about fun things instead of working through the clutter I tend to collect.

Rules as paraphrased by SAS:

1. Write three pages by hand on 8.5 x 11 paper each a.m.

2. Don't look at what you wrote the day before.

3. Be free with thoughts - anything counts.

4. Do it every day.

5. No one else is allowed to read it.

My thanks to friend Karen at Inspirasana for recommending this book.

Creative Calling

I was drawn to this mosaic counter top at the River Rock coffee shop as I waited for my world's best iced caramel latte. The feeling that came over me was reminiscent of a longing from years past. I wanted to make a mosaic something. For the second time in a week the thought of making a mosaic ran right in front of me. 

I plan to comb some flea markets for old plates and tiles to break up. And who knows what else may appear since this intention has been set? I have been saving some blue, green and clear beach glass that my nephew collected for me from Puget Sound.

For too long I chose to ignore the creative calling to write -- years passed. An idea popped up and I would literally tell myself why I couldn't answer. The calls eventually went away or so I thought. It took a lot of work to rediscover the core of my creativity, and like an old coin purse, it just stays with me. My self-investment grows new limbs all the time. I am grateful for this blog and a couple of other journals that keep the creativity flowing. Please fill and refill your creativity when you hear it calling and you will be rewarded over and over again simply by using your gifts. (I assure you, this is not fortune cookie rhetoric!)

The Rash

Treat yourself kindly when you fall. 

Accept the moment for it's what you have.

Wear it if you must.

Like a vine, it's crept to my outside skin, 

my largest organ for all the world to see.

It's clinging to my face and neck, calling out,

love me, take care of me. 

The sun did not take it away. 

It baked the stress into my skin and body.

Nettles, cilantro, mint, ghee -- 

and honey all slathered 

to soothe this pain.

I went to bed young and I awakened older

and wiser. I thought it was the lines of sleep, 

but there's no snapping back. 

Dry old leaves and heavy 

thick patches of skin.

I am afraid to wash away the honey. 

What if it doesn't work?

No one will treat me less kind.

No one will love me less. 

But I will know.

Are the scars of pain and the road to healing one in

the same?

Water Energy

Pure source energy!

The sun was shining and the grass was green.

She pulled out the white board and buttons and began to play.

Last night the dream was of a walled boardwalk ... and turning

the corner, the ocean was there. 

She disappeared into it like a small button.

And today, seeing the lake lifted her once again.

Click & Listen: Theme from Mahogany

My Son My Teacher

At 41, I am continually learning to play again and my son is the best teacher I have. 

My energy directly impacts E. Crabby. Happy. Allowing. Creative. He soaks it all in. And he gives it right back too.

What am I allowing E to do or what am I willing to facilitate? When given the chance he'll run with an idea as long as it feels good to him and he will keep generating more ideas along the way. As an adult, I continue to struggle with "having fun", "just letting go" ... "being free", yet I have made leaps and bounds since Sept 14, 2007 - the day I left my paying "job". 

I believe I have encouraged my son's creative energy to flow where it must. For this opportunity to watch E in action, I am incredibly grateful. How else would I have learned so much about us? To be here in this moment is one that will never be wasted.

Well -- time for me to go ... a small person with red hair and bright brown eyes is requesting that I sing him a song while he eats his macaroni. "K-k-k - Katie, beautiful lady. You're the o-o-o-only one that I adore ..." (An old tune that my Grandpa used to sing to my sister and me). To be a mother. So appreciated and adored at times when you wonder WHY?