Gypsy Camp

This post inspiration came from Call of the Gypsy on the 2005 Advent Calendar:  http://bit.ly/a7aGAB

Yesterday morning, as I was plodding around my apt while the coffee was brewing, I decided to take a quiet meditative moment to sit and listen to my inner artist/child.   I have to admit, I almost regretted it because boy, did she give me an ear full. Most of it can be summed up as, “I want to do more, more! Now!”

Another complaint was that I didn’t have a specific space for my musings. I’ve organized but I have really “claimed” a spot and given it any artistic flourish. While searching through SFC, this one seemed to speak to me.

Here are some of the suggested activities I am going to try:

-Wear something colorful: Since I started working in an office, my wardrobe is pretty bland. I’m lucky in that I can dress casual but even that isn’t really fun or colorful. The clothes I wear when I create are even worse;  drab black workout pants and an over-sized black t-shirt.  When I work with clay, I don’t want to ruin nice clothes but there’s no reason why I couldn’t wear more fun stuff when I write.

-Create your own Gypsy hideaway:  This suggestion instantly sparked my imagination.  My computer is next to the couch & if I could say any space was mine, it would be that. So, I started thinking, why couldn’t I do something with it? My first thought was that I could move the two-shelf end table to hold my monitor & put my most used writing books/supplies to keep handy . Another thought was I could add  comfy pillows and decorative throws.  I have an artistic calendar just sitting in my closet, why couldn’t I move it to the blank wall next to couch?  Little things really and it wouldn’t even require I spend a lot of money so I have no excuse.

-Excite your imagination with a pack of tarot cards or a crystal ball:  I have a box set of Celtic Shaman Cards but I haven’t used them much. I dug around until I found them and I forgot how much fun they are.

-Live like a gypsy without leaving home:  I bought several boxes of herbal tea and downloaded some of the suggested gypsy music to my mp3 player to listen to while I write.  I can’t really camp out but I could spend more time on my back porch once it warms up.

To say I was excited would be an understatement.  I’ve been so focused on the “mechanical” side of writing; organizing, setting schedules, refreshing my memory of the rules of grammar & literary terms and so on.  I’ve been neglecting the fun and telling myself I’d worry about that later.

It seemed practical but I’ve felt so blah lately when I tried doing anything creative and no wonder! I was reminded that while it’s important to work on those practical things, I cannot neglect what really starts my creative gears turning: fun, whimsy and being unafraid to veer off the trail.

Magic Cottage

Firstly, I want to apologize for not posting as much this month. Things have finally started to settle down, so hopefully I can get back on track. I’ve missed posting & reading the wonderful post from everyone.

Tonight I ventured to the Magic Cottage. Like the posts I’ve read this week, it seemed I wandered exactly where I needed to.  The quote below is from there:

“I now challenge you to create abundant magic in your own life, small changes in your surroundings help to shift your perspective and create new meaning.”

I cannot explain why but those words seemed to really stir something within me. Perhaps, it because I also recently reread The Secret Garden, which is one my favorite childhood books.  Whatever the reason, as I pondered  while cleaning, I tried to look at around me with different eyes.  What little things could I do, that would stir wonder and create that sense of new meaning for me? In my life in general?

Here is  a brief list of things I thought of:

I love flowers, they cheer me up. I think I will buy a few potted plants (& hopefully not kill them)

It's been forever since I've bought new sheets, I think it's time for an update.

*Walk the longer route home. Before “old man winter” set up camp, I was amazed by the unique & quaint neighborhoods I discovered.

*Take, develop & frame the pictures that I take

*Create & decorate my own dishes (plates, bowls)

These are just a handful of thing I could think of off the top of my head but I want to challenge myself everyday to look for at least one thing I could do. It could be as simple as having tea at the local teashop, a picnic type lunch instead of sitting in the break room or buying a book of poetry.  Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face.

Wisdom in Tealeaves

Today, I decided to explore the House of Muse.  After much navigation, I found the Daily Grind. I felt like a kid in a candy shop; everything looked good & I couldn’t decide what I wanted to sample first but at last I picked one to use for my post today; Tealeaves.

http://www.knopfler.com/tealeaves/index.html

Here was my reading for today:

You need to create a quiet space for yourself within your heart where you can be silent and listen to yourself.

You spend much time listening to other people. Your family, your friends, everyone you know considers you a good listener.

Begin to listen to yourself.

You have a lot to say.

Give yourself the benefit of your own wisdom

My reading  seemed ironic since I’ve  been thinking of this new year and its possibilities.

So I found my quiet place, listened and discovered that I so focused on crossing things out on a list that I was not  savoring any of my accomplishments.  I was reminded of this prompt I came across, “What if you completed every item you’ve ever written or will write on your to-do list?”

A quiet place to meditate

At first, it sounds awesome. You’re there, you’ve done it. Yet, is it? What do you do from there? I mean, yeah all these tasks are done but really, having nothing to do? For me, I think after a few days I would be bored out of my mind. No goals to reach, no challenges to conquer? Nothing new to explore?

This year, I’m not going to brainstorm a list of resolutions to cross out.  Instead, I’m going to focus on the journey itself.  Savoring those moments of victory rather than a joyless scratch across a piece of paper.

Celebrate victories with fun & flair.

Chocolate Box- Remembering Play

http://www.dailywriting.net/choc%20box/chochbox.htm

From the first bite, I was taken back to my childhood. I thought of that age-old question adults ask children. “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

I pondered upon this question, trying to remember some of the things I imagined as career in my young mind. I’m going to admit,  my answers were not always typical.

-Pirate: I thought the eye patch was cool. And you wore a hook & shot cannons? Even better. Of course, I did not realize what a pirate actually did.

"A Pirate's Life for Me"

-Star Trek Captain:  I was heart-broken when I found out I couldn’t pursue this & decided I want to play in an episode as an alien instead.

"If I couldn't be a captain, I could at least play an alien."

-Actress: but I wanted to play only villains. I’m not sure exactly why.

-Cowgirl:  Not a “real” one though,  b/c mainly I wanted to ride around on a horse,  be in shoot outs & chase outlaws. I watched a lot of westerns as a kid…

-Mermaid: I watched Splash as a kid & decided that was awesome. I admit to  putting salt in my bath water in hopes of fins. In my defense I was only four or five.

Forget romance, boys still had "cooties". I wanted fins & to breath under-water.

I can only imagine people’s reactions to my innocent answers. Perhaps, that is why storytelling/ writing was so appealing to me.

A Dash of Love-Character Interview

Today’s prompt is from the Lunch Box Spy & I decided to interview La Fae de Amour (character from short comedic play I am working on) since I thought it might help with shaping her character & practice writing dialog.

http://www.dailywriting.net/LunchSpy.htm

Tell me about your lunches:

Well, just last week at the Bistro, I saw a young man pining over this truly awful woman. I mean, she was wearing brown Uggs with a little black dress. How tacky is that? (shudders) I scanned the room & saw lonely redhead gawking at him.  I decided to ping them both & they left holding hands.

What can you tell me about the lunches you eat?

Frosting sandwiches, chocolate covered pretzels with a dessert of caramel drizzled cheesecake. What is that look for? There are certain advantages to being a fae, like eating what I wish without gaining weight.

What do you remember about your school lunches?

Awful. Everyone would come up to me, asking if I could send an arrow of love to their latest crush. Do you know how many times a teen changes who “the love of their life is”?  Too many to count.

Were there any family jokes about what you liked to eat?

Once. My cousin is now somewhere on earth hopping around & eating flies.

Who made your lunch?

Our sexy chef, Gucci. Watching him spread frosting on bread, I swear every muscle bulged in his arms.  My heart flutters now just thinking of it.

Were you ever able to buy a lunch?

Buy? Heavens, why would I do that when I could bat my lashes & every boy would be rushing to the line to buy my lunch first.

What did they stock in the school canteen?

Dreadful stuff. Slabs of lambs, Lima beans, liver…&  they expected us to eat it with our hands!  Barbaric. Not one sweet on the menu!

Did you ever slip across the street with your mates to the fish and chip shop?

To eat? Do I look like a woman who dines in a pub? Greasy fried fish, slathered in butter & chips? Disgusting.

Did any one in your class have a better lunch than you? What did they have? Were you ever able to swap with them?

Putinia Flowerbottom. She brought imported French chocolates & the cow refused to share. (Shrugs) I pinged Guber Snotter, who followed her around for weeks reciting awful poetry & serenading her with his kazoo.

Where did you eat your lunch? Who ate their lunch with you? Did you eat alone?

Moi? Eat alone? I think not. I usually ate with a group of young men, smitten of course, under a willow that was right off campus so you could sneak a few kisses without getting caught.

What do you have for lunch now? Do you still own a lunchbox? Do you make your lunch or buy it?

Usually,  an assortment of sweets. I have a lovely lunchbox, it’s a pink heart covered with antique lace & scented with rose oil.  Mostly, I have my lunches made for me by my chef and lover,  Edwin. He makes wonderful French toast smothered with strawberry syrup.

Who makes the best lunches?

Edwin.

Do you eat the same thing every day?

Goodness no. That would be boring.

Is there a lunch that still haunts you?

Jellied calves liver.

What is the worst lunch you have ever eaten?

Aside from the jellied calves liver? Hm. Oh yes! Sugarless tofu spread that supposedly is good for you. Blah.

What is your favorite place to buy lunch?

Le Confections, a cafe that specializes in French candy and cakes.

Would you buy from a school canteen?

Only if it were a life or death situation. Have you seen what they serve kids? No thanks.



Soul Food Silk Road Advent Calendar 2005

http://www.outbackonline.net/Advent%20Calendar/Main%20Page/AdventCalender2005.htm

Today, I traveled to the 2005 Advent Calendar & I started with Day 1.

The Night Before the Journey

Last night, I made my preparations to journey on the silk road. Sitting in silence, I looked intently on the red heart-shaped candle I had lit. What did I expect to find on this journey?  Pondering, I realized I was skeptical and full of doubt. Could I erase it all? No. It was an honest answer that I felt saddened to admit. Yet, also liberating because I knew I would still go & perhaps it was good to acknowledge these things now.

Finding the Door

I’ve meditated and made a map of my heart, to help prepare for the journey ahead. Ready, I packed my bag and step up searching for the door. I see the wall and step towards it. Now that I am closer, I can feel a soft breeze hitting my cheeks. Stepping back, I see the door:

Trunk-shaped door, with Morpho butterflies clustering.

I do not see a knob or handle. I feel around the trunk, trying not to disturb the butterflies. At last,   I realize one butterfly is not moving. I carefully reach towards it, it is wood. I twist it, a luminous figure appears. She’s pale blue, her wings like the butterflies, only they fill the room the width of the room.

“Welcome, visitor. Enter these lands, do not look with your eyes but with your heart. Toss aside possibility, embrace the impossible  and your expectations will be fulfilled.” Feeling nervous, I step through uncertain what to expect.

Traveling the Lands

I’ve been following the path, on either side enormous pines, willows and dogwood trees as far as the eye can see. I feel I’ve been traveling for days because of the eerie silence. I should feel tired, by the many miles I have walked. I am exhilarated instead.  As I continue to walk, it appears there is something in the middle of the path. I cannot tell what it is yet.

A massive oak, that is what I am looking at now. Its branches stretch beyond what I can see. On each branch, white doves. Its roots look like gnarled fingers clutching the ground. I think I hear humming and I look around. There is no one aside from myself. I lean against the oak and when I do the humming is louder. Startled, I place my ear on its bark, feeling foolish but I still listen. I close my eyes, lost in the music. I feel a tugging at my hand and open my eyes. Standing before me is an ancient woman , stooped with her hands gripping the tip of her cane.

She does not say a word, merely taps the trunk of tree three times. Puzzled I am about to speak. She puts a finger to her lips for silence and settles down on the grass. Impatient, I begin to pace until the crone grabs at my ankle & taps the ground with her cane.

Meditations with the Crone

I feel as if I have been sitting for ages. I am restless, yet every time I move the crone opens her eyes and gives me that look that all mothers give their children when they are misbehaving. Still no words have passed her lips. I give up and close my eyes as well, listening.

Silence.
Listening.

I feel a tapping on my knee. I open my eyes, it is the crone. She hold a cup, indicates that I should drink. I take the cup from her. Right away I notice a strong oder, it does not entice me to drink. I raise a quizzical eyebrow. She stares right back. Gathering courage, I drink. It taste as awful as it smells.  I begin to wonder if she conspires to end me when I hear the forest sing. No, not the woods but its occupants.  I blink and can see that the woods are not empty but full with creatures of imagination. Gaping in  wonder as inspiration strikes. Smiling the crone transforms, it is the lady who greeted me. She snatches a butterfly flitting in the air, places it in my hand.

I find myself back in the room, confused. Did I dream?  I look into my hand, a jeweled butterfly. I can hear a hum, of music. I smile, it is the tune of the enchanted woods. Eagerly, I rush my desk ready to transcribe my adventure.

*I had a hard time with this exercise at first. I do not meditate & have never really tried guided imagery of any kind. I was tempted to give up after a few minutes but I was determined to stick with it. I am glad I did b/c b/c I did have some art ideas that were inspired by this exercise & think I might journey more on the Silk Road.

Writing Notebook

Today, I wandered  into the Writing Notebook & used the 1st paragraph of the 1st prompt:

http://www.writingnotebook.blogspot.com/

“Be like an athlete training for the Olympic Games. Fill a journal jar with the Writer’s Digest daily prompts. Print out the pages of prompts, cut them into strips and store them inside the jar. Sit the jar on your desk and randomly select a prompt when you want to do some warm ups. I use a jar like this when I begin a session with a class that are trained to make writing a daily practice.”

I liked the idea of having a prompt jar, so I plan on making one this weekend. I am going to the local craft store & buying a paper mache box & decorate  it. I figured I would make a whole project of painting, collage & what not & buying a sheet of decorative paper & white the prompts on that. Okay, maybe a little elaborate but I was stoked & wanted an excuse for a craft project I think.

For today though, I went to the Writer’s Digest site & picked a prompt @ random to use:

You wake up one day with an unusual super power that seems pretty worthless—until you are caught in a situation that requires that specific “talent.”

I pondered on this for a while & finally came up with an idea. I love coffee & not a morning person, so it seems only natural that this would be a super power I would think of…

__________________

BUZZZZZZZZ!

6 A.M. already? Blah. I stumble into the kitchen to start-up the coffee pot & see that I forgot to prep it last night. Grumbling, I make my way into the bathroom to shower. I am feeling annoyed & wonder if I could manage to a quick stop to the student cafe  &  not be late for work.  Then I remember the new coffee maker in the break room at work. Awesome.  Feeling partially cheered I start to dress for work when I notice the smell of coffee brewing. What’s this?

Curious, I amble into the kitchen & sure enough there is coffee brewing. What the…? I shrug it off. I was half asleep & well, I am not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer this early in the morning. I fill my to-go mug, take a sip & off to work.

Around 10 A.M, I notice I am running low on coffee.  I think there is some in the break room so I pick up my mug to refill. I notice it feels, like its full. What? I take off the lid & sure enough I have a full mug. I think I am beginning to lose it.

I decide to test something out & go outside & empty my mug. I look into it to verify that it’s empty. I place  it on the bench &  begin thinking about how much I want a latte with sugar-free vanilla flavoring.  I am feeling pretty silly by now & pick up.  It’s full again. I take a sip, sure enough the best latte I’ve ever had.  This is crazy. I dump it out again & think of a mint cappuccino. I take a sip, oh my gosh.  Then it hits me. This is my super power? Of all the other possibilities? It’s cool but…

A few days later, I go to the break room to eat breakfast. I notice the coffee maker is empty.  I turn to Sara & ask, “I thought this was a new coffee maker.”

“Someone used up all the coffee & did not say anything. I really need some coffee & the student cafe is shut down b/c their coffee maker broke.” she says.  Others come in grumbling, groggy & two look like they are about to fight.

“That’s my shelf, for my food.  How many times do I have to tell everyone this?”

“Your shelf? Why should you get an entire shelf?” & picks up the other woman’s lunch bag & moves it.

I can tell, things are about to get ugly. I look around, no one is paying attention. I walk over to the coffee pot & make motions of digging in my bag. I think of coffee brewing. Everyone stills as the aroma of coffee starts drifting its way around the room.  My co-workers start lining  up to fill up their mugs, arguments forgotten.  I smile and make my way back to the office.

FreeWriting- Magic Writing Tram Activity

http://www.outbackonline.net/tram/tram.htm

(I also have this posted on my regular blog but per Heather’s suggestion, I am posting it here too.)

News has just spread throughout the land that a magic genie has taken up residence in the canteen. Students who fill out lunch orders can have everlasting supplies of their favourite food. There are no limits! The genie will grant all wishes and permit boys and girls to take food home for Mum, Dad, the dog, brothers and sisters.

Now, write the radio report, from the first news team on the scene to report the situation as children rush the canteen and test the genies power to produce everlasting supplies of food for the hungry hordes.

”Ladies & gentlemen, breaking news! If I were not here, I would not believe it. I am crushed against the tram’s canteen wall, looking at a real live genie! Yes, you heard right- a genie!  What is he doing, you might ask? Well, right now he is handing a little girl a triple-sized banana split topped with cherries & marshmallows. Here she comes,

“My, that is a mighty tasty looking banana split, are you going to share that with a friend?”

“No.”

“No? What’s your name, kid?”

“Sandy.”

“Sandy, so you’re going to eat that all by yourself?”

“Yes sir.” (starts eating)

“Looks like Sandy is already taking a bite, is it good? Does it taste like real ice cream?”

(Wipes face with coat sleeve) “Yes, sir. You wanna try?”

(Eats) “Mm, mm. She’s right listeners. Taste like the homemade ice cream my granny used to make. Well, there you have it. A genie who grant any & all of your food wishes. If you’ll excuse me, I think I am going to put in a request myself.”

Impossible Belief

http://trainsofthought.wordpress.com/impossible/

I began my journey on the Trains of Thought page & kept coming back the link for Believing Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast so I figured there must be a reason I did. I read the words & pondered on them for a while.

I wondered, when was the last time I believed in the impossible? In writing  &  creating artwork, you have to do that each time you start a project. That lump of clay to some, to you a sculptural masterpiece waiting. Bits of words might seem gibberish to others but you see the unfolding of a new world.  You know Roulfe the Rowdy who seeks out his enchanted dragon to slay & princess to kiss is not real but it comes time to write, you have set aside reality & dive into his world.

I think somewhere along the way, I forgot to believe in 1 impossible thing, much less six. I abandoned my muse & told myself I did not have much talent, so why bother.  Those moments I decided to write, my muse was off in the distance pouting & thinking, “Fat chance sister, you blew it.” & mentoring a school of fish.  My writing felt stiff, boring- I was trying too hard & expecting too much.

It’s like showing up at 6 A.M. for 10k marathon after a three-day binge hung over, out- of- shape, puffing a cigar & sipping a brandy. You might luck out & win but most likely you are going to jog a couple of blocks, feel terrible & make a bee-line for the nearest bush.

Since discovering this group, I’ve rediscovered the joy creating brings. My biggest obstacle was having the courage to post. Of discovering maybe I was right, maybe I just did not have “it”. Maybe I was fooling myself for trying, like that drunk guy on karaoke night singing “I’m All Out of Love” off-key.

Now, I see myself in training. I don’t expect every piece I writing or art to be perfect. I am trying to get back into the habit of writing everyday & post on my blog regularly. I am really excited about this new blog & learning about the different parts of Soul Food Cafe because I have yet to fully explore it. It will be an exciting journey I believe.