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The Artist's Way ~ Week 7: Recovering a Sense of Connection

Last week's topics included listening, perfectionism, risk, and jealousy. Risk is an interesting one for me. I realized quite young that I was risk aversive; I like comfort, and safety. I recognized that many people settle into a job or a place early on, get comfortable, and never move -- physically, intellectually, emotionally, or spiritually -- and that I could easily become one of those people.

So I have, many times, grit my teeth and jumped -- into some job or place or work -- or relationship -- that was new and frightening for me. I have few regrets. Especially now, that health limits my options so severely.

Jump when you can, I say.

Perfectionism and jealousy have been issues for me at times, and I suppose there are remnants (especially of the first) (no, wait -- I envy people who are old and healthy and strong) -- but I've had a long time to live with my shortcomings; a long time to remedy, modify, or accept them.

And then there is listening. Here is another quote from Ted Kooser's The Poetry Home Repair Manual:

Jane Hirshfield wrote: "A work of art defines itself into being, when we awaken into it and by it, when we are moved, altered, stirred. It feels as if we have done nothing, only given it a little time, a little space; some hairline-narrow crack opens in the self, and there it is." She goes on to quote Kafka: "You do not even have to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. do not even listen, simply wait. Do not even wait, remain still and solitary. The world will freely off itself to you unasked. It has no choice. It will roll in ecstasy at your feet."

Go talk with Jane here.

I decided, on impulse, to go out on an artist date -- and the car wouldn't start. Mysteriously. So I called Kris and asked if, sometime when she was out and about, she could drop by her battery charger. She came the next day, with the charger, and the harp she has built (from a kit) for Abigail. This harp has a big, round voice. Kris was going to play just a little, but I wheedled.

When I asked, Kris explained that the reason recorded music does not turn my bones to butter, like live music does, is that recorded music lacks overtones, especially music recorded to compact discs. This, apparently, is the essence of the debate about vinyl vs. cd's.

So. Abundance.

Poetry

what is poetry for?
this              silence

A reminder: Jane Hirshfield is engaged in a conversation about poems, poetry, and other matters at The Well. This conversation is open to the public, and you are invited.

I've been reading Ted Kooser's The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets. Yes, I've been doing this for nearly twenty years, and I'm still a beginner.

I do recommend it for beginning poets; he offers lots of technical reminders they will find useful. He also offers some observations and opinions that I think apply to almost any creative endeavor -- and since I like what he says, I'm going to share some of it with you:

Journals & Notebooks

Blue Dog asks: What do you write in? And many, many reply, with photos and thoughts on journaling and writing that are worth sharing outside the Blogging the Artist's Way list, I think. So I have many links below the cut, and will add more as I find them. This gives me an excuse for another cute dog photo, the doglets tempting me from my writing in the morning:

Here is this poet's notebook, from a post last year on just that: Poets' Notebooks.  Sitting on the cover is the stick I was trying to draw:

   

You can see the poem that came out of these jottings here. My notebooks are Circa notebooks, from Levenger. I love this system -- I have a punch so I can add computer-printed pages (or anything else) to the current notebook; and file folders specifically designed for Circa pages for all my old notebooks.  Levenger's paper is great -- wonderful to the pen, and heavy enough that even wide fountain pens don't show through on the other side. It comes in graph and lined paper, as well as the plain you see here. When funds are tight, regular paper works just fine.

I prefer them because they fold completely open to provide their own hard backing, like a spiral notebook, but can look very spiffy and professional with the leather covers or folios (which are optional, and spendy.) The covers have pen loops and pockets. There are tons of accessories to tailor it to your needs and design preferences.

These notebooks come in different sizes; I have a smaller one I can carry with me when [if] I go out, and the pages can then be moved to the larger, main notebook. Pages go in and out of this system with ease. I do suspect these are better suited to writers than to artists.

Though the materials are nice, my notebooks are not 'beautiful' -- they are not artist's notebooks. They are 'compost' -- seeds and nurturance for future work. The handwriting is variable, from neat to illegible. Thoughts range, without clear boundaries, from dreams to description to fiction to long internal monologues that are some mixture of it all. The one consistent thing that I do is  try to write my dreams in green ink, so that they are easily found.

The pen you see with the dogs is a Sensa fountain pen -- these are lovely for sore hands, especially the gel pens. Beautiful balance, not heavy -- they float across the page. Of course, I discovered all these treasures when I was working, and had an income -- but I'm well-supplied. Also, I do believe that the things one uses every day should bring pleasure. Abundance, remember?

I want to mention that one thing about doing the Artist's way for which I am grateful, is that it has brought me back to my notebook. Since I started blogging, two years ago, my time with paper and pen has diminished, and I am glad to have it back again. There is a kind of physicality that is very different with the pen than with the keyboard.

One more thing, before I move on to the words and photos of others. In case some of you are nearly house-bound, as I have been; or even just like to carry your writing and reading supplies from room to room -- this idea may be of use -- my basket:

   

Click the photos to go to Flickr and see larger ones. These photos have notes, too.

Now, on to links, links, links (and one more cute dog photo):

Balanced!

Found at Writing Away on Cedar Key:

You fit in with: Spiritualism Your ideals are mostly spiritual, but in an individualistic way.  While spirituality is very important in your life, organized religion itself may not be for you.  It is best for you to seek these things on your own terms. 40% spiritual. 40% reason-oriented.

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Actually, I do feel, finally, some resolution around these faith vs. reason struggles in which I've been engaged. I'll be writing more about this in the coming weeks. No doubt.

BTW: How would I go about making this smaller? I'm clearly not grasping the concept; nothing I try works.

The Artist's Way ~ Awful Affirmations

Are you fond of this affirmation?

     TREATING MYSELF LIKE
          A PRECIOUS OBJECT
       WILL MAKE ME STRONG

Have you, as directed, drawn it out and hung it on your wall? If so, you may want to quit reading this now. Because I detest it, and I am about to tell you why.

Let me acknowledge that the depth of my dislike is an indication that some unresolved feeling is attached to this; fears of vulnerability and weakness. But even without that, the connotations of this language -- precious, object -- are cringe-worthy.

The Visitor & Other Entertainments

Click the photos to go to Flickr & see big ones.

     

A garden full of sparrows, and what does she want? Caged parakeets. When I put my hand to the glass, she rubs her head against it. But she gets  quickly bored -- cold glass between her and scritches; between her and budgies. Off she goes.

As you may want to, before we're done. It's February, the longest month. [Oh, c'mon, you know what I mean!] So, what to do, what to do. Hmmm. Maybe some odd entertainment would be in order.

Like The Magic Kittens in Kompakt's Wonderland or Poor Cat, both via Ample Sanity.

Perhaps you'd like to indulge in a little kitty decoration. Here we have a variety of purchasable options (lots of new designs!) and here instructions on making your own noble fruit helmet for your cat (via boingboing.)

Hello Kitty is planning to replace guard dogs and receptionists. I knew they were planning to take over the world. If the very idea makes you feel a bit catty, you may find this useful:

A few more pleasant pastimes:

Friday Ark
I and the Bird
Carnival of the Cats
Carnival of the Dogs
Circus of the Spineless

Oh, did I mention, it's February? Don't have a calendar yet? Go here:  Cat Lovers Against the Bomb.

Be warm.

Heh

Warning Signs for the Web

From Google Blogoscoped, which has several to choose from. This one should probably live on my sidebar.

A Cute & Silly Dog Post

Click the images to see larger ones at Flickr.

       

One of the pleasures of my life is watching people's ordinary morning faces turn into grins as they see these funny little dogs approach them on the path.

Howard Fineman on Countdown

Fineman, to Olberman, re: UAE port purchase:

The President has a lot of credibility when he claims ignorance.

I swear. I heard it.

Snapshot 22 February 02006

     how thin -- the hours
     away from my daughter

I am preoccupied with faith,
    its dangers and its solace,
as this snow falls, a drift
    of fist-sized flakes that sift
from a dim sky, then change
    to sleetish rain. An hour,
I'm told, for the average flake
    to fall. This stone is filled
with galaxies; this child is held
    with love. This earth is
baptized, not by god, but by
    neutrinos. In dreams I am
stalked by elephants and dragons.
    I put my hand to the wild
boar's neck. I feel its pulse, its
    coarse fur. Its eye on me.

EDITED because I suddenly realized that it is part of this renga. The first two lines (which I have just added) and much of the science in this poem come from conversation with Erin.