Watermark

The Artist's Way ~ Week 5: Recovering a Sense of Possibility

Is anyone else feeling a bit . . . sensitive? Early on, Cameron said something about emotional volatility, but I didn't think: me. I didn't think: raw.

I had forgotten that writing began, for me, in a difficult and painful time. Now, those memories and feelings come back to me. And not just those -- memories and feelings from very long ago.

No offense to those youngsters out there who have taken on this challenge, but I don't want to be twenty again. Well, maybe physically, but in no other way. I want peace, calm, surety in my days. Manageable affections. Acceptance of what is.

A big synchronicity to report this week -- but first, the more mundane.

Another Glimpse of My Dark Side

When the news popped up on my television, the text below one of the classic Cheney sneer photos:  Cheney accidentally shoots fellow hunter --

I laughed. Out loud. Before even knowing the condition of the victim.

It just seemed so . . . emblematic:

• All available intelligence indicated that there were quail there.
  
• No one anticipated that there might be a person there.
  
• Collateral damage is regrettable, but sometimes unavoidable.
  
• The person did not comply with the terms of the hunting treaty.
  
• He looked like quail to me.
  
• Direct threats require decisive action.

I know it's not really funny. This aspect of my character is why I decided against pursuing a law degree; I knew I would be a good (as in: competent) lawyer, but what part of me might have bloomed, one shudders to think.

Carnival of the Cats #99 ~ Valentine Edition

My cats and I are against racism in any form.
A special note for Valentine's Day, from LucyRand.

The cats below are Prairie Mary's companions, but her blog is too {ahem} dignified, grownup [and] sophisticated for cat photos. Apparently, she is unaware that this blog was in the New York Times! For cat blogging!

*Sigh* So soon they forget.

But, since Crackers and Squibbs (who seem to be rather explosive characters) can't be in the Carnival, they've agreed to present the Carnival, with the kind photographic and literary assistance of their human servant, who clearly does not adequately appreciate how dignified, grownup [and] sophisticated they are. 

 

I'm this big blonde cat named Crackers,
who ought to be Brunnhilde and carry a spear,
but I only work for praise and some snackers.
This is largely the reason that I'm still right here.

That other cat is my sister Squibbs.
I'd rather eat but she'd rather fight.
Somehow this calico always has dibs
But I patiently watch until she takes flight.

We're only posing together in order to show
on Valentine's Day it's good to love, so....
Sorry we only know how to write doggerel.
All we can say is Holy Mackerel.

I Dream of Dragons

Uploaded by wam mosely

 

Saturday 14 January 02006

I am sleeping in my bed, in a large room, when a handmade greeting card arrives. I find it charming. It flutters in the air and turns into a dragon. A baby dragon, with large, thin wings; so thin that they are nearly transparent.

The baby comes to me to snuggle, and I know that, even as an infant, this creature can be dangerous. It begins to nuzzle me & I realize, just as I am wounded, that it is trying to nurse.

My dog or cat tries to attack the dragon, & I protect it; I restrain my pet.

The dragon's mother appears, to nurse it, but I know that she will pass the baby on to me when it is weaned.

In the news: dragons are appearing everywhere. There is a move to kill them, but those of us whom the dragons have chosen will protect them.

This is my dragon.

This is for Ken

Make your own tartan (click for larger image):

Via Changing Places

Cat Valentine Carnival

Are you hiding from Valentine's Day?

You are too young, but I know you've heard all those stories from your barnyard friends, all the disappointments -- too-small diamonds, too-large lingerie: 

Nuts?? There's nuts in these chocolates! You know I hate nuts!!

And I'm allergic to roses. Who were you thinking of? Huh?

Well, tough kitties!

Come on out -- this year will be different.

 

The Carnival of the Cats Valentine Celebration will be here at Watermark on Sunday. And since we know that all cats are gentle, loving, affectionate, and considerate souls, this celebration should be filled with soft compliments and delicate flowers. Every gift shall be thoughtfully chosen and graciously received. Delicacies will be politely shared.

If you would like to join us, just send your catblogging URL to submissions (at) carnivalofthecats.com or [my strong preference] use The Carnival Submission Form by this Sunday at 5:00 PM mountain time.

While awaiting the Big Event, don't neglect to visit these other critter venues:

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

[The Valentine kitty featured in this post is Cousin Sue's PeeWee, and all photos are by Sue Pinkerton. Click the photos to see larger images.]

Tagged

I have been tagged by Melba, who says she chose me because I wanted to know more about you. She has reframed the 4 Questions into 4 Artist's Way Questions, since she had already done this meme before she was tagged again -- so I'm not sure which ones she wants me to answer.

I'll answer an unasked one -- Yes, I am an Introvert -- in order to explain my decision to answer the original 4 Questions that are circulating around the internet:

Snapshot 08 February 02006

For much of the grey afternoon
the red-eyed hawk perched on the garden bench
swiveling its marvelous head

as I considered our need for God;
this longing to have faith in the unlikely, to believe
in the mathematical inevitability of miracles.

In the white laboratory we try
to locate, to weigh and measure -- not God, but our
desire for God. We believe there must be some

evolutionary imperative to allocate
our gratitude and terror to a great and supernatural
Source. Does It love us, this Creator, this Force

that we use to excuse war, slaughter,
women hidden in back rooms, the mutilation of our
children, bloody sacrifice and masochistic

ecstasy? We watch the brain's limbic
system light up with spiritual impulses and exclaim:
there! Faith on a monitor; devotion on

a computer screen. As the day dimmed
into evening, the hawk's patience was rewarded
with a plump, red-feathered finch.

Watermark Word Cloud

Make your own here
Via Changing Places

Snowy Fence