trip to belize

While Geoff and I were in Belize and Florida...

Calvin found his own sunny spot at home.

WORD OF THE WEEK

Today's word that I picked from the fish bowl on my desk 

is...

sanctuary
1. a place of refuge and protection  2. a refuge for wildlife where predators are controlled and hunting is illegal

giving thanks

This little Pilgrim would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

colorscope

Does this colorscope belong to:

a) Stephen Spielberg
b) Woody Allen
c) Mark Twain
d) all of the above
e) none of the above

To find out go to: www.color-scope.com/blogs/alix

WORD OF THE WEEK

Today's word that I picked from the fish bowl on my desk

is...

poetry
1. writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound and rhythm.

another lost bird

A few weeks ago, I discovered a "lost pheasant" poster.  (Click here)

It appears that we have another missing bird in our neighborhood.  Where in the world is Voodoo?  And what ever happened to that pheasant?  I hope these two find their way home.

time

My most recent chapter from "The Vein of Gold" (click here) is all about time management.  Julia Cameron believes that we all have enough time to create. Instead of waiting for empty days to begin our projects, we can be creative in small spurts.  She assigned the following task: Carry a notebook every day for a week and sketch places where you are kept waiting.

Here are a few of the places where I wait.

WORD OF THE WEEK

Today's word that I picked from the fish bowl on my desk

is...

tidal

1. periodically rising and falling or flowing and ebbing

brenda ueland

A few days ago, I started to read IF YOU WANT TO WRITE by Brenda Ueland.  See previous post called "accountability".

After finishing IF YOU WANT TO WRITE in record time (I read really fast when I love something), I planned on posting paragraph after paragraph of Ueland's advice.  Unfortunately, I don't think I'm allowed to quote half of a book in this blog.  I have a feeling I'd be violating quite a few copyright laws.

Instead, I will simply recommend IF YOU WANT TO WRITE by Brenda Ueland. This is an inspiring book for anyone who wishes to create.

fall back

Due to the time change, my cats were extra sleepy last night.

accountability

I am in a writing class and the the subject of accountability comes up a lot.  How often are you writing?  Do you write everyday?  When you finally sit down to write, how many words come out on the page?

At the end of my most recent class, my wonderful teacher gave each student a different writing assignment.  I was so grateful to receive mine.  It really helps me to know that someone is waiting for my work.

My teacher also lent me a book that she had just come across.  As soon as I got home from class, I opened "If You Want To Write" by Brenda Ueland.  The first chapter I noticed was called "Why Women Who Do Too Much Housework Should Neglect It For Their Writing".  The title made me laugh.  It also gave me the final kick I needed to jump into my newest assignment.

Are you a writer, painter, actor, dancer, musician, designer or creative thinker who struggles with accountability?  Could you share what helps you push through?

WORD OF THE WEEK

Our WORD OF THE WEEK that I picked from the fish bowl on my desk

is....

magic

1. an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural force.  2. the art of producing illusions by sleight of hand.

colorscope

Do you know what Charles Manson's colorscope looks like?  There is a terrific blog that studies the colorscopes of people throughout history.  Examples include: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Andy Warhol, Willie Mays, Marlon Brando, Albert Einstein and The Beatles.

To read more go to:  www.color-scope.com/blogs/alix/

happy halloween

I really wanted Trick or Treaters to visit our new home.  We've never had them before and this Halloween I was ready.

5pm passed without a knock.  It was getting dark and I was feeling a little bit sad.  I looked over at the enormous bowl of candy that was sitting by the door.  One would be enough, I thought.  Just one sweet kid in a costume.  And then the knocks came.  Costume after costume arrived on our front porch.  I saw a werewolf, a baby pumpkin, 3 ninjas, Batman, fairies, a football player, a fortuneteller, Ghost Busters, a couple of princesses, Snow White...

We ended up running out of candy.  As soon as Geoff went to the store to replenish our supply, a little witch came Trick or Treating.  I had to tell her I had nothing left to give her.  She looked up at me and dumped the candy from her bag into my bowl.  "You need candy" she told me.

I couldn't believe it.  This little girl couldn't have been more than 6 years old.  She probably had spent the past hour collecting all this candy and she dumped it into my empty bowl just like that.  I gave her back her candy, my eyes a bit teary.  "Thank you anyway" I said to her.  "You should keep this."

Last night was Halloween and Thanksgiving all wrapped into one.