Blogging Class



Millie and Willie encourage new bloggers!

Quote of the Day: If you wish to be a writer, write! Epictetus (Greek Philospher)

This is one of my favorite quotes, and quite fitting for this group of writers. They came to my blogging class with ideas to share and words to write and pictures to post. I can't wait to see what they produce! Of course, they have the same old fears that all artists experience. Do I have the time, the knowledge, the know-how? Who am I to write a blog on that? What about the exposure to the world? Am I ready for that. I say, Yes. If you feel the call to write and to share your work, get going. The world is waiting for your words of wisdom and to connect with you.

These creative people will be starting blogs about geneolgy, a rare disorder, a mother and son who wrote a book together about his struggles with cancer at a young age. We had a quilter, a photographer (actually many who love to take pictures and share them), one or two who are retired and want to share their story, and several authors who want to get their words and work out there for all of you fabulous readers.

I'll share their links as soon as they're ready, and you can have more blogs to read and follow and fellow artists/writers to support. I love this blogging community!

Thanks, "kids", for coming to my class. I learned so much from you, too. That we never stop learning and growing and wanting to explore more of what this world has to offer on and off-line.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What is the purpose of your blog (or art)? Who is your audience?

Building Community

Quote of the Day:  What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured. ~ Kurt Vonnegut 
The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers & cities; but to know someone who thinks & feels with us, & who, though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
quotes found at Goodreads quotes. They had many great ones on community.

Here's how some of the creative folks are working together to build community here in the Brainerd lakes area of Minnesota. Matt Taylor (in the white) and Phil Holbrook (not pictured) opened The Sunshine Kitchen & Moonshine Lounge. (love the name)

Seth Doud, local singer-songwriter performed last weekend. He invited his friend, Suzy Cavalier, to open for him.

The bonus was that it was her birthday, so we all got to celebrate.

She did not share her cake with us. But, she did give us the gift of her music, and it was wonderful. I mentioned these two on my blogspot on The Brainerd Dispatch. I also alerted readers to all the wonderful entertainment offerings in the area in the coming month and mentioned that my friend Jim Olsen and his band, the Stardust Trio, would be at the Moonshine Lounge this weekend. Jim wrote on his facebook status:  It's been a GREAT NIGHT! The Stardust Trio had it's first gig at Sunshine Kitchen / Moonshine Lounge, and, if I must say so myself, it went very well. My friend, Dick, is, without a doubt, the best guitarist I've ever had the honor to share a stage with. He was more than outstanding tonite!....and I was very pleased the crowd, which was a younger audience, really appreciated his playing.

This is just one of many ways that I've seen artists in the area singing each other's praises. If we all go out and support each other, what a fine creative community we will enjoy.

The Sunshine Kitchen & Moonshine Lounge tells us to:

And, as I always say: Go. Create. Inspire!

And, support your local artists!

Journaling Prompt:  What are some of your favorite local hangouts? What local groups or artists do you like to see and hear in your area?

Improv with The National Players

Quote of the Day:  Our mission is to tell the story. Marcus Salley, 2010-2011 member of The National Players

Marcus and Brian

showing us the "two heads are better than one" improv technique

(photos a little blurry because I didn't want to use my flash)

I'm doing it. I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and taking the time to embrace (remember my word for the year) new experiences, and my authentic self.

The National Players are in town to perform the Steinbeck classic, Of Mice and Men, one of my favorite stories, despite it's tragic ending. Maybe it is the tragedy, that we feel so deeply, that connects me to this story. Maybe it's something more, but I'll reflect on that tomorrow, after I've seen the show, which is tonight at 7:30 at Central Lakes College.

I am on the emailing list for the CLC theatre, and last week, Patrick Spradlin offered a one-hour improv workshop with The National Players. I said yes, then got nervous. What if I don't know what to do? What if they ask me to do something that makes me feel like a freak? What if I'm the only person over 20? What if I look like a foolish middle-aged mom trying to recapture her youth?

What if I don't go, then regret it?

So, I went, middle-aged insecurities and all. I've been wanting to do more with improv, drama, theatre, and coaching kids, so I knew this was my invitation. Plus, it was free. And, not only free, but in attending, I also got a 60% discount on my tickets for the show. Bonus on top of the bonus.

It was fun.

Player Alex and some of my classmates

I learned some great warm-ups and theatre games to do with kids when I start my Play off the Page theatre workshop next summer. (There, I've announced it, now it has to happen.)

We practiced greeting strangers by pretending they were long lost friends.

We partnered up for the "Two-headed" storytelling game.

My partner, Cody, was great. He looks a little scared here, but when he started the dialogue, he came to life.  For our "Two-headed" story, we broke into dialogue from the start. He played along great, threw me a couple curve-balls, and in the end we hit a "home-run." Seriously, it was about a scary bat in the corner, that we hit with a baseball bat, and scored. The teachers told us we were "advanced." (giggles and grins) And, I thought I wouldn't fit in.

I asked Cody if he was at CLC for the theatre program. He said, "No, I'm here for the computer classes." I asked if he was a writer since he came up with the story line so well. He said, "No, but my sister is." So, we played the part of older sister/younger brother and a controvesial operation. 

Afterwards, I chatted with a couple cast members, Marcus Salley and Patrick Hogan. They said that being in The National Players is like being in the "military of acting" because they have to learn all the rolls in theatre, from the parts they play on stage to how to set up and run their own lights and sound, haul in the props and set, construct it in a short amount of time, and be ready to strike it as soon as the curtain closes, pack it up, and move onto the next venue.

Hey, diddly dee, the actor's life for me... They must be humming that tune as they travel from state to state, performing in large and small communities and trying to meet their creature comforts all along the way. I have to admire, and envy ever so slightly, the freedom of the young actor, to be able to live on the road and have adventures.

I asked Marcus and Patrick what their goals are as actors. Patrick said he'd like to get back into film. He'd done a bit before he got this job, so once the year is up, he's back to Hollywood, I suppose. I hope I see him up on the big screen, or on my television some day. Marcus has his teaching degree. I asked if it was theatre or English. He said, "No, history." That's great. We have a huge need to bring history to life through theatre. He'd like to work with middle school. I applaud him and wish him well. I asked if he has done any writing. He said that he has. Oh, ya, another connection. Then, I let it slip that I'm a playwright. I said that I feel sad that there are almost no rolls for middle-aged women, and only a few for older women, where they only play the aging mother.  All the rolls are for the beautiful young woman coming of age and falling in love.  I said I was tired of that, so I sat down and wrote a play that I'd like to see or be in, or that my friends could do. And, those young guys encouraged me.

See what happens when you step out of your comfort zone and are willing to "Play off the Page?" Creative energy, new friends and experiences, and courage to do the next thing that makes you sweat.

Go. Create. Inspire! And, step out of your comfort zone today!

Learn more about The National Players here, or The CLC Theatre, here.

Thanks Patrick and National Players for a great afternoon! I'm looking forward to your performance tonight.

Journaling Prompt:  Describe a time where you pushed yourself to try something new and step out of your comfort zone. What happened? How were you changed?

True Callling

Quote of the Day:  Music...accesses both sides of the brain - the analytical left side and the emotional right side - and forces a connection. (p. 139)

Music Therapy is music without the ego. (p. 146)

- Jodi Picoult from her novel Sing You Home

Have you ever wondered if you're doing what you were born to do?  Have you answered your true calling?  Do you ever look at someone else's life/career, and think, that's what I really want to do? Or, are you one of the lucky ones who is doing exactly what your heart and abilities are calling you to do?

I just finished reading Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult.  I loved it.  I'll have to admit that I'd given up on reading Picoult's books because they're too gloomy for me.  She a fantastic writer of realistic contemporary fiction, heavy on the realism.  In fact, it is so real and raw that reading her books can feel like you've been watching the evening news for five days straight.  I can't stay in a gloomy place that long.  She writes about real people experiencing real life, and the way she has her characters interact is spot on.

So, I picked up the book with trepidation.  But, it came highly recommended by my cousin Angie.  In fact, she referred to it many times during our conversations about things we care about - aging, music, acceptance of all types of people, connections, relationships. And, I connected to the main character in the book right away.  She's a music therapist.  I kept thinking the whole time I was reading the book that I should have been a music therapist.  And, as I read further, I thought of how I already do music therapy, but without the degree and official title. 

I have kids come to my house every week to make music.  I talk to them about music, what they like about playing, and I also talk to them about what is important in their lives - their pets, their families, other interests, friendships.  I see them blossom as musicians and people.  I watch them gain confidence.

Spring Recital at the assisted living center

If you've been reading my blog lately, you know that I play at an assistend living center about once a month, and during the summer I've brought the handful of students who are taking summer lessons with me.  I see the sparkle of energy come out in both my students and their audience - especially in the memory care unit.  Yesterday, I interviewed a woman for an article I'm writing for Her Voice on Alzheimer's disease.  Her mom is in a facility, now, where she needs constant care for dementia.  While she was sharing her story with me, and talking about her mom, she was also talking to me about what I could so as a musician to help ease the pain of these patients and their families who love them.  What she emphasized is that you want your parent, or spouse or friends, to be taken care of by people who want to interact with them and show them love.

I have been talking with my sister Joy and dear friend JeMA about our vision of having an art center where we could teach, offer music and art therapy, and have original artwork and performances. We want a place that nurtures gifts and talents in ourselves and in others. 

Do you know that when people don't have the ability to communicate verbally, they can still connect with others through art and music?  They are another language, another way of expressing ourselves.  I have also heard of therapy in theatre. I can imagine movement and expression, both verbal and non-verbal, create stimulation and connection.

Oh, the possibilities...

Journaling Prompt:  What is your true calling?  Are you doing it right now, or do you feel pulled in another direction, or further in the direction you're heading?  What is it that gets your heart pumping and makes you want to try harder and be more?

Emotional Intelligence

Quote of the Day:  Emotions are at the center of our thinking. Emotions are not separate from reason, but they are the foundation of reason because they tell us what to value. David Brooks on Ted.com. Click here for the full speech. It's fascinating.

He also talks about "mind-sight", the ability to interpentrate into someone's mind, and "blending" which is something artists do naturally, taking seemingly unrelated objects, events, or creatures and making connections.  I believe we experience mind-sight when we use our intuition to read people.  Have you ever said, "I just got a weird vibe from that guy," or looked into someone's eyes to determine if you could trust him or her?  Some people feel approachable, while others make you want to cross the street and walk on the other side.

David Brooks talks about skills we cannot count and measure.  Intuition, making connections, emotional response, creativity, the ability to see something for more than what it is, that is a higher power.  Creative Intelligence. I am amazed at how quickly a musician must process music and all its intricate details, and all the while feeling the emotions it evokes. And, how artists have visions about what they will create.

Like, turning a block of wood into a tiny tractor.

My Uncle David made this.

Or, finding objects in nature and embedding them in your canvas.

My friend at ArtbyJeMA, is a master at this.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Take note of times you act on your intuition or feel inspiration.  Observe kids and how they make connections and interact with their environment.  They have not reasoned away emotional response.

No one said it would be Easy

Quote of the Day:  A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people. — Thomas Mann

I'd like to debate that Thomas Mann quote.  Substitute the word that describes you and your art or skill.  Is it harder for you to create, or easier?  In some ways it's easier.  You have the desire.  You think of ways to describe things.  I often find myself reacting to a situation or person or event like a writer.  I start thinking of how I can describe it for other people so that they can experience it through my work.  Then, the "it's harder" part comes in.  I agonize over just the write words and phrasings.

It's like getting yourself all geared up for that big climb, like Eric on the ropes course up there.  My boys had a preview of their camp experience by going to Camp Shamineau with their class this spring.  It gave them the spark of desire.  They tasted success and thrilled at the adventure.  But, it was still a little scary stretching themselves a little further, sleeping away from home, trying new things, meeting new people.

Last night, it stormed - loud and long.  I was awake for a while.  Then, I felt restless and couldn't fall back to sleep.  All that crash, bang, boom must have been loud in those cabins.  I wondered if it woke the boys. Who might have freaked out, and if the counselors got any sleep.

Yesterday, was one of those idyllic summer days, temps in the low 80s, low humidity, slight breeze, lots of sunshine. I sat on my deck in the afternoon and read a book. (Hey, the little guys are gone, I enjoyed the quiet time. I can clean house later.). I thought, what a great day to be a camper.  Last night, during the storm, I thought, it's a bit more challenging to be a camper right now.

Such is our artistic life.  Sometimes the words come easy.  We can see the description in our heads, or just know the right color and texture combination in our art.  Musicians hit the combination of notes that sends shivers through your body.  Then, there are times when you erase what you've written, paint over the first layer on the canvas, or try new combinations of notes.  When it's your thing, you want it to be just right, and that's when you know it's work, but you love it.  It's a hard climb, but it's worth it.

I'm trying to find the best time to have my play performed with the cast who loves it the most.  I want it to be perfect.  Maybe I need to let go of "Perfect" (the unattainable), and let the creative forces take over.  I met two lovely and talented young women this week - at the coffee shop, of course. They get my play and want to be in it.  I am so encouraged by that - people willing to take a risk with me, a new playwright, and my original play. 

Okay, Creative Spirit, take it away.  I'm geared up and ready for the climb and glad I have supportive friends holding the ropes.

Go. Create. Inspire! (and be sure to wear your protective gear)

Journaling Prompt:  What's the next project for you?  Where do you want to go with your artist's life?

Camping for Generations

Quote of the Day:  One thing I had to learn was that nothing remains the same...people grow and change...You look around and somebody is different from a year earlier. - Barbara Mandrell

Here I am at camp in our Little Red cabin with my four big boys:

Bobby, a senior this coming year.

Zach, 13, and Eric & Charlie, 11.

Here I am in 1973, sharing my popsicle with my little brother, and hanging on the beach with cousins.

Hey, relies, do you recognize yourselves in this photo?

I spent last week at a family bible camp with my four boys, my parents, an aunt, and cousins and their families, plus all the other campers, many of whom I've met in the past.  It was a big reunion and time for new memories. The Aalgaard's have been going to Mount Carmel for 40 years.  My mom went when she was a girl and worked there during her college years as a singing waitress.

Some of the highlights of our week together include the music from some amazing musicians.

The Mount Carmel Trio

"Maybe we should talk about the songs we're doing tonight."

John Ylvisaker, whose music I enjoy sharing at my home church.

Thanks, John, for your generous gifts of music.

I connected over journaling with my mom, other relatives, and made new friends. Our theme was music and memories. (More on that on Friday's post.)

Note, the stack of games behind me, the lovely weather outside, and my new Mount Carmel sweatshirt.  It was on the cooler side that week.  This week in MN, it's an unusual tropical climate.

We also played games, all sorts.  One afternoon, Bobby was wandering around the camp checking out what everybody was up to.  He saw Grandma (my mom) playing Scrabble with a couple friends, so he sat down and joined them. Sweet memories.

I also had the privelege of watching an artist in the process of his creation.  Here's the teaser for Wednesday's post....

What do you think will appear on this canvas?

Journaling Prompt:  When and where does your family like to go to just be together?  Do you have a family tradition of a place to stay or special time to be together?

W is for Writing Word by Word

Letter of the Day:  W

W is for Writing Word by Word by Beth Hautala. 

Here's what you get when you hang out at coffee shops:
1. Good coffee
2. Inspirational setting
3. Juicy conversation
4. Juicier converations that you "just happen to overhear"
5. Meet-ups with friends
6. Chance meeting with friends who have friends
7. Introductions from one creative spirit to another
8. New friends to share coffee conversations and write guest posts.

Introducing my newest creative friend, Beth! And, yes, I met her at a coffee shop thanks to our mutual friend Joey Halvorson, a fabulous photographer and the person who brought my character Lolly to life.

W is for WritingWordByWord

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working,” Pablo Picasso has been quoted as saying, and I stumbled across his words at a time when I was languishing away, waiting for my muse. Writers do this—most creative folk do, actually, but the reality is that all work, writing included, is only accomplished one simple act at a time. The muse is an elusive thing and hardly dependable.


I’ve always been a tad reticent to call myself a “writer,” though I have no particular reason for my hesitancy. Somehow, it always has seemed necessary to legitimize the title, and I’ve never felt qualified. But the realization that my work would need some consistency, should I ever wish to claim that elusive title, has served as motivation. Slowly but consistently, I began blogging about the writing life nearly a year ago now, and I have found the process surprisingly cathartic and instructive.


The very work of a creative profession (writing, painting, acting, or otherwise) demands that we bare certain elements of ourselves for the world to alternately love or hate. Whether performed on a stage, posted on a blog, or printed in a book—the work finds its purpose in the hearts and lives of the audience for which it was intended. That’s part of the thrill—causing a new train of thought or spurring a new perspective. But change never comes without struggle, and creatives—I among them—tend to be some of the most struggling and “rejected” people on earth. We continually run up against the wall of commercialism, and often our best ideas are sacrificed on that alter so that we can continue living with luxuries—like heat, plumbing, and electricity.


My heart is wrapped up in the creation and development of fiction, and the protagonists in my stories tend to wrestle with discouragement on various levels as much as I do. But if I’m honest, I’ve never written a story where the bravery of said protagonists is not tested, tried, and then revealed. Heroes, heroines, writers, and all of humanity in general need encouragement, the imparting of courage—the illumination of a bravery we already possess.


After working away at a middle grade novel for quite a while (inconsistently of course) the discipline of keeping a blog taught me to write consistently and I finished my book, refined it, and began the process of searching for a literary agent.


Which, in fact, I did this past January. You can read that post here.

And the little website that began as a place for me to cathartically vent my thoughts on writing, and teach myself to write with perseverance, has slowly transformed into a living breathing community of writers. We are teaching another to work at the craft, and encouraging and building one another up. The Writers Guild portion of the site gets an average of six-hundred hits a day and more than two-dozen writers stop in regularly to share work, offer critiques, and participate in forum discussions. We are drawn together by a mutual desire to write word by word, because as Picasso said, inspiration visits the working.


And I, well, I’m testing out that elusive “Writer” title a little more each day.


Beth Hautala runs writingwordbyword.com where she blogs about getting wrapped and tangled up in words, encouraging others to do likewise. Her first novel, WAITING FOR UNICORNS, and other subsequent projects are repped by Danielle Chiotti of Upstart Crow Literary.


Thanks, Beth, for sharing your inspiring story.

Journaling Prompt:  Who or what has inspired you lately?

Rewarding Weekend

Quote of the Day:  Rich man, poor man, come away.  Come to dance the Macabray. from The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

This is an excellent book to be reading the week before Halloween.  I was inspired to pick it up by this sweet, young thing...

She was reading The Graveyard Book and learned of the song Danse Macabre which I happened to find in a classical book, level 4, challenging, yet accessible to her.  We looked it up on Wikipedia and heard a chilling recording.  Click here for the link.  I get excited about connections between the arts and our lives and when it brings out creativity in my students, and myself.

Besides reading a spooky Halloween book, I have taken a bit of a blog break to spend some school-free days with my boys.  It was teacher convention time, so we visited a corn maze...

Off they run!

They're out there somewhere!

Even big girls like to slide.

 

That was a lovely walk between the corn stalks, talking to my friend about art and artist dreams, and losing and finding our kids.

The next night, the boys dragged me to The Haunted Trail at the Arboretum.  Yikes!  One of the first guys got a real scream out of me because he was dressed in camoflage and popped out of the rustling leaves.  After that, I linked my arm in my 12-year-old and grabbed onto one of the twins.  As they say in my next of the woods, Uff-da!  Of course, the boys LOVED it.

I also received a great blog award for literary excellence from Laura over at Pray for Rain.  Her blog has history and writing tips and I really like reading it.

We are asked to name five of our favorite words, and name three favorite bloggers.

Words:

Phantasmagoric (usually found in the works of Poe)

Adventure (as in, Let's go on an adventure!)

Rhythm (life, music, my heart, my passion)

Fabulous! (It's just fun to say, especially when it's true.)

Extraordinary (however you pronounce it, that's what I strive to be.)

And, now for the Literary Bloggers that I follow:
Roxane, at Peace Garden Mama for building up readers and writers.
Shannon, at Book Dreaming because she believes that picture books have something for kids of all ages.
And, Kittie, at The Block, for her post on passing books along to people in other countries and cultures in a mission to bring hope and education.

Thanks for reading about all my recent adventures!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What adventures have you been on lately?

Artichoke

Quote of the Day:  Without art i choke. - Georgia Greeley

I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Georgia.  She is an artist, writer, and teacher.  We met through the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) when a few people in my area were interested in forming a writer's group.  Georgia lives in St. Paul, MN, but has a cabin on the Crow Wing River (try saying that out loud, it's a tongue twister!), so she joined our small group.  We started meeting in the tiny town of Motley, and so named ourselves The Motley Crew.

Georgia was at the Book Arts Festival in Hackensack (isn't that a great name for a small, rural town that holds book festivals?) this weekend.  She makes her own books, knows book binding and how to make paper.  She is multi-talented, often pairing words with her poetry, or images that match other's poetry.  Her artwork is soothing, yet captivating.  When I was going through my major life change, divorce and moving, she gave me one of her paintings, an illustration of this poem.

Cane Holding up the World

I see the spider for what it is

Calligrapher of the invisible

Dropping from raspberry cane

To nowhere

Climbing back

To write for the night,

"You can make something from nothing."

Plump weaver

Catching the scent of the raspberry

The waa of the catbird

Her rich web

Brushing my mind

by Nancy Walden

Georgia's illustration has thin canes of dark, forest green, intersecting and connected by the spider and her web - the something created from nothing but imagination and sheer desire.

Georgia is the one who said to me, "Continue to do that which makes you whole." 

If you'd like to know more about Georgia, click on her website, Artichoke Press.  Georgia created her own Walden experience by spending the month of August in her little cabin by the river, writing, relaxing, and creating.

Go, Create, Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:   Describe a gift that healed you or inspired you and the person who gave it to you.

Joy in Art and Inspiration at Mount Carmel

Quote of the Day:  a poem by Rumi, published in The Music Lover's Poetry Anthology

Where Everything is Music

Don't worry about saving these songs!
And if one of our instruments breaks,
it doesn't matter.

We have fallen into the place
where everything is music.

The strumming and the flute notes
rise into the atmosphere,
And even if the whole world's harp
should burn up, there will still be
hidden instruments playing.

So the candle flickers and goes out.
We have a piece of flint, and a spark.

This singing art is sea foam.
The graceful movements come from a pearl
somewhere on the ocean floor.

Poems reach up like spindrift and the edge
of driftwood along the beach, wanting!

They derive
from a slow and powerful root
that we can't see.

Stop the words now.
Open the window in the center of your chest,
and let the spirits fly in and out.

Drum beats and children dancing and beautiful notes rising up from the piano and into the hearts of people, singing, laughing, living, feeling inspired, being loved.

The Committee of negative voices are silenced when I am immersed in so much art, music, and inspiring artists.  When I am at Mount Carmel, I soak it all in like a dry sponge until I am full and ready to pour out that inspiration to others. Here are a few artists who inspired me this week.

Maren Hinderlie is an animated storyteller.  I have learned so much from her by watching her presentations, visiting with her, and enjoying this piece, a dramatic reading of the epic poem Terje Vigen by Henrik Ibsen. 

Maren is always a storyteller, even in casual conversations, or introductions, you hear expression in every word.  I find myself wanting to applaud. 

Kay Hoffland is a pianist that I admire.  I listen and watch in awe.  She has the energy of a 30-year-old and the style of a master.  I have gone to her for teaching and mentoring.  She helped me regain my confidence after a difficult time, musically and emotionally.  She accompanies Maren for this reading with music that she matched to the story.  The words and music evoke a stronger emotional connection.

This year, I met Betty, the guest artist/pianist from Salzburg, Austria.  I arrived at camp during a terrible storm, high winds, hail, and tornado warnings.  As I pulled into camp, the sun was coming out and I slipped into the chapel to hear Betty's gorgeous classical concert. 

Here she is after playing a duet with Kay at the classical recital at the end of the week.

Betty is a beautiful woman with generous talent and a lovely spirit.  I didn't think I'd get close to her at camp because of my own feelings of unworthiness.  Turns out, she's a regular person like me.  She's a piano teacher and has beginners like I do.  She inspires and encourages them.  She also has a wounded heart, like mine, from divorce and feelings of abandonment.  We connected.  She played a piece by Chopin at the classical recital and as our send-off from Mount Carmel.  It's called The Aeolian Harp.  The story is that the Gods put this harp on the top of the mountain where the breezes blow through it, making beautiful music.  That's how I think of the Holy Spirit working in my life.  I am the harp.  God sends the breezes through me, filling me, allowing me to be beautiful despite my flaws.

I came home and looked up The Aeolian Harp. When I bought my piano, I found music inside the bench.  I'm sure that the former owner was a piano teacher.  She left me some wonderful pieces, including this one.  I have let my classical skills lapse a bit, but hearing Betty play has inspired me to learn new music, memorize, and play more by ear.

Journaling Prompt:  Who or what has inspired you lately?

Artist Date

Quote of the Day:  The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity.  The creative mind plays with the objects it loves. - C. G. Jung

I found that quote in the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  I recommend this book to anyone who has ever been blocked, frustrated, or suffered self-doubt in their creative lives.  I first looked at this book in 2004 with my writer-mama-pal Roxane.  We worked on it and checked in with each other regarding our progress.  I am revisiting this book now with her and artist friend JeMA.  This goes along nicely with the Business class for Artists that I'm taking.

Julia Cameron encourages us to share what we've learned in this book.  Two basic tools for unblocking are journaling and the Artist Date.  She has some specific ideas about the journaling.  I believe any journaling is helpful.  I love encouraging people to write out their stories, feelings, expectations, fears, etc.  That is the purpose of my blog.

For the Artist Date this week, I bought myself a new camera.  The above photo is the first image on this camera.  JeMA took it while we were having our weekly check-in at the coffee shop.  Here's another one of me having fun...

So, I took a picture of JeMA laughing at me acting silly in a coffee shop.

Then, I went home and made good use of the rain.  Look, free water to wash the deck!  And, good little worker boys who don't mind working if they can get wet!  Plus, a neighbor boy who'd rather help us clean than go home.  He doesn't have any brothers, just one older sister who's hardly ever home.  I served them hotdog mummies and fruit for lunch.  You gotta pay the help!

Would you like to join me on the deck for iced tea, creative conversation, or a good read?

Some Artist dates might be buying yourself tools for your creative work.  Some might be taking a walk, looking at art, being inspired by nature or music.  It's taking time to nurture your creative child.

Journaling Prompt:  What would you like to do on an Artist date?

Summer School

Mary, climbing the creative ladder!

Quote of the Day:  You're not gonna get it cuz you want it; you're gonna get it cuz you planned it. Mr. Taj Mahal, blues-rock musician (His website is full of rhythm.)

School's out for summer for my boys.  School is in session for their Mama.  I applied for and was accepted to a class through the Five Wings Arts Council called The Work of Art:  Business Skills for Artists.  This class is provided free of charge to me, the artist, through a grant. (The Artist Development Project is provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, in partnership with the Forum of Regional Arts Councils of Minnesota, Springboard for the Arts and Creative Capital. This activity is made possible, in part, by funding from the the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.)

The instructor got us thinking about our five year plan in our business as artists.  If you plan your goals the same way you plan for a trip - routes, estimated times of departure and arrival, stops along the way, clear about the destination - you will reach that goal, and you'll be able to stay focused.  She had us visualize our ideal day as an artist, and start filling out charts and plans.  I couldn't answer them all that night.  I need to think about a few of them.  Plus, I was too interested in the discussion and all the great new artists I met!  I'm fulfilling my longing to be part of an artist community.

Who's climbing that ladder with me?

Journaling Prompt:  What's your five year plan?  Write down five things you can do in the next six months to get you further along your journey. (We did this, signed it, and sealed it in a envelope.  I imagine it will come back to me in six months so I can assess my progress.)