What Color?

Prompt from Julie Jordan Scott (JJSWritingCamp found on Facebook)

"What color makes me feel the best?" asks my friend JJS. Different colors at different times. Recently when participating in a visualization exercise with my life coach Amy, we came upon yellow and orange. I had a need for warmth and the images were the sun, fields of sunflowers, bright orange and banana yellow. The next week I went into a favorite fabric store to get something for a friend and the yellow yarn screamed at me to buy to make a blanket and even though I have another crochet project in the works and don't need another blanket for me, the yarn went into my cart. And bright yellow/orange is much different to me than the winter tans of the desert in which I live. The tan is more of a dormant, hibernation, cuddle up inside with a book color for me. The bright yellow says summer fun. On other note, I love sitting on the beach or a ridge overlooking the ocean, generally where or when it is warmer outside so the natural breeze from the water is refreshing not chilly like on a northern coastline. So, then the color would be blue as it is an inspiring and healing color for me and I find myself writing. I also like greens, as in the many shades of a forest, as memories of the smell of the forest are triggered and I have fond memories of family activities in that kind of environment. Camping is no longer something I long to do as my body prefers a real bed and shower but as a kid, I didn't care about those things. Driving through the California Redwoods, like we did last summer as a family, is always reflective and rejuvenating. Then, if you look at some of my personal accessories you will find purples. A purple bag for my laptop, a purple day planner, a purple watch band. I don't know, it is a fun color and appears to reflect my organization tools (I also like to write in purple ink). If you look in my closet you will find I wear particular colors in different seasons, for example the school color of burgundy during basketball season. So, JJS, there you go, I'm a chameleon of sorts I guess, or maybe just an eclectic of color.

Snowflakes

The time it takes ---

for snowflakes to whiten

the distant pines.

Lorraine Ellis Harr

I enjoy this haiku because it so simply expresses the experience. Sitting in a quiet setting I too have been oblivious of time watching the snowflakes fall. Haiku finds a way to recreate the natural experience; it creates an image that triggers your emotions from a related experience.

2018 - A Time to Write...

In January of 2018 I've been inspired to once again share my writing. Instead of starting a brand new blog page, I'm using this site to once again share my thoughts. Recently I've engaged in some writing experiences with Julie Jordan Scott and some of her creative friends. So, some of my writings here are the direct result of her prompts and occasionally I'll come up with some others, giving credit when due. So enjoy!

Dancing

after the dancing ---

the wind in the pines

and the insects' cries

Sogetsu-Ni

When I think dancing, spontaneous rhythm comes to mind. How often do we dance? How often do we pause after the dancing and listen? Do we dance in the rhythm of nature or are we jerking along and working against the natural flow of energy?

I am reminded of some music genres. Some artists find this rhythm with the flow of energy more easily than others. I am also thinking this is true of all artists. Maybe this is what Julia Cameron is also attempting to help artists find. She has coined the phrase "The Artist's Way" and maybe this is the true secret, dancing.