Category Archives: Communication

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April = Poetry Month

One of my favorite things about spring is that the month of April is National Poetry Month. A whole month to celebrate and explore poetry. If you have followed my blog you are aware that I enjoy writing and reading many types of poems.

Poetry, like art, is a soul to soul conversation. I would like to share with you some of my favorite conversations, (poems) that have touched my soul.

THE WATERFALL

Orb-weaver shivering
among the filaments: how many
fibers generated from within
transect the air?

How many hirsute, sightless
gropings anchor
these redwood trees, suffuse
the flowery traceries

of the oxalis? The veining
in this hand, these
eyeballs, the circuitous
and scintillating

leap within the brain—
the synapse,
the waterfall, the black-
thread mane of fern

beside it—all, all
suspend, here:
everywhere, existences
hang by a hair

By Amy Clampitt from ARCHAIC FIGURE

The Following untitled poem is by Emily Dickson.

My friend must be a Bird—
Because it flies!
Mortal, my friend must be,
Because it dies!
Barbs has it, like a Bee!
Ah, curious friend!
Thou puzzlest me!

Poem by Mary Oliver from “When I am among the trees”

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks, and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness…

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The lifht flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,

“and you too have come

with light, and to shine.”

I hope that you have a chance to explore some poetry this month! Please comment and share some of your favorite poems and poets. 

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Coffee

Have you heard the phrase, “coffee snob?”  I have.  It is supposed to relate to people who are very particular about their coffee.  I get it.  I have a friend that is into whole bean dark blends that he grinds himself and drinks it black.  A pot at a time.  Other friends add cream.  Some prefer sugar and no cream.  While others add both.  And I have a couple friends who don’t drink coffee at all.  I like dark coffee with a teaspoon of sugar in the raw and a tablespoon of whole cream.  The raw sugar adds a hint of caramel that is enhanced by the real cream.

Coffee is very much a part of my life as it is for many people.  Do you remember the television show “Fringe?”  In the alternate timeline linked to the main timeline there was a coffee shortage.  I felt very sorry for the people in the alternate timeline. Not being able to have a coffee every day, I am sure would be very hard for me.  There were many scary things in this show, but to me, the coffee shortage was the scariest!

Yesterday, I watched the movie “The Good House” starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline.  It is listed as a comedy/drama.  There are comedic parts, but I would say that overall it is a serious film.  At one point, Sigourney Weaver’s character is in a fancy coffee shop trying to order a plain cup of coffee.  She says to the blank faced barista, “A plain cup of coffee costs four dollars.”  The barista nods and says yes.   Sigourney’s staunch New England character decides against the four dollar cup of coffee.

A friend, who works in law enforcement told me a story about coffee.  He meets with prisoners who are released on parole.  At their first meeting, He always makes sure that they have a really good cup of coffee with an option for adding sugar and cream.  The idea behind this in his words, “Coffee in prison is vile, at best and one way of welcoming them back into society is to make sure that they have a good cup of coffee.”  He then laughed and said that one really good cup of coffee doesn’t stop them from falling back into criminal behavior; but he hopes that it makes them feel better.

According to an Ethiopian myth, coffee was found when a shepherd noticed that his goats would become energized and unable to sleep upon eating the beans of a certain tree.  When he returned to his village, he spoke to an Abbott at a local monastery.  The monk used the beans to brew a beverage.  The affects of the beverage allowed him stay alert during evening prayers.  Just like that, Coffee began changing the world.

The idea of sitting and drinking coffee in public houses started on the Arabian Peninsula.  Patrons of the “Coffee House” would drink coffee and engage in conversation.  They would also listen to music, watch performers, play chess and keep up on the current events.  Coffee houses quickly became an important center for the exchange of information.  Because of the “ideas” they would brew, they would be called “Schools of the Wise.”  Not so different from the coffee shops of today.

Of course, coffee spread to Europe, the new world and around the globe.  The demand for coffee grew so great that coffee plants were introduced throughout the world.  There is a story about a seedling that was introduced to the island of Martinique that not only thrived but is credited to the spread of over 18 million plants!

So where is this blog going?  Why all the talk about coffee?  How does coffee relate to creativity?  Coffee may be the beverage brewed from the beans of one plant, but it is as unique as each person who reads this article.  I’m sure that I am not the only person on this planet, who would be very sad if coffee became an exotic, expensive drink of the rich.  While four dollars may be expensive for a plain cup of coffee…. how many of us pay more than that for a fancy latte, cappuccino, espresso, macchiato, etc.  Coffee can act as welcome.  Coffee came from humble roots, discovered by a shepherd.  Changed culture with the coffee house by sharing and spreading knowledge and ideas.  And now is found everywhere on this planet.

Think about it.  Something as simple as a cup of coffee has the ability to do so many different things.  Welcoming… missed… expensive…. rich…. shared…. spread…. enhancing… simple…. complex….. and many more adjectives.  Instead of thinking outside of the box, I want to be creative like coffee.

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Vacuum of Emptiness

blank canvas, empty container, sheet of blank paper, vastness of space, empty gas tank, acres of snow without a single foot print, the dark water of the ocean…..

We all have those moments where we just don’t feel fulfilled.  Or even like there is anything inside us.  I call these days the vacuum of emptiness days.  On days like these I feel so empty that there is nothing left for me to give, nothing left for me to share, and I don’t want anything from anyone.  I just want to be left alone.

You, me, every person on this planet… we are not going to feel great or be on the top of our game every single day.  It is unhealthy to expect that.  It is reasonable to expect that we are not going to have days where we feel empty and are not at our best.  At these times, it really helps me to move forward if I take care of myself.  Plenty of sleep.  Eating healthy food instead of junk.  Setting boundaries so I can have time for myself.

canvas on easel, glass half full, words on paper, looking at the stars, pulling up to the gas station, snow angel in the field, standing on the beach looking at the ocean….

Other things that I can do during these times of discontent and emptiness, is to do something special for myself.  One student in a creativity class would buy herself flowers when feeling empty, sad and unable to give.  She said that coming into her home or from a different room and seeing flowers on her dining room table always made her feel happy.    Another friend said he would buy blueberries and make fresh blueberry pancakes.  It made him think of happier times and remind him that things would get better.  What simple thing can you do for yourself that helps you feel better?

When I recognize what is happening and allow myself the time and space to get through these moments they are usually brief.  As I said earlier, everyone has these types of days.  No one is happy all the time.  There are ebbs and flows in all things.  Helping me identify when I feel this way, taking care of myself and even doing some small special thing helps me through these tough times.

painted canvas, glass full, poem or story completed, knowing the names of the stars and constellations, full tank of gas, large snowman in the field, swimming in the ocean…

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The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

I am participating in a unique type of book club. Each month there is a theme, for example, May was books about gardens. The club sends out an email describing eight to ten books based on the theme. I get to choose which one I want to read or if I want to read more than one. This has been working well for me. There has been at least one book each month that I am very curious about and often there are two or three in the theme that I am interested in reading.

My favorite book, so far, from participating in this book club is from the July theme of beach reads, “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides. The following is the description from the book jacket cover:

“Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect.  A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas.  One evening, her husband, Gabriel, returns home late from work, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face and then never speaks another word.

Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety.  The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure psychiatric unit in North London.

Criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber is captivated by Alicia’s story and jumps at the opportunity to work with her.  His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a path more unexpected, more terrifying than he ever imagined – a search for the truth that threatens to consume him.”  -The Silent Patient, book jacket cover description.

As an artist and someone who likes to read, the description of this novel captured my imagination. I read the entire book in one night. The story is gripping. The twist is unnerving. And it is very hard to have discussion about this book with someone who hasn’t read it because it would be too easy to slip up and give away the surprises.

I have heard rumors that they are going to turn the novel into a movie. If you have not read this psychological thriller, I would encourage you to read it before the movie is released. I highly recommend this book it is a fascinating thrill ride.

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Pondering

Early childhood development experts tell us that the formative years of a person are when they are very young.  Basically, children aged 2 and 3 years old.  It is said that the template for the person you will become is made during this time.  I am not going to argue with experts, but I think there is more to it.

I think that even if the template is made at that time, that we are still becoming the person we are meant to be.  This is the idea that we are evolving and changing constantly.  The experts can argue against this, but according to one of the basic laws of physics, change is the only constant.

I too am constantly changing. I am always hoping to be the best person that I can be.  I am sometimes more successful at this than at other times.

This means that I am also always evolving as an artist. My creative process is changing as well.  After having several conversations with a friend about my creative process, I decided to write about pondering.  You see, when I am asked a question about my creative process or the feelings behind a particular artwork I often say that I am pondering it.

The word ponder means to think about something carefully.  Especially before one makes a decision or reaches a conclusion.  I like that the word ponder is a verb.  Verbs are action words.  The act of pondering is thoughtful consideration.  Not taking a thought or action lightly.  Pondering.

This is very true in my creative work.  In a collage, I pull out papers and lay them out to experiment how the work together and contemplate combinations.  I feel like my collage is conversation with the viewer and to that effect I want the words (images, colours, text, etc.) that I choose to have meaning.  What am I saying?  Will the viewer understand the statement?

In life, the act of pondering has allowed ideas or thoughts forgotten in hidden passages of my mind to make themselves available at opportune times.  Ever have a song, poem, conversation or something you have seen play over and over in your mind?  I believe this is my mind pondering over something.  Trying to make sense of it.  This is especially helpful when creating art.

What do you ponder?  Do you consider the act of pondering to be part of your growth and creative process?  I request that you take a moment to consider the act of pondering.

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Haiku Poetry for Summer

I watch leaves blowing

Birds darting from branch to branch

Summer breezes blow

Lilac bushes bloom

Along the old garden fence

Purple smells like this

Easel and canvas

Lots of colours to choose from

This my happy place

Sailing on the lake

The morning breeze is quite brisk

And then the sunrise

Barefoot in the sand

Happy screams and much splashing

A day at the beach

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Eight Years Ago

Eight years ago, today, I started my blog “Cats Out of the Box.”  A couple of friends had encouraged me to start the blog because they said that I have good and interesting things to say.  I also wanted to encourage people to try things, realize they are not alone in their experiences and share creative experiences.

Over the years my blog has evolved.  There were several years that I was very good at writing posts and sharing my haiku poetry, book reviews, experiences and much more. 

Then Covid happened.  Things haven’t been the same since.  I think so many experienced the confusion, discouragement and isolation that happened during that time.  Since then, I have had chunks of time where I have not felt like creating and have been unable to write about my experiences.  

Like spring this year, I am feeling a change in my attitude.  I want to create again.  To write poetry and share it.  To post book reviews.  Share creative experiences.  I want to try to post on my blog a little more regularly.  

When I first started “Cats Out of the Box,” my goal was to post at least once a month on my blog site.  I feel like that is a very reasonable goal.  

Gently like spring creeping across the landscape, I endeavor to write again and spend just a little more time and attention with my blog.  After all, it is eight years old today.

 

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Why So Fearful?

I had read an interesting article many years ago about culture.  This was in college so forgive me for not remembering the author or name of the article.  The premise of it was that the fears of a culture are more telling than the achievements.  Blew my socks off.  The idea is that what scares us tells more about us than all of the accomplishments.  Ponder that for a moment.

Fear is very powerful.  Franklin D. Roosevelt said that we have nothing to fear but fear itself.  In the novel “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” the boggert caught by Professor Lupin would turn into a dementor when Harry approached it.  Which meant that Harry was more afraid of fear than Lord Voldemort the most evil wizard of the time.  Harry’s best friend Ron was scared of spiders.  Other people in the novel were afraid of snakes, full moons, etc.  What students of Hogwarts learned by facing the boggert was to face their fears and overcome them.  Well, at least make them less scary.

Thinking about the article for a moment, as a culture or society that expresses so much through the internet and social media, could these outlets become amplifiers for our fears?  Just as the “boggert” of Harry Potter stories reflected fear, could the internet and social media be doing the same thing?  I remember when the internet was beginning.  One of the things that was said in praise of it was that you could find anything on the internet.  And when social media started, it was said that you could find anyone or any group you could ever want to identify with on social media.  It could be said that there is good and bad aspects to both of those things.  And I am not going to go into what is on television and the news.  (War, inflation, disease, hate.)  Scary things happen in the world.

Believe it or not, there are benefits to fear.  What might those be, you ask?  Don’t worry.  I have a list:

  1. Fear keeps you safe.  You have an internal danger alarm.  It notifies us of dangerous situations and compels us to take action.  Helps you make a wise decision.  For example, if you are crossing a street and a car comes toward you, your inner alarm urges you to get out of the street and away from the car.
  2. Fear helps you lose weight.  Feeling a bit of fear helps burn calories.  While walking through the haunted house a ghost jumps out at you.  Your body releases a surge of adrenaline.  Adrenaline causes your metabolism to go into high gear, causing you to burn more calories.
  3. Fear temporarily boosts immunity.  In 2009, Coventry University in the United Kingdom did a study where Scientists tested white blood cells in participants.  They then scared the participants and measured the number of activated white blood cells.  Activated white blood cells are the ones that help fight disease and repair the body.  After being scared, the participants had an increased number of activated white blood cells.
  4. Feeling fear can be exciting.  Feeling fear, in the right dose, makes you feel alive.  Stepping out of your comfort zone can be exciting.  Have you ever given a speech or had a role in a play?  Feeling nervous before you start speaking or the play starts leads to the feeling of excitement and being alive after the speech or play has ended.
  5. Fear gives you a natural high and sense of empowerment.  Not just adrenaline, the body releases dopamine and the endorphins, serotonin and oxytocin.  Serotonin helps the brain work more efficiently under stressful situations.  Fear is energy.
  6. Fear relaxes you.  That’s right.  You read it correctly.  The adrenaline has surged and dopamine has been released into the body increasing blood flow.  After the fear or situation has been faced.  You are now in a safe location and there is no danger.  Your body has had influx of oxygen to the heart and muscles.  When the body comes off of this natural influx, it relaxes completely in a healthy way.
  7. Fear helps you stay in the moment.  Focus.  The hormone norepinephrine helps keep you focused instead of panicking in stressful situations.
  8. Fear helps you socialize and bonds you to other people.  If our ancient ancestors had not bonded together and helped each other survive, our society would not exist.  It is in our best interests to help one another.  The hormone Oxytocin produces pro-social behavior.  Bonding.  Every see a race, like Ironman, and notice that the contestants competing against each other also help each other by encouraging each other.  The hormone Oxytocin in action.
  9. Fear allows you to live life to the fullest.  Fear tends to cause people to make one of two choices.  They can either stop and limit themselves or face their fear head on and expand the possibilities of their lives.  Personally, I am in favor of the second option.
  10. Fear gives clarity on what is important.  Fear makes one realize that the only time is now.  How often a terminal diagnosis or finding out about a disease like cancer causes people to live their life fully.  Spending time with those they love and doing things that they have always wanted to do.  The fears they had before become less important than spending the time they have to the fullest.

Maybe fear can help us as a society.  Help us be better people.  Learn from our mistakes.  Make the world a little less scary.  I certainly hope so.

Ghost.arrow

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