A renewed sense of wonder
For the past couple of weeks, I have been watching my seven year old cat explore the front garden for the first time. There are few words to describe the sense of wonder I feel in her. Silently, I hold the space, so that she can explore without too much worry, although she is super nervous about it all. The smells … there must be too many to take in all at once. The sights … seeing a hose for the first time and wondering if it is dangerous. The sounds … leaves crunching under her paws, tiny birds chirping at her, clearly questioning the reason for her presence.
Watching her is stirring all sorts of wonder in me. Seeing how she approaches something I might overlook … I look at it again, for the very first time. A very good practice for us humans, I think!
No, I don’t want her to become an outside cat, but I do want her to have the opportunity to connect with nature, to be connected to a larger world. I think it is filling her up in the most delightful ways!
A really good TED talk … Sir Ken Robinson on Creativity in Education
In his weekly newsletter/blog, Austin Kleon austinkleon.com, paid tribute to Sir Ken Robinson, who died recently. He shared this link, to Ken’s TED talk, “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” I listened and laughed (he had quite the British wit), and loved his ideas of what education CAN be. This is a brilliant synopsis for educators and parents, on how we can and need to nurture the minds of the future.
I agree with Austin, this is an excellent talk!
What if we approach this time in humanity as a REBIRTH?
Imagining/remembering all the struggle and trauma of physical birth as our guide.
It is NOT easy.
It is often hard and very painful.
At times it is desperate and traumatic.
But in the end,
we hold in our hands
a miracle.
When the pandemic started, time stopped. REALLY.
My watch stopped and I haven’t worn it since the pandemic started. My relationship to time, literally and figuratively has changed completely.
It ’s been years since I haven’t worn a watch, so it’s interesting to note how I mark time now.
8:15 a.m. my neighbour leaves for work.
9:00 a.m. mail carrier arrives in a Prius Taxi … very quiet, but the dog next door immediately barks at the sign of the car. Mail’s here.
12:15 p.m., my neighbour comes home for lunch.
4:00 p.m. is still Tea Time … a ritual from my father that I have never stopped.
5:15 p.m. my neighbour comes home from his day at work
6:15 p.m. Dinner is served (only if I am not making it … my timing is not so precise)
7:30 p.m. Jeopardy (when it is not in reruns)
10:00 p.m. My bed calls me from down the hall … Sarah … oh Sarah … it’s bedtime. Call the cats. Turn off the lights. Batten down the hatches … zzzzzzz
Atmosphere is part of the experience!
On a recent trip to downtown, Mary Ann and I were looking for a place to have lunch. Not realizing that pandemic hours for most restaurants in the downtown seem to exclude Monday AND Tuesday. Naturally, any restaurant that was open, was busy. We were hungry, so we trudged on until we found somewhere that didn’t have a wait time.
We ended up at a newer restaurant and the food was perfectly acceptable, but the experience wasn’t what I would like. The place had absolutely NO atmosphere or personality of any kind. It reminded me, once again, how important ambience and enjoying an experience is when dining. Without it, even good food comes off as pale.
Now this photo by igor-starkov shows that it doesn’t take anything exotic to create atmosphere, it just takes attention.
What’s new in the studio this week?
In the early stages of new vestiges pieces … 7 of them on the go at the same time! Now that I have done the first ones, and sold one immediately, I am feeling as though other people are going to like these crazy pieces too!
Right now, I have this one on my desk and it looks right at home. I just wanted to photograph it in use, and it turns out it is incredibly useful and makes me happy to glimpse throughout my work day.
In the day-to-day workings of my studio work, I find myself keeping better track of what my days consist of. I not only make a to-do list in my day-timer, but I note other things that have happened. I’ve never done much of that in the past, but it seems so important in these times … to see that I am actually doing stuff!! Because clearly linear time is messing with us, big time!
Sarah,
You are spot on and continue to be the catalyst that I need. Thanks!
My dear Kathy … that’s why we keep each other on retainer!!!!!
~s
At first I thought you said “I don’t want to become an outside cat.” And that would be right about you!
Oh so true …. unless it’s in the front garden of course!
Sarah your experience and description of your relationship with time is one I find myself also exploring. I like how you make the connections through the comings and goings of your neighbours. Also, exploring wonder through your relationship with your cat. So many different relationships and connections even though you are staying home as much as possible. Keeping track is a wonderful way to record your story. I have really enjoyed reading your blog this week.
Thank you Beth, I am delighted to hear the blog finds a connection for you!
HI Sarah, as usual you nail it perfectly for many of us, your keen devotees.
Speaking of watches, I have two that I don’t wear, but are fascinating. One is my Dad’s flying watch from his youthful days in Bomber Command, flying out of the UK for the RAF in the Second World War. I think it’s a Rolex, too. It was likely part of his uniform issued to him when he flew missions.
The second watch I have is also Dad’s given to him when he celebrated 35 years with Pemberton Holmes Ltd in Victoria. Ah me, what to do with them both?
Di Holmes
I know what you mean … I still have both of my father’s watches, one given on the 100th Anniversary of Swiss Re, where he lead their Canadian company, Canadian Re for many, many years! You might have someone tell you the value of the watches, they could be the retirement package you’ve hoped for … ha ha ha …
How lovely in every way! A tonic for the heart, eyes, brain, AND spirit, Sarah. I enjoyed every savoury morsel — nutritious fare. Plus there’s no way Your blog will ever risk losing flavour from a venue sans ambience. Its appealing and vibrant design rocks!
I love watches. Wore them even with batteries run down. Took my fave off about a year ago, and began wearing mala bracelets instead, or nada. In mid-March, when the social world changed, I went back to my knit/crochet comfort. First task: catnip mice. The cats pounced on a bit of red cotton yarn cut off one I was finishing. Reclaimed, that wisp fit neatly around my wrist, so I tied it there. It’s still in place — insistently so!
Eventually, it occurred to me to google about red thread on wrists — seems different cultures down through time have used it! I s’pose there will come a pandemic turning point when I’ll snip mine off, but not yet … I barely notice it anymore, except ‘knowing’ that it needs to stay put, complete with the bits of fluff now felted to it!
Thank you Kitty … you rock!!!!! Love the story of the red thread! So interesting what “rituals” or practices we have come to know as comfort in these very, very different times. Thank you for sharing that story, it warms my heart.