3.10.2010

where will you be in ten years?


Saturday was the Hollin's Literary Festival. David Payne, Molly Peacock, and Valerie Martin read from their recent works. It was interesting to observe their very different reading styles; one animated, arms moving in grand gestures, where the reader before had stood stoic and measured each word and delivered it precisely. Each honored the silence in the spaces between the paragraphs in a way that I have never done. Or ever had the courage too. I think of how nervous I get sometimes when I read at the small writing group I attend and how I probably rush too quickly through.
It was an amazing learning experience, just in a different way than I thought it would be going in. I thought I would be taking pages of notes on process to study later but instead ended up with only a handful of sentences that came to me as they were speaking. Ideas and inspirations. Most were notes-to-self, reminders from "must make that pinhole camera" or "experiment with that plastic lens," "buy cranberry juice because isn't it pretty in a glass, especially with squares of ice. buy square ice cube tray," to "must write about surgery last year even if it hurts to think of it," "why was losing my hair harder than losing a breast?" And then thankfully, the last name of a character that has been eluding me for over a year presented itself perfect and true as I sat waiting and doodling between speakers and I am oh so very grateful for that.

This was my favorite poem of the day and one that I thought would resonate with you:

The Flaw
The best thing about a hand-made pattern
is the flaw.
Sooner or later in a hand-loomed rug,
among the squares and flattened triangles,
a little red nub might soar above a blue field,
or a purple cross might sneak in between
the neat ochre teeth of the border.
The flaw we live by, the wrong color floss,
now wreathes among the uniform strands
and, because it does not match,
makes a red bird fly,
turning blue field into sky.
It is almost, after long silence, a word
spoken aloud, a hand saying through the flaw,
I’m alive, discovered by your eye.
~Molly Peacock



After lunch that day, I had the chance to walk around the campus, soaking up some much needed sunshine. Serendipity, it was, that my path led to this chalkboard installation piece... "Where will you be in ten years?" I didn't add anything though there was chalk nearby and I'm sure it would have been ok for me to do so. The next morning I journaled with that question as my starter. It's a great prompt for those of you who journal. I filled several pages with it, dreaming and planning and I bet you would too.


If you are local, let me suggest a trip to Bread Craft. I met my friend Sonya there this morning and already am anxious to get back. Great atmosphere, delicious bread...isn't that a pretty chocolate croissant? Almost too pretty to eat with that swirl. Yummmy. I also got to take a peek at Sonya's studio, opening soon downtown. Workers were there doing the floors and getting things ready. I'm sure I'll have more to share on that soon as she has great plans for her own art and for classes.


That's a little of what I've been up to. There have been days of feeling as if I'm on the verge of coming down with a yucky bug, followed by a great day, then back the next day to feeling bad with a tummy ache and fatigue. And now I seemed to have passed it on to Olivia who was out sick from school today. Sigh.
Hope where you are that all is well.
xoxo,

8 comments:

kelly said...

love this post--really love the poem! captures the art of handmade, and the art of being human, exactly

d smith kaich jones said...

A beautiful post - and btw, I always save those little tags that come with some clothes, explaining that the flaws are natural to the material and add to its beauty. I glue them to the backs of collages & other artworks.

xox
Debi

Tiffany Trent said...

Bread, beautiful bread! :) We are gonna paint the town in carbs next time I'm home!

I'm also dying to know where you'll be in ten years. :)

And thank you so, so much, my heart, my friend, my lady in shining armor...

Gina Louthian-Stanley said...

AH, I do wonder what the next tens years will bring to me...and to all of us. There are so many changes around us...somehow, I am frightened of the future, I never used to feel that way. I know ten years ago I graduated from Hollins. The time does go by fast with much of it an obscure smear. I hope to carry more detail and imagery into the next ten...

I SO love breadcraft! I am glad they are downtown and closer then the old Peters Creek store! Yes, Roanoke, a real artesian bread store!

Tricia, I love your posts!

Lisa said...

How have I not heard about Bread Craft? I think a visit is in order. That croissant looks yummy.

I'm anxious to hear and see more about your friend's studio and hopefully to visit. I'm so tickled that Katherine has a studio in Grandin Village now.

Hubby just told me that he was supposed to meet a client at Bread Craft. He's been holding out on me. :)

I hope you and Olivia feel all better soon. Spring is here!

Relyn Lawson said...

Oh, it gave me such pleasure to read about your doings, your inspiring times. I am thrilled for you that you found the last name you needed. And, I love that you think of juice and errands in terms of lovely photos. You inspire me, my friend. Be well. Happy spring.

jennifer black said...

Wow. I love that poem.
Jennifer

Jodie said...

Totally make the pinhole camera. My husband made one...fun. I'll have to keep reading your blog...so I'll remember to start back doing some of the creative things that give life meaning too..instead of living my work 24/7. Thanks for the inspiration!