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Chill out! Just because we had a tiny bit of snow on Halloween,
Doesn’t mean it’s Winter.
But we can’t lie around like that person. Sigh! I miss summer. Okay, not the extreme drought, or constant fires, but the beaches, time to swim. Time with friends. Friends still with us, and those chillin’ on the other side.
For the Halloween, All Saints Day, Dia de Los Muertos, Samhain celebration/tradition, I just consider it a remembering, I wrote letters to friends, family, God. It helped my deep depression to bring my spirit to a level of energy. Their spirits seem near enough even if I can’t hear what they are saying to me.
When I felt the need to listen, I pulled out the new Yarn Tarot Cards a friend gave me last year. Just like the pictures above help me communicate, pictures, archetypes, (look up the psychiatrist, Jung) help unlock our brains to communicate with ourselves and others.
I had hoped the Yarn Tarot would have patterns to knit or crochet–they missed a good chance! Rather, these are pictures similar to Rider -Waite cards that can spark my imagination. Other people need more elaborate pictures.
We all need that help, prompts. I had a teacher in grade-school who had a box of pictures to help out creative writing. In college, I learned you can pick up any book. Randomly, open close your eyes, pick a spot. The sentence or scripture you land on is something to ponder or write about. Most of the time it guides you. But as my dad would say. Watch out for being too literal. After all, Scripture says, “Judas hung himself.” “Go, ye and do likewise.”
But my stream is meandering as it often does.
The wisdom I gleaned remind me to be calm. To not jump to conclusions
In other words:
CHILL
Journaling my many hobbies has helped a lot in a lot of ways. But some things are hard to quantify. Or know of ways to talk about. Outside of pictures my yarn crafts just grow or are frogged back. The diamond painting doesn’t reflect well in journals either.
Then there’s the boring things like stationary bike time/distances which doesn’t change much. Duolingo has its own goals and rewards so I don’t journal. Although… Maybe it’s time to take notes and keep track of new vocabulary?
The piano journal is helping a lot! If I read the notes from my last run of a piece I see the problem spots. If it’s a big problem I start there then play the song. I’m beginning to love my piano time. That’s worthy of a FINALLY!
Oh, and my violin journal is freaking out with successes. No, I’m not ready for Carnegy, but full tunes. Not feeling like hiding the instrument in the closet is PROGRESS!
That’s probably enough for now.
Oh, NaNo is started but I need to get another 800 words before bed. I have no title or know where it’s heading. Best get busy!
I hope however you celebrate the 31st of October (and November 1st) it is happy and fulfilling.
Mine has been full of journaling and memories. Oh, and the traditional layer of snow to start the morning. Halloween always seems to be the first snow that sticks a minute (Getting ready for the night of writing dangerously, NaNoWriMo)
You Can’t Be Serious by Kal Penn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was fun. And educational. And laugh-out-loud-after-everyone-was-asleep funny. Sorry, dear.
I’m really sad that the book ended. It was the distraction I needed. As a humorist, Kal Penn sees serious matters that a lot of people do, but he can find the levity in it all.
I remembered Mr. Penn from House. I hadn’t seen the movies he was in, so for me, there was only the author and his voice. And I enjoyed both thoroughly.
I highly recommend this audible book.
Is now a lap-kitty!!!!
(Sorry no on-the-lap pic yet.)
I’ve tried to place journals everywhere I can sit. Just in case I want to keep track of thoughts or life. It’s interesting. I’ve never done this but we’ll see how the experiment works.
Two names have popped up as characters for NaNo. It seems the random guys are not so wholesome. Possibly cagey or shadowy. Not my favorite but when you go random that’s what you get to work with. I plan another couple random picks so I’ll be ready for the night of writing dangerously.
I’m thinking with the losses this year I may spend some reflective time for Dia de los Muertos. Maybe a nearby journal will be the place for those thoughts.
Walking in My Joy: In These Streets by Jenifer Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Not a good bedtime book. Ms. Lewis is boisterous and loud. Occasionally, she is ‘laugh-out-loud’ funny; other times, she is angry and shows it. It’s okay. It’s her autobiography, her life, her experience. Who can judge that?
I picked this up from Audible a while ago and needed a book to finish my night reading time. It was too long to finish in one sitting, so I spent two nights trying to listen quietly on my headphones and not wake my husband with my laughing.
I’ve never watched Jenifer Lewis’s shows. I have seen her belt out a song. Quite the voice! I had never read her previous books, so a bit of this left me a bit lost. But not so much that I couldn’t enjoy her take on life and love.
I bet this would be a great commuting listen.
What is interesting in this book is she sings or recites poetry that is strong and lovely.
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was surprisingly intriguing. Ms. Spears writes eloquently. Michelle Williams narrates with heartfelt empathy.
I’m not star-driven, but since writing my memoir, I have read many of them. The mechanics of the writing and reading aside, we dive deeply into Britney’s well-known life. The crazy news surrounding her from the beginning always made me feel sorry for her and angry for her. Hearing her side of it, I feel even more compassion for her.
I was able to pick this up on Libby. If you get the chance, you might like the book, too. Memoirs give us a chance to walk in another’s shoes.
Darswords 
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