What Inspires: Outreach

I’m finally able to write what is on my mind. You know how it is: saying a thing (or writing it, in my case) makes it real. So often, when a thing is really sad, or bad, or scary–or all three and more–we hold off putting words to it in hopes that it won’t be so. But it is so. My lovely, lively sister-in-law Marilyn is battling breast cancer. Marilyn just finished her fourth round of chemotherapy and is facing surgery, more chemo and maybe radiation treatment. If I were she, I’d be curled up in a ball in the corner somewhere. But Marilyn has laughter in her heart and so she is trying on Andrews Sisters-style wigs

Hey Patty...or is it Maxene? Sing One for Me!

(hopefully for Halloween and not every day wear hair), rejoicing because the side-effects of the 3rd chemo were less debilitating than those of the 2nd, and sending love notes such as this: “… So, all of you, know how fabulous you are and how much I appreciate your love, care, and humor. And even when I don’t hear from you or see you, I don’t doubt that you’re rooting me on…and know, I’m in your corner too.”

Because our health care system is what it is, even though Marilyn has insurance, she is still being slapped with massive medical expenses. In an effort to alleviate some of the worry of having to scratch up the money to pay for treatment so Marilyn can, instead, focus her energy where it should be focused–on beating the cancer and regaining vigor, friends organized a benefit for her. It was a grand and loving event but it didn’t raise all the funds needed; please contribute if you’re able. And join me in sending Marilyn light and healing energy.

Flyer for Marilyn's Benefit

What Inspires: Heirloom Bulbs

Chris Weisinger, the Bulb Hunter,  shares his boyhood memory of “one red tulip” which, like Jack’s bean, magically rose up from a shriveled brown “rock,” in the forward to Heirloom Bulbs for Today.

That red tulip didn’t bloom another season, it didn’t need to; its work was done. In this gloriously illustrated, informative–and most importantly, fascinating–treasure,  written with master gardener and author Cherie Foster Colburn,  the Bulb Hunter writes of discovering daffodils, hyacinths, lilies, gladiolus and naked ladies marking the foundation of dilapidated shacks, ringing the base of ancient trees, marking all but invisible paths—“going through drought and flood, heat and cold.”

Like fine stories, these bulbs caught Chris’s attention, lured him in, and sent him off searching for more.

Like fine stories, these bulbs survive, even thrive!

“Each bulb blooming today has a story to tell: it has traveled from somewhere, to someone. It was carried in the pocket of an immigrant coming to a New World, or symbolized the love of a child on a parent’s grave, or was divided from a clump in grandmother’s garden  provide a “start” for a daughter’s new home. Each bulb comes with a full and seasoned past.”—The Bulb Hunter, Chris Weisinger.

Let’s make like heirloom bulbs: Thrive, prosper and create our stories!

Published by Bright Sky Press

What inspires: Paper Art created from and inspired by “libraries, books, words, ideas…”

Somewhere out there a brilliant paper artist (artists?) has been using book pages and words to create adjective-defying  sculptures and secretly depositing them in book places–libraries, shops, festivals–around Scotland. This paper sculpture mystery was brought to my attention in a blog posting by  poet/writer/teacher/mentor, Julie Larios  on the Vermont College of Fine Arts faculty site, Write at Your Own Risk.

Talk about  mystical, magical, marvelous….creations “in support of libraries, words, books, ideas…” You have to see these Mysterious Paper Sculptures for yourself!.

The link above is to the Central Station site where the story, and photos of these amazing paper sculptures is posted. If you can’t access it  via my link, cut and paste it from here: http://community.thisiscentralstation.com/_Mysterious-paper-sculptures/blog/4991767/126249.html

May you be inspired to  create a  sculpture of your own…