Urania waved her hands around for emphasis. “This painting is sloppy! Why are you just sitting there holding balloons? We don’t even have any skin color!”
Calliope hid behind the tree. Emotions have been running high and erratic this week. She wondered if Nia would soon start throwing darts at Tal’s colorful bounty.
“The sky is blue, the trees are green, I’ve a handful of captured helium… What’s the problem… exactly? Paintist is seeking expression over perfection.”
“Why do you have balloons?” Cal called from her safe distance. “And… Paintist? I like it… complements Typist well… now we have two terms of endearment for our human.”
Thalia passed her collection of strings from one hand to the other. “I’ve been capturing ascending thoughts about our current reality. One — We’ve got a pass on the dentist until this all wraps up. Two — This is an opportunity to cash in on a lifetime of insurance payments.”
“Three — We are learning… and can share so much!” Cal added.
Urania’s features softened. “I guess expression is far more important than perfection at this point. Thanks for reminding me.”
A word from Paintist…
As a private person, telling family and friends about my diagnosis has been… like trying to earn a college degree in a week. Not only have I been observing myself and my emotions, I’ve been watching everyone else, too.
I have been empowered by some who have asked, “How would you like to be treated?”
I LOVE this question because it shifts complete responsibility to me… and frees the asker. They do not have to operate on assumptions, or show care in ways that I might or might not find helpful. I feel trusted… and in that trust I will feel comfortable asking for what I need.
I would almost think Paintist has been Practicing! Today’s picture is so colorful and detailed. Nia’s remarks strike me as an effort to avoid deeper feelings by being critical of external topics. “No matter where I go, there I am.”
Tal’s balloon bouquet is quintessential Tal! Not a display of counter-phobic behavior. Simply her choice to live in beauty and joy. Her “Bearable Lightness of Being.” (Sorry for the appropriation of words)
Cal still seems a bit unsettled in her processing of all this new news, but I feel quite certain that her two fellow Muses, and Paintist, will support her relaxing into this new normal.
Last but not least, Paintist/Typist welcomely addressed some of my head scratching. How to be; what to say? Thinking and writing without restraint seemed unwise, but where’s the line? What humor is too dark? When is humor inappropriate? When is the desire to be supportive really being nosey? When is a life-affirming verse unwelcome? Or picture?
Just in case the Muses need a jump start today, or any other day, look up “The Name Game,” by Shirley Ellis, on YouTube. I’m certain Tal will be twirling in no time! Maybe even Paintist?
A gerund and an infinitive walk into a bar, drinking to drink. 😁
Not sure how I feel about "Paintist" yet (nor does my spell-checker), but if you can't reinvent yourself at will in your own blog, what's the point of having one?