Bellies brimming with sautéed veggies and angel hair, the muses get a jump start on tomorrow’s love letter because… “What if it’s cancer…” Calliope scratches a belly button bite and wonders what the dermatologist will say about all of their bug welts, black raspberry cane scratches, and the scaly discolored patches prompting tomorrow morning’s visit.
Today’s love letter is dedicated to Lacey… a friendly black poodle who recently crossed the rainbow bridge. Shortly after her owners told me of her passing, I came across the torn and tattered Monarch wing resting on the dusty dog park trail. I passed with an Awwww! :( before doubling back to pick it up to give it new life.
Remembrances. Our brains, capable of abstraction, spin a thread between a poodle passed and a butterfly wing. These threads, like spider webs, become the superhighways of our minds, capable of prompting current thoughts or quickly allowing a return trip to days of old. 🦋
Maybe what this planet needs is more peacemakers, restorers, and storytellers who are ambitious and successful, like you, Gail. I love the monarch wing--did you treat it with something to preserve it?
Long ago I knew a craftsman that mounted butterflies in squares and octagons made from redwood frames and two layers of glass. He indicated the flyers came from “farms” purposely operated to produce the specimens. One part of the frame had a small hole through which crushed mothballs were introduced in very small amounts.Then the hole was sealed with a nice wooden plug. He stated that that was the process used by The Smithsonian and other such museums. I bought a couple almost 50 years ago and there’s no sign of deterioration.
Unenclosed and out in the open studio likely prohibits the mothball solution. 🙃
I think that phrasing is common among people who live in England, maybe the entirety of the British Empire? You make the point that “take a decision” uses an active verb while “make a decision” seems more passive voice. And where exactly does the “making” take place?
Yes Gary -- I think I first heard in Dubai from a colleague from Jordan but then I started to hear it seemingly all the time when traveling.
At the time I envisioned “making” was the act of pulling from available info and opinion. That I was somehow formulating and needing to think or create. Not “bad” just a whole thought of thought provoking.
“Taking” however implied that the decision already existed. It was there on the shelf. I just needed to take it. I found that refreshing.
My initial thought is that to my ear, taking is passive and making is active.
Yesterday on LinkedIn I saw a post totally nicked from James Clear’s newsletter without any changes… and no credit given. To me that seemed like a “take”.
This morning I let Googlemaps lead me to the dermatologist’s office. I put no thought into how to get here — simply took directions. Passive?
Now… when the muses write 3mm, we take from lots of sources and experiences to make something new. Active? Creation? Making?
It's an interesting process, Gary, and I imagine the displays are beautiful, although I like the fact the poor Monarch probably died of natural causes before Gail found the wings. (Of course, natural causes may include being eaten by a bird, in which case death by mothball is probably more compassionate.)
What lovely flower petals, washed in such a pleasing purple! (My eye thinks that’s purple) Go Nia!
Cal, on the other hand, seems pensive, almost preoccupied, about the visit to the Dermatologist. All good questions and also borrowing worry. (Let’s do today when it’s today, I’m thinking 🤔)
A question on the definition of ambition: I choose to read certain materials when I start my day. Almost without fail. Is a habit like this actually ambition? Or was the forming of the habit the actual ambition? Emerson’s words suggest my low impact start to my day constitutes having the ambition to read, and my work results in completion of this practice. Further, I’m not reliant on USPS delivering this result.
We all know Cal will rest easy after the Derm doc visit concludes. And Loveletterist will continue to “rinse, lather, and repeat!” An ambitious worker (A do-er and a be-er) in all aspects of her life.
It may not be PC, but I’ll say this anyway: “You go girl!” Er, girls. 😊
In my morning reading yesterday there was a quote [paraphrased crudely]- a habit is when “what” you do becomes “who” you are.
Can’t say I fully understand nor am I likely to agree.
But your question around ambition VS habit definitely got me thinking!
Ambition for me is a sense of “more” or “different” -- a motivating discomfort amongst fear.
I can see how ambition can be a great killer of habits. It can shake things lose. Get us off our butts and viewing stagnation and routine as riskier than new growth or discovery or risk taking.
But I also can’t shake (nor answer your question) -- how can someone stick with a daily habit/routine -- especially a positive one -- without the silent hand of ambition?
Writing last night instead of this morning was… bending a habit to fit circumstances. 🤔 That took some ambition because I’d rather have plunked myself in the chair and watched Netflix’s Queen Charlotte. 🤷♀️
Ahhh… it was a motivating discomfort that led me to sign up for The Creative’s Workshop. Life changing!!!
“Success means different things to different people.” Thalia fields the pop fly. “We show up. We learn. We grow. We learn. We grow. We learn. We grow. Rinse. Lather. Repeat. If that’s not success — then what is?” ~Typist
The Mystic Poet, Kahlil Gibran wrote, “Work is love made visible.”
“Success, is the culmination of moments, diligently used.” ~TheEarthHeARTist
I would submit that Typist and “The Girls” are diligent in the use of their moments!
I would also submit that they ARE, love made visible!
Today’s love letter is dedicated to Lacey… a friendly black poodle who recently crossed the rainbow bridge. Shortly after her owners told me of her passing, I came across the torn and tattered Monarch wing resting on the dusty dog park trail. I passed with an Awwww! :( before doubling back to pick it up to give it new life.
Remembrances. Our brains, capable of abstraction, spin a thread between a poodle passed and a butterfly wing. These threads, like spider webs, become the superhighways of our minds, capable of prompting current thoughts or quickly allowing a return trip to days of old. 🦋
Lacey was such a gem. She always greeted me and gracefully accepted lots of pats and scratches.
As Izzie is 3/4 poodle, your description of Lacey rings true with Izzie.
Maybe what this planet needs is more peacemakers, restorers, and storytellers who are ambitious and successful, like you, Gail. I love the monarch wing--did you treat it with something to preserve it?
Thank you Karen. 😊
I just set the wings on the painting today. I wonder what will happen if I use Modpoge (sp?) to attach them.
Long ago I knew a craftsman that mounted butterflies in squares and octagons made from redwood frames and two layers of glass. He indicated the flyers came from “farms” purposely operated to produce the specimens. One part of the frame had a small hole through which crushed mothballs were introduced in very small amounts.Then the hole was sealed with a nice wooden plug. He stated that that was the process used by The Smithsonian and other such museums. I bought a couple almost 50 years ago and there’s no sign of deterioration.
Unenclosed and out in the open studio likely prohibits the mothball solution. 🙃
This posts causes me to reminisce on a phrase I encountered a decade or so ago and revisit from time to time.
“Take a decision” as contrasted me “make a decision” or “decide.”
I love it because it reminds me to get out of the thinking mindset and into the doing mindset.
And to not shy away from building something, or leaning into how I want it to be.
Or how I want “me” to be...
I think that phrasing is common among people who live in England, maybe the entirety of the British Empire? You make the point that “take a decision” uses an active verb while “make a decision” seems more passive voice. And where exactly does the “making” take place?
Yes Gary -- I think I first heard in Dubai from a colleague from Jordan but then I started to hear it seemingly all the time when traveling.
At the time I envisioned “making” was the act of pulling from available info and opinion. That I was somehow formulating and needing to think or create. Not “bad” just a whole thought of thought provoking.
“Taking” however implied that the decision already existed. It was there on the shelf. I just needed to take it. I found that refreshing.
Nuances of language fascinate me!
Hmmm… this is juicy.
My initial thought is that to my ear, taking is passive and making is active.
Yesterday on LinkedIn I saw a post totally nicked from James Clear’s newsletter without any changes… and no credit given. To me that seemed like a “take”.
This morning I let Googlemaps lead me to the dermatologist’s office. I put no thought into how to get here — simply took directions. Passive?
Now… when the muses write 3mm, we take from lots of sources and experiences to make something new. Active? Creation? Making?
It's an interesting process, Gary, and I imagine the displays are beautiful, although I like the fact the poor Monarch probably died of natural causes before Gail found the wings. (Of course, natural causes may include being eaten by a bird, in which case death by mothball is probably more compassionate.)
#DeathByMothball or #EatenByABird 😉
AKA • Natural causes...
Would a human placing you on display, under glass, also be a “natural cause?” Hmmm? 🤔
So wait a minute...
The cultivated butterfly is pinned alive and it's the mothballs that kill it. This is something I do not want to know. 😱
Actually… There’s a jar 🫙and in the jar is…
The mothballs are for AFTER the jar and pinning experience. Think of them as insurance against deterioration… 😳😱😳
What’s in the jar?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethyl_acetate
Got it!
What lovely flower petals, washed in such a pleasing purple! (My eye thinks that’s purple) Go Nia!
Cal, on the other hand, seems pensive, almost preoccupied, about the visit to the Dermatologist. All good questions and also borrowing worry. (Let’s do today when it’s today, I’m thinking 🤔)
A question on the definition of ambition: I choose to read certain materials when I start my day. Almost without fail. Is a habit like this actually ambition? Or was the forming of the habit the actual ambition? Emerson’s words suggest my low impact start to my day constitutes having the ambition to read, and my work results in completion of this practice. Further, I’m not reliant on USPS delivering this result.
We all know Cal will rest easy after the Derm doc visit concludes. And Loveletterist will continue to “rinse, lather, and repeat!” An ambitious worker (A do-er and a be-er) in all aspects of her life.
It may not be PC, but I’ll say this anyway: “You go girl!” Er, girls. 😊
What is PC?
Just kidding.
I’m not a fan of the practice of culling thoughts, questions, and words.
“Is a habit like this actually ambition?”
In my morning reading yesterday there was a quote [paraphrased crudely]- a habit is when “what” you do becomes “who” you are.
Can’t say I fully understand nor am I likely to agree.
But your question around ambition VS habit definitely got me thinking!
Ambition for me is a sense of “more” or “different” -- a motivating discomfort amongst fear.
I can see how ambition can be a great killer of habits. It can shake things lose. Get us off our butts and viewing stagnation and routine as riskier than new growth or discovery or risk taking.
But I also can’t shake (nor answer your question) -- how can someone stick with a daily habit/routine -- especially a positive one -- without the silent hand of ambition?
Hmmm...
Writing last night instead of this morning was… bending a habit to fit circumstances. 🤔 That took some ambition because I’d rather have plunked myself in the chair and watched Netflix’s Queen Charlotte. 🤷♀️
Ahhh… it was a motivating discomfort that led me to sign up for The Creative’s Workshop. Life changing!!!
AH! I wondered if that was an actual butterfly wing! Cool!
Sign: "Whoever said letting your pets sleep with you in bed is okay, thanks a lot! Now my goldfish is dead." 😁
The muses and I have added “scavengers” to our skills list. 😉
Awesome sign! 🤩
😂🤣😂 🐠 😂🤣😂
“Are we successful?”
“Success means different things to different people.” Thalia fields the pop fly. “We show up. We learn. We grow. We learn. We grow. We learn. We grow. Rinse. Lather. Repeat. If that’s not success — then what is?” ~Typist
The Mystic Poet, Kahlil Gibran wrote, “Work is love made visible.”
“Success, is the culmination of moments, diligently used.” ~TheEarthHeARTist
I would submit that Typist and “The Girls” are diligent in the use of their moments!
I would also submit that they ARE, love made visible!
🙏🏼🕊️🙏🏼
😊 Thank you!
Well, there's only one way to find out...
👍🏻