Go where the light leads you

During my afternoon walk the other day, a pale blue butterfly circled and flew about, landing briefly on my hand before taking off again. Something about butterflies is calming and peaceful. I always pause whatever I’m doing and watch them. Their colors are spectacular in the sunlight. Monarch butterflies are particularly impressive; just knowing they migrate thousands of miles is unbelievable. So, what attracts butterflies? How do they navigate?

Primarily, butterflies are attracted to colorful and bright flowers for the nectar. As they are on a flower, they pick up pollen and carry it to other plants, serving a vital pollination role. Butterflies also need warmth, so if you watch closely, you’ll see when they are on plants, they turn to face upwards towards the sun. Hovering in the air also keeps their wings warm. Brilliant butterfly colors are the result of a complex mix of chemicals and usually serve as warnings to predators and attractants to potential mates. And those Monarchs? Current theories of navigation include the length of daylight (sun position), temperature, and sensitivity to the Earth’s magnetic field as a compass. See the PBS YouTube video linked below to watch Monarchs from an amazing perspective (hint, hummingbird drone).

As writers and artists, it’s essential to slow down and observe the beauty around us. Butterflies provide a unique mix of color, flight, and fragility. Following them as they light on flowers or are swept upward in a gust of Spring wind can lift our creative spirit. Spend a moment seeking what’s fragile in you and then gently honor it with your art. Butterflies live briefly, but the essence of their presence is unforgettable.

Seek wonder. Embrace joy!

Photo credit:  Monarch Butterfly On Flower by David Wagner

Supporting articles:

Scientists Crack Mystery of Monarch Navigation

Scientists Crack Code Of Monarch Butterfly's Internal Compass: Here's How It Works

Watch a Breathtaking Monarch Butterfly Swarm

La Souris

This evening, as I was going down the steps to the basement, I was met by a small mouse trying to make her way upstairs. We both stopped, looked, and retreated. She at a much slower pace than I, and I’m sure I could see a tiny expression of frustration. For you see, The Cat had retreated in boredom after an unsuccessful hunt, and this had been her chance to escape to the porch and outside. Needless to say, this scene will soon find it’s way into one of my children’s book drafts. Why is it we find mice (in small numbers) so cute?

It turns out that in addition to simply being cute, mice are quite intelligent - on par, in fact with your dog and cat. (No wonder The Cat considers this mouse a worthy opponent.) And that cute expression on the little critter triggers dopamine, a feel-good chemical. Not to leave out that there are many things about having mice in your house that are not good. So while they are cute, putting out boxes to trap them (humanely please) and return them to the great outdoors is a good thing to do.

For us, as writers and creative souls, mice with their cuteness and vulnerability, open the door to a multitude of characters and scenes. One of my favorite books of all time is Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien. Mrs. Frisby was introduced to me by one of my favorite kid’s book authors and mentor, John Bemis. Studying the characters and plot in this book is well worth it. For another wonderful book, see La Souris, petite coquine by Stéphane Frattini. So I’ll leave you with this thought. There are hundreds of children’s books about mice. Sometimes the most magnificent range of character attributes comes in the smallest package. Here’s to taking a moment to study and apply “la souris” possibilities in your creative world.

Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash

Seek wonder. Embrace joy!

Supporting articles

Why do we think tiny things are cute?

84+ Magnificent Books About Mice

All creatures great and small

Thomas is a groundhog. Well, not any old groundhog, but a friend who’s appeared on my deck for many years. I’m pretty sure that Thomas is the sire of more than one groundhog family. I’ve seen a slightly smaller “Tomasina” and a couple of little Thomas’s periodically over the years. Thomas enjoys a good sunflower seed, and he is the only one who will scatter the squirrels. (They tend to ignore the cat.) Like Punxsutawney Phil, he and his family hibernate in the winter. I recently read an article about English pub workers building tiny huts for wild hedgehogs who, given urbanization, can’t find safe places to hibernate. I wonder, does Thomas have British heritage, or are they two different types of critter?

It turns out they are completely different species. Hedgehogs are of the subfamily Erinacinae and resemble an echidna (one of my favorite scrabble words). Thomas is of the family Sciuridae - once characterized as “fat tree squirrels.” (Personally speaking, I would say something gentler such as blessed with “ample reserves for winter.”) Other names include woodchuck and whistle-pig (per the high pitched whistle they sound in alarm). Most folks consider groundhogs pests because of their burrowing. But there’s plenty of distance between Thomas’s family and mine.

I’m writing about Thomas for two reasons. First, because he has inspired a character a children’s book that I’m writing. He’s portly, but distinguished, and clearly well-versed in the ways of his world. Second, noticing and studying the creatures who share this planet with us is a great way to envision characters in your writing. Although I spent some years in grad school keeping my imagination at bay by not anthropomorphizing, it’s a human trait to do it. As long as we respect the four-legged who share the earth, I imagine they’re ok with us appreciating them enough to study. I’m pretty sure Thomas regals his family with the tale of the human stepping into the water bucket, etc. Seems like a fair trade to me :-)

Photo credit: Dee Stribling Creative.

       Seek wonder. Embrace joy!

Supporting articles:

Never Mind the Groundhogs: Happy Hedgehog Day!

7 Things You Didn't Know About Groundhogs

Gentle rain soothes the soul

A couple of days ago, a quick spring shower passed over while I was working in the garden. Finding shelter under a tree, I could almost see the sprouting plants take in the rain. When the sunshine returned, water droplets sparkled on everything – a happy garden for sure! I couldn’t resist taking off my garden boots and socks to walk barefooted around the field. I couldn’t resist walking through the puddles of water just inside the garden, either. The feeling of rainwater on grass and mud took me back to my childhood with a smile. What is it about rainwater that makes it so special?

For one thing, rainwater is naturally soft, which means it’s not corrosive like hard water, which contains a higher level of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. In many areas, a water softener is a necessity; rain provides this naturally. For plants, rainwater contains higher concentrations of nitrates - great nutrients for plant health. The rain that falls during a thunderstorm has an even higher mix of nitrates (hint - lightening is involved :-). The nutrient factor helps explain why watering with a hose can keep plants going, but nothing compares to a good soaking rain. Besides, tap water may include chemicals and chlorine that make it safe to drink but is not the greatest mix for plants. Even well water can have concentrations of minerals too high for optimum plant health as well as leached material from copper or lead pipes.

So, in this blog, you have an assignment. Rather than my talking about rain and writing, I’d like you to go outside the next time there’s a gentle rain shower. Walk, run around, get soaked, and just feel the joy of play. Later, think about the many ways that experience can inform your writing (and your creative soul). Rain is a wonderful metaphor to use in poetry and other writing. But go beyond just thinking about it and remember how the rain felt as you experienced the freedom simply to enjoy!

Seek wonder. Embrace joy!

Supporting articles:

I’ve Always Wondered: is rain better than tap water for plants?

How Rain Barrels Work

Image credit: Ljubomir Trigubishyn

Growth is Spirit in action

This spring, I got a head start on the garden. My grandmother would’ve been proud as I managed to get most things planted before Easter. Of course, this meant covering young plants when frost threatened, but so far, everyone’s making it. The garden includes a few different kinds of tomatoes, squash, peppers, black-eyed peas, beans, baby limas, and a good covering of wildflower seeds along a fence line. (The garden is fenced inside an entire field that’s fenced because of the deer.) Some of the seeds I used this year came from seeds I saved from last year. Which makes me wonder, what is it that enables a hard, dry, and apparently lifeless seed to sprout when planted and exposed to rain and sunshine?

It turns out that seeds are little powerhouses of stored energy just waiting to be activated. (You can see where this will go with my writing comments in a moment :-) This reactivation can take place if three things are present in correct amounts: water, oxygen, and temperature. As a seed takes in water, a class of enzymes (“hydrolase”) becomes active, causing the seed to “wake up” and increase metabolic activities, which creates energy for the growth process. Once the seedling emerges, then photosynthesis takes over, which means the proper balance of light and water is needed to ensure growth.

As writers, we also need the proper combination of things to ensure we begin to emerge and grow. But taking those first steps is a daunting task. I encourage you to find someone, a teacher who can also help as a mentor who simply encourages you to begin expressing yourself with words and art. No worries about being “good enough” to do it. You are. I will forever be grateful to Judy Goldman. My first formal writing class was with her. Judy provides instruction and feedback in an incredibly supportive way. As you open yourself to opportunities to write, you’ll know it when the right teacher comes along. Once on your writing path, you’ll want to care for your emerging talent. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. Take chances and subscribe to resources such as “Poets & Writers.” Enjoy the warmth of creativity, appreciate the rainy times (growth…!), and remember to breathe. And to exhale. And to enjoy the journey!

Seek wonder. Embrace joy!

Supporting articles:

More on seed germination

Germination facts

Desert Solitaire

My 40th birthday gift to myself was an Outward Bound adventure in Organ Pipe National Monument. Our goal was to summit Mount Ajo on New Year’s Eve. We did, and as night fell, I will never forget the brilliance of stars against a black sky. Or, waking up to a crystal clear morning where we could see hundreds of miles in every direction. But for this entry, I want to share a bit of the trekking experience to reach the mountain. Our route took us across the Sonoran desert, a stark and stunning landscape. So many different kinds of cactus with armies of creosote bushes sprinkled in-between. Even focusing on each step, I noticed that the creosote bushes were all spaced at some distance apart. Why?

It seems that creosote bushes spread themselves out evenly across the landscape to maintain “social distance” over water. (Another reason might have to do with inhibiting chemicals, but the water theory is more accepted.) During my solo time, I became quite fond of one creosote bush that provided company and a soft place to sleep. (Fortunately, it was January and cold when I did this trek; otherwise, I would’ve realized that my creosote bush was also a cozy home for dormant tarantulas.) 

As I ponder all these memories, it occurs to me that as writers, it’s good to space ourselves apart now and then from our writing friends and mentors. Why? Creating words on a page is a solitary task. For me, too much back and forth begins to dilute what I’m trying to write. And with too many classes, I find myself drifting into “learning mode” as opposed to getting down to the business of actually writing. While I definitely promote the idea of a writing community, it’s also wise to sometimes step back from that. Maintaining a bit of distance and focus on the task at hand can be a good thing. Enabling you to create words for that poem or short story or script or novel and bring your unique vision onto the page. (ps. See the Outward Bound link below; it can be a life-changing experience!)

Seek wonder. Embrace joy!

Supporting articles:

Creosote bush description

Additional information on creosote bushes

Creosote bush images

Outward Bound

Climb a tree to see land from sky

When I was young, visits to my Grandma’s farm included climbing a huge old poplar tree with my cousins. The limbs made for an easy climb - until you looked down and realized how high you were. But it was worth it! We could see across our pasture, house, and road to way beyond the barn and fields of the next farm. This poplar grew taller than the other poplars and much higher than most everything else. I wondered then as I do now, what determines the height of a tree?

It turns out that what limits the height of a tree is the same thing that keeps us on the earth - gravity. The taller a tree grows, the harder it is to get water to leaves at the top. And those leaves have to be happy to ensure photosynthesis and overall tree health. There’s a formula for calculating the balance point between continuing to grow and the effect of gravity pushing back down. It turns out that the balance point equals the maximum height a tree can grow - around 400 feet. (Yes, Redwoods are the winners.)

Here’s how I see this tying into writing. As artists, we have an innate urge to create and grow our body of work. But there can be several factors weighing us down and slowing progress. Often these include the need to have a day job, take care of our family, and simply keep a roof over our heads. The tension between the desire to create and the pressures of daily living is something that we have to balance. We do this balancing to differing degrees through our creative life. The keyword is balance. As artists, being kind to ourselves is important as we struggle with finding the best way to achieve things important to us. Make as much time for your art as you can, remembering that even a few moments count towards your goal of sharing your unique gifts with others. 

       Seek wonder. Embrace joy!

Supporting Articles:

How Tall Can Trees Grow?

How to Balance Art & Life

To dream is to fly

Looking up at the gathering clouds, I see two tiny specks flying so high I can barely see them. I realize they are a pair of hawks riding the air currents in and out of the clouds. They swoop and soar - I can only imagine what the world below must look like as they gain altitude then pause just long enough to turn and dive at breakneck speed back towards the earth. I wonder if these are one of the two pairs of red-tailed hawks that I see (and hear) in the field and woods. As I’m imagining what it must feel like to be so free and powerful, I wonder - how high can a red-tailed hawk fly?

Courtesy of a National Geographic search result, I read that hawk pairs (who mate for life) “fly in large circles and gain altitude before the male plunges into a deep dive and subsequent steep climb back to circling height”. A red-tail can circle at over 5,000 feet and when diving, can reach speeds of 120 mph. Amazing as that is, there are certain kinds of geese that can reach 29,000 feet in flight, but the record’s held by a Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture - an astonishing 37,000 feet! (Unfortunately, I believe the winner met his demise in a jet engine…)

Just by watching the hawks, I shared in their exhilaration - the rush of wind, the feeling of lift from a thermal, the absolute freedom of flight. As artistic people, we dream - it’s critical to our spirit and soul. We know what it feels like to experience that unseen lift of inspiration that can take us to new heights of imagination and productivity. We understand laser focus on a goal, and the feeling of freedom that comes from a burst of creativity that transcends time and place. As artists, we are powerful, especially when we simply let ourselves take creative flight and soar!v.

       Seek wonder. Embrace joy!

Supporting article:

The 10 Highest Flying Birds In The World

Introducing my Zazzle shop!

What an amazing time it’s been since the first of this year! I’ve “retired” from 30+ years at SAS Software (yes, it’s a wonderful company!) and I’ve been happily exploring several new projects. (You’ll find a link to one them under “Shops” - a new greeting card collection on Zazzle using some of my Instagram photographs. I’ve also been busy helping wrap up our softball documentary (see “Projects”) and I’m working on a new documentary with the working title “Saturday Left Behind” about one form of beach pollution - trash. Also enjoying working with all manner of creative and supportive folks in my role as Hillsborough Poet Laureate. All by way of saying I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted here, but I’m looking forward to staying in touch much more frequently around our collective writing adventures!

Signed, a happy Dee gearing up for Table Rock Writer’s Workshop!