author...illustrator...guerilla artist
author...illustrator...guerilla artist
"The universe picks me up and drops me off without a map. I stand there on a road somewhere outside of any place I have been and just start walking home again." ~Jann Arden
Reading this quote yesterday gave me a moment of intense relief, like taking a deep breath (after which you realize you have needed to breathe for a while but didn’t know it and then find yourself taking several more.) Don’t we all find ourselves without mapless at times? I feel reassured to know that it is not just me. I feel calmed when a girlfriend writes me and says so gently, “I understand your struggles”.
More deeps breaths. So maybe the map is drawn along the way through shared human experiences. When I don’t reach out to people I feel like I am drawing my own map with a worn down crayon held between my teeth, the waxy taste bitter on my tongue. It is a gift to ourselves to be able to reach out to someone and say, “I am having a hard time” and then be open to receiving help in return.
Today I felt a weight lifting, I just forgot for a moment that I didn’t have to lift it all by myself.
Some other things that have helped…
…listening to CBC radio on the internet (helps me get out of my head during my day, and connects me with home.)
…running in the park. I feel soooo much better on the days when I run.
…fresh figs (this is my first year eating them and now I can’t stop)
…reading great books and immersing myself into another world for a time
…flannel sheets
…night time cuddling.
…tree hugs
...the film won an award for best dance sequence.
I live in country side and hug a tree almost every day. They are more than just a trees... Holy and wiser than us. They know the history of the place better than humans. They give comfort and joy.
Posted by: Delila on October 18, 2005 01:51 AMI think the one of the most wonderful things on our summer vacation was, that i ate figs straight from my grandfathers orchard. There is something about those fruits...
Posted by: Delila on October 18, 2005 01:48 AMHome radio is great. I'm in Canada and I hardly ever listen to the CBC. I listen to my good old Dutch radio stations. I remember living abroad before the internet, it was much harder.
Posted by: eliane on October 14, 2005 07:42 AMYour blog is beautiful, I am glad that I found your web site.
THANK YOU for keeping me and all of us out there inspired!
Hello Keri,
You have no idea how much comfort I get from reading about your experiences surrounding your move to a new country and life. You are so good at expressing a lot of what I feel since moving to the States from Europe two weeks ago.
A kind soul once left a nice comment on my blog which I think applies to you, too: "You are a wanderer and wanderers are often wise".
This is my impression of you, you wander through life with your eyes and heart wide open; and you are wise, definitely.
Take care, Kerstin
Posted by: Kerstin on October 13, 2005 11:55 AMbeautiful quote
Posted by: experimental music label on October 13, 2005 11:33 AMI was first attracted to your web site....because of the lovely watercolor paintings of every day objects....For some odd reason they inspire me to create....I am glad you have shared your recent water color sketches....The entries remind me of Natalie Goldberg.
Susan
Posted by: Susan Jonsson on October 13, 2005 11:24 AMi always think about how brave you are in sharing these glimpses into some of your thoughts and feelings. this image of creating the map with help from others resonates with me today, reminds me that i am not alone. thank you.
Posted by: liz elayne on October 13, 2005 03:03 AMI very much want to see this film I've heard so much about! That's such an amazing accomplishment! Will it be available for purchase?
heatherespanajuice@yahoo.com
When I lived in Spain as a little girl, our neighbor down the hill had a huge fig tree, and there were so many figs the ground was just littered with them as they dropped off. I actually remember sitting under that fig tree and eating figs off the ground until I was stuffed. They were delicious!
Now I hardly ever see them in the store, and they're quite expensive here, but once in a while, I still indulge ... they just not as good as the ones from my childhood, though ...
Glad you're finding comfort through your challenges in friends and nature (and creative expression, of course).
Posted by: maria on October 12, 2005 08:28 PMOne of the things on my "before I turn 30" list is to eat a fresh fig. You have cemented that intention!
Posted by: Anna on October 12, 2005 08:17 PMSince you're new to fresh fig-eating - on a hot day try sticking one in the freezer compartment for an hour or two - they make the best "popsicles"! (& better for you than the typical popsicle). Hope you continue to enjoy our California cuisine & culture!
Posted by: Terri on October 12, 2005 07:31 PMDon't forget to draw silly happy flowers and smiley suns while you're creating your own map with those crayons of yours. :)
Posted by: Swirly on October 12, 2005 05:59 PMFantastic news about the film award!! Congrats to all involved!
And yes!! isn't it just wonderful that the CBC is finally back? It felt so wonderful to listen to Jurgen Gothe and his delightful sense of humour.
Posted by: patricia on October 12, 2005 05:13 PMisn't it awesome that the internet feeds for the CBC are up and running again!? I missed the CBC while the technicians were locked out.
Posted by: lori z on October 12, 2005 04:42 PM