by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I LOVE poetry, Mary Oliver, and yes, owls.
So imagine my delight when all three loves were realized in one particular poem.
Whether you’re a lover of poetry or not, I encourage you to read Mary Oliver’s poem slowly. Simply find one line that you enjoy, one description that makes you smile.
Little Owl Who Lives in the Orchards
by Mary Oliver
His beak could open a bottle,
and his eyes—when he lifts their soft lids—
go on reading something
just beyond your shoulder—
Blake, maybe,
or the Book of Revelation.
Never mind that he eats only
the black-smocked crickets,
and dragonflies if they happen
to be out late over the ponds, and of course
the occasional festal mouse.
Never mind that he is only a memo
from the offices of fear—
it’s not size but surge that tells us
when we’re in touch with something real,
and when I hear him in the orchard
fluttering
down the little aluminum
ladder of his scream—
when I see his wings open, like two black ferns,
a flurry of palpitations
as cold as sleet
rackets across the marshlands
of my heart,
like a wild spring day.
Somewhere in the universe,
in the gallery of important things,
the babyish owl, ruffled and rakish,
sits on its pedestal.
Dear, dark dapple of plush!
A message, reads the label,
from the mysterious conglomerate:
Oblivion and Co.
The hooked head stares
from its blouse of dark, feathery lace.
It could be a valentine.
In tomorrow’s post, I’m sharing an opportunity to win a little something that might help you in making your own notes of observation for poetry, prose, and life.
But for now, I’d love to know the word or line that resonated with you most today!
by Cathy Baker | Tiny House |
Yes, I LOVE Tiny Houses! I’m especially drawn to those on the whimsy side, much like the one featured below.
Look closely. You may just spot Hansel and Gretel nibbling on the roof.
These A-mazing (pun intended) chalets were built in the ’70’s as a vacation rental community in Blowing Rock, NC. Today, they’re sold to private owners.
My guess is that these tiny house houses are propped on the side of ski slope. Can you imagine skiing all day and then coming back to sip hot cocoa by a mod fireplace in this special space? I can’t help but wonder if orange shag carpet might have been involved.
Blowing Rock, NC has a rich history of skiing. Appalachian Ski Mountain began in 1968. It was the first ski area in NW North Carolina and the second oldest in the state.
As a teenager, I drove to the mountain with friends but hunkered down in the ski lodge while they made their way down the mountain. Hey, somebody has to hold down the fort.
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| A whimsy A-frame at its best |
I love how these tiny houses were lined up one-by-one like petit fours on a silver platter waiting to be enjoyed.
After all, nothing says cozy like a tiny community.
This introvert’s dream tiny house, however, is propped in the middle of nowhere, surrounded only by mountain air and the sound of a stream all astir.
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| A line of A-frame tiny houses in Blowing Rock NC |
How about you? Could you see yourself in one of these A-frames? If not, where would your dream second house be located?
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
– William Morris
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I LOVE structure.
In fact, it’s a necessary component to my day. And apparently I’m not alone.
As mentioned in yesterday’s post, Cynthia Owens is currently helping me structure my time wisely. One book she mentioned early on was Mason Currey’s Daily Rituals…How Artists Work.
In it, you’ll find rituals from over two hundred artists including writers, composers, filmmakers, scientists, poets, philosophers, sculptors, choreographers, etc. I couldn’t put it down!
Although the rituals of Jane Austin, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, and Stephen King are all fascinating, today I’m shining the spotlight on Jonathan Edwards, the eighteenth-century preacher and theologian.
He spent thirteen hours a day in his study, beginning at 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning. (He noted in his diary, “I think Christ has recommended rising early in the morning, by his rising from the grave very early.”) To break up these long hours he would do some type of physical activity but my favorite tidbit? For horseback rides, he employed a mnemonic device as described by his biographer George W. Marsden: “For each insight he wished to remember, he would pin a small piece of paper on a particular part of his clothes, which he would associate with the thought. When he returned home he would unpin these and write down each idea. At the ends of trips of several days, his clothes might be covered by quite a few of these slips of paper.”
Now, I’m not a fan of the word ritual but I admit the tapping sound from my shoes on our century old steps signal my brain it’s time to write. By the time I climb the stairs to my writing nook, I’m ready for my fingertips to do the tapping instead of my shoes. (A subject covered in Rebecca Livermore’s, Blogger’s Quick Guide to Writing Rituals and Routines.)
Do you thrive with structure or do you prefer a looser approach to your day? I love how God uses us all. Can you imagine how boring it would be if we all enjoyed hearing the tapping of our shoes on wooden steps?
Most of life is routine — dull and grubby, but routine is the momentum that keeps a man going. If you wait for inspiration you’ll be standing on the corner after the parade is a mile down the street. – Ben Nicholas
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I LOVE sweet revelations.
Brian: “What would you like for Christmas?”
Me (without hesitation): “Time management sessions.”
Brian: “No, really.”
Me: “Really.”
Little did he know I was referring to sessions with one of the sharpest women I know, Cynthia Owens, of Go With Vision…Simplifying Work and Life. We’ve been friends for years, she leads our CrossNPens writer’s group, and has a stellar reputation in corporate settings.
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| Cynthia Owens |
During a recent session, Cynthia laid two pieces of notebook paper on the table. On one, a list of to-do’s for my part-time job. On the other, my writing projects. It was a heavy work week (training) resulting in sparse writing. I love love love my new PT work at the church but I’d missed my writing time that week.
Cynthia nudged the sheets till they touched and asked, “Why does one get preference over the other?” After a few seconds of silence, she answered, “Because someone is waiting on this,” as she pointed to my work list. “No one is waiting on this,” pointing to my writing projects.
And there it was in all His glory.
I knew what Cynthia meant. More than likely, no one would email or text for updates on my writing projects. It’s a self-motivated kind of calling. While I heard her words, my soul perceived this sweet revelation instead:
Only God knows how many people are “waiting on this” —
your writing.
It may be one person. It may be thousands. Only God knows. All I know—all we know—is that we are to engage our God-given gift regardless if anyone expects it or not.
Oh, the sweet revelations of our heavenly Father, taking mere mortal words and transforming them into heavenly ones.
How great are your works, O Lord!
Your thoughts are very deep!
Psalm 92:5
Note: If you’re interested in seeking Cynthia’s help but do not live locally, don’t despair! Contact her about long distance options via her Web site at Go with Vision.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I LOVE my local writer’s group, CrossNPens (led by Cynthia Owens), as well as my online group, The Light Brigade (led by Lori Roeleveld.)
I didn’t realize how blessed I was to be part of such amazing groups until my first writer’s conference at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference. When discussing our critique groups, I was the envied one! And rightfully so.
Being critiqued isn’t easy when it’s your heart spilled out in ink. It has an especially vulnerable feel to it, which is why trust within a group is essential. If you have confidence in a person’s intentions—that they desire the best for you—the words can be received, even the “critical” ones. Don’t you find this to be true in our daily lives as well?
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| Some of our CrossNPens group from February meeting. |
Doing life with other imperfect people can result in bruised feelings and messy hands, but it comes down to the heart.
It always does.
Both writing groups have introduced me to some of the godliest and most creative people I know. They’ve also helped to sharpen my skills, spur me on, and kick me in the pants when necessary. I have the footprints to prove it!
You may not consider yourself a writer but truth is, we all need a group like this—whether it’s a life group in our church, a group of young moms who can relate to runny noses and weary souls, or someone to meet with on a regular basis to discuss the deeper issues of life. Even a bona fide introvert, such as myself, recognizes we were created for community. Some of us just have to work at it a little harder.
Your turn! Would you like to give a shout-out to your group of any kind? Who knows, it might just spark an idea for someone else.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing
near. Hebrews 10:24, 25
