An Artist Who Writes
Every day when the sun comes up
I put on the kettle
and make a good cup
back to the pillows
doodle, write a poem or two
stir in some magic
now that’s a good brew!
The following are the last two weeks and some from my “doodle day planner”. Events often mirror what’s going on with my daily life- others are purely random.
From my journal. After a few years I’ve realized that the “new abnormal” is the new normal. As if the old normal wasn’t challenging enough! Here are my strategies to navigate this ever changing world, subject to change of course.
This is a rehash of a post from 2018 with some new modifications for the times…
It shouldn’t be that difficult. Most people open their eyes, pop out of bed, and voila!- on with their day. For me, making the transition from Dreamtime to wakefulness is a sacred ritual. This can sometimes take up to an hour. Even when I was working full-time I always allowed some time for this. Now with COVID 19 & sheltering in place, there seem to be no people to be held accountable to, nor yoga or pool schedule to meet and no medical appointments. Now I am left up to my own motivation. It’s gotten to be more difficult not to be tempted to sleep in.
First step- avoid reading or listening to the news. I fail to see the point of starting the day feeling depressed. It’s curated to produce nightmares. (Plus, there is a dearth of good news to be had even though I know it exists.) My phone is in silent mode or better yet turned off.
Place my 15-year-old dog, Bandit on the bed. He makes me smile. Then have to free the “wild 
hamsters” that populate my head and if I don’t get rid of them my day seems chaotic. Essential to that process is to brew a cup of tea, heat up my “hottie” for my tight back, and do a quick meditation.
I spend a few minutes in my planner thinking about my goals for the day or week. I have been finding that scheduling joy into my day can really help to keep the lonely demons away. Anything from reading a good book, walking the dog, gardening, phoning a friend, or watching a movie IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY. Then onto my journal where I may write anything that’s been lurking in my mind, a poem. Finally, I add a funny daily doodle in my planner for fun.
Now I am ready to transition from human being to more of a human doing with a foundation of centeredness that I hope to carry with me throughout my day.
Next step- remove body from bed and get to living in this simplified yet complicated world.
Continue reading “The Art of Getting Out of Bed- COVID 19 Version”
WALKING THROUGH SCOTLAND
In the company of friends
And the rhythm of sticks
I spy a blue fly on green fern
Sheep grazing in the distance
Tufts of wool dangling from fences
Bluebells line the path with yellow anenome,
Purple geranium, wild rose, ferns
and blossoms of which I have no name
Rain falls from heavy clouds
White water spills over the faces of dark rocks
Into bubbling pools
The land begs verse
We end each day foot weary but filled
Seeing more by seeing less
We end each day bedding at inns in quaint towns
Savoring warm bowls of soup
And cups of hot tea
It shouldn’t be that difficult. Most people open their eyes, pop out of bed and voila!- on with their day. For me, making the transition from Dreamtime to wakefulness is a sacred ritual. This can sometimes take up to an hour. Even when I was working full-time I always allowed some time for this.
I have a lot of “wild hamsters” that populate my head and if I don’t get them in line my day seems chaotic. First I brew a cup of tea, heat up my “hotties” for my tight back and then meditate for 12 minutes. Once my “spousal equivalent” feeds our two dogs, Bandit (Red Heeler) and Dougan (Golden Retriever) he lifts them up on the bed which is the favorite part of their morning as well. (Nothing like starting the day with four-legged love). Then he crawls back into bed to read the paper.
I spend a few minutes in my planner thinking about my goals for the day or week. On to my journal where I may write anything that’s been lurking in my mind, a poem, or a 
sketch for some art.
Notice I don’t start the day reading the news. I fail to see the point of starting the day feeling depressed. I can always listen to NPR as I go about my day to stay informed.
Then I am ready to transition from human being to more of a human doing with a foundation of centeredness that I carry with me throughout my day.
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