Sleepy Eyed Inspiration

I’ll tuck myself under 

the covers tonight 

when the moon 

is bright and high, 

when cherry blossoms fluff 

the cool night air and 

stars twinkle in the sky.

“There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.”

~ Homer, The Odyssey

The Business of Shoes

Tap, tap, tap - with energy and concentration
Whir, whir, whir - with focus and an eye for detail
The world of the cobbler - a slowly vanishing world.

The smell of leather soaked walls and floor
Old leather boots, amid sleek high heels, 
Sneakers and walking shoes
lined up, leaning against each other
stained wooden shelves bearing stories of many next steps
shoes waiting to be restitched, glued and fixed, 
shoes tagged at the heel for pickup

Each design and construct inspired by designers from around the world, 
shoes made by hand or marched through assembly lines…….
The shoemaker’s shop, a meeting place for shoes steeped in creativity
A cobbler tap, tap, tapping 
respecting the artistry and work of others 
motivated to run his shop by love of the craft and love of family.

“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions 

as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.”

~ Denis Waitley

Rainy Day Reaction

May-Belle had no idea how she was going to get through the day. 

Opening her back door, coffee in hand, she stared at her land that shimmered in the heat.

The town, her home for many years, stretched away from her, while farmland stretched past her home on the edge of town, off into the horizon.

Intrigued by gathering clouds that blocked the sun, she shivered and put aside any thoughts of walking through her garden, glancing up at brave rain birds, thunder too distant too frighten them.

Vegetables ~ peas, beans, potatoes ~ May-Belle hoped there was no hail in the wicked looking cloud that hovered overhead.

A spit of rain hit the old wooden sidewalk, then fat drops landed in puffs on the dusty driveway.

Terrence, her chubby old cat, was ambling towards the house breaking into slow trot as the rain started coming down.

Instantly, May-Belle knew that if she didn’t go and get Terrence, she would have one muddy, wet cat clawing the already clawed screen door.

“Oh no you don’t come in here and destroy all of yesterday's house work just because you’re a fussy old thing!”

 Neglecting her earlier lethargy, May-Belle raced into the yard, picked Terrence up and jumped up on the open porch just as sheets of rain drenched the thirsty earth.

“It’s not the situation...it’s your reaction to the situation.

~ Robert Conklin

Backing Up to Build

I watched this huge semi back up and down a very narrow alley today. It was delivering an immense crane to the work site for condominiums being built. The poor driver was in danger of tearing down fences, trees, buildings in an established neighbourhood (things were knocked about a bit). His motivation was likely his job! And his paycheque! And his driver’s license!

It was truly an inspiration for tonight's blog. The view reflected back to me my feelings about the writing project I have been immersed in for so long. I really do feel as though I am backing up down a very narrow alley, with established beliefs and protocols on either side. Backing up to a new, partially built building through an old neighbourhood, with only my experience and a rear view mirror and my hands white knuckled on the wheel. My motivation: belief in ….well, my own belief.

“A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience.”

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Insistence

Inspiration bubbles beneath the mind's glassy surface

bumping up against ghostly should’s and shouldn'ts.

Motivation, as insistent as wind in the trees,
whistles through cracks and crevices ~
lifting ideas to eddy and swirl in the air.

“It is not so much where my motivation comes from 

but rather how it manages to survive.”

~ Louise Bourgeois

Crystal Clear Inspiration

Sunshine on snow covered mountains ~
glistening rocky gemstones
Clear, crisp morning air 
closes space from land to land

“Almost nothing need be said when you have eyes.”

~ Tarjei Vesaas, The Boat in the Evening

Changing Shoes - 1965 - 2015

Shiny black shoes that fit young feet
Changed to shiny white shoes
Stiff leather wraps to my feet
‘Old lady’ shoes only for hospital halls.

Shoes that fit adult feet
Clogs, sneakers or brown lace-up loafers
motivated by comfort more than style
for the nursing walk bedside to bedside.

“With time comes perspective.”

~ Joshua Wisenbaker

Tentative Spring

Feeling let out from under

damp grey flannel into blue skies celebrating with pink flowered crowns and happy birds.

Inspiration on Valentine’s Day!

“If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love.

~ Maya Angelou