the living room, post-sequester
The arts are not a way to make a living.
They are a very human way of making life more bearable.
Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly,
is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake.
Sing in the shower.
Dance to the radio. Tell stories.
Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem.
Do it as well as you possibly can.
You will get an enormous reward.
You will have created something.
— Kurt Vonnegut
There is no writer that speaks to my soul like Kurt Vonnegut does. Different writers and poets bring all sorts of magic to life for me, but there is something about Mr. V that has always electrified me.
Perhaps it is my natural bent toward satire and misanthropy, perhaps I just thrill to genius. Who knows? I do remember (so clearly!) finding a kindred spirit one day back when I was teaching writing at the Art Institute — and how delighted I was to know Mr. V sets fire to souls in a way that is more like a bonfire under the stars than lighting a match to a single taper. But following the Great Sequester of 2013, I am reveling in him more than ever and just had to share the quote above. (It’s from A Man Without a Country, in case you were wondering).
I don’t know that I was prepared for the rush of adrenalin or the incredible sense of well-being (aka peace) that flooded through me following the completion of the novel. Have you ever been working on something so long, a project in varied stages of completion that had been hanging around — out in your garage maybe or stuck up on a shelf in the closet — that you simply got used to its unfinishedness and really never stopped to think what it would be like when it was done? I think I just had no idea what it would feel like cause I never imagined I’d ever really finish.
For the record? Awesome sauce. Seriously. The simple act of crossing the finish line is delicious– if you have something hanging around– I highly encourage you to make a plan to bring it to a place you feel is a good stopping point — because of course, when is anything (besides food) ever really done?
Today, I head north to hang with fellow Squammie and all-around goddess Gudrun (and her amazing family). When she saw how I flipped out at the Chagall exhibit last Spring, Gudrun got me a ticket to some kind of cool outdoor event* that we’re gonna go do tonight. (*Full Disclosure: I don’t remember exactly what it is–but it sounded cool, so I am all in.)
Me and the dogs are hitting the road– from there we are off to Boston, then Truro– back here next week when *fingers crossed* I will be back to some normal Squam updates for you all as there is some really great stuff brewing for this Fall . . . woot woot.
Sending you big love and wishes for a fabulous Wednesday and wonderful end to the week!
bisous, e
