Jun 21, 2013 |
Five Things Friday at Frankly, My Dear…
Just under two weeks ago I went to the monthly meeting of the local California Writer’s Club. If you’re into writing, I suggest you check your state listings for Writers Groups in your area. Whether you aspire to be a professional writer or just jot words on paper for your own enjoyment, a Writer’s Club can help you develop your skills and give you a community of like-minded people to offer feedback and encouragement.
In our last meeting, we discussed poetry. In particular, we spoke of ekphrastic poetry: using art to inspire. It stems from the Greek ekphrasis: literally, description; from ekphrazein: to recount, describe. Wikipedia states “The word comes from the Greek ek and phrasis, ‘out’ and ‘speak’ respectively, verb ekphrazein, to proclaim or call an inanimate object by name.”
We discussed the works of Vincent Van Gogh, and each table was given several postcard versions of his works to select from. I looked carefully through the choices, and found myself consistently drawn to one that had beautifully deep shades of blues and yellows. While I tried to look earnestly at each painting, this is the one that selected me.
Observation Worksheet
Terrace of the Cafe at Night
Our assignment was first, to complete the Observation Worksheet. It asked questions such as “What is happening in this artwork?” and “What sounds, smells, feelings, tastes could you associate with it?”
Once our observation time was over (only five minutes, a very crude and immediate sensory experiment), we then selected those words that stood out more and constructed a poem based on the totality of our observations.
I titled my poem, “OLD / LIFE”:
Cobbled steps, wearing.
Whispers and smiles and hushed tones
Greet.
Day turned to twilight.
Still life sparkles.
Embracing life and beauty as seasons
Strong and subtle
Meet.
And that’s the first of my Five Things Friday offerings, with this week’s theme Poetry. Here are the rest:
2. I love poetry. I don’t know much beyond the basics, but I’m learning. I think one of the most beautiful appointments in the country is that of the U.S. Poet Laureate. If I could ever educate myself enough to hold such a position, I’d be forever giddy.
3. I used to write lyrics. I don’t know how to write music, so I would hum my own tunes, and the words would spill out. I always enjoyed the idea of writing songs, even if no one else heard them.
4. One of my favorite poets is my friend, Monique Teal. She was one of the first people to nudge me toward self publishing, and has herself published a great collection of her poetry: In Between the Trees is an emotional and compelling journey through grief and self discovery. Check out her amazing company at Storylight Publishing. I don’t tell her enough, but she’s been very instrumental in my writing and in my personal life. Her stories of endurance, love, trust, faith, and family… she just inspires me completely.
5. I should love to win the Nobel Prize in Literature for poetry. Alas, that runs next to #2 above, and I’m certain I may never be that educated and talented this side of the green grass. Still, I’ll strive for that because even in the learning, there’s enjoyment on the journey.
Are you a published poet with a book to share? Have a rhyme or two for the comments? It’s time to share your Five Things Friday!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
The Friday Five – STORIES
Five Things Friday – TRAVEL
Five Things Friday: Everything Old is NEW Again
If you link up a Blog post, make sure to add the button/backlink to your post so your people can find you here along with other great contributors!
Jun 7, 2013 |
Five Things Friday at Frankly, My Dear…
It’s been quite the week at New Inklings Press and at Bedford Manor. Mostly, I’ve been looking forward to this post: Five Things Friday (formerly The Friday Five). This is your chance to share stories and ideas based on a common theme.
As you can guess by the ALL CAPS word in the title, this week’s theme is NEW. It’s a beautiful idea. New can mean exciting or sometimes scary. It can bring amazing adventures or sometimes just a new perspective on the same situation. This week, I invite you to share Five NEW Things in your life. Do you have a new friend or significant other? Are you good at upcycling furniture or crafts? Did you sit in a different chair in your same old house and suddenly see things differently? Has a new project found its way onto your schedule and into your heart? Tell your Five Things here, and be sure to share. Don’t forget to come back and see what others have to say. And tell your friends… everyone loves a party!
And now, the Mojo Five Things Friday: NEW.
1. I am, of course, exceptionally thrilled with my NEW Blog design. It makes me happy just to log in and look at it, and then I get to actually write. I think my posts are better just to keep up with the better-appealing Blog. It’s less cluttered with ads, more streamlined with buttons. And the layout is so much nicer. It’s definitely on the TOP of my NEW appreciation.
Field of Dreams
2. New Inklings Press. My company. Of course I love it, it’s my Business Baby. But I love the name. It’s an homage to the Inklings, a writers group that C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were a part of. Since The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of The Rings are some of my most favorite reads, how could I not name my company after them? Also, I’m in love with my Logo. My good-friend-almost-a-brother Joe designed it for me. I based it off my favorite Uncle’s design for his own writing. [You can read about that here.] But I’m not good with design. Joe laughed at my nearly kindergarten-looking colored pencil attempt at explaining what I wanted. But he understood. And he created. And now I have Uncle Roger’s frog for my Logo.
From Frog to Logo
3. “New and Improved.” To me, that’s the same as saying “One Size Fits All”. Which is, essentially, a lie. Let’s face it: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Somethings are better left the way they are. Facebook, for instance, is always changing. Computer updates. How people take care of business. The “new and improved” automated voice services at Verizon only mean it now takes three times as long to actually talk to a person. Customer Service certainly was left out of the “New and Improved” equation for too many stores. Uhm. Sorry. Can you help me step down from my soapbox now? Thanks.
4. I have a New project. But it’s old. But it’s new. I started another Kickstarter Campaign to raise funds for another printing of both editions of The Unemployment Cookbook. At first, Kickstarter thought it was just a repeat of the Project from a few months ago and they weren’t sure it would work. Once I explained that this Project offers the Backer their choice of the First or Second Edition (or both), they approved it immediately. Click here to see the New Project and pre-order (or RE-order) your own copy!
Click here to see the NEW Kickstarter Project and pre-order (or RE-order) your Cookbooks!
5. My last “new” is perspective. I can’t explain it really; but there’s a change; nearly a Paradigm Shift inside. It feels as though my eyes are opening for the first time, or I’m looking through better glasses. There’s a knowledge inside me that I haven’t yet grasped, but I know it’s there, and it’s blooming. I have a deeper understanding of what’s important and what’s not; a new vision of goals and how to meet them. Along with this comes new actions: I’m able to take these baby steps and little by little combine them to make great strides. My Housing Project posts may be infrequent but that doesn’t mean we’re stagnating. Each day I write. Each month I’m getting closer to financial solvency. I’ve also realized it’s okay to fail now and then, with these and other goals. It’s okay to just be me… as long as I’m striving to be the Best Me I’m supposed to be.
And now it’s your turn. What Five NEW Things are on your mind? Have you blogged about them? If so, link up here. If not, just drop a comment or two… or five.
Come on over and we’ll chat on my Newly cleaned back patio. The coffee’s waiting…
My Housing Project: Il Bistro Patio
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
TGIF: A-P-P-R-E-C-I-A-T-I-V-E-L-Y
Q&A: What is this Cookbook Project and How Does it Work?
I Wore a Dress. And I Wore a Hat.
May 17, 2013 |
Five Things Friday at Frankly, My Dear…
Two weeks ago I posted the first of what I hope to be a long running series, The Friday Five. Once or twice a month you can share Five Things about yourself.
With Memorial Day just around the corner bringing with it the start of summer, this week’s theme is about Travel. Have some amazing travel memories or a trip on your bucket list? Share them here. Be sure to check back often and encourage your friends to add their own Friday Five!
And now, the Mojo Friday Five Things: My Travel.
1. I love all things Italy. Even when I don’t know they’re Italian. I’m fundamentally drawn to Italian architecture, gardening, designs, flavors, color palettes and personalities. I talk a lot with my hands. I drink strong coffee. I’m loud and boisterous at times. The Godfather Trilogy will always be my favorite movie series. My ethnic heritage is a hodge-podge of all things Europe. I am perhaps, at best, 5% Italian, but that is the part I cling to. I’ve never been to Italy, but it is most definitely on my Bucket List.
My Favorite Coffee Mugs
2. I’m a little afraid of driving. Especially at night in unfamiliar places. [Case in point: Following Fabian.] I never used to be, but the older I get the harder it is for me to drive into unknown territory. I also have mini panic attacks when I’m away from Bedford Manor for more than two nights. I miss my cats too much. I worry about leaving the house empty. The only places I can go without worrying about my home is Disneyland and The Mission Inn. Okay, that’s not true. I can also drive to Las Vegas and sometimes the beach or mountains. I just need to drive more often. Like I used to. Because the world is just waiting for me to discover it!
Mob Moll.
3. I would love to live in New York for a year. I would love to stroll through Central Park in autumn, and see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live from the street. There’s a certain kind of cement magic when I’m surrounded by buildings towering over sidewalks. The sights, sounds, and smells of a big city are something I must experience.
4. I love watching travel shows. Aerial America and Skyview are just two of my favorites. I also love historical stories about travel: the Oregon Trail, how the Wright Brothers were the first to fly. These are all imagination takers that inspire and enthrall me.
5. I like to dress the part. When I’m at Disneyland, I wear capris and a fun Mickey sweatshirt. If I’m heading to the Mission Inn, I’m never without heels and perhaps my brown hat. Vegas calls for a bit more rugged look of jeans and my leather jacket.
Who I Am
Thanks for taking this journey with me. Here’s your extra bag of nuts: My dream is to be a writer/traveler like many of the great stories I read and movies I watch.
Be sure to catch all my travel reviews at Trekaroo!
TheRealMojo68
And now it’s your turn: What are your favorite travel stories? If you’ve written a Blog post about them, link it up below. If not, just list them in the comments.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
When I Get To New York
I Like Driving at Twilight
Destination: Mission Inn [“Tell ‘Em Tony Sent Ya”]
Destination: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Do You trekaroo?
I Want a Mr. Potato Head
She Wore a White Dress. And She Wore a Hat.
