Menagerie Stories

The earliest known artists used animals as their subjects. Images of beasts dominate cave walls of Lascaux and Altamira. They tell stories of the prehistoric world.

Teaching stories and fables arrived later. Through the actions of animals, they showed children how to behave and the consequences of bad choices. Native American stories of coyote and raven abound.

What menagerie could you create to tell a story of collaboration?

Consider two animals.

An elephant waded into the pond at a Wild Animal Park. With the sound of a trumpet, it tossed water from its trunk onto its back. Ripples from its skin sent droplets over its frame. A bluebird happened by and noticed this refreshment in the heat of the day.

“Hello,” the bird sang as it flew above the trunk.”How do you do that?”

“Ah, it's easy, “ the elephant responded. “ Would you like a spray?”

“Yes, I have flown for days from the north and would like a drink and bath.”  The bird flapped in motion just above the gray trunk. Soon the water sparkled from its feathers.

“You’re fortunate also to have wings,” smiled the elephant. “I’ve always admired birds in the sky and how they can travel.

“It looks like we have ways to share our experiences,” said the bird, drying one feather at a time with its beak.

“So many animals here have talents to learn about,” said the elephant.

“Aren’t you frightened by the fierce ones?”

“Each has his or her own specialty,” the elephant moved deeper into the water. “Ah, this feels good.”

Creative Write: Where will you take this story or create your own two animal characters and let them interact in story.

What You Carry

Are you ready for the tooth of September?

September 2 -  I call it the tooth of September because this time of year I sink my teeth into a state of mind of reduction and discard -  R and D.  I minimize a reliance on things and maximize my creative time for writing and photography.

"Throw or stow" becomes the mantra. I throw. throw. throw while rummaging through closets and drawers.

Research has shown that heavy handbags cause spinal misalignment, shoulder and back problems in women.  Many men stash their wallets in their back pants pocket.  That causes "wallet butt."  Health professionals call it wallet neuropathy.  Sitting on a large wallet for long periods of time twists the spine and compresses nerves in the buttocks and legs.  This pressure leads to inflammation, tingling and lower back pain.

What do I need to lug around with me?  I have down-sized purses this September.

After discarding items, I retain a wallet (4x2 inches), round mirror-brush (think dollar size pancake),  thumb-sized dental floss, 2 handiwipes, one chapstick, fountain pen (ring finger size) and business cards.

I choose a purse that my hand spans (6 inches) up and across in size (it's a Kiplinger sans the gorilla). What else can I do without?  The bulkiness of a cellphone becomes the major challenge. It goes in the outside zipper pocket with the chapstick.  I delete a mini writing tablet and extra handiwipes.  Of course the mirror-brush will be the next to go. I can slip the business cards into my wallet.  Voila, I have become a turtle-istic minimalist.

Ah the freedom I feel as my purse dangles from my shoulder, light as a bird.

Creative Write:  Tell us a story about what you carry.  Can you minimalize?

September of Possibilities

It seems to me that January resolutions are about will; September resolutions are about authentic wants. . . . The beauty of autumnal resolutions is that no one else knows we’re making them. Autumnal resolutions don’t require horns, confetti, and champagne. September resolutions ask only that we be open to positive change. 
                - from Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach 

Autumn begins to creep in and envelope summer.  Change seeps into leaf color and crisps breeze as nature prepares for change. 

What changes do you feel around you this September 1?  Take time to notice the subtle messages nature sends.

What scents arouse your writing fingers?  Listen for changes in sounds. Watch the day's progression into dusk. Feel your body's adjustments and sensations with the seasonal shift.

Which writing desires will you accomplish this fall? Reflect about changes you wish to initiate this month.