Inspiration

Inspiration

/ still a dreamer

Where do we get our inspiration? How is it affected by our moods?  Though not the case today, once was a time when the sadder and more tragic my life was, the more I wrote. To this day, I’d say some of my best poetry came from a sad place.

But why not joy? Why not both? Why not the endless mysteries of life? I find my inspiration to write and draw comes from such a myriad of places … searching for a fall image in my clip art or on iStock, I find myself momentarily lost in the soft, misty photos of autumn trees and roads, and I know down that road lies a story. And I can tell you it’s a wistful one.

Looking at a wmv file of dolphins creating their own rings underwater and then playing with and bursting them with their noses, I see a tale of wonder. I know there’s a story of swimming with them, to really be among them, and share moments of our intertwined lives and ancient histories. It might first be a tale of wonder, then of empathy and joy and lightness. In shimmering, watery blues.

While I work at the computer, I listen to the radio through iTunes. I’ve rediscovered one of my very favorite music genres on FolkAlley.com.  I’m once again entranced by the simplicity of folk music, and struck by the endless stories complemented by six and twelve string guitar. The music takes me back to another time when feelings were alternately bright and shiny, rich and deep, overwhelming and frightening – living away from home for the first time and in New York City. I’m at home with folk music. While connecting me to the past, it remains contemporary. The stories it tells bring me images for illustrations and I’m dreaming in rhythm.

Some days I feel myself a portal for infinite possibilities … inspiration everywhere. How about you?

Quote from Emerson

/ still a dreamer

“The misery of man appears like childish petulance, when we explore the steady and prodigal provision that has been made for his support and delight on this green ball which floats him through the heavens.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson, from Nature

Chimney Swifts Grace A Dusky Sky

/ still a dreamer

Chimney Swifts Flying Overhead

Chimney Swifts Flying Overhead

Each evening in the summer, before the crickets and frogs begin their serenades, there is a loud chittering outside, a beckoning to come see the sky. The light fades and in increasing numbers, small birds dart about in the approaching dusk. Their rapid wing movement nearly mimics that of a bat, but as I watch, I note their too-slender bodies and elegant lines. They circle overhead, first in sight everywhere, then seeming to disappear. They return to recklessly swoop in random patterns, now close, now hundreds of feet overhead, criss-crossing the sky in repetitions.

They are Chimney Swifts, small birds that live inside uncapped chimneys and open vertical structures. Practically swarming the sky, they bring Alfred Hitchcock to mind. I’ve learned a family of five Chimney Swifts eats 12,000 small insects per evening, mosquitos, gnats, no-see-ums, all the ones that quietly bite and torment. The suspense is clearly for small flying creatures, not me. The birds also migrate 6,000 miles every year, in pursuit of their meals.

I’d never seen Chimney Swifts until I lived in this part of the state, and never so many `til I moved to this location, just a few houses from the Delaware River. The dining by the river must be nothing short of gourmet for the Chimney Swifts.

Swifts Eating on the Fly

Swifts Eating on the Fly

I stand on my back porch, lean on the railing. The sky deepens and I watch in amazement, perhaps for 20 minutes. I am mesmerized by these flickering shadows on a blue-grey canvas. I am happy to be a part of their evening repast, if only as a bystander.

Photographing them with a digital flash cannot do them justice, but do click on the photos to get an idea of what I see. For more information on Chimney Swifts, check out their own web site, chimneyswifts.org or the HSUS Chimney Swift info page.

Bat Visit

/ still a dreamer

Last night, I had a most unexpected visitor. While watching TV upstairs, curled up with Claude and Mewsette, the two cats suddenly sat up and stared wide-eyed at the nearest window. Within seconds I knew why. Something had entered the room. While it first seemed like a medium sized bird, I knew better, and realized I now had a Big Brown Bat flying around the room.

Doing my best not to panic and trying to figure out how to help him with none of us getting hurt, I efficiently herded the cats out of the room and closed the door, turned off the ceiling fan, and opened another window and screen, thus allowing a pretty good exit space. I left the room. Called my wildlife rehabilitator friend for any more tips, accordingly blocked the bottom of the door with a blanket. I wasn’t prepared to risk the possible bite of this little guy who might soon be panicking himself and run into me by mistake. 

I called the State Police hoping for emergency animal control assistance, but instead 2 Troopers came, one experienced in handling bats with no injury to the bat – just what I wanted. Happily, my bat-escape-plan seemed to work and he had exited. So did the two nice Troopers. I was just jangled. Figured out how the bat had gotten in and adjusted that. Had a fitful night’s sleep.

I woke up in the morning, still jangled, then realized – I knew why the bat had flown into my life! I got my book by Ted Andrews, Animal Speak, and looked up Bat as a totem animal. Again. This is the third home where I have had unusual experiences with bats. And for good reason – they are strong indicators of transition and initiation in one’s life, and that sums up mine, as I struggle to give up old, useless, fearful patterns in moving forward to my dreams.

The bat reflects “the breaking down of the former self through intense tests. It is a facing of your greatest fears – that it is time to die to some aspect of your life that is no longer suitable for you ….If a bat has flown into your life, then it is the time to face your fears and prepare for change. You are being challenged to let go of the old and create the new.

“Changes and transformations are blessings. They are not triggered from without but from within; and the world is our mirror …this means opening to the power within which will override all our fears.”

This unexpected visitor was alone; there are no other bats living outside near or around that window, I checked, and on a logical level, there is no reason why a bat would’ve come inside the house at 9 p.m. But I have found that different animal species may appear to us, seemingly out of context, as indicators of circumstances in our lives.

As one who has always had a strong connection with animals, I believe if we are open to them and what they have to share, we can learn amazing lessons. What had been an unsettling experience, not only ended well for all, but put a big smile on my face.

A bat quite literally flew into my life and reminded me that I could give up the old junk that holds me back, and open further to my own power and my dreams. Change is good.

Who Weaves Half A Spider Web?

/ still a dreamer

 

The Amazing Half-Woven Web

Amazing Half-Woven Spider Web

It must be a pretty talented spider, indeed, who can weave only half a web, or even weave a full one in such a manner, that overnight, precisely one half of it vanishes. Click on the photo to enlarge it – it really is only half a spider web!

 

Or is it? I had to run and get the camera to catch this lovely trompe-l’oeil. As I went out early to sit on the back porch and journal while it was still cool, I looked up and noticed this “half-web.” I couldn’t see its creator, but based on the size of her web, I’d say she’s a pretty big girl as well as an orb-weaving spider. I was fascinated by how the morning sunlight captured the spider web, and how part of the porch roof shadowed the other half, giving the half-web effect.

I am reminded of how many small wonders are always there for us to find, but may only be noticed when we’re not rushing about at 100 mph. Okay – guilty. Some of the time, anyway. So I thank the spider for reminding me to slow down, to look up, look around and see the many small gifts that surround me.  Ahhhhh – that feels better!