Wednesday, September 19, 2007

A Room of One's Own


It's just a small corner of the cellar, make shifted in front of the boxes of Christmas decorations. I vacuumed up all the spider eggs, put down a who-cares rug, and set up a who-cares table. I'm ready to paint again.
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My intentions got lost last winter. This year, I hope I will sometimes mosey downstairs on quiet nights and paint wood. Birdhouses where wacky people reside, boxes that can hide secret treasures, and abandoned magazine racks and candle holders whispering stories from the past. In wild bright colors. Some with polka dots.
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Meanwhile, upstairs, down the hall, in the wing, I write.
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And perhaps too, out the door, somewhere yet unknown, I return to my job-work.
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It's a life with patterns not yet established, habits not yet formed. It's all I have. Some days I wake up and know exactly what I will and must do and other days I fall into it all. Would I be better off if my directions were written out for me, handed to me by a fair but strict universe in 1-2-3 steps I would then follow and be done with it?
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No, not me. I have loosely pieced together this life of mine for years now. Perhaps I should be richer, or wiser, or more grounded by now. Perhaps, but I kind of like it this way.
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So when I begin to sit at the little table in the corner past the cellar stairs, I'll let myself know how the wood smells and whether the colors match as I hope. Until then, well, the room is ready.

23 comments:

  1. Paint the world in polka dots and the wildest bright colors you know. Your little room will be the birth place of dreams you don't even know exist yet. Just like three months ago when I was just two weeks into bloggin poetry. I didn't know how long I could keep going. I got all anxious about what to write about, and soon, I was just posting things I had already written, unable to come up with new ideas.

    Then I met our friend, and was amazed at what I saw and read. And inspired. I could write a line or two, and she answered back in poetic verse. It was a watershed moment for me. That was my new little table, in the cellar, just like yours.

    It's always the best when we get back to our roots. Paint, Ms. KJ, and be happy with what you create.

    Don't forget to post pictures!

    peace out

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  2. It is good to have a little place where you can do your thing. It is very good.

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  3. I agree with Pieterbie, and I like the way you piece together your life, KJ :)

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  4. If you like it this way and you do, then everything is all right, right ? And the time periods in life when everything feels all right, are wonderful. Wild bright colors : that sounds goooood :-)

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  5. A space is all you need - its all I need to actually - a flat surface free from clutter so whatever comes to mind can have the space to come into being....hope that makes sense! I like your space, it looks like its nice and quiet!

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  6. "It's a life with patterns not yet established, habits not yet formed."

    I feel like this a lot of times.

    Looks like you're all set. With a corner all your own. :D

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  7. A place to be creative, may you visit it often. I can already tell this new place will be the source of much joy, solitude, and inspiration.
    Congratulations.

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  8. val, i just love seeing your avatar on my blog!

    eric, yes, i know the magic that has occurred between our friend and you. i am so glad for you. thank you for your visit and kind words.

    pieterbie, yes, i hope you have this too.

    anon, ha! my life is pieced together like a broken egg!!!

    hildegarde, thank you as always.

    lavender, it should be quiet enough--down in the dungeon cellar! i hope i'll brighten it up as i go.

    mench, i know what you mean...

    rm, thanks. i know you have a place like this also.

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  9. It is nice if you takes life as it comes without too much constraints.
    I hope it will be a fruitful time in your own little space!

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  10. "until then. The room is ready"....How wonderful! And you will so enjoy it. There's nothing better than a room of one's own...where your spirit can run free (And you can make a mess if you want!) I have the painted porch, and wouldn't trade it for any other kind of room. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

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  11. Thank you KJ ((())))

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  12. sidney, life without constraints? knowing when the constraints are self-imposed is a big step in the right direction, right?!

    singleton, thank you, thank you

    cherry, thank you for the visit. :)

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  13. There is something so delicious when one's life is full of possibility! Of course, everyone's life is that way, but most of us aren't aware that we have so many choices. You've cultivated that awareness and it has allowed you to travel along so many paths! Now you've prepared that space, and I am sure that you'll find yourself there on some cool autumn evening, decorating a home for sparrows so they'll stay through the winter. And polka dots... they have always seemed magical to me ever since I first read Put Me in the Zoo. Do lots of polka dots!

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  14. oh kj, i love it! a who-cares rug and who-cares table and polka dots and a life lived well. it sounds like a dream come true. ;)

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  15. Who cares-rug, who cares-table... Who cares? Wé care, KJ !!! ;-) It is good to learn that you have made your plan to do some painting again. I would like to do the same but somehow I feel it is not the right time to begin. But the materials are still ready in a big box in our attic and waiting for me...have fun, dearie!

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  16. I can't wait to see what you create in your new space! xo Have a great first weekend of fall!

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  17. The only thing in my mind that is better than imagining you in your own space making and creating beautiful things and memories, is one day dropping by for a visit and finding you making and creating beautiful things. The latter would be a sweet memory for me :-)

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  18. carla, you are so sweet. i like how you said this: just carve a path, just prepare the space....

    jessie, i thought of your recent paintings as i put this space together...

    wieneke, time will come a-knockin for you.

    melissa, the weekend looks to be just beautiful.

    oh ces, i so easily see us both in that cellar space. i am praying for time travel. :)

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  19. Living life on your terms IS success and it sound as though that's what you've managed to do!

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  20. Your space does sound perfect. It's nice to have a place all your own.

    Love the photos on your blog.

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  21. Great to see you have a space prepared to paint ... creative juices flowing. Your life sounds wonderfully creative - like a weaving pattern. Or random knitting.

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  22. Nice article. I don't have a set routine either and it sometimes bugs me. But should it...that is the question. I've been trying to get back into painting, non-digital, for a while and have yet to make it. I need to get my studio sorted out but it is such a mess...great for you in getting your's together. Go paint, girl!

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