Dickinson, Abstract Mojo & Staying Curious & Inspired in 2020

Popular words to describe the year 2020 are all doomsday-like, as we’d expect. A Thesaurus.com poll resulted in these winning words to describe the year:

Unprecedented. Apocalyptic. Pandemic.  Entanglement. Hellacious.

How about omnishamble?

It’s a British slang so popular, it was once a Word of the Day at Dictionary.com. The term means “a situation, especially in politics, in which poor judgment results in disorder or chaos with potentially disastrous consequences.”

Yes. The dread and chaos of 2020 is a world-wide phenomenon, which enhances its apocalyptic flavor. We can accuse no one of melodrama.

I’ve had my fair share of depressing days. That’s hard for me to admit. I usually revel in finding the light, no matter how low its luster. I chose not to blog as frequently for fear of spreading my gloom. Spry Sparrow’s primary purpose is to inspire.

And inspiring it shall be, dagnabbit!

To be clear, I have much for which I am thankful. ♥

Like so many, I sheltered in place for most of the year (and am still) save for occasional gloved and masked trips to the store. I did travel once with Ron where the only person we came into close, 6-feet-away-distance was a hotel clerk. I find it amazing we achieved a resort stay in Bodega Bay with virtually no human interaction.

Ergo—my home is practically my whole world.

It functions as spa, hair salon, nail salon, restaurant, hotel, resort, bookstore, concert hall, shopping mall, artist’s retreat, pulpit, bar…

I wrote in July, 9 Positive Things I’ve Experienced During the Pandemic. As the year raged on, I stayed inspired and productive. Here’s an update:

I read several books and purchased even more. 

My favorite was In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Leave it to me to read a true, senseless, heartbreaking and heinous-crime book during a pandemic, but reading it was a bucket list item for me. And in 2020, achieving at-home bucket-list items is highly satisfying.

Its “Masterpiece!” decree is entirely worthy. Capote’s remarkable storyline and words, organized as only he can and written as a novel (which was groundbreaking), etched a piece of my brain and my heart and I still, after several months, recount my indelible experience unwittingly both for the story and the writing. There is much to ponder. It’s the second-best-selling true-crime book in history. I subsequently delved into learning all about Capote, spending several days in his arena. Clearly, I should dedicate a full post to my findings.

As for the rest…

The Inventors: A Memoir

The Inventors: A Memoir. Outstanding! I recommend this book. It grapples with how other people help us to invent ourselves. I continue to think about this book and how its lessons pertain to my life. Peter Selgin is a gifted writer. I’ll be looking for his other works.

Remain in Love

Remain in Love by Chris Frantz. Unless you are a fan of drummer Chris Frantz of Talking Heads and yearn to live in his head or learn what he had for breakfast on a specific day, I wouldn’t recommend it. It does have a meaty, music-life lens, but I abandoned this one. Other readers gave this a 4 out of 5 stars. Anyone up for a gently used copy?

Two’s Company: A Fifty-Year Romance with Lessons Learned in Love, Life & Business 

Two’s Company: A Fifty-Year Romance with Lessons Learned in Love, Life & Business. Don’t bother with this one. I purchased it because it’s a memoir “with lessons”, which is a rare genre and one to which I aspire to write, but it couldn’t hold my attention. Currently, the hard copy is on sale for $I.99. It also has a gaudy yellow cover (my photo above is muted for this reason) which ruins my library’s aesthetics. I will donate my copy.

Bird by Bird

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Classic. Funny. Generous. Real. Informative. Memoir-ish. I’ve read this book several times and I have a fresh experience every time. That makes it brilliant. It’s a mainstay in my library.

It’s a gem for anyone, writer or not.

Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour – an Introduction

Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour – an Introduction by J. D. Salinger. I’m still reading this book published in 1955 that Emma Stone recommended. She claimed it as her all-time favorite book. I’m 60 pages in and so far, here’s the plot: A man, Seymour, is absent having abandoned his bride at the altar and some of his family have driven to an apartment. So far, I don’t get the draw. But I will finish it because Emma said it was her all-time favorite book. And, it’s been in publication since 1955. That has to count for something, right? Oh, and it’s Salinger. It’s the shortest book that has taken me the longest time to finish.

The Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson

The Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson (Consulting Editorial Director George Stade). Below is the poem that set me to read poetry in the first place. I found the poem in a small boutique during my epic trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea back when we could travel. That town is the epitome of curated gems. Each visit reinvents me. Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but I found my muse in Carmel. And Emily. Of course, I set out to learn more about her in my journey of poetry enlightenment, which gave light to her writings.

Understanding the background and motivations of a creator illuminates our experiences and infuses their work with meaning.  

Sometimes, it’s just achingly obvious and beautiful.

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

— Emily Dickinson

I enrolled in Tracy Verdugo’s Abstract Mojo class and am learning to paint abstract!

I hardly learned watercolor painting when I jumped canvas to Tracy’s abstract classes. It’s the journey, right?

I absolutely love painting abstract. I’m painting so often, I set up an art studio in my loft office! The challenge to create such a place proved more difficult than one might imagine. I need a very tidy, organized, creative, perfect-vibe, music-filled, oozing-natural-light, clean space so…um…no problem. It took some time and I love it. I hope to post more about this later.

I also joined two art groups on Facebook where I get to interact with other artist newbies. The members are such a positive, creative group. It’s a safe and expected place to share art, get feedback, offer feedback, and share our angst and triumphs.

Below, following instructions for one lesson, I gathered phrases I found in poetry and then painted what those words felt like. For each, I read the words and then immediately painted. I spent about a minute to complete each one. I did not give any thought as to how I would paint them, as required. I felt so much freedom in this exercise. I painted more than 20. Here are just a few.

I learned to cook new and more daring dishes

Stay tuned for a wonderful Ina Garten filet mignon dish I’ll be making and sharing. Ina uses Fleur de Sel in her Cooking for Jeffrey cookbook recipes. Fleur de Sel is a finishing salt used for its flavor. It’s not used for cooking. This is no ordinary salt. The crystals float on the surface of sea water, forming a delicate crust of intricate pyramidal crystal that sparkles like diamonds. Delicate, moist, and full of flavor, Fleur de sel is a delicacy that must be harvested by hand. It’s absolutely delicious! I could only find this online. I now use it for many items: eggs, avocados, salads, fresh tomatoes, etc.—and filet mignon, of course. ♥

I found the best hand cream.

Who doesn’t need the best hand cream in 2020? With so much hand washing and harsh hand sanitizers, Burt’s Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream is certain to be your favorite find, too. I have a jar at all my lounge spots — bedroom, office, and couch.

I meet with my family for Art Nights and chats via Discord or Zoom.

Discord has a steeper learning curve than Zoom, but it’s free with unlimited usage. On Art Nights, my remote family spends three or four hours creating and chatting over the air waves. Seeing my family, even if just through electronics, healthy and happy, satisfies my ♥ more than anything. I am so very thankful for technology.

I’ve completed a few classes on Masterclass.

I wish I would have devoted more time to my Masterclasses this year since I have a yearly subscription. I mean, if there’s one thing I’ve had, it’s time.

But the 68 classes (really, four entire classes) I’ve taken are intimate and perfect. So far, I’ve learned writing skills from Malcolm Gladwell (“Being truthful to your intention isn’t interesting. It’s not a good thing.”) and James Patterson (“The best thing I can tell you, it’s one word…Persistence.”), Makeup and Beauty tips by Bobbi Brown (“Skin should look like skin”), as well as storytelling techniques from Neil Gaiman (“You can’t be worried about being judged. You can’t worry about people finding out who you are. You have to essentially walk down the street naked.”).

Clearly I’ve underutilized my subscription. The list of talent who teach on Masterclass is vast. Steve Martin, Annie Leibovitz, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, Helen Mirren, Alice Waters, Anna Wintour, Wolfgang Puck, Alicia Keys, Marc Jacobs…and so many more. I’m working on setting a schedule to ensure I continue to learn from the best of the best. The sessions are chock-full and well worth the all-access pass for $180. Last year, and as of this writing, the company includes in that price one additional all-access pass to share with a friend. That’s what I did.

Positive transformation, growth, and creation can emerge from unusual or difficult circumstances.

I once mentioned how people created significant inventions and great works of art in previously difficult times. Uncommon circumstances can push us out of our ruts and routines. Add excess time, and you have an apt incubator for creative invention.

I realize my good fortune to stay at home during the pandemic. I am dedicated to making every moment count.

I wish you all great health and happiness.

Stay safe.

Stay positive.

Create on!

XOXO