Joan, your message struck two chords. First, is the story of my husband, John. He had a Mid-life Blossoming, following a horrific car accident that should have taken his life. His five days spent in a local hospital inspired him to go back to school and become…..a NURSE! Wow. We had shared a graphic design business for years, but he was ready for what was NEXT….and we believe the Universe provided the answer with the car accident. As he puts it “I couldn’t postpone my dreams any longer…..it was time.” He works with hospice patients, as well as dementia patients in a nearby senior facility. Jobs in health care are plentiful, and will continue to be —- But, the real story here is someone in later life finding their true calling, their True North passion. I was also reminded of a career expert I heard on NPR. Her dual specialty is working with newly-graduated college students, as well as over-fifty career veterans. This is what struck me, and became the “take-away” of her comments: She talked about what inevitably happens when someone enters an occupation field with a “Poverty of Purpose”. She talked about how frequently she met with men who had gone into high-paying professions, thinking that the financial reward would be enough to keep them satisfied for a lifetime. Now, they were bottomed-out, burnt-out, emotionally starved to do something “meaningful”, and (worst of all) boxxed in by their financial baggage, presumably unable to change courses. To me, this seemed like a Cautionary Tale to anyone who is setting aside a true passion to postpone a dream. As you say, “This is the best time……”. In fact, it ALWAYS is.

Heather, I concur. Completely. I have included this quote on the Home Page of my website: “Work and play are the same. When you’re following your energy and doing what you want all the time, the distinctions between work and play dissolve.” - Shakti Gawain. Substitute “LIFE and Work” for “Work and play”. Many people might object to the premise that one can just simply waltz through life “doing what you want all the time” - but, to me, the quote is about acknowledging that Life is a complicated mosaic and we can create the possibility that ALL phases are worthwhile and purposeful. Even the bad patches. I, also, give workshops and my work with other artists is about digging deeper and pulling up our most authentic ideas. Using what we ALREADY have, and being more conscious of the journey, and less obsessed with the destination. As you say…..”create our own reality”, using our own life experiences as the compost……and (most importantly) taking a stand for what is Next. When I am working in my studio, I am feeding my “other” life with my husband, family and friends. As a result of my own explorations, I am able to contribute more to the outside world. I am always taken with how many women think that taking time for themselves to write or draw or keep a journal, is “selfish” and somehow optional. Finding our own lifeforce, and contributing that to the world is one the most important things we can do, to remain emotionally healthy and alive.

Maybe this is an “age”-thing? - So many things are these days. As a 61-year-old, I have to admit I loved that romantic moment of President Obama and his beautiful Michelle, twirling to the-most-perfect love song, “At Last”. But, I have to confess that I also had a “sidebar moment” when I wondered……”Why didn’t they get Etta?”. After the stunning presense of Aretha Franklin at the Inaugural, it would have been grand to see Etta James at the Ball, delivering her signature soulful incomparable song.

I am enjoying this kindred topic, and the various responses. Maybe this is yet-another “marker” of being over-sixty (well, just……) but I also have lost my zeal for “things”. For my birthday this year, my husband asked for a hint about what I might like. I thought for a moment, and realized “You know - I don’t need another thing, dear one, but you.” That’s what I told him. He ended up giving me a gift certificate to our local indy book store, which he knew I would love. He also wrote a beautiful poem for me, and framed it. I decided that from now on, all I want are John’s poems. And maybe more gift certificates for books! It was the most perfect birthday. I look around our home and it is filled with things that we have gathered over many years of travel. Collections, dinnerware, remembrances, etc. And also works of art, mostly by people we know; or my own artwork. And while I wish there was some way of doubling our square footage for more books, I don’t need one more thing. I think one of the “markers” of being “a certain age” is this feeling of complete satisfaction…..as well as a deep appreciation for the great fortune of having a healthy interesting life. One of my goals for 2009 is to clear out my studio, and create some more “psychic space” there; make room for some new ideas. It is the one area of my life where “more” has become a case of “too, too much!”. I look forward to a big purge! - There’s nothing like it.

I wonder what Don McLean will be doing tomorrow? All those years after the mournful Iowa plane crash, McLean brought the event into sharp focus with his lyric “the day the music died”, and (if you ask me) he made sure the loss of Holly/Valens/Richardson was set in cement. As a ten-year-old growing up in blue-collar Pennsylvania, I was somewhat protected from the graphic details of the plane crash (we never saw that horrible blk/wht news photo of the scattered wreckage until years later); but certainly everyone at Johnston School knew that 3 rising stars were gone for good, and that was all we talked about the day AFTER the music died. Holly had a frenetic earnest quality (and I recall loving that he wore eyeglasses - yes, glasses finally had a “hip” factor); and then Valens and that rumbling unmistakable guitar intro to “La Bamba” followed by all the ethnic calls-and-responses that seemed strangely exotic, and The Big Bopper with his “c’mon over here, girly” grin that sent a strong “Danger Boy” signal — even to a ten-year-old. Just like that…..snap…..they were gone. Loss was not something we were very familiar with - at least, I wasn’t. Sure, the celebrities that our parents liked occasionally died; but no one that WE were interested in ever did. They - we - were immortal. And the fact that they left behind wonderful music…..well, now……If you want to hear a love song that can STILL provoke swoons, try “True Love Ways” by Holly. Strings, very sophisticated orchestration, twirling-on-the-dancefloor music; a true production number. Give it a listen. One wonders what all of these young musicians would have accomplished, given the chance? “The music” certainly didn’t die - If anything, rock and roll prospered, took hold of our culture and never let go for a second, and it abides. But, thanks in part to Don McLean and his song that recounts the early history of R&R (“American Pie”), it seems fitting that we observe the passing of three early disciples of the form. Hail, hail, Rock & Roll.

At least ten years ago a friend gave me a hand-made journal that she had constructed herself, and it seemed to call out for some perfect assignment. It became my Quote Journal, and it is bursting with snippets I have saved (plus my own attempts at poetry and lyrics). At first, I wanted the completed book to be beautiful and perfect, so all the early passages were copied with a dip pen in black India ink. Well, OK, then. But, typical of me, the urge to save the quotes (before they evaporated in the midst of a hectic day) became more important than the “perfection” of the journal. So, looking at it now I see a book that is bulging with papers/xeroxes tucked in as bookmarks, passages that have been clipped from sources and glued in, hand-writing/scribbling in Sharpies, laundry pens, pencil -anything at hand. Snippets from emails, printed out and stapled in, etc. But, to me, it is a fine selection. Here are a few: “A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight.” - Robertson Davies “Being with real people who warm us, who endorse and exhault our creativity, is essential to the flow of the creative life. Otherwise, we freeze — when women are out in the cold, they tend to live on fantasies instead of action.” - Clarissa Pinkola Estes “The poet, they say, borrows nothing that is foreign or unfamiliar to himself. He takes back what was his to begin with - those things, precisely, in which he recognizes himself.” - Wallace Fowlie “The life of the spirit requires less and less; time is ample and the passage sweet.” - Annie Dillard

I loved discovering this passage this morning, and the comments that followed. Like the other readers, above, I like discovering the backstory, the flashpoint, the compost that takes place before a story (or painting or collage, for that matter) can emerge. As a mixed media artist, author and workshop instructor, the “beginnings” of things - regardless of any eventual outcome - are the key. I think if we re-train ourselves to welcome any tiny wisp of an idea and let ourselves be guided by that, we would be astounded by our creative output. Oftentimes, I work with artists (in a workshop setting) who have made up their mind that an idea needs to be thoroughly formed and developed, in order to become a finished, resolved work of art. They have momentarily lost track of the “process” aspect of their work, and (usually) they are thrilled and exhilerated to get back to working in a more organic way. Certainly, it is the way that I love to work; and I like to share that with others in a studio environment and see what happens. One of my favorite quotes: “Writing - It’s like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” - from E. L. Doctorow. When I get an idea for a book, it becomes a companion…..it follows me everywhere, it becomes the lens for everything I see, and through this gradual process I start to “vibe” whether the idea is worthy…….or, maybe just the shoulders for another/better idea. Either way, I always journal about my ideas; either by drawing or writing or scribbling…..anything to try to capture the wisp of an idea before it evaporates.

When I read your post, stating “I know who I want to learn it from”, I felt very kindred. Your message was so interesting, just on its own merits, that I wouldn’t want to “interpret it” further. But, instead, I can only say that it caused me to think about choosing healthy and uplifting mentors and colleagues, and avoiding the “noise” of other people who prefer drama, excess, and controlling behavior. Thanks for your wise affirming message.

If the folks at WOW could grant one wish, I would love to have more of this kind of dialog on the site. I admit, I am new to the mix, so perhaps these discussions about books, films and words-to-live-by are more frequent than I have observed in the past couple of weeks. But, I can only say that this sharing of personal stories, woven in with talk about literature and film, has been wonderful….and I hope it will continue. Thank you to everyone who added to this thread - I truly enjoyed every quote, every website rec, every movie story, every snippet of humor, every everything. Terrific!

Oh, goooooood! Other people who appreciate “A Thousand Clowns”! I swear that film was partly responsible for my move to New York City as an 18-year-old art student. I wanted to participate in the zaniness. I couldn’t WAIT to be part of it. (the City has never disappointed in that regard, all these decades later. Yep, plenty of zaniness.) Back to “Clowns” — the humanity of the characters, their FACES, the cramped quality of the environment (“go to your alcove!”), the shouting out the window and “commanding” the neighborhood, the push-pull of the message (“Do you want to be right, OR get what you want”? Not a line from the movie at all, but a recurring question that comes up in my life all the time, and I think Murray was grappling with it in “Clowns”) and that magnificent “I’m outta here” exit speech by the fabulous Martin Balsam, etc. So much to love about that film. We think of it often, and quote from it frequently. One time, we were splurging on a stay at a very pricey Santa Monica hotel. I saw Jason Robards descending a staircase, across the way, and just about flipped. “It’s HIM!” I almost screeched. I wrote out a lets-face-it shameless FAN letter telling him that his role in “Clowns” was responsible for getting me to New York City, and that I’ve never regretted it, yadda yadda. I took it down to the desk, and asked if this missive could, uh, please be given to Mr. Robards. It was. I got a little note back, written on hotel stationery. Well, you coulda knocked me over………

Liz and all - I have joined this dialog late, but am enjoying every post. I keep a quotation journal in my studio, and - come to think - I love having a quotation dictionary on my drawing table to spur ideas. Images and words, side-by-side seem a perfect banquet. One of my favorites: “Adhere to your own act, and congratulate yourself if you have done something strange and extravagant, and broken the monotony of a decorous age.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson. As an author (I write books on mixed media and art journals), I find that Amazon is a mixed blessing. It calls the whole Universe to your camp fire, and makes them aware of what you are doing, etc. But, an author has to also brace themselves for the reader reviews and they can get dicey. I recently had a reader complain that I had not shown “all ten thousand” of the vintage photos that one of my contributing artists had collected. Um, er, gee — Didya really think we were going to show all ten thousand? Well, anyhow, needless to add…..a really strong thoughtful pithy review can set me dancing. “They got it! They really got it!”, etc. But, nothing beats the fun of going into our local indy book store and seeing my books on the shelf. In our section of the Berkshires, we have a happy abundance of independent book stores (long may they wave!) and also a couple of choice Used Book Barns. There is nothing to match the joy of finding a used art book that I coveted - years ago! - but didn’t have the finances to acquire. Now, there I am hugging it to me like a favorite doll, marveling that it will only cost me (gasp) seven bucks. “All things come to those who wait”, right? Many thanks for this dialog about quotations and books!

Your message was so inspiring. Better still, you gave us so many practical ways of contributing, and expanding our awareness/empathy for our fellow citizens. “This project has stretched my resume and myself….” - AND added something significant and worthwhile to this dialog and this forum. Brava!

Dona, I hope you will figure out a way of putting Singing back into your life. Especially, since it provides touchstones to your parents and brother. Surely, they would be happy to know that you are “still singing”? Your comment reminds me of a bittersweet memory……My dear mom suffered from dementia in her final years. When she had crossed over into a private incomprehensible state that I couldn’t reach anymore, any discussion/dialog with her was scattered and frustrating for her. She no longer recognized me. One day a recreational therapist visited her senior’s residence, and brought his guitar. When he played “You Are My Sunshine”, my mother perked right up and SANG ALONG. She knew all the verses. Somewhere, trapped in that sweet heart, were the lyrics of that tune. During her final days, when she was non-communicative, I would sit on her bed and hum. I hummed every tune I could think of, and many that I made up. I just decided that humming would provide something……how to say it?……more humane and appropriate than any blather of words I could come up with. My mother died in 2000, and I often think of how music opened some unexpected doors and allowed me to communicate with her in the final stages. Dona, keep singing. I can almost guarantee that you will find kindred souls who also love to sing, and who know the undeniable healing power of music.

I grew up in a household where my Dad would regularly twirl my mother around the living room, with very little provocation. If there was music on the radio, fine. If not, they made their own music. Mom, in her apron (and sometimes curlers) and Dad in his work clothes, just home from working all night at the paper factory. I should add, they also loved getting dressed up and (to me) no one looked better than Lefty and Marion. My husband and I like to dance……But, even BETTER, we love to sing together. It usually starts when one of us will sing a lyric as an answer to a question…..or an apt comment. And then we will begin….”hey, remember this one?” - sing a few bars, maybe keep going, or transition into “oh, right and then there was……..”. And off we go. We have a lot of friends who also like to sing, and occasionally we will spend a whole evening just riffing on songs and singing all evening long. We recently had an out-of-town friend come and stay with us for a few days, and we had had a dinner party so all our local friends could meet him. At some point, the party transitioned into everyone-sitting-at-the-table-singing (yep, even the ones who said they wouldn’t) and it was the most companionable wonderful evening ever. He is STILL talking about it.

The “younger generation” seems to have a great, natural facility for using the internet, so I am sure your daughter is way ahead of me in terms of how to “self-promote”. But, having said that, it sounds like the array of art interests she has would make a beautiful/fascinating website presentation. Imagine: Equine images, with close-ups of rangy wire “line” detail, with some hand-carved block-print images done in a grid pattern. Wow - what a Home Page that would be! Having a long history of Advertising and Promotion, one thing I know for sure……..Once an artist HAS self-promotional materials of any kind, these will end up being massively helpful. It is yet-another example of “Build it and they will come”. (I often wonder if the mere act of creating a website, a business card, a series of self-promotional postcards, etc isn’t a symbolic announcement to the world: “Here I am, this is what I do; I am unique, I matter.” In a sense, it is the artist treating themSELVES as a client, and producing amazing, creative work…….plus, having a chance to look at their own unique qualifications in an objective way.) As far as I can see, most of the energy behind the Arts is the urge to advocate for something we feel strongly about. Best of luck to your daughter, with all of the new beginnings she is about to experience!