“A writer – and, I believe, generally all persons – must think that whatever happens to him or her is a resource. All things have been given to us for a purpose, and an artist must feel this more intensely. All that happens to us, including our humiliations, our misfortunes, our embarrassments, all is given to us as raw material, as clay, so that we may shape our art.” Jorge Luis Borges
The photo above was my last view of a sunset, two days ago. So rare have sunsets been this January that I almost forgot how magical one could be. It has been so gloomy and gray. I know I really should not complain. We have not had the snowstorms other areas have had and this is certainly a milder winter than last year’s – at least so far.
With all these gray, gray days, I’ve indulged in a few more cups of coffee and tea than I usually have. The result is a look reminiscent of a current movie. What do you think? Do I deserve an Oscar?
Then, there was a long and sleepless night that resulted in this,
which probably was influenced by an overheard conversation between four fellows, one of whom regaled the others with a tale about a vacation he took a decade past. He was, I overheard, on a cruise ship that became stranded off the coast of Alaska. It was a rather riveting tale, full of drama and fear, rocking and rolling, waves and weather, and a vow to never set sail again.
I tried not to listen. Really, I did, but, gosh and by golly, it was such an adventure that I just pretended to have my nose in a book. The chap seemed sincere. His table mates seemed to believe him. It didn’t matter, for it was so gloomy and grim and cold outside that I might as well have been stranded at sea as well and so, I engaged in art of eavesdropping.
The chap was rolling like waves in a storm as he told of panic aboard and of those who tried to stay calm. There were helicopters and deck chairs dancing, seasickness and worry. He claimed a depiction on some adventure channel and then . . .
. . . snip, snap, snout, his tale was told out.
The men put on their hats and coats. Still talking, they followed him out the door and my mind followed my nose back into my book, “Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good” by Jan Karon. It was there that I came across Jorge Luis Borges’ quote, which was, I thought, quite timely, and just the kind of raw material I needed to shape this winter night’s post.
With snowstorms heading for the east coast, and a season with few sunsets, to say nothing of harrowing overhead tales, and eyes as big as saucers, I’m not surprised you needed a good dose of “Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good”. The quote is comforting and very apt for me today as I’ve been close to the misfortunes of others and subjected to rudeness from a stranger. Thank you Penny, I always feel in the company of ‘somebody good’ when I visit your blog. May the sun’s rays start to reach you before long.
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Those rays are already reaching me, Juliet, through your always kind words which are like rays of sunshine, for sure. It is a good quote, I think, and it came to me at such a good time as I hope it is coming to you. I’m so sorry for those misfortunes and hope that all will be well soon. As to the rudeness from a stranger, I am so, so sorry that you were subjected to that. Good cheer comes you way, my New Zealand friend.
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EEK! Run, don’t walk back to Jan Karon! Just received the book for my birthday. Those sleepless nights are gruesome but we all have them and the day does dawn! You do deserve an Oscar! Stay warm.
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Happy Birthday! A very good b-day present, Marilyn. I take it you’ve started it?
I’m feeling pretty exhausted right now, but, will carry on and hope to fall asleep early and rest well. It must have been all of the Oscar excitement.
The sun actually came out today and it was almost, almost balmy. 🙂
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We have to find things to amuse ourselves when it’s cold and dark. I love this photo. I haven’t seen Big Eyes. I wanted to, but just never made it to the theater.
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I haven’t seen it either. I promise I won’t scare you with my silliness and scary photo booth activities when you come. 🙂
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You are having wayyyy too much fun with that photo booth ;>)! I wouldn’t even need that app to make a scary picture of me in the middle of a sleepless night. A glance in the mirror tells me that.
I love that you made such good use of what you overheard — I’m a fairly shameless eavesdropper — it’s crazy sometimes what people will say out in public.
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I know I am, Sallie – but it really is fun. 🙂 I looked pretty “spent” the all day, that’s for certain.
Ins’t it amazing what people say in public? It is even more pronounced when they talk on their cell phones. Of course, there is me. Here I am, telling the world about my sleepless night, with horror movie photos to boot. Ha!
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Well you look like a Big Eyes painting in the first photo and an E.T. in the ones below! I love the quote and have experienced that when I was writing my blog – everything becomes a resource! Maybe that is the whole point in writing, more than the finished product it is the process that makes you look more closely at what is going on around you. Recently I read a biography about Maeve Binchy that said that, not only did she make a habit of listening to the conversations around her as a resource for writing (just like you did here) but she learned out to read lips! 🙂
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i was trying to phone home. 🙂
Isn’t it a wonderful quote, Janet, and I find the same thing. I think you are on to something. When I write more, I naturally observe more. Sometimes, when no words are coming, I take a long walk. I used to also journal daily, and I need to do that again. I always felt I was a better person when I did.
What an interesting insight into Maeve Binchy. Reading lips for inspiration, dialogue, ideas for stories. Is it a recently published biography?
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Yes it is pretty new, published in 2014. “Maeve Binchy: The Biography” by Piers Dudgeon. I learned a lot about her that I did not know!
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Typo: learned HOW to read lips! (have no idea how “out” got in there)
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Ha! I didn’t even catch it, Janet. Spellcheck. I’m always finding odd words in my writings.
By-the-way, House on the Irish Hillside came quick. I can’t wait to read it, but, you know my reading patterns.
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You are an inspiration magnate these days, Penny. You’re finding writing prompts from all sectors. And I don’t know what program you’re using for your Big Eyes, my friend, but I giggle every time I see them! You are so funny!
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Its an app on the new laptop, Debra: Photo Booth. You select the effect you want (this one was Bug Eyes) move around a bit, hit a button, and, wham! you have big eyes. It is really quite fun – and funny. I’m up north right now and our Kezzie said right away, can we play with the funny eye pictures? 🙂
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