The Living Center of the Universe

From William Steig’s (reluctant) speech of acceptance of the Caldecott medal for his children’s book, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble:

“Art, including juvenile literature, has the power to make any spot on earth the living center of the universe, and unlike science, which often gives us the illusion of understanding things we really do not understand, it helps us to know life in a way that still keeps before us the mystery of things.”

I think, sometimes, that this is exactly how children read, and experience stories. Brilliant stories become the centre of the universe, for the time we spend in the story, and keep before us the mystery of things.

Maureen

Sand to Snow

Sunday I flew home from balmy San Diego (see palm fronds in sunlight, below), to ice and snow in Calgary. It was exquistely beautiful, the entire city painted white in deep frost.

We don’t get much frost here, but it seems to be what comes with the cold weather this year. Cloud and frost, instead of clear skies and aching cold. I miss the sun on the those days, but I love the beauty of the frost.

There’s something miraculous about this switch in environment, a little bit of magic, that I can carry two such beautiful places in me, at the same time.

Maureen

From San Diego

Writing has come in fit and starts, mostly in the morning before sessions begin, with a pause for a sick day.

It hasn’t felt brilliant and yet I’ve accomplished what I’d hoped for, with some extras tucked in on the side, and more time to keep writing. And when I reread what I’ve done, I actually like it.

Having a deeply quiet mind is odd for writing. I don’t have ideas bouncing around in my head, clamouring to get out (except for the day I sat behind a woman with amazing braided hair). But when I do sit down and start to write, ideas and words flow.

I wish I could work this way every day, which means, I suppose, that I need to settle into a more solid meditation practice when I’m at home.

It just keeps getting harder to justify not doing that!

Maureen