I love research. You learn the most amazing things some of which might make it into a story. Other stuff is just plain interesting. Like visiting the home of Stephan Stephansson’s home near Red Deer, Alberta. 

 He is considered Icelands greatest poet and according to many soures, the greatest poet in North America.  During the seventy-three years of his life, he published more than two thousand pages. In quantity of writings, no other Canadian poet is comparable. The work he produced is considered of the highest standard.

What I found fascinating is that his work is all written in the Icelandic language yet translates so beautifully into English. I’ve been told that is because the Icelandic language is so rich and carries so many nuances that the poems could be translated by several people, end up with different word usage yet still be true to the original. Amazing.

Here’s one of his poem. See how well his words work even though translated.

The long autumn night was approaching the day,
And I in my wakefulness quietly lay.
I stared in the shadows, my mind in a whirl
Attempting the future to measure.
What would my seventh new decade unfurl,
All Sundays of joy and pleasure?

I heard at my doorstep a footstep alight
As soft as the rustling leaves in the night
And I knew in an instant that visitor’s call,
Though darkness might seem to confound me;
No matter what clattering noise might befall
I knew her light footsteps around me.

But fancy has always been part of her style.
She opened my door which was unlocked the while.
I rose from my pillow with gladness and pride,
Her visit was such a rare pleasure.
I figured my strings as she came to my side
With her harp and her crowning treasure.

Stephan was a farmer. He worked hard during the day often composing poems as he worked. An insomniac, he spent many night hours writing. Evenings and Sundays were also used for composing. This is where he worked.

I hope I can be as faithful and dedicated in my own writing.

At school, I learned we have four seasons in our part of the world–spring, summer, fall, winter. As I grew up I learned they could be classified differently–almost winter, winter, still winter, and summer. I learned by observation there were actually two sesaons–6 months winter, 6 months uncertain. However, this year, I think I might have to change my evaluation and call summer the rainy season. Now coming from the desert of eastern Alberta I said I would never complain about rain but….

Not that it isn’t without a certain beauty. I’ve taken so many pictures of the sky this summer that I had to create a file on my computer solely for sky pictures.  Here is a picture of a storm approaching.

But even storms must end and after that….

It kind of reminds me of my writing process. I struggle with trying to figure out all the elements. But when the struggle is over, it seems full of promise, like a rainbow. In fact, I feel like I’ve found the pot at the end of the rainbow.

Sometimes the storm is worth the beauty that follows. Just as sometimes (hopefully most times) struggling to create a story is worth the effort.

I’m hoping you are all finding beauty in the weather in your little corner of the world.

Blessings.

(All photos on this site are the property of Linda Ford. Please do not use or reproduce without permission.)

I’m one of those people who considered my writing to be a gift. This is how I see the gift of story– a beautiful object that defies description. 

A wonderful book that made me realize the value of this gift is WRESTLING WITH YOUR ANGELS: A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO GREAT WRITING by Janet O. Hagberg

http://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-Your-Angels-Spiritual-Journey/dp/1558504966

As a gift, I try to do it justice-honor it- by learning craft, using all the tools at my disposal and generally doing the best I can as I write.  I don’t often think about the fact that not everyone wants to, likes to or can write. It’s just part of who I am. I haven’t always written my stories down but I have always made them up for my own enjoyment.

But recently I’ve begun to appreciate the gifts my writing has given me.

First-and I’ve mentioned this often-writing is my escape. No matter how crazy my life is, how unreasonable the people in my house are acting, my writing has been a place where I could find sanity, order and control. I can disappear into my imaginary world and enjoy myself. Never mind the dreadful things certain people are saying or demanding in my real world. I love this gift from my writing.

Secondly-and I only recently discovered this-my writing has given me characters who act and react, who love and respond in ways I have found foreign to how I want to act.. In other words, through my characters, I am learning different and, hopefully, better ways of being me.

I deal with a grown child who is acting like an emancipated four year old. I want to scream and rage. But instead, I remember a character I’ve created who deals with difficult situations with grace and kindness and even finds the right words to say, the right questions to ask. And I suddenly know how to behave better.

Or I am buffeted on every side by demands (unreasonable ones many times) and feeling out of control when I remember another character who manages to find humor is similar situations and suddenly I find I can too.

Or life throws me one of those wicked curve balls. It seems to be too much. Again, a character who turned to faith and trust in her difficult circumstances reminds me I, too, can do so.

Maybe I write the characters I wish I could be. And in doing so I learn a little more about how to be such.

I’d love comments from anyone who has learned either from their writing or their reading. How has such helped shape and change you?

Vacations are relaxing, refreshing and just plain fun. I wish I could take more. However, it isn’t practical. There’s work, home responsibilities…life. I heard someone mention 3-minute breaks to prevent or relieve stress and thought how I could apply that to my life. The answer–mini vacations.

I began to take mini vacations as often as I wanted and or needed. They are wonderul additions to my life. You might enjoy them too.

If you want to enjoy a mini vacation, make a list of things you enjoy doing. Be sure to include things that take only a few minutes as well as longer ones–an hour, half a day. Whatever fits your schedule.

Here is part of my list:

1. Take time to smell the flowers. Better yet, take some pictures of them.

2. Enjoy a special treat. Savor it. What is your pleasure? A special tea? A specialty coffee? A nice piece of chocolate?

3. Walk around and enjoy nearby gardens, landscapes, displays…whatever gives you pleasure.

4. Browse a favorite catalogue, enjoy a magazine or look at the pictures in a coffee table book you bought simply because you couldn’t resist the pictures.

5. Take time to walk through a park, or a favorite walking trail. Maybe explore new ones.

6.  Phone someone who makes you feel good.

7. Lay out in the sun or shade and read or simply listen to the sounds of nature.

Another thing I need to do in order to enjoy my mini vacation is to be very deliberate about it. I choose an activity and tell myself I am now going to take my mini vacation.

What would make you feel special right now? Pick one that fits your time frame. Why not do it now as a mini vacation? Or plan to include it in your future plans.