Friday, October 8, 2010

uncharted territory

migrate
I've been plotting a different course than my usual and flying over totally new landscapes all week long... it's scary and  invigorating. The migrating Canadian geese have been my companions. Seriously! Their constant cries of solidarity and community echo throughout the day as they fly over head with total confidence. They know just where they're headed. I will follow their lead and go forward, even into uncharted territory.
geese 2
As I try some new things (which I promise to share soon) and take a couple of risks, coming back to my comfort zone to refuel is keeping me grounded. Carving these geese stamps... printing on unexpected materials... that just feels like home to me.flying bark
I'm tucking this very solid stone in my pocket as a little reminder of my own wings.
Have you ever stamped on a stone? Do try it... it's a perfect canvas for "grounding" words...
fly
or maybe "soaring" words...
 Happy weekend!

Editor's note: friend and reader, Rowena, reminded of a shared favorite poem by Mary Oliver and I can't believe I didn't think to include it... so I will now as it's extremely fitting. You most likely know it too! Thanks Rowena.
Wild Geese
by Mary Oliver
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
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24 comments:

  1. i will send a little wing hug with a few of those geese :)

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  2. Thanks Margie! I'll look for the ones heading down from your neighborhood!

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  3. Love love love love... the geese on the map, on the wood, on the stone. Love.

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  4. I'm liking where this is going!!! It's only when we stretch that we grow! Keep up the great work

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  5. Thanks for all of that LOVE, Nyssa!!

    Dear Lizzy, leave it to you! xo

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  6. Keep that stone in your pocket ~ when at times you feel uncomfortable, give it a good rub as a reminder that it's okay to venture out.

    There's just something about Canadian Geese honking along on their caravan that makes me smile too. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  7. What kind of ink do you use? Does it rub off? I just tried stamping on fabric a few weeks ago making gift bags for my jewelry. That was a fun time, too. I never thought of stamping on stones though. I will have to try.

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  8. Mariam always likes to have a nice flat stone in one (or all) of her pockets as she goes about her day. Maybe stamping them would be just the thing to make them even more of a treasure.

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  9. oh wow - that first image is particularly arresting - I love it!

    You always go on the nicest journeys and bring us all back something lovely every time you go outside your comfort zone.

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  10. I was just pointing out a large V of geese flying overhead to my grandgirl this afternoon. I really like your flying goose stamps and how you are using them.

    Jody

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  11. I love especially the stone. And this reminds me also of that poem by Mary Oliver, Wild Geese.

    You do not have to be good.
    You do not have to walk on your knees
    For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
    You only have to let the soft animal of your body
    love what it loves...

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  12. I looove this! In fact, I love so many of your wonderful things - thank you for your lovely blog!

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  13. Thank you all so much for these lovely and encouraging comments. They mean so much to me!

    Carrie- I love stamping on fabric the most, but experimenting on other stuff is always fun and then I use a pigment stamp pad like Color Box.

    Rowena!!! How could I have not thought of Wild Geese? I remember the first time it was read to me: almost exactly 10 years ago when the geese were fly overhead and I was trying something very new. I got so excited that you not only reminded me of the poem, but that first time I heard it. Thank you. I just added it to the post.

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  14. I LOVE that Mary Oliver poem. In fact, I wrote it on some fabric that I stamped & embroidered, here:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucasogden/4774421088/in/set-72157601581538882/

    Your stone stamp is lovely. :)

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  15. Willowluna- your stamped and embroidered work is so beautiful!! Everyone_ go check it out:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucasogden/4774421088/in/set-72157601581538882/

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  16. lovely amazing designs!
    and that is one of my favorite poems.
    thank you!

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  17. :) That poem never fails to have me take a deep breath and let go, just a little bit.

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  18. I love the geese on the wood.. inspired!! (I learned a new word this week -- a skein of geese. Such a wonderfully evocative word..

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  19. Janette- what a lovely contribution to this post and my vocabulary! Thank you. I had never heard that before, but just ran to look it up... a skein is a flock of ducks or geese "in flight", and I'm in love with that new take on a familiar word!

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  20. I have a feeling this poem is a favorite of many! It is very dear to me, and i always hold it and cherish it. I think it's one of the greatest gifts I've ever been given.

    Love the geese on the map. That simple stamp would make a stunning tattoo!

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  21. Muy lindo e interesante todo tu blog, pase un buen rato paseando por aquí, un gusto visitarte!!
    Muchos saludos.

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  22. Maya, those geese are stamps are beautiful. Really lovely work.

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