May 24, 2010
In
art, creativity, design, inspiration
Week 39: "52 Weeks of Peace"
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“We meet them like a pleasant thought… ” ~ William Wordsworth, from “To the Daisy”
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If peace were a flower, what better than this? ~ one of simplicity and cheer, with purity of heart, mind and soul; long-blooming and resilient … a pleasant thought indeed!
May 16, 2010
In
children's books, creativity, work and play
Fairy Houses
What do you get when you put together some cardboard boxes, a bunch of nifty craft stuff and a room of imaginative children? … some great fairy houses!
Yesterday I led a fairy-house-making afternoon at the library, based around A Book of Fairies. The kids had tons of fun ~ each one proudly carrying home their colorful, imaginative creations. I think there are a lot of delighted woodland fairies around town right now!
(Many thanks to our fantastic librarian “Miss Lynn”, for organizing and supplying lots of great tools and good cheer.)
May 8, 2010
In
inspiration, intelligence, words and language
Honoring Mother, Celebrating Life
Carolyn Naught Saxton, circa 1940's
On this day reserved for mothers. I thought I’d share some words from my own mother.
My mother was, of course, “my world” when I was little, and a role model as I grew. She did all the things you’d expect a Mom might do, like fix meals, teach manners, dry tears, cheer you up and on. She was always there for her family, She was involved in her community. She loved to laugh. She loved to give. She loved life and tried to worry only on Tuesdays. (or was it Wednesdays?)
Like many mothers, she was an unsung hero.
But she was also a poet. Her works first appeared in anthologies as early as her teens. Later, perhaps her greatest work, was the collection of sonnets published in her book titled The Pine and The Power.
My mother left the world much too soon ~ nearly 30 years ago ~ but she left gifts behind. Treasured, timeless words; gifts from the heart, mind and spirit.
It was hard to choose just one selection ~ but I share this in honor and life-giving celebration of mothers near and far, here or remembered.
Happy Mother’s Day!
♦
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God help our children to transcend the dark
And walk the earth with dignity and cheer;
God help them seek the mountains, persevere
The road that twists through thorn and tanglebark,
Ascending finally where eagles mark
Their point of vision. Help our children find
Two masters ~ one the spirit, one the mind ~
And rediscover constancy of heart.
Help us to find cathedrals in the skies,
A will to walk the long uncharted mile;
(The will to find in winter’s legacy
The ochre sands from which the lime trees rise!)
Help us to know the measure of the child ~
To live in time and in eternity.
© Carolyn Naught Saxton
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♦
May 3, 2010
In
art, communication, design, inspiration
Week 36: "52 Weeks of Peace"
“Cosmic Peace”
Dare to dream upon the stars ~
Dare to dream of peace,
Beaming
From life’s grandest stage ~
Unrestrained,
Where thousands
fold to millions ~
Shining. Alighting. Dancing,
Through an endless velvet sky.
Floating in layers
of patterns on patterns,
Shades of bright white
Shimmering
In the blackened pool
Of an upside down sea.
Eternity’s dream catcher ~
Twinkling,
Winking,
Silver-rimmed storytellers ~
Architects of heaven ~
A symphony of light
Plucked from the night
For all time.
Beacons,
Guides,
Galactic jewels,
Wished upon
and worshipped,
Where secrets
are surrendered
And wonders breathe ~
Bright,
Inconceivable and constant.
© P. Saxton
April 26, 2010
In
art, communication, creativity, drawing, illustration
Week 35: "52 Weeks of Peace"
“Spring Dream”
April 19, 2010
In
books & stuff, children's books, communication, creativity, design, words and language
iPad: The New Medium for Children's Books?
Wow. This isn’t reading, it’s a multi-media experience.
Alice in Wonderland gets an animation makeover in the video below … it’s frenetic (clearly shown at warp speed for promotional purposes), but there’s definitely a “wow” factor and a vivid sense of what’s possible.
It’s very cool storytelling. It’s fun. But it certainly distracts from the act of reading – an act that’s pretty important in my book (no pun intended).
It’s not unlike the difference between reading a book and watching a movie. Yet entirely different from both because of the interactivity neither a classic book nor movie can claim.
And it begs the question: is this a good thing? Will it discourage reading, by making the words simply part of the visual action? Or will it encourage reading, by making it come alive?
I saw a comment calling this an “imagination killer”. Boy did that ring a bell. But will it be true?
There’s a lot to be said for hearing a story, imagining in your own mind what might be happening, and how and where, and what places look like. I don’t think this should ever be devalued. But we know so little of the human mind … is it possible that an interactive story like this might expand a mind into even more imaginings?
I don’t have the answers, but I do agree with one thing: Whether animated or straight-forward, the iPad (and its likely successors) will probably be the next big medium for children’s books. Sooner than later.
And what I’m finding particularly strange, is that even a devout book appreciator like myself doesn’t really mind.
Nothing will replace the wonderfully textural experience of holding a book, turning the pages, smelling the paper … it’s almost sacred. But I can accept another medium, one that will show off colors in their brightest brilliance and whites at their crispiest and words their most sharp and dapper. All at the touch of a screen. It’s very neat. Very clean.
I also have to admit, I wouldn’t mind seeing my Fairies alight that screen. Not so sure I want them doing backflips or shaking fairy dust around at the whim of a “reader” … because, of course, I’d actually like them to read the words. But just a little flitting about might not hurt.
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Please feel free to share your thoughts! I’d love to know how people feel about this.