Isn't she beautiful?
She arrived in the mail from Kara, and though I've become loathe to blog about "things" (which feels boastful and acquisitive), I wanted to share what came up for me when I received it.
Of course, my first thoughts were "I love it!" and "Kara is so sweet!!" But then, other thoughts crowded it out. "She finished it. Why can't you ever finish anything?" "Isn't that neat how she made something you can hold in your hands? When was the last time you created something tangible?" "You are so untalented--you've never been able to crochet or knit anything. How many times have women tried to teach you? You're hopeless." "You should have learned to crochet. Mom and Granny crocheted beautifully, why didn't you learn from them?" "So much for living creatively. What have you done lately?"
From joy to despair in fifteen seconds.
I knew what was happening almost immediately--how could I not, standing there holding a lovely gift and feeling miserable? At first I felt awe--my demons are really good at what they do. Wow! Fifteen seconds! Then, I started to laugh--which, as we all know, is the number one deflator of demons. Demons cannot bear to be laughed at.
Sorry demons, but I don't knit or crochet. I don't particularly WANT to learn to knit or crochet right now. And demons, I know you're worried because I still haven't finished a story, but you needn't be. I'm still working on that fantasy story, and I'm feeling optimistic about some other projects in the queue. Life's pretty good right now.
So why don't we all hush and admire Plumcake.
Thank you, dear Kara.
Hi Karen... I'm in a somewhat sentimental mood today, visiting favorite blogs and saying hello to missing friends. So... Hello. I have a special blogpost for you today. I hope you'll stop by :) xo
Posted by: lucy | 01/20/2012 at 03:45 PM
I love Plumcake, Kara, and YOU my friend!
Hugs and blessings
Virginia
Posted by: Virginia Ellenson | 09/05/2011 at 09:37 AM
Hey Karen! Can't find your email (laptopcrash) and I was wondering if you guys are okay post Irene. Drop me a line when you get the chance....
Posted by: The Other Laura | 09/01/2011 at 11:51 AM
"it really shows her deep love for beautifully prepared cups of tea" - hee, hee
no I didn't notice the glowing eyes until you pointed it out but the other photo that amuses me is the one with her on Spenser. Tolerance but just barely...hee,hee
Posted by: kara | 07/16/2011 at 11:17 AM
Oh, and Kara--did you notice the glowing eyes in the lower left corner of that pic of Mark? I think someone's a little jealous of all the attention being paid to the new arrival...
Posted by: Karen | 07/14/2011 at 07:01 PM
Thank you, Laura--in some respects, it's actually getting easier!!
Kara--I hadn't actually thought of it like that. I know that I make food, but since I follow a recipe, it doesn't seem like "real" creation. But I don't think less of you because you do follow a pattern for some of your creations--in fact, I'm impressed because you are able to translate those (to me) incomprehensible directions and make something beautiful. Thank you for pointing this out to me--I now have something else to tell those demons.
My personal favorite is Plumcake and the glass mug--I think that it really shows her deep love for beautifully prepared cups of tea.
Posted by: Karen | 07/14/2011 at 06:50 PM
One other thing - I may have finished the cat and the flower but it is like finishing a cake recipe. I followed patterns. Sure I brought my own ingredients of yarn and such but really when you are writing you are creating from scratch. So much harder. So hush demons HUSH!
Posted by: kara | 07/14/2011 at 11:29 AM
Your welcome Karen. What a wonderful name you've given her. I first read this post at 3 am when I couldn't sleep. Keep laughing off those demons.
I had two thoughts while reading this and I want you to tell them to your demons. First was what does she mean she doesn't create anything with her hands? You cook what looks to me like yummy food and THAT is creating with your hands. And generous for your family.
The other thought was Karen weaves threads of a different sort....she takes words and hooks them together to create stories.
Plumcake is a little project like a short story. She isn't a novel. She's more like a few pages in a novel and I bet you've already finished a few pages. Tell those demons all of that too!
I don't know which photo I like more.....they all are delightful. Mark in his suit - lucky for him she doesn't shed. I'll post at my blog later two more photos of Plumcake before she had a name and before I sent her to you.
Happy writing!
Posted by: kara | 07/14/2011 at 11:12 AM
Well, hello Plumcake! (And oh, I know this feeling oh so well.)
I love the way you laugh off your demons.
Posted by: The Other Laura | 07/14/2011 at 07:57 AM