Since the question she asked last issue (can you believe how long ago that was?) had to do with animals, I figured this was an appropriate time for me to edit a page.
Hopefully, I will do a good enough job that you will see more of me - and maybe some of the other crew members from time to time. Mom says that a lot of you are animal lovers - and we like that in a person.
Let me first pose the question I came up with for next time, and then we’ll get to the interesting responses we received to this question from last time: “What is the most valuable lesson you have learned from an animal?”
When I had a bum knee a while ago, Mom cut the side seams of a canvas tote bag so we could use it for a sling to help haul my rear end around. I couldn’t help but notice what the tote said on its side: “Go to your studio and make stuff!” And I asked my Mom why she doesn’t do that more often (aside from the fact that it’s such an unholy bunch of piles we can’t even walk through it, of course!). She says she wants to spend more time out there “making stuff” but other things get in the way - it’s a busy life.
Now, I know all you humans are busy - really busy - it’s what you do. But, could those of you who do manage time to get to your studio anyway, give us some clues how you make that happen? Here’s my question (just click on it to send us an answer): How do you guarantee that there is time in your life for making art?
“What is the most valuable lesson you have learned from an animal?”
BTW, my tail did not wag my body! It isn’t quite to that point, yet.
Rachel
Editor’s Note from Raven: What does she mean by non-dog people?
Hi!
First, I have to say how much I enjoy your 'zine. I can’t believe you do it for free but, hey, I'M grateful!
I have a lovely SPCA dog called Ruby. I got her 1 1/2 years ago, when she was 3. She was my antidote to the grief I was experiencing over the unexpected death of my beloved little sister.
Ruby is a mix (we think!) of Yellow Labrador and Beagle and looks like a 6 month old Lab. Although she looks like a puppy, she is a very old soul and I am completely besotted with her!
The lesson she constantly teaches me is to live in the moment and happily accept the unexpected changes that come along. Under that sweet, Labrador-like exterior lurks the stubborn personality of a Beagle. When we go for walks she has a very definite idea of where she wants to go. What is amazing, though, is her ability to accept that she may not always get her way; and she’s still happy.
When we get to a corner she stops and waits for me. I may want to go right, while Ruby has other ideas. I’ll tell her to “come” and then start walking in my preferred direction. She’ll stand at the corner, not moving, just staring after me. Once in a while I give in, but most of the time I tell her “Come”, again, and she usually does. For about 3 seconds she pouts and then charges forward to investigate what’s ahead. No sulking. No moaning about not getting to go where she wanted to go. No wondering if the other way wouldn’t have been better. No berating my choice as being a mistake. Nope. None of that. Just a last look at the other path and then her curious personality forges onward, happily sniffing along the route chosen by me. Now, if *I* (note the asterisks) could only approach life that way!
Best regards,
Leanne Bishop
Editor’s Note from Raven: I hope my Mom doesn’t read this last one. I have her convinced that it’s my way or the highway! And speaking of highways, here comes a lesson in tenacity!
I am an eductional technician working in an elementary school and I am late for work. It is winter time in Maine, but a clear day.
As I approach my truck I see that the rear left tire is low, but do not have time to stop at a gas station. As I leave my driveway and enter a major route, I accelerate to around 65 miles an hour. It is a two lane road and as I am heading off to work, I have a car pull up beside me pointing at my truck. I realize that they must have seen my tire and were trying to notify me. I wave my hand thanking them through the window.
Continuing on my way to work, I have another person pull up beside me pointing at my truck. I cannot believe that people are so kind to tell me about my tire. I again wave thanks for their kindness and pull off at my exit.
As I am driving through town there is a car on the right hand side of the road pulling out from the local pharmacy and they beep the horn at me and point at the truck. But now, I am aware that the tire is on the left hand side of the truck and this car is on the right - so how can they see my tire? Even though I am late, I figure I best check this tire out.
I pull over to the curb, start to get out, and I hear “Meow!!”. I look up to the cab of the truck and there on my roof, clinging for dear life are my two Maine Coon cats! Their hair is all blown back, black eyes bulging, and their claws are clenched in the crease in the cab roof.
I call to the cats, but do you think they would move? I had to climb up onto the hood of the truck and grab Minerva. I successfully pull her away from the crease and she jumps to my chest, her claws digging into my coat. I try to get her to release from the jacket, but there is no way. So, with her clinging to my coat, I go back up to grab Ezra. Success. I get her down and she clings to me as well.
The two of them would not let go of me as I climbed back into the truck. I drove them both home, still clinging to me. Finally, when I opened the door to the house, they jumped down and went off into hiding. Who says a cat doesn’t have nine lives?
Sincerely,
Paula Phillips
Owner of four cats and four dogs. ( Three cats were rescued from the woods, One dog from a dumpster, another dog abandoned. We truly love our animals. Normally when they go for a ride, it is *inside* the vehicle.)
Editor’s Note from Raven: I laughed half my fur off reading this letter - but only because it wasn’t about dogs (and my fur’s sort of coming off by itself right now anyway)!
This has been fun. See you next time, R
