I love how you take memories, ideas and fragments and weave them together into a beautiful, tender tapestry. My husband said to me yesterday, “I rarely think of buttons.” That odd, thought-provoking phrase has been rattling around my brain ever since and I don’t think it’s going to leave me alone until I put it in my writing. Through your wonderful work, I’m learning how.
This phrase has opened all kinds of doors and windows in my mind. Today, I started with, "I rarely think of quicksand." That unlocked so many memories from my childhood when quicksand was just as real a threat as the abuse I suffered at the hands of alcoholic parents. I rarely think of _______ might be a magic portal!
starting with "I rarely think of buttons" -- it just encompasses everything I believe about where attention + curiosity = something interesting and therefore unfolds to incredible writing! Always more fascinating than a direct look inside, because it is reflected and refracted through the external world. Amazing.
Yes. There's something universal about buttons. I think of the mason jar full of a life's worth of one-off buttons of every color my grandma had on a dusty shelf.
Yes, I have a button tin, which my grandchildren played with, which was my Nana's, and which I played with as a child. And there is something odd about buttons as well, something outdated and illogical, but also full of utility and but also quaintness. Buttons are interesting, for sure, and there is so much there, so much inherent metaphor.
Vanessa, how bizarre. I’m going through old boxes and bins, and day before yesterday, I came across a small ziplock bag full of small white, new buttons. I have no clue where they came from or why I had them.
Here’s where things get stranger. Yesterday, my coworker was talking about how to safely escape from quicksand.
Of all the two things in the world you and your husband rarely think of, Vanessa, what are the odds?
I love your idea; it’s a wonderful jumping off point.
So stunning . I love the distant voice coupled with the visceral, and the breath winning its way out the threatened throat here. So much tenacity and survival here but in fragile bird bones. Wow.
Ah thank you for your incredible eye. I’m glad you can pick up that interplay between distance and viscerally, between spoken and unspoken. Thank you, Emily!
I love how you take memories, ideas and fragments and weave them together into a beautiful, tender tapestry. My husband said to me yesterday, “I rarely think of buttons.” That odd, thought-provoking phrase has been rattling around my brain ever since and I don’t think it’s going to leave me alone until I put it in my writing. Through your wonderful work, I’m learning how.
“I rarely think of buttons” — ++++❤️
This phrase has opened all kinds of doors and windows in my mind. Today, I started with, "I rarely think of quicksand." That unlocked so many memories from my childhood when quicksand was just as real a threat as the abuse I suffered at the hands of alcoholic parents. I rarely think of _______ might be a magic portal!
Amazing. Would love to offer it as a part of a future writing exercise, with credit to you, of course!
starting with "I rarely think of buttons" -- it just encompasses everything I believe about where attention + curiosity = something interesting and therefore unfolds to incredible writing! Always more fascinating than a direct look inside, because it is reflected and refracted through the external world. Amazing.
Yes. There's something universal about buttons. I think of the mason jar full of a life's worth of one-off buttons of every color my grandma had on a dusty shelf.
Yes, I have a button tin, which my grandchildren played with, which was my Nana's, and which I played with as a child. And there is something odd about buttons as well, something outdated and illogical, but also full of utility and but also quaintness. Buttons are interesting, for sure, and there is so much there, so much inherent metaphor.
I'd love that! My small contribution to this beautiful community you've built.
Vanessa, how bizarre. I’m going through old boxes and bins, and day before yesterday, I came across a small ziplock bag full of small white, new buttons. I have no clue where they came from or why I had them.
Here’s where things get stranger. Yesterday, my coworker was talking about how to safely escape from quicksand.
Of all the two things in the world you and your husband rarely think of, Vanessa, what are the odds?
I love your idea; it’s a wonderful jumping off point.
Wow, Joy! So bizarre. The world truly is a mysterious place. Buttons and quicksand. Is anything really ever random?!
So stunning . I love the distant voice coupled with the visceral, and the breath winning its way out the threatened throat here. So much tenacity and survival here but in fragile bird bones. Wow.
Ah thank you for your incredible eye. I’m glad you can pick up that interplay between distance and viscerally, between spoken and unspoken. Thank you, Emily!
It is beautiful.
Thank you!! 😊
These writings are amazing! I hope we will examine them closely and especially the process of creating them during the upcoming challenge.
Thank you so much, Peg!
Brilliant.
You, friend, are brilliant.