Absolutely touched my soul again. Amen to our humanity and your profound inspiration. Your deep understanding and sharing that beauty insight with us is a gift to your followers today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
That was an introspective essay on creativity . Lately I have been versifying, so called poems which are lost to cyberspace. Here is one a about the first snowfall I faced during my visit to the US :
*First Snowfall*
From the sitting room window,
the world looked enchanted.
Trees dressed in white,
A pale patina smoothing every edge,
Winter ushering in snowy splendour.
Outside, the snow cast its magical spell.
Snowflakes drifted like half remembered wishes,
Without intention, touching skin, then vanishing.
As if unsure, they wished to stay,
The white carpet beneath a witness to their way.
Underfoot, the crunch spoke of warnings.
Shoes sank, the earth shifted,
Certainty dissolved beneath the white cover.
The sidewalk forgot itself,
Road and path blurred by slush and water.
Each step a small negotiation with balance,
Each glance, a question flung toward oncoming wheels.
At the junction, the wait seemed endless,
The signals in no mood to relent.
I turned back and shot some pics,
the camera catching what the eyes had missed.
Later, courage returned with the sun's cold light.
The Greens lay erased; an ocean of white,
Paths imagined, not seen.
The Christmas tree bowed low,
Laden with snow and steeped in sorrow.
It bore more than its decorations now,
As it awaited the Christmas cheer.
Morning brought resolve.
Snow had ceased its falling,
but not its work,
A neighbour’s shovel offered a truce,
Soon betrayed by ice;
treachery disguised as a boon.
I learned again the language of caution,
Feet whispering across the slick glass with caution.
I loved this beautifully written (by a human!) article and think about much of this myself. While I crave the “analog life”, I have a touch point for it—memories and experiences of it. Sadly, younger generations have not had the pleasures I have had growing up in the 70s to recall and seek more of. I fear that since they don’t know what they are missing, they are forever “doomed” to live in ignorance of what they could be craving. I am grateful to know what I want—simplicity, connection, music made from my own wooden instrument, natural beauty, creativity using my brain and hands. I try to introduce these things to younger people as an alternative. Hopefully our basic human nature will win this war against us.
just had a quick visit from a couple friends. the pleasure on her face when she got a hand made sweater for Christmas present. I got the pleasure of making she will have the pleasure of wearing. it is not art - but indeed I think young people miss the 'made by hand' experience. I remember when I was still on the market. one kid saying, how can you knit socks by hand? and I answered, before there were machines all socks were made by hand.. like they forget that milk comes from a cow.
Thanks, SC. I too grew up in the analog era, so I am still drawn to it. Of course, my 27 year old son teases me about my dinosaur days of faxes, looking stuff up in dictionaries/encyclopedias, having to ask driving directions, and finding change for pay phones. But I just smile at the simplicity of it all, despite the inconveniences.
I recently read an advanced copy of a sci fi novel. The plot had humanity fighting the automation of the mind into one brain with different bodies ( like 7 of 9 on Star Trek). [https://en.wikipedia.org > wiki > Seven_of_Nine.] One of the final moves to defeat the enemy, was to use humanity’s chaos to keep the “machine brain” from anticipating and blocking their defenses.
It’s our differences that make us individual and it is our attention to our surroundings that allows us to have real life, not just the AI written technological blurbs.
One post today said that 84% of today’s music is AI generated. Art is meant to show the soul of the artist. Thank you for taking time every week to remind us that each one has art inside for us to allow to bloom.
Sounds like an interesting book, Mary. My wife and I have been watching a tv series “Pluribus” about alien DNA that turned humanity into a hive mind. Except for twelve people. All the possessed humans are very pleasant and want to please the remaining, unaffected humans. It’s an entertaining series and I’ve read the creator was inspired by his concerns with AI.
I've been consciously doing exactly this since my retirement three years ago. I grew up in a time and place where "hanging out" without purpose or distraction was normal. I miss that pace of life and I'm working to get back to it. Thank you for this reminder to slow down and live at a human pace with real humans in ready reach.
Powerful! And a concept I subscribe to and do my best to serve through in my work at Human Infusion Project. We can embrace technological offerings while preserving our humanity. It’s the stuff of a well-lived life. And this girl is making it happen. Thank you as always for making me feel I’m not alone on this quest.
I agree, Jen, technology is a good thing when it serves us well. Of course, some technology is predatory and manipulative. It’s up to us to manage it wisely. I try to limit my use of technology and amplify my real life experiences. Thanks for reading.
So true....and I sometimes wonder what will happen to the world ... after all the people who remember what Life was like before phones ... social media & AI .... are gone ....
Brenda- We’re seeing reports of young people buying books, DVDs, vinyl records, film cameras, etc because they want to enjoy physical things as opposed to books and songs in the cloud somewhere. My 27-year-old son meets a group of friends who hike together and play dungeons and dragons card game together. So maybe there’s hope.
Another great observation John, the dehumanizing of our culture. Listening to each other seems to be a forgotten art and actual acknowledgement rare. I long for a kinder and simpler time.
I realize if it is going to be, it's up to me to make a difference - the essence of your message.
I believe it all starts with our intentions and purpose. Have a wonderful & blessed Holiday Season!
So beautiful- especially during this Christmas season. Thank you for sharing your creativity and encouragement to do so as well! Now onto finishing my paintings.
Very worthy of reading each word slowly. So meaningful to me. I don't like seeing so many people glued to the screens of their phones. I worry about words that I read are crafted by technology and not a human that makes mistakes and erases them to re-write! And, I am a professional artist and was just asked recently when I judged a show, "how do you know it wasn't don't by AI?" The group has to specify that criteria... and if someone enters and lies about it, there is nothing we have to go on. It is worrisome. Thank you for writing what you did... as always very worthy of reading.
Marsha, at least one of the nice things about fine art paintings is that they’re made with real paint, something AI doesn’t do (yet). I’m sure there are a few robots or machines that can or will paint with real paint, but mostly it’s still made my humans. I suppose artists could get AI to generate an image and then the artist could copy it, but then many artists have used photos for the same purpose. The thing I always look for is the style and uniqueness of the artist’s voice.
Cell phones fill the loneliness gap, it seems. BTW, if you are interested in the sci-fi genre, consider reading "Project Hail Mary" by Andrew Weir. Andrew also wrote "The Martian," which turned into a movie.
I agree, Randy. Technology has its good points, including ease of communication and things like Zoom to help friends and families connect. As for Andrew Weir, I discovered him in Costs Rica. We were at the Hotel Parador and they had a free library and there sat The Martian, and for the next two days at the pool I read the entire book (since saw the movie with Matt Damon which hews somewhat close to the book-except for an extended ending). Have not read Project Hail Mary but I bet it’s terrific. Another one to add to the stack!
Amen. Make something honest. Just think of how many relationships you have with people where the intro was something random because you looked up. Great piece, John.
Yes, make something honest. Hemingway’s “write one true sentence” from A Moveable Feast. Authenticity emanates from the depths of our souls, where each of us has one of a kind voices and spirits to share with the world. Thanks, Tom.
Absolutely touched my soul again. Amen to our humanity and your profound inspiration. Your deep understanding and sharing that beauty insight with us is a gift to your followers today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Blessings my creative friend.
Grace
Thanks for reading, Grace, and continued joy in your creative pursuits.
That was an introspective essay on creativity . Lately I have been versifying, so called poems which are lost to cyberspace. Here is one a about the first snowfall I faced during my visit to the US :
*First Snowfall*
From the sitting room window,
the world looked enchanted.
Trees dressed in white,
A pale patina smoothing every edge,
Winter ushering in snowy splendour.
Outside, the snow cast its magical spell.
Snowflakes drifted like half remembered wishes,
Without intention, touching skin, then vanishing.
As if unsure, they wished to stay,
The white carpet beneath a witness to their way.
Underfoot, the crunch spoke of warnings.
Shoes sank, the earth shifted,
Certainty dissolved beneath the white cover.
The sidewalk forgot itself,
Road and path blurred by slush and water.
Each step a small negotiation with balance,
Each glance, a question flung toward oncoming wheels.
At the junction, the wait seemed endless,
The signals in no mood to relent.
I turned back and shot some pics,
the camera catching what the eyes had missed.
Later, courage returned with the sun's cold light.
The Greens lay erased; an ocean of white,
Paths imagined, not seen.
The Christmas tree bowed low,
Laden with snow and steeped in sorrow.
It bore more than its decorations now,
As it awaited the Christmas cheer.
Morning brought resolve.
Snow had ceased its falling,
but not its work,
A neighbour’s shovel offered a truce,
Soon betrayed by ice;
treachery disguised as a boon.
I learned again the language of caution,
Feet whispering across the slick glass with caution.
The wind rose sharp and unsparing,
Chiselling cold into the face,
Reminding flesh of its limitations.
After near-falls and held breaths,
Wisdom intervened.
I turned homeward, slower,
humbled,
leaving no victory claimed:
only the quiet knowing
that beauty can command retreat,
And that sometimes
Mother Nature does not invite us to conquer,
Only to witness and to yield.
Lovely comment.I’m so glad that you were able to view and enjoy this moment in time.
All so true. Thank you for that long slow drink of cool water on our hot and dusty journey.
I loved this beautifully written (by a human!) article and think about much of this myself. While I crave the “analog life”, I have a touch point for it—memories and experiences of it. Sadly, younger generations have not had the pleasures I have had growing up in the 70s to recall and seek more of. I fear that since they don’t know what they are missing, they are forever “doomed” to live in ignorance of what they could be craving. I am grateful to know what I want—simplicity, connection, music made from my own wooden instrument, natural beauty, creativity using my brain and hands. I try to introduce these things to younger people as an alternative. Hopefully our basic human nature will win this war against us.
just had a quick visit from a couple friends. the pleasure on her face when she got a hand made sweater for Christmas present. I got the pleasure of making she will have the pleasure of wearing. it is not art - but indeed I think young people miss the 'made by hand' experience. I remember when I was still on the market. one kid saying, how can you knit socks by hand? and I answered, before there were machines all socks were made by hand.. like they forget that milk comes from a cow.
Knitting a sweater is indeed art. You created something out of a pile of yarn and a couple of needles.
Knitting is a beautiful art and what a wonderful gift, INGRID.
Thanks, SC. I too grew up in the analog era, so I am still drawn to it. Of course, my 27 year old son teases me about my dinosaur days of faxes, looking stuff up in dictionaries/encyclopedias, having to ask driving directions, and finding change for pay phones. But I just smile at the simplicity of it all, despite the inconveniences.
I recently read an advanced copy of a sci fi novel. The plot had humanity fighting the automation of the mind into one brain with different bodies ( like 7 of 9 on Star Trek). [https://en.wikipedia.org > wiki > Seven_of_Nine.] One of the final moves to defeat the enemy, was to use humanity’s chaos to keep the “machine brain” from anticipating and blocking their defenses.
It’s our differences that make us individual and it is our attention to our surroundings that allows us to have real life, not just the AI written technological blurbs.
One post today said that 84% of today’s music is AI generated. Art is meant to show the soul of the artist. Thank you for taking time every week to remind us that each one has art inside for us to allow to bloom.
Sounds like an interesting book, Mary. My wife and I have been watching a tv series “Pluribus” about alien DNA that turned humanity into a hive mind. Except for twelve people. All the possessed humans are very pleasant and want to please the remaining, unaffected humans. It’s an entertaining series and I’ve read the creator was inspired by his concerns with AI.
Yes. Absolutely. And thank you.
I've been consciously doing exactly this since my retirement three years ago. I grew up in a time and place where "hanging out" without purpose or distraction was normal. I miss that pace of life and I'm working to get back to it. Thank you for this reminder to slow down and live at a human pace with real humans in ready reach.
There is much to be said for slowing down and noticing more, and retirement makes it that much easier. Enjoy every moment, Jay.
Powerful! And a concept I subscribe to and do my best to serve through in my work at Human Infusion Project. We can embrace technological offerings while preserving our humanity. It’s the stuff of a well-lived life. And this girl is making it happen. Thank you as always for making me feel I’m not alone on this quest.
I agree, Jen, technology is a good thing when it serves us well. Of course, some technology is predatory and manipulative. It’s up to us to manage it wisely. I try to limit my use of technology and amplify my real life experiences. Thanks for reading.
A sometimes difficult, but much more rewarding path.
So true....and I sometimes wonder what will happen to the world ... after all the people who remember what Life was like before phones ... social media & AI .... are gone ....
depressing note...sorry
Brenda- We’re seeing reports of young people buying books, DVDs, vinyl records, film cameras, etc because they want to enjoy physical things as opposed to books and songs in the cloud somewhere. My 27-year-old son meets a group of friends who hike together and play dungeons and dragons card game together. So maybe there’s hope.
Thank you
Another great observation John, the dehumanizing of our culture. Listening to each other seems to be a forgotten art and actual acknowledgement rare. I long for a kinder and simpler time.
I realize if it is going to be, it's up to me to make a difference - the essence of your message.
I believe it all starts with our intentions and purpose. Have a wonderful & blessed Holiday Season!
I agree, Richard, it’s up to us to define how we want to live. Thanks for your comment and enjoy this holiday season.
So beautiful- especially during this Christmas season. Thank you for sharing your creativity and encouragement to do so as well! Now onto finishing my paintings.
Blessings to you and your family!
Thanks, Monica, and wishing you continued joy in your painting life.
Very worthy of reading each word slowly. So meaningful to me. I don't like seeing so many people glued to the screens of their phones. I worry about words that I read are crafted by technology and not a human that makes mistakes and erases them to re-write! And, I am a professional artist and was just asked recently when I judged a show, "how do you know it wasn't don't by AI?" The group has to specify that criteria... and if someone enters and lies about it, there is nothing we have to go on. It is worrisome. Thank you for writing what you did... as always very worthy of reading.
Marsha, at least one of the nice things about fine art paintings is that they’re made with real paint, something AI doesn’t do (yet). I’m sure there are a few robots or machines that can or will paint with real paint, but mostly it’s still made my humans. I suppose artists could get AI to generate an image and then the artist could copy it, but then many artists have used photos for the same purpose. The thing I always look for is the style and uniqueness of the artist’s voice.
Cell phones fill the loneliness gap, it seems. BTW, if you are interested in the sci-fi genre, consider reading "Project Hail Mary" by Andrew Weir. Andrew also wrote "The Martian," which turned into a movie.
I agree, Randy. Technology has its good points, including ease of communication and things like Zoom to help friends and families connect. As for Andrew Weir, I discovered him in Costs Rica. We were at the Hotel Parador and they had a free library and there sat The Martian, and for the next two days at the pool I read the entire book (since saw the movie with Matt Damon which hews somewhat close to the book-except for an extended ending). Have not read Project Hail Mary but I bet it’s terrific. Another one to add to the stack!
Amen. Make something honest. Just think of how many relationships you have with people where the intro was something random because you looked up. Great piece, John.
Yes, make something honest. Hemingway’s “write one true sentence” from A Moveable Feast. Authenticity emanates from the depths of our souls, where each of us has one of a kind voices and spirits to share with the world. Thanks, Tom.