Jay Gilbertson's Blog, page 6

A Tree Grows Tall

A Tree Grows Tall

We discovered this old oak tree years ago when we first moved here to Prairie Farm, Wisconsin and it has intrigued me ever since.

 

Hidden away back behind a hill, next to where one of our many springs begins its journey to the Hay River, it too begins. I imagine all this tree has witnessed, the storms that have tugged and pulled at the grand branches that reach for the sky.

 

What quiet power it exudes as it soaks up the sun and holds singing birds and drops acorn-goodies that are scurried away into secret squirrel pantry’s for safe keeping.

 

Who holds you up when life wants to slam you to the ground?

 

Maybe you have a place or a person or a phrase that gives you strength to march on, to take that next breath, to live. Life can be so hard sometimes, it can, we all need a tree to lean on, to marvel at, and to imagine.

 

Better still, be that tree…

 

 

Alien Man in White

Hey!

Okay, so that is me and I had just been into (literally) my two bee hives to see how the queens are taking care of business. Not so good. Like writing a novel, if the main character doesn’t step forward and get things cracking, the supporting characters don’t stand a chance.

Stay tuned! Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The Joys of July with Jay

The true joy of summertime is being outside with the wind messing through your hair, a trowel rooting in the earth and the sounds of all that life buzzing away the hours. And then it’s July and you wonder where it all went and do we really have to do winter again this go around?

 

Spring. It’s Not just a Rumor Anymore.

Well?

We couldn’t stand not having flowers another second, or so. Forced some Hyacinths and boy were they just what we needed.

Take a whiff.

It won’t be long now.

Honestly.

The Plot Thickens, and Rises and Sizzles and…

Time.

One word that can drive a writer bananas. Sure we have the same amount of the stuff as everyone else. Right? Yet when an idea is bubbling and taking form it seems to take forever sometimes.

 

Gads.

 

Then it happens. The ta-dum moment. And off you zip. Whether you paint or write songs or put together ships or are planning your dream home. Time. All things creative need that one element to become.

 

To unfold and be.

 

We all could stand to sit still a tad more. To unfurl thoughts and see where they lead. I’m thrilled to share that I seem to be off and running with this new novel. I am. Not going to say another word about it. Just that it’s taking shape.

 

My storyboard is filling up. Characters are poking me when I’m trying to sleep. I couldn’t be more thrilled.

 

Go find some time and follow your creative stuff…

 

 

 

 

 

A New Dude has Arrived!

There is a new face at the farm.

Meet Buster. The cat, the dude, the never-stops-meowing fur ball full of fun and tons of trouble all wrapped in one. We can’t wait to let him outside so he can run around and do chores. Lots of chores…

Containers of Your Past—Can Lead You Forward

Something as simple as a vase made years ago by Ken’s mother, holds more than pine from the farm and ornaments once my grandmothers—it holds memories. This was one of the few things that survived our house fire.

Here it is for us to fill.

I use it all year around; pine branches now, dried weeds in the fall and wild flowers in the spring all the way through summertime. It holds sunshine and hope, gives what it holds a chance to grace our table, standing quiet, the golden shape of a deer emblazoned forever into bisque.

Smoke stains left in the creases remind us of the past, what it holds keeps us in the present.

We surround ourselves with our memories, but take time to see them. If something as simple as a vase holds you back, put some sunshine inside and make your own present.

It’s Legal In Wisconsin—Finally! We’re Marrrrrrrrrried!

We are so excited to announce that after 19 years of living in total sin—Ken and I are married as of November 2, 2014! Couldn’t be happier. My folks were our witnesses.

Happy!

She Did It!

I am so excited to announce the arrival of a wonderful friend’s new novel!!!

 

Carrie Maloney has been volunteering at their local humane society for years.  Being incredibly creative, came up with a canine tale that will rip your heart out and fill it up with hope and love and joy! Click for More!

 

Begin—Again!

So—the old adage of, “as fate would have it” has come to pass.

It has.

I was simply not able to muster the proper oomph (a technical writing term) to revisit Eve & Ruby.

At least not now.

Which means I have a new and exciting novel I’m mapping out and this go around I think I’ll keep it under wraps until at least the first draft is shaped and formed and bubbling away.

One of the many things I’ve learned about being a word-artist is to know when a project is not panning out is to step away and let something new take shape.

Getting out of your own way to allow a fresh flow of energy to sweep your imagination toward a new direction—now that’s what art is all about. Letting go to forge ahead.

Now get out of your way and start something.