The Past and the Present

I visited a 130 year-old, four-story courthouse today.  It has been restored completely, down to the paint color on the walls.  During the restoration phase, a tunnel was discovered that connected the courthouse to a bank.  It’s no longer there, but I thought this was very interesting information.  The building is a grand old place and helped me get a visual for my wip which also involves an old courthouse in a small town.

Here’s a picture of the main courtroom on the second floor.

The picture doesn’t do justice to the scope of this amazing room.  Here’s another picture that shows the original balcony.

I loved exploring this incredible building.  I peaked into heavy steel vaults with hand-painted doors, climbed amazing winding staircases, and examined original hardwood flooring from the year 1885.  I stood and closed my eyes and breathed in the smell and now I’m home and ready to transfer into my story some of what I learned and felt in this charming place.

Seeing Story

I went to an estate sale with a friend today.  Here is a sampling of what the house looked like:

I felt a jolt when I walked into this house, like I had taken a giant step back in time.  And like I always do when I attend things like this, I wondered about the people who had once lived there.  I wondered about the stories each room held.  The small framed pictures on the wall, the tiny knickknacks spread around.  Who had placed them there?  Who had touched them last?  Story can rise from the tiniest images if we pay attention.

Dreams

So I’m thinking about dreams today.  We all have them.   We all pursue them.  Some are fulfilled.  Some remain, and we hold them close, feel their beating fluttering desire to be realized.  The word Yearning comes to mind.

So here’s my thought for today, for everyone who seeks to tell their story, no matter the artistic path:  Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.  ~Langston Hughes

News!

I will be working with the wonderful Martine Leavitt this semester at VCFA!   Very excited!!

Merry Christmas!

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is already here!   I hope everyone has enjoyed a peaceful and restful holiday season.  The new year is just around the corner!

I’m looking forward to seeing this guy again at the next VCFA residency.

“Always winter and never Christmas, think of that!”  ~Mr. Tumnus, from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

‎”Hope is…

‎”Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune–without the words,
And never stops at all.”
-Emily Dickinson

Room to Write

My new writing space is almost finished.  The wood below is black walnut for the bar countertop.  We will probably add railing on either side of the small set of stairs. Then it’s time to pick out bathroom fixtures and furniture.  I’m excited!  I think it turned out well.

But, checking my excitement here, I need to remind myself that a “room” won’t make the writing any easier or any better.  Like Stephen King said in On Writing, “Put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn’t in the middle of the room.  Life isn’t a support-system for art. It’s the other way around.”

Still, it will be nice to have my own space.