Creative Flow and Terra Firma

Admittedly, I have recently settled into a sunup…sundown life pattern; coffee and a walk with the pups in the morning, an entertaining show in the evening—often mystery or crime shows as of late (and a decadent dive into I Love Dick for off-beat creative inspiration)—with a ton of busy packed in between (and a possible evening walk to shake things up a bit). We all live on, in, and within circles, and it is easy to slip into doldrums even when doing what we love. I like the excitement of doing new things but am, at heart, an introvert who values quiet alone time and the security of being (physically and literally) on solid ground. My son defines extrovert and introvert thus: an extrovert gets energy from just being around people; while an introvert uses (loses) energy in social interactions (I am paraphrasing here). So, as an introvert who loves exciting new adventures, I often find myself in unintentionally self-imposed quandaries as exciting new adventures often include greater people interactions. The list of ways I fill my days (when the myriad responsibilities of Canadice Press briefly wane) are often independent pursuits: beekeeping, silverwork/rock grinding, permaculture/landscaping, wind instruments, and (last, but not least) writing/illustration. I suspect I have left something out (including that daily time with our canine kind: Winnie and Aesc – the Small Town Hound). I am also settling into a new volunteer role—with the Massasauga Search and Rescue Team (MSART); a role that meshes nicely with my past life of teaching and responding to crisis situations in juvenile lock-ups. As romantic as search and rescue (SAR) work sounds, the reality is that the excitement to be had in the mystery of searching for (and locating) a lost individual—the mystery that makes such work interesting—collides with the fact that many searches end as recoveries. Given my many interests and commitments, I am an object in a constant state of motion. I enjoy everything I have on my proverbial plate but inevitably forgo some of the most delectable tidbits in favor of those that take up the most time and energy. One of the most time-consuming, albeit enjoyable, commitments is Owl Light News. I love the creative aspects of editing and providing a platform for writers (with the Owl Light as well as with Owl Light Literary, our long-planned and anxiously awaited first literary journal that has just been released) and page layout. There are also worthy intersections between Canadice Press and other aspects of my (our) lives. This issue’s feature article is a prime example (a connection our Owl writers and regular readers will immediately grasp). The leader of the 4-H workshop gave me an opportunity a while back to spend some time using one of his Slöjd knives. I loved the feel of the handle in my hands and there was something about holding it that brought the small piece of wood I was whittling away at alive. I was, thus, gifted a Slöjd blade, absent the handle (with the understanding being that to make it my own I would need to create a handle that fit my hand). I have (months later) started building a handle but my metal worker spirit has already necessitated the creation, first, of a metal collar fitted to the blade end of the handle and a pommel. My limited experience working wood offers an additional mental stream to be forded. The biggest challenge in any art is achieving a creative flow, and the more directions one is pulled (or allows oneself to be pulled in) the more challenging it is to set aside the time needed to find the place and space to create. Each of our creative pursuits become a part of us and add another layer of richness, and responsibility. Computer-related work inhibits flow (save when I am writing and am sucked into the story). Todd and I are looking forward to some much-needed no-machine time this month (see “From the Newsroom” note page left). We will be making tracks to some less-traversed terra firma to whittle away the time (if I can get that Slöjd handle done). This machine-free reboot will offer time to re-find and redefine the flow and explore exciting new directions for Canadice Press (while brewing a cup of espresso in the owllight—that magical time between day and night when one has to look closely to see beyond the myth and mystery of the mesmerizing shadows).

D.E. Bentley
Editor Owl Light News