Caught in Christmas Music

The distant thumps of a tight bodhrán punctuate

the gaiety of a playful tin whistle as I,

lost in reverie, stand amid the frigid wind 

sweeping snow across a stony causeway

as rabbits watch dried leaves glide and swoop

from their shelter under a clump of yews.

Breathing comfortably,

content to linger in this pristine white world,

     I jump, 

suddenly startled by the shriek of a desk phone

and I realize where I am--

staring at a spreadsheet of never-ending data...

             sitting in a different kind of cold.

The definition of inauthentic as per Merriam-Webster: being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud.

Being inauthentic...it is why I lose so much energy while I'm at work. It's not that I intend to commit fraud. It is that being (figuratively) tied to a desk to enrich the profitability a corporation is not being true to who I am and what it is I believe I am here in this life to accomplish. For years I've made the excuse that I need to pay bills -- that it is "safer" to hold down a 9 to 5 job. I am expanding my definition of "safe" in 2020. I will stand in the wind and watch rabbits...

Zentangle Project Pack 7: The 12 Days of Zentangle Day 4

Monotangles for Day 4... I'm not sure how I feel about the gold jellyroll and I clearly need to work on my auras. :) Ah well, I gave it a shot. Enjoy!

Here's the YouTube link!

Zentangle Project Pack 7: The 12 Days of Zentangle Day3

Wow! Day 3 was involved to say the least. I wound up completing this one in three separate sittings.

Here's the link to do one for yourself!

Zentangle Project Pack 7: The 12 Days of Zentangle Day 2

I was really happy to find the second day's tangle was from Thomàs Padrós. I've been following him on Instagram [@tomas_padros] for a while and have tried variations of his tangles in the past. It was nice to have Rick walk me through one of them. Here is my take on it. Enjoy!

And... if you would like to try it yourself, I've attached the YouTube link below:

Zentangle Project Pack 7: The 12 Days of Zentangle Day 1

In this festive season with so much to do I've decided I needed yet another challenge to keep myself focused. If you are not familiar with the zentangle method, you can find it and all kinds of information at zentangle.com. Below is my take on Project Pack No. 7: Day 1. It was done with 4 small Bihou artist tiles.

I've also added the link to Day 1's YouTube video if you would like to follow along for yourself. Enjoy!

Progress

The familiar cold of a mid-November Sunday--
Atticus dutifully sniffs the path of his predecessor
as dried leaves scrape across the pavement
rattling the early quiet.

A frigid wind blurs my vision
as one foot falls in front of the other
ever forcing me forward.

A Challenge Met!

Well, it has taken me until the middle of November to get this posted but I did complete the Inktober 2019 challenge on time - one inking per day from Oct.1 to Oct. 31. I didn't follow the official (or any other) prompt list but I may next year. We'll see. For those who supported me through it all on Instagram and Twitter, thank you so much. And, of course, thank you to all who visit me here.

I decided not to push for anything in particular for November but am very much looking forward to the Zentangle Project Pack No.7 beginning December 2019. Maybe I should tangle a bit more in preparation...

The remaining drawings from the Inkober 2019 Challenge:

Catching up...

I've been incommunicado here, letting my non-verbal side do the talking for a little while. I took up the 31-day Inktober challenge this year and have been posting on Instagram (letitiaminnick) and Twitter (@MinnickLetitia). Below are the sketches from day 1 through 11. I'll be working on today's ink a little later and I'll try to remember to post it here too. ;)

Cycling Incubus

I awoke in pain
and alone
vaguely recalling the recent car accident.

Momentarily confusing stair railings
for the bars of a hospital bed,
I blink at an old demon
flicking fifty-year-old photos at my face.
Memories of me--
my tiny arms tied to the crib rails
to prevent me
from damaging their dressings.

An infant awake,
alone
and in pain.

Methodically Pithed

Thirty minutes of informational droning
serves as a base beat
for Skype participants to pepper questions
and corporate concepts through lines left not-muted
as distant dogs bark in the background
and babies cry for attention.

The minute spark of interest I might still have in business
becomes anesthetized--
drowned in a static of disconnected dial tone.