I would look for the fairies among those wild flowers, they like to hide, and create a little hidden spot for them in the nooks & crannies of tree trunks nearby, just like I did as a child. I would love to photograph that spot if it didn't intimidate them, and then I'd hang the photo next to my writing nook at home. 🧚♀️
Shell, this is such a sweet idea! I love it (and I saw the tree trunk photo you posted over on Notes, so magical.) And also love that you'd try very hard to be quiet and non-intimidating as you photographed the fairies!
I'd love to create a "nurture garden", where flowers have branches or their leaves stretch into arms, pluck seeds from themselves and plant them in bare spots next to them. Same with tomatoes, peppers and snap peas. Large sweet potato leaves will move to where plants need some extra shade (because they know some veggies can't grow with too much sun), vines will grab watering cans to stave off the flower's thirst, and sing songs to nearby humans when veggies/fruits are ready to be picked.
Visual art isn't my forté, but that sounds like a really neat space.
The image at the top of the post was on my screen for some time while packing suitcases before I actually got to read the challenge, so I was all prepared to write about the image, instead of the space. But if you don't mind, I'll share that a little, anyway.
The Great Comb had been built, according to the prophecy that had been buzzed about for so many generations. The Tall Ones, who balanced about on a mere two legs, the thieves of wolf and cow skins, the weavers of plants, the drinkers of honey not meant for them; they had poisoned the dew drops, bricked the fields, fallen the trees, until there were more bees than flowers, and then more Tall Ones than bees. The neighboring hives that had once been a short flight in any direction, now seemed as empty as a bloom on the edge of winter.
But all that would soon change, so the prophecy said. The Regent Bee, queen of queens, as Tall as the Tall Ones themselves, would soon break from the Great Comb they had built, and bring nectar back to the woods, bees back to the hives, life back to nature. Even now, the workers and nursery bees began to buzz about the Great Comb.
David, this is so good. I loved the tone you set from the very start. At the same time, I had no idea where this was going (well done!), and you artfully brought it all back full circle. I got chills…
I love that! The picture is so pretty too! I love hiking trails but I'm too chicken to go exploring too far off the path.
Art and Magic
Colby is sweating, silently cursing his decision to wear heavy jeans and ratty sneakers he should have replaced months ago. He doesn’t need to check to know he has blisters, possibly a rash forming from the sweaty denim rubbing against his legs. It’s so uncomfortable, but he continues on. He’s following Addy, Adrienne, his thirteen year old daughter, through the woods, watching the trees carefully for the markings the elderly lady at the hotel told them to follow. She’d promised a magical experience once they arrived at the end, but refused to tell them what they were looking for; just that they would know it when they got there.
It’s the happiest he’s seen Addy in a while. They’ve been going through a lot of loss in the last year, Addy’s mother, his sister, Addy’s maternal grandparents. It seemed never-ending. When the opportunity came to bring Addy to her grandparents’s hometown, the place where his wife spent the first ten years of her life, he double and triple checked with her before booking tickets and a hotel. He’s sure that he’s annoyed Addy with how often he keeps asking if she’s fine.
Addy’s happy shriek startles him into quickening his pace to join his daughter where she’s standing, at the edge of a clearing. It’s breathtaking. There’s so many flowers, too much to see in one glance. A sign catches his eyes. Welcome to Anything You Want: a place for art, artists, and art lovers. Addy’s already making her way toward one of the exhibitions (is that what they’re called, he wonders, if they’re not in a gallery or museum?). It doesn’t surprise him that she’s found a flower crown in a display labelled “wear me”.
They spend hours in that clearing, closely examining every art display, enjoying the picnic lunch the lovely hotel owner had packed for them. Eventually, Addy brings out her sketchbook from her backpack, surprising him. He hasn’t seen her draw in months, probably close to a year. Not wanting to disturb her, he wanders over to an area where he can lean against a tree and wait for her. Whatever else happens on this trip, this moment has been worth everything.
oh, Trista! This made me cry. You are truly such a beautiful writer. I’m amazed how much character development you packed into such a small space. Bravo! and thank you so much for sharing.
Delightful scene. 😍. There is a place similar to Anything You Want in a small town near where I live. It's a public forest park and a local carver has created dioramas (or faery spaces) and larger carvings of creatures and characters. He moves them around and adds new carvings regularly, so every walk along the same forest paths offers new surprises. I wish I could post a photo. It's such an inspiring, creative space.
What a lovely, clever idea, Evelyn! If I were so lucky as to chance upon such a place, I'd absorb all the beauty and whimsy, then seek a neglected little spot of nature that just needs a loving eye to appreciate it. Then (because I'd be good at such things in a magical place), I'd fashion a huge picture frame from fallen twigs and moss and vines, and suspend it in front of the weedy-yet-somehow-barren spot so future visitors would pause and wonder.
Aw, thank you. I'm still fixated on your art forest idea! I'm trying to concentrate on my in-process novel, but my mind keeps wandering off to a lovely wood with bramble sculptures and happy critters. ✨
I’m imagining a young girl (20s) visiting this place with a group of cool friends and wanting to make something they would love - and in turn perhaps a certain young man in the group would see her in a new light. What would happen? What will the girl and her friends make?
I don’t know but it’s nice to let the mind wander 💚
oh my gosh, this romantic turn is wonderful, Bronwen. I can picture it now... romantic nerves mixed with the joy and adrenaline of doing creative work. Love this very much!
If I was in the woods where I could create anything I want, I would like to capture the unique scenery. My dream would be a painting that would portray both the natural beauty of the area and my perspective on some of the unique art pieces that exist in that space and highlights their intersection there.
Oooh, Gabrielle, what a lovely idea to make art that also incorporates/acknowledges the other art in the space. It's like homage and collaboration with the past.
I would look for the fairies among those wild flowers, they like to hide, and create a little hidden spot for them in the nooks & crannies of tree trunks nearby, just like I did as a child. I would love to photograph that spot if it didn't intimidate them, and then I'd hang the photo next to my writing nook at home. 🧚♀️
Shell, this is such a sweet idea! I love it (and I saw the tree trunk photo you posted over on Notes, so magical.) And also love that you'd try very hard to be quiet and non-intimidating as you photographed the fairies!
I'd love to create a "nurture garden", where flowers have branches or their leaves stretch into arms, pluck seeds from themselves and plant them in bare spots next to them. Same with tomatoes, peppers and snap peas. Large sweet potato leaves will move to where plants need some extra shade (because they know some veggies can't grow with too much sun), vines will grab watering cans to stave off the flower's thirst, and sing songs to nearby humans when veggies/fruits are ready to be picked.
This is really beautiful, Sarah, and rooted in generosity. I love your magical, giving garden.
Visual art isn't my forté, but that sounds like a really neat space.
The image at the top of the post was on my screen for some time while packing suitcases before I actually got to read the challenge, so I was all prepared to write about the image, instead of the space. But if you don't mind, I'll share that a little, anyway.
The Great Comb had been built, according to the prophecy that had been buzzed about for so many generations. The Tall Ones, who balanced about on a mere two legs, the thieves of wolf and cow skins, the weavers of plants, the drinkers of honey not meant for them; they had poisoned the dew drops, bricked the fields, fallen the trees, until there were more bees than flowers, and then more Tall Ones than bees. The neighboring hives that had once been a short flight in any direction, now seemed as empty as a bloom on the edge of winter.
But all that would soon change, so the prophecy said. The Regent Bee, queen of queens, as Tall as the Tall Ones themselves, would soon break from the Great Comb they had built, and bring nectar back to the woods, bees back to the hives, life back to nature. Even now, the workers and nursery bees began to buzz about the Great Comb.
David, this is so good. I loved the tone you set from the very start. At the same time, I had no idea where this was going (well done!), and you artfully brought it all back full circle. I got chills…
By the way, were you a cheer leader in a past life? Because my spirit always feels so good when I get feedback like this from you!
haha no, I wasn’t. But you make it easy to cheer you on. You show up with such openness and enthusiasm! 💛
Thank you! I'm very much enjoying these short creativity sparks you're doing, even if I did get sideways on this one.
I love that! The picture is so pretty too! I love hiking trails but I'm too chicken to go exploring too far off the path.
Art and Magic
Colby is sweating, silently cursing his decision to wear heavy jeans and ratty sneakers he should have replaced months ago. He doesn’t need to check to know he has blisters, possibly a rash forming from the sweaty denim rubbing against his legs. It’s so uncomfortable, but he continues on. He’s following Addy, Adrienne, his thirteen year old daughter, through the woods, watching the trees carefully for the markings the elderly lady at the hotel told them to follow. She’d promised a magical experience once they arrived at the end, but refused to tell them what they were looking for; just that they would know it when they got there.
It’s the happiest he’s seen Addy in a while. They’ve been going through a lot of loss in the last year, Addy’s mother, his sister, Addy’s maternal grandparents. It seemed never-ending. When the opportunity came to bring Addy to her grandparents’s hometown, the place where his wife spent the first ten years of her life, he double and triple checked with her before booking tickets and a hotel. He’s sure that he’s annoyed Addy with how often he keeps asking if she’s fine.
Addy’s happy shriek startles him into quickening his pace to join his daughter where she’s standing, at the edge of a clearing. It’s breathtaking. There’s so many flowers, too much to see in one glance. A sign catches his eyes. Welcome to Anything You Want: a place for art, artists, and art lovers. Addy’s already making her way toward one of the exhibitions (is that what they’re called, he wonders, if they’re not in a gallery or museum?). It doesn’t surprise him that she’s found a flower crown in a display labelled “wear me”.
They spend hours in that clearing, closely examining every art display, enjoying the picnic lunch the lovely hotel owner had packed for them. Eventually, Addy brings out her sketchbook from her backpack, surprising him. He hasn’t seen her draw in months, probably close to a year. Not wanting to disturb her, he wanders over to an area where he can lean against a tree and wait for her. Whatever else happens on this trip, this moment has been worth everything.
oh, Trista! This made me cry. You are truly such a beautiful writer. I’m amazed how much character development you packed into such a small space. Bravo! and thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much❤️ the picture was beautiful
Delightful scene. 😍. There is a place similar to Anything You Want in a small town near where I live. It's a public forest park and a local carver has created dioramas (or faery spaces) and larger carvings of creatures and characters. He moves them around and adds new carvings regularly, so every walk along the same forest paths offers new surprises. I wish I could post a photo. It's such an inspiring, creative space.
How wonderful that a place like this actually exists! I hope you get to go back soon for a stroll and a lot of smiles.
What a lovely, clever idea, Evelyn! If I were so lucky as to chance upon such a place, I'd absorb all the beauty and whimsy, then seek a neglected little spot of nature that just needs a loving eye to appreciate it. Then (because I'd be good at such things in a magical place), I'd fashion a huge picture frame from fallen twigs and moss and vines, and suspend it in front of the weedy-yet-somehow-barren spot so future visitors would pause and wonder.
oh my gosh, your picture frame idea took my breath away, J!
Aw, thank you. I'm still fixated on your art forest idea! I'm trying to concentrate on my in-process novel, but my mind keeps wandering off to a lovely wood with bramble sculptures and happy critters. ✨
haha well, maybe that's where your brain wants to play today instead!
I’m imagining a young girl (20s) visiting this place with a group of cool friends and wanting to make something they would love - and in turn perhaps a certain young man in the group would see her in a new light. What would happen? What will the girl and her friends make?
I don’t know but it’s nice to let the mind wander 💚
oh my gosh, this romantic turn is wonderful, Bronwen. I can picture it now... romantic nerves mixed with the joy and adrenaline of doing creative work. Love this very much!
Well it was an inspiring prompt 💚
If I was in the woods where I could create anything I want, I would like to capture the unique scenery. My dream would be a painting that would portray both the natural beauty of the area and my perspective on some of the unique art pieces that exist in that space and highlights their intersection there.
Oooh, Gabrielle, what a lovely idea to make art that also incorporates/acknowledges the other art in the space. It's like homage and collaboration with the past.