Why 37days?

writing : blog

Archive for November, 2007

My mailbox exploded

Today, my mailbox exploded–with color, texture, amazing creativity, brilliant hues, mindfulness, incredible thoughtfulness–art from readers of 37days who were assigned random essays to illustrate. Oh, my, what an incredibly generous group of people–and what artists! I am simply overwhelmed and so touched and amazed by the generosity of all of them. The diversity of the approaches and images is just…
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37days on your wrist

Sometimes we need reminders to make the most of our 37 days, don’t we? Several readers have asked about the 37days jewelry that I’ve posted here before–I had a few pieces made by a wonderful artist in Santa Fe for my older daughter, Emma. Sarah has agreed to make them for 37days readers, too. If you are interested in purchasing…
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My whole self saying and singing

Variation on a Theme By Rilke (The Book of Hours, Book I, Poem 1, Stanza 1) A certain day became a presence to me; there it was, confronting me — a sky, air, light: a being. And before it started to descend from the height of noon, it leaned over and struck my shoulder as if with the flat of…
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A literary barn raising

There is incredible, beautiful art flowing into my mailbox from around the world. The diversity of the creative spark that has gone into these works is just astounding to me. It’s clear from each one how much thought and mindfulness has informed them. I am humbled by this offering: truly, deeply humbled. You’ll see some of that art here after…
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The days are nouns: touch them

DailyThese shriveled seeds we plant, corn kernel, dried bean, poke into loosened soil, cover over with measured fingertips These T-shirts we fold into perfect white squares These tortillas we slice and fry to crisp strips This rich egg scrambled in a gray clay bowl This bed whose covers I straighten smoothing edges till blue quilt fits brown blanket and nothing…
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Book Deadline Status Report #1

"See, the human mind is kind of like a pinata. When it breaks open, there are a lot of surprises inside. Once you get the pinata perspective, you see that losing your mind can be a peak experience." -Jane Wagner

Cockeyed with gratitude

A Thanksgiving message as only dear, sweet Billy can provide, where moons are aspirin and you and I are living on a blue and white marble smelling oranges closeby. As If to Demonstrate an Eclipse I pick an orange from a wicker basket and place it on the table to represent the sun. Then down at the other end a…
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Becoming Larger Than Our Skin Allows

And no, that title isn’t a reference to overeating. In the U.S., today is Thanksgiving Day (and my friend Karrie Manson’s birthday, so a shout out to her for being so powerful that the nation stops when she ages). This year, I’m not spending Thanksgiving at a long table full of vegan alternatives to turkey, but hunched over a computer…
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Decide what to do with your time

The Art of Disappearing When they say Don’t I know you? say no. When they invite you to the party remember what parties are like before answering. Someone telling you in a loud voice they once wrote a poem. Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate. Then reply. If they say We should get together say why? It’s not that…
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Stand still

Lost Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside youAre not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,Must ask permission to know it and be known.The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,I have made this place around you.If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.No two trees are the same…
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