Kokopelli Squared

One day some years ago, I examined an aerial photo of ruins of an Indian village along a dried river bed, I think perhaps an Anasazi village in New Mexico. The village clung to the long arch of a river bank. The buildings clustered together, and with their roofs long gone, the remaining walls formed rough squares.

Intrigued, the image of the village ruins stuck with me, until some time later an idea emerged, could I recreate an aerial view of that village? And thus sprang my "squared" drawings.

I enjoy drawing, though don't do enough of it. Drawing provides me another avenue of creative expression, relaxes me and offers immediate satisfaction.

My "squared" drawings fuse a number of interests. I've always had an inquisitive mind, studied science, mathematics and drafting in high school, then engineering in college.

Look closely to see the pun! The superscript refers to the mathematical term "squared." The subscript identifies this piece as second in my Kokopelli series.

I believe everyone possesses the creativity and innate abilities to express themselves, though in various ways and levels of skill, if only we don't limit ourselves by our own thinking.

You can start by listening to your dreams or noticing your random thoughts through the day, then, get out of your own way. Avoid pressuring yourself with high expectations and counter your negative thinking, such as "I can't do. . . ." Start small, keep it simple and allow the process to guide you. Do it for yourself, because YOU want. Remember, practice improves you skill.

Bottom line: Just do it.

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Photo Credit: Connard Hogan

COVID Ode

Months into the COVID-19 lock-down, a realization struck me one day as if I'd been challenged with a Zen koan. Feeling isolated, though happily married, I found solace in reminding myself of my connection with all living things, and beyond that everything in the universe. I consider that my spirituality. Bottom line: you're part of the big picture and can't be otherwise (regardless of what you think, feel or do). I encourage you to kindle an awe of the universe, and through that, feel or find your connection, too! I offer the following "poem."

As COVID “stay at home” gnaws at my psyche,

And boredom whittles down my enthusiasm,

I grieve the spontaneous interaction with others,

Zoom a pale substitute for handshakes and hugs.

Then, songbirds trumpeting their melodies,

Or an owl calling through the darkness,

Reminds me I’m connected to all else,

Separated only by my thinking.

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* This post updated from its original which appeared on Primate's Big Adventures.

Photo Credit: Untitled by Greg Rakozy - Unsplash.com