Imagination's power

The Artdog Quote of the Week 

Of course, it could equally be said that without imagination there is no beauty or wonder, too. No empathy, no love. But also no hate. That's the power of a creative mind.

We all have imaginations, though none of us exercise ours the same way. How do you exercise yours?

IMAGE: Many thanks to Brainy Quote, for this image-and-quotation from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

An impossible mission?

The Artdog Quote of the Week 

I'm not sure Suzuki is correct--either that international cultural exchange is impossible, or that it is impossible to see beyond one's own cultural context.

Instead, I think that when people from different cultures interact, they almost inevitably are affected by the new ideas and approaches they encounter. Far from being impossible, it seems to me that cultural exchange is inevitable.

Moreover, once cultural interaction has taken place, the new approaches or ideas (or visuals, or sounds, or flavors, or any of the other aspects of cultural interaction) have been experienced, they are impossible to un-experience. And what does that change? Cultural context.

Not completely, of course. Not all the way to seeing in terms of the newly-experienced culture's context, certainly. But it still can be interesting, startling, or occasionally even life-changing, to experience life surrounded by a culture not our own.

Suzuki and Bogart are correct, however that making the effort to see beyond one's own context has the potential to break down rigid assumptions. And once the walls of those assumptions have fallen, who knows what creative things might happen?

IMAGE: Many thanks for this quotation and image to A-Z Quotes.

Just the start

Here in the North American mid-continent, we feel the onset of summer. We've explored the meaning of "summer" in all of its variety as a metaphor for freedom. 

Now we stand at the brink of it. May you have a good one!

IMAGE: Many thanks to "A Lonely Girl" for this image.

Before you throw in the towel to Boredom . . .

Don't declare yourself "officially bored" until you ask yourself:

There are times that are just inherently boring. I get that. Times when you're trapped somewhere, waiting to do something, or obligated to perform some drudgery. 

But even then, in my opinion boredom is an option we choose--a decision we make. I decided early in life that if I was bored it was my own fault. 

Of course, we creative types have lots of options at our disposal for Been Creative?, but creative is a state of mind. There are creative possibilities in almost any situation (it helps if there's a streak of anarchy in your system sometimes, too). 

For instance: Stuck at the DMV (as I was recently)? If your local DMV doesn't have the nifty "Q-Less" feature that cuts wait times dramatically, consider what might happen if aliens landed in the parking lot outside, or a couple of madmen with paintball guns came running through?

You'll notice the suggestions in the acrostic will work for children of all ages--including Outside Play (helps to have kids or dogs on hand, but lots of things count as "play." Got golf clubs? A tennis racquet? Hiking gear?). For a list of 27 other crazy outdoor game ideas check BuzzFeed's list.

Read a Book? Well, duh. I never leave home without one, if I can help it. Books open the world of the possible for people of all ages. I bet you'll enjoy this TED Talk.



Exercised? This is almost the same thing as "Outdoor Play," for many of us--but it sounds suspiciously diligent. How about changing the "E" to Explored Something? Explorations take many forms.

And you might be surprised how much fun you can have with Done Something Helpful? Did you know that other people's work is always more fun than our own? (Another surprising lesson from childhood). Again, the creative possibilities are endless. Engage your empathy to see who needs help, then come up with pleasant ways to give them a hand--like this young man, spotlighted by the Huffington Post.



Whatever you dream up, don't forget to follow through! And if you can offer your own creative cure for boredom, leave suggestions in the form of comments!

IMAGE: Many thanks for the acrostic image from Planet Smarty, and for the "van unicorn" from Kristin Lamb's Blog. Thank you, BuzzFeed and Mallory McInnis for the "Frozen T-Shirt Race" image. Many thanks to TED Talks and The Huffington Post for the two videos.

The Dream

Do you ever feel this way?

I don't think we have to be living on the cusp of summer to feel this way. This is a crie de cour, a cry from the heart. 

For many people, summer is a state of mind that is freer, more open and relaxed than the rest of the year. "Summer" can be a stand-in word for "freedom," "rest," "recovery," or whatever one's heart most craves and needs. 

Likewise, "Monday" doesn't have to be literally one particular day of the week. It's a metaphor for submitting once again to (resented) labor, responsibility, accountability, and being overseen or supervised. Have you ever lived through a week of "Mondays"? I know I sure have. 

We creative types especially chafe at this restraint. We long for the freedom of "summer," no matter what time of year it is. 

Today we stand at the brink of literal summer, and our challenge is still the same: how do we elevate the mundane, until it is--if not sublime, at least (please) more palatable? How do we make a patch of sunlight and expanding possibilities for ourselves, in the midst of relentless outside demands and obligations?

That is the ultimate creative challenge. Each of us must find our own way, but have faith. A way is there. Grasp, insist, fight, demand for yourself the time and space you need to renew yourself. The price of failure is a life of despair.

IMAGE: Many thanks to the "Summer Quotes" Pinterest board.

Does this look like an oasis to you?

Or maybe it's your idea of a "treasure island"?

If you're like most of my friends, reading is one of life's best joys--or, at least, I hope that for you! I can't imagine a creative summer for anyone of any age without chances to voyage to the far shores of the imagination, via books.

Summer reading is one of the best ways a child can stay fluent and avoid the dreaded summer slump. My friend Veda Jairrels has made a strong case for reading as a massive help against the achievement gap in this country. She's founded a group on Facebook, the 2000 Book Movement, and groups such as 1000 Books Before Kindergarten are helping turn the idea into a movement.

But reading is wonderful for people of all ages. It opens us to new ideas and in some cases whole new worlds--or gives us better tools for dealing with the world where we live. Whether you prefer traditional "dead trees" books, e-books on a reader or pad, or audio versions--or whether you like to mix all three types--reading is foundational to a well-rounded intellectual life. 

Oh, and while you're reveling in the riches of the written word . . . don't forget to support your community's library and shop at independent, locally-owned bookstores! Those are community resources we really don't want to lose. 

IMAGE: Many thanks to DMCI Homes for the "quilt and books" image, and to the Middletown Public Library for the "1000 Books Before Kindergarten" image.

Working dogs: Canine enslavement, or a fulfilling life?

Iggies all round: two of mine, plus
two foster puppies.

I've almost never been without a dog in my adult life (and those few months were pretty grim). 

Dogs are easily my favorite kind of non-humans. 

This is perhaps not all that surprising: humans have lived in something of a symbiotic relationship with dogs since prehistory, and our two species have been cohabiting and co-evolving, literally for millennia (since the Neolithic). 

There's actually a pretty good case to be made that, without our dogs co-evolving with us to guard us and help us hunt, haul our stuff, and keep our livestock in line, we humans might not be as successful a species as we are. Indeed, from that perspective people who don't like dogs really seem kind of ungrateful, don't they? 

Couldn't resist this cartoon by Tony Hall, from a National Geographic article about the evolution of dogs and humans.

The ingratitude of humans notwithstanding, one could also debate whether hooking up with humans has ultimately benefitted the dogs. Certainly it has changed them, both outwardly and inwardly--from the way they look and act to what they can digest.

There's also a contemporary debate, among humans who DO value dogs, over whether they should be made to work or not. 

It doesn't exactly look comfortable, but is it animal enslavement?

Some people say that dogs with jobs--even dangerous jobs, such as sniffing out IEDs in Afghanistan--are happier and more fulfilled than dogs whose existence is mostly occupied with eating or sleeping. 

Too little stimulation and interaction can lead to serious problems.

In developed countries today there's a rising tide of difficulties for pets, especially if they're left at home alone for too many hours, and perhaps crated the whole time. They tend to develop issues, such as separation anxiety or neurotic behavior from too much idleness, and obesity that often stems from too little exercise or free-feeding that leads to overeating from boredom. 

Is a domestic pet (unfortunately prone to obesity and separation anxiety) really better off?

Please review that list I made above: guarding, hunting, hauling (sleds, travois, carts), and livestock-keeping. Those are all jobs that dogs have done for ages . . . and it's probably because some of their earliest ancestors more or less "volunteered" for those jobs. I don't buy into the idea that humans were so brilliant they could look at wolves out in the wild, and intuit that they could be domesticated to do all those jobs.

Some partnerships are a natural outcome.

No, the natural capabilities of dogs, and their basic nature--combined, I am convinced, with the bonds that develop between individual humans and the individual canines who live with them--led the members of both species to stumble, together, onto the idea of the dogs doing these jobs.

Resource Guarding: it's a Dog Thing.

Dogs are naturally territorial, "resource guarding" creatures--and we humans definitely fall into the category of "resources" for most dogs. From there it's a short step to a role as "Head of Ranch Security." Hunting and herding also stem from things dogs do naturally, even without humans around. 

On duty or off, a dog needs a purpose in life. Just like people do.

I guess you can tell I place myself into the category that thinks dogs benefit from having a mission in life. And now, if you'll excuse me, my personal trainer Jake (the tan-and-white IG in the front of the top photo) tells me it's time for a walk (of course, he's just doing his job . . . ). 

Do you have any "working dog" stories to share? please put them in the "Comments" section below!

IMAGES: Many thanks to my daughter Signy for the photo of me in my favorite recliner with four Italian Greyhounds. Many thanks to National Geographic and cartoonist Tony Hall, for the "campfire moochers" image. Many thanks to the HumorHub Subreddit, for the "Wolves Once" image, to Pete Somers' Pinterest Board for the "holstered attack dogs," to Stamp Right Up's Pinterest Board for the "bored so took up scrapbooking" meme, and to Dog Medicine Info, for the photo of the bored dog. Thank you to Darwin Dogs for the "Shepherd/Sheepdog Conspiracy" image, to Boredom Kicker's Pinterest Board for the unworried kid with three German Shepherds, and to Payton Phillips' Pinterest Board for photo of the Gizmo-snuggling terrorist-hunter. It's been a pleasure finding these images, and I greatly appreciate their creators!

Why Creative Parents Don't Fear Summer

They don't fear it, because they Know. Not that it isn't a creative challenge--bored kids can get into a lot of very un-fun, uncreative trouble. Our job is to provide a nudge, keep an eye on the boundaries, and offer a little space.

This is the reason why I've always been of two minds about the "Summer Slump." It's an all-too-real phenomenon, easily observed and documented by teachers everywhere--the loss of skills that atrophy over a roughly two- to three-month vacation.

Worse, for children living with food insecurity, the long summer vacation can be a time of deprivation, if not outright famine. 

Taken together, the "summer slump" and the serious problems of food insecurity and sketchy childcare for children living in poverty have led to calls for year-round school. 

Yet I remember some of my best childhood moments from those months of long, unstructured days and unbounded imaginations, when my sister and I would invent our own worlds and delve into new, exotic realms through books. 

Looking back on it, I was a lucky child--a child of privilege, though I didn't realize it and my cash-strapped parents would have been startled to hear that evaluation. But we had enough to eat, a safe place to play, and all the books we could read, thanks to our local public library. Untold riches!

I worry that the value of "down time" is being overlooked these days, in our concern about other pressing concerns. 

The mentality that prescribes "drill and kill" approaches and "minimum-security prison" protocols for inner-city schools is the very approach that de-funds and eliminates the music, art, and sports programs that give at-risk kids the will to fight on and stay in school. 

Even in more well-funded neighborhoods, the pressure of competition tempts parents to lock down a child's every moment under the relentless tyranny of "enrichment" activities, such as tutoring, organized teams, and summer school, that allow no time to sit and watch clouds go by or think big thoughts. 

Rich or poor, kids need time to just be. To think about stuff, to experiment, fail, succeed, and make up their own stories and games. To learn who they are, and what they value the most. Indeed, as explored on Studio 360, a little boredom can be a good thing! 



Wise parents know it's a delicate balance that absolutely must be struck, if kids are to grow fully into themselves.

Do you have any good stories about fun things you did as a kid that were "freeform" and creative? What imaginative adventures did you enjoy? Please share them in the Comments. 

IMAGE: Many thanks to "The Artful Parent" Pinterest board, for the image, and to Studio 360 for the audio clip.

Backyard camping, anyone?

Talk about your classic summer experience . . . 

My sister and I never exactly "camped out" in the back yard, but we slept on the screened-in back porch, and also in the playhouse. 

I was a bit older when I actually got a chance to camp out "for real." But my kids definitely knew the joys of camping out in the back yard (as well as in the living room or playroom in tents or large boxes, as part of memorable winter and early-spring birthday party-sleepovers).

One of my themes this month is a sort of pre-summer warm-up of the creative juices. 

For you it might not be backyard camping, but here's my challenge to you: 

Do something different and fun (emphasis on the fun) this week. Something off-the-wall that you would normally not do--and that makes you feel like laughing out loud from pleasure. 

Then share a comment below, about what you did. Let's compare notes and see what interesting things people came up with!

IMAGE: Many thanks to "Tinkerlab" for the image!

Can you think Big enough to get Small?

Sometimes the answer to a massive challenge is right under our nose. As we close in on our most creative summer yet, remember that attitude is everything!

What's the key to creativity and a joyful life? It's how we approach the little things. The beauty we see in unexpected places and people. The first creative challenge is having eyes to see. The second is in our acceptance and creative follow-through.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Favim for this image.

101 Bits of Summer Fun

Here's a follow-up to my Wednesday post: a list originally designed for kids and their parents. But read it over and think: wouldn't you find a lot of these ideas fun? No matter how old or young you are?

Creative people never quite completely "grow up." It's how so many of us live to vigorous old age, still creating, still learning, still growing. 

This summer, take the time to spread your wings. Explore! Enjoy! Dare to reach beyond the normal, whatever that is for you!

IMAGE: Many thanks to Carried Away Ministries for the list of "101 bits of summer fun"! How many will YOU try? 

Creative Challenge Accepted?

I've always thought of May as "trembling on the brink of summer." Summer is a magical season for many people. A time for re-thinking, re-inventing, and taking on new challenges.

This image was created with runners in mind, but think metaphorically and it speaks to us all.

In my part of the country many schools end their spring terms in May. But even if you don't have kids in school (or aren't one yourself), you still may be looking forward to a change of pace this summer. As we go through this month, the theme of my quotes and images will be preparing for a creative summer.

Don't you owe it to yourself to approach the challenge creatively? Imagine the possibilities! Then go chase the best ones. 

IMAGE: Many thanks to Quotes Love for this image. 

Artdog Image of Interest: Does You Haz Creativity?

There's some in all of us! Believe it.

IMAGE: Courtesy of MOZ Blog.

Winter Blues? Try these ideas with a creative approach!

Do you live in a place where you have cold winters? If so, this post is for you.

Where I live, we are currently experiencing cold weather, including snow. My sister-in-law in Minnesota has it worse, but it's quite cold enough in Kansas City, thanks!

Yes, those are bare trees behind hm.

Pascal Gephardt, my Beloved, hates winter and loves summer. Every year on the Summer Solstice, he exclaims that he can feel the world turning colder with the shortening of the days. 

Sometimes he'll shiver with dramatic flair and look for a coat, even if the air temperature is in the 90s F (32 C or above). 

And on the Winter Solstice? I'll let the picture at right tell you how he celebrated it this year. (For a few minutes, until the pictures were taken. Then he hurried back inside). Silly? Well, yes. But I love the creative flair of his response, not to mention the ironic impulse.

Is Winter really bad for you?
There are a lot of reasons to think so, actually. Here's a great video from DNews, with a number of reasons why winter is a bad idea for humans. 

Less sunlight can cause lower levels of Vitamin D in our bodies, which places us at greater risk for illness. It also can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (appropriate acronym: SAD). No, it's NOT all in your head. Winter really is out to get you. 

Can Creativity "Cure" Winter?
I wish! But creativity can come in handy when you're going through it. I've collected some of my favorite ideas about creative things to do, that can lighten the winter blues. If you have other suggestions, please share them in the comments section! 

1. Plan your Summer Vacation! When better, right? This is an anywhere-anytime idea. Collect images of your dream destination and paper your cubicle at work (management willing, that is), your refrigerator, or bulletin board with them. Create an idea journal, or just paint lovely pictures in your mind. Consider the possibilities! 

Just walking past Jessica Abelson's beach-vacation-themed cubicle ought to get the whole office smiling!

2. Have a fireside camp-out. I know people may suggest this for entertaining children--and kids are great generators of creative fun. But who says an adult can't roast weenies and marshmallows in the fireplace (assuming you have one) for him/herself? 

No fireplace? There are creative ways around that, too. Got candles? Got computer? If you need to look at a fire, those might do in a pinch, though you'll probably have a hard time roasting weenies on them.

Creative solution for a "Fireside Chat" meeting
theme. Could work in a living room, but it won't
toast your marshmallows too effectively.

Cradle a tin cup of a warm drink in your hands, watch the flames (however generated), and pretend you're in your favorite camping spot. 

Play "sound effects" in the background (recordings of all sorts of things are available). Crickets? Birdsong? Waves on the beach? Wolves howling? Be--what else?--creative! 

3. Take a cue from Pascal, and act as if it's summer. Fix yourself a tall, cold fruity drink (I'll leave the contents to your taste preferences). Add a parasol, if it helps improve the festive mood (available at party stores or online). Play Bob Marley or the Beach Boys. Make an ice cream treat. Put on a lei, your sun hat, your favorite Hawaiian shirt. 

Lots of ideas for planning gardens large and
small are available online and in books.

4. Plan this spring's garden. Even you only have a container on your balcony or a planter by your window, winter is the perfect time to browse through gardening catalogs or websites. 

If you have more ground you can cover, consider making more elaborate plans for growth and development. 

Remember, after a winter cooped up inside, getting out in the sunshine will help you make up those Vitamin D deficiencies you've developed all winter. 

Best of all, everyone knows fresh-picked veggies are the tastiest, and how better to indulge in cut flowers all summer than to grow your own?

IMAGES: Many thanks to my husband Pascal, for letting me post his photo (which I took), and to DNews for the video. The epic "beach vacation"-themed cubicle is from Jessica Abelson's "Complete Cubicle Survival Guide." Check out her other great ideas, too! The "Fireside fix" with the computer image was the creative idea of my friend Tracy Majkol, at a meeting of the Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society last May. The garden-planning image is from Wendy's post, "Garden: Planning," from the blog This Beautiful Day.