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InkTober 2017: Day 22 – Trail

I’m not sure why, but I seem to have a leaning towards fairy tales in this round of InkTober. Although I’ve only written one post where I’ve cited a couple of stories, I’ve been thinking about fairy tales quite a bit recently. In fact, the first things that jumped into my mind when I read the prompt ‘trail’ were an actual trail through a forest and, of course, “Hansel and Gretel” who dropped bread crumbs along a trail as they ventured deep into the woods so they could find their way home. Spoiler alert: Animals eat the crumbs and they get lost.

My understanding is that what was first recorded by the brothers Grimm was not at all suitable for children and when I think of the themes of some of the most well-known fairy tales I can see how that could be the case. I know that modern-day fairy tales are sanitized versions of the originals, which were re-written so that they could be told to children and I think it might be time for me to read some of the originals. I’m curious to see how the Grimm’s Fairy Tales from the early 19th century compare when put side-by-side with the Disney interpretations that are so influential in our society today.

I guess I’ve just given myself a reading assignment…

 

InkTober 2017: Day 21 – Furious

As I learned last year, taking care of my health is monumentally more important than drawing a picture every day. Therefore, I had to take a break this week because I had a few rough days. On Monday, I was in so much pain I couldn’t focus my thoughts. Since then, I’ve been so exhausted that keeping my eyes open has challenged me at some points throughout recent days, which made finishing my daily sketches impossible. Now that I’ve had some rest I’m jumping back in because I committed to completing the InkTober 2017 challenge – even if I’m a few days late.

For Day 21 of the challenge, the prompt is ‘furious’. It’s hard for me to illustrate emotions because I’m still not great at drawing faces. That would be the easiest way to illustrate them and definitely the easiest way to draw the word furious. This weakness in my creative skills means I usually have to come up with a workaround; meaning I have to think of things that embody emotions and hope that the way I draw them clearly illustrates the word(s).

What I thought of in this case, are the fires that continue to furiously burn in California. Not only are extensive areas of forests being lost because of these wildfires, but people are also losing their homes and their lives. It’s been heartbreaking to see the devastation in the wake of the spreading fires. The hundreds of acres of charred forests will most likely take decades to replant and grow. Sadly, the burned possessions of families affected by the fires can’t be replaced; and my understanding from the news is that the many people reported missing may have lost their lives in the fires.

Last year in Canada, there were massive wildfires burning in the western part of the country in the province of Alberta. The fires burned furiously for months. It’s been estimated that the fires caused billions of dollars in damages. They evacuated approximately eighty thousand people from their homes and thousands of buildings burned to the ground. As hard as fire fighters worked, it took nearly 15 months to declare the area safe because they had to make sure they put out all the fires and any remaining hot spots before residents could return. I truly hope it doesn’t take that long for the California fires to be put out.

My heart goes out to everyone affected by these fires. This includes the courageous fire fighters placing their lives on the frontlines of these fires, while their homes and families are also under threat.

 

InkTober 2017: Day 20 – Deep

Isn’t it interesting that when we talk about feelings it’s with regards to how deep we feel them? Two phrases that immediately come to mind because they reference the depths within our bodies to which we may feel emotions – whether good or bad – are ‘from the bottom of my heart’ and ‘in the pit of my stomach’. Metaphysically or mystically there’s also the phrase ‘deep in my soul’ that’s meant to describe a depth that goes far beyond anything we feel within our bodies.

I’m not good at doing or feeling things superficially. When I do something, I put my all into it. When I feel as if I’m just going through the motions or I’m less than enthusiastic about any task before me I know that it’s not where my interest and passion are. Similarly, when I meet someone and spend a bit of time them, if I don’t feel excitement at the thought of speaking to them or seeing them in the future, I know my heart isn’t in it and it won’t be fair for me, or them, to deepen our involvement.

Where I believe our feelings should be when we’re in relationships is soaring about the clouds. I know many people believe it’s an unrealistic expectation to feel that way in every moment, but why should anyone settle for less. A relationship – actually any significant endeavour – is hard work, so why shouldn’t it generate the best possible feelings when you’re in it? I can’t see anything wrong with having that approach. Besides, isn’t that the way you’d like the person you’re involved with to feel about you?