is for gallimaufry
gal· li· mau· fry – noun: a confused jumble or medley of things; hodgepodge
Dear Gallimaufry –
I remember how delighted I was when I found you, having had to look you up because I didn’t know your definition. And there you were, like an old friend, giving name to exactly how I think of myself and my life. A kind of eclectic jumble of mismatched bits, mostly treasures, a good handful of sparkles, and a few bits of dross here and there. I think there was a time, long, long ago when I wished I were more straightforward, more easily understood, a bit tidier collection of focus. But the only way it seemed I could achieve that would be to disown the very parts of myself that I love best; to make myself smaller instead of bigger; to becomes surface-y and shallow instead of complex and deep. I’m glad I got that one figured out pretty quickly! Which has given me all the more time and opportunity to embrace you gallimaufry. It’s funny how sometimes when we find the right word it’s like a permission slip is given – it helps one unpack what one knows to be true but has to that point been unnamed. You did that for me gallimaufry. Thank you!
Love, Deborah
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And I’m thinking what better way to celebrate my love of gallimaufry than to play in this week’s The Scattered Life Collective – the weekly invitation by Cynthia Lee to share of what’s up in our lives in whatever way we want. Now that’s a hodgepodge of wonderfulness I can get behind.
current time: Friday noon
on the menu: I’ve got kale and mushroom pot pie on the menu for tonight. But there will also be hot chocolate some time as well. With a week filled with too much snow and far too frigid temps my body and soul start sending out little distress signals that frankly only chocolate can appease.
out the window: Mountains of snow. And the very tip of my curbside rose tree poking its branches out of the 4 foot snow pile. I’m pretty sure it’s dreaming about Spring too. And I also see one of the hanging ornaments on my front porch blowing a little in the breeze. It’s a long dangle of spiraled wire with glass marbles woven in at points, and one of the marbles keeps catching the light and throwing a beautiful glint of sparkle at me. A little light blessing!
listening: Winter Song by Sara Bareilles
watching: Meinrad Craighead is one of my favorite artists. Her work speaks directly to my soul. And I’ve been watching the documentary of her life and work Praying with Images. Playing it so much that I jokingly say I wore out our DVD player. But thankfully a new DVD player has been welcomed into my home and the frequent viewing can continue. Amen!
good things:
- Throwing snowballs and creating frozen soap bubbles. Unfortunately not a single photograph I snapped turned out, but with no end to the snow or cold in sight, I’m sure I’ll have lots more opportunities at documenting the fun.
- My husband making me laugh by breaking out in song about the laws of thermodynamics.
- Receiving a package wrapped in brown paper and tied up in string, with a peacock feather tucked in. Perfect!
- This has been a week of being gentle with myself and taking things off the to-do list, not adding more on. Extra sleep. And a sustained focus of loving-kindness, most especially aimed at myself. And I’m drinking it in like a sponge.
Around and About:
- I have a great love for Hermes/Mercury – I dance very closing with the archetypal energy of messenger, psychopomp, and heaven knows I would love winged sandals and winged hat! But in any case my affinity also stretches to curiosity about the planet Mercury. I happen to like Mercury retrograde periods because I’m such a reflective person – I like periodically revisiting things, re-working them, all the re- words associated with Mercury retrogrades. But I know so many people actually freak out when Mercury is retrograde – either blaming it for any challenge that may come up or feeling unwilling to take any action until it’s over. So I was happy to see Sarah Varcas’ urging to keep calm and carry on.
- Is there anything better than mitten pies? I didn’t think so.
- And what a delight to find this brief little clip about Alexander Calder and seeing some of his mobiles. And when he says it’s “like having your own private sky” I knew with the most perfect clarity why I love his work so.
So there you have it – the gallimaufry of my week. What’s been happening for you? Sort through the treasures of your week and share. Or maybe tell me your favorite artist, or pie, or planet. I welcome all glimpses into your hodgepodge – you know I love to hear.
What a fabulous post! I’m behind on getting my post together as I was over at Cynthia Lees’ earlier and there was no link set up for this week. I wasn’t sure I had it right that we were shooting for every week. Er umm, well, now I am so I’m off to start working on my post for this week. Probably won’t finish until tomorrow but I’ll be there…
Hugs and thanks for sharing your week with us! Oh, and I love your word! 😀
Beth P
Thanks Beth. Looking forward to catching your post as well. I really do delight in these peeks into each other’s worlds through TSLC.
Beth … it’s posted … in fact, I posted it on Friday at 8:00 am (EST)
I hope you add your link!
May I just say that I love the way your brain works, Deborah? You provide such a unique perspective on the world, and I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know you via this blog. I so appreciate the internet.
Sending you some loving vibes to warm your heart and melt the snow. 🙂
What kind words and wishes Sarah – thank you!
Oh Deborah …. oh my … such wonderful things today.
First … Winter Song … one of my very favorite songs ever.
Thank you for introducing Meinrad Craighead — wow! going to check out that documentary.
I had the honor of seeing Calder mobiles at the High Museum in Atlanta a couple of years ago … the whole exhibit from MOMA was simply wonderful.
I am almost jealous that you can blow frozen bubbles … only almost. I really think I don’tn want it to be that cold. I live in South Carolina for a reason. It has been too cold for us this year … and now all of my winter weather friends are smirking at me.
You are SO going to love Meinhrad Craighead and her work Cynthia. And isn’t that the most awesome name ever?!
How fabulous you got to see the Calder exhibit! Chicago has a love affair with his work as well – our Art Institute has a number of his pieces, although only one of his mobiles on current display. But we also have a huge stationary sculpture in one of our downtown plazas.
gallimaufry… I love the word. I think I have been searching for you dear word my entire life.
Funny – when I read your “on the menu” – I thought of the fun you had planned for the weekend and laughed out loud when I noticed it was, of course… a reference to dinner!
I love that you played with bubbles in the snow! I had a great week with bubbles… Including a link because I would love to know if you see what I see in the first bubble photo!
http://ordinary-creative.com/2014/02/07/diy-photo-illumination/ Can’t wait to see your photo capture… there will be time 🙂
Oh Debbie – I love your bubble pictures! They’re totally amazing. And how perfect a heart showed up. Love, love, love it.
oh!! gallimaufry!! what a fabulous word – both in sound and definition. *sigh* i know EXACTLY what you mean when you say you had once wished yourself a simpler being…i get impatient with myself sometimes, my multi-passionate nature has a way of making me feel…well…….scattered! But in the end, i wouldn’t change a thing.
that kale and mushroom pot pie sounds divine – i bet it was yummy. and chocolate? there need be no explanation for the importance of such during the perils of a long winter…
xoxo mel
Oh yes Mel – yay for embracing our multi-passionate natures! (And for chocolate as well.)
I love Sara Bareilles! We were listening to her the other day. I just love her voice. She reminds me so much of Norah Jones.
Your word is perfect…gallimaufry. Fun stuff!
I am wondering if your frozen bubbles were made from dry ice? I saw a video the other day on that. It looked pretty cool. (Maybe that was from you?) I always learn something cool when I stop by. 🙂
Wow Amy – I didn’t even know about dry ice frozen bubbles. You sent me on a delightul google trip. 🙂 But mine were done the old-fashioned way with soap bubble mixture and temps at -2 degrees. Needless to say it wasn’t all that lengthy of an experiment.