I collect quotations. They are tucked into books, into drawers, into baskets. Some are neatly assembled in a small notebook. And some roll around in my head, waiting to be recalled. On certain days those head rollers push into my routine and demand attention.
Today two quotations have pushed their way into fabric calculations and food preparation. The first is from Edward Albee, collected in my college days. “Sometimes it’s necessary to go a long distance out of the way to come back a short distance correctly.” It has always reminded me of my childhood chore of bringing in the cows for evening milking. Today it applies to family relationships. And always, it informs my creative process.
The other quotation is from the poet Adrienne Rich; a copy of it is framed on my bedroom dresser. “We must use what we have to invent what we desire.” Today I am not thinking so much of my tangible possessions (Except when I was chopping left over turkey.) as those items I carry in my metaphorical backpack. Creativity, humor, inventiveness, faith, craftsmanship, wordsmithing, passion.
Those are probably good things to be carrying as I work myself round to coming back that short distance correctly. I am hoping that the end point and my desire are the same, and that I will recognize it as such.
What good words are informing your day? What are you inventing?