Magpie Tales-Flying Lessons

red golashes

race up the hill

footprints

in the fresh snow

frosty breaths

hang in the air

like runners on a sled 

suspended on the edge

of the world

holding on

then

letting go

flying

without fear

rushing headlong

into the arms

of life

C.M. Jackson 2010

This is a Magpie Tale----fly here for more!

The Art of Story

It was a dark and stormy night and all the Indians were gathered around the campfire. The Chief stood up and said, "Neewah, tell us a story." And this is the story that Neewah told, "It was a dark and stormy night and all the Indians were gathered around the campfire. The Chief stood up and said..."

And so it goes. That was a story Mr. Jackson's Dad told him, his sisters and their friends as they sat in their dark backyard wide eyed waiting for the next move Neewah would make...the older kids knowing the punchline watching for the younger kids' reaction. The elder Jackson setting the mood and telling the story to deliver the delight that resulted. Laughter and the joy of sharing is one of the components for a good story.

I love stories. I remember the first time I was able to string together a plot more complex than "See Jane run after Spot." I was hooked and wouldn't put the book down until the last page was turned. My breath exhaling as I finally knew the end, how it all worked out and my mind whirling at the possibilities.

Despite having a bit of the Irish in me, I never could tell a story without first writing it and even then, it's best if the reader or someone else takes over in the telling. No matter how hard I've tried, the telling, the punchline always gets lost because in the telling I am experiencing simultaneously the story and the possibilities of what might be. I laugh, cry and get angry all the while wondering where it is all going. 

So for me, the telling must be done by filling the blank page and giving my voice to the characters in the story and ultimately, the reader.

And so it goes...it was a dark and stormy night....

Magpie Tales-Morning's Symphony

The sun waits center stage
As the moon sings a final aria
Silver notes
On a freshly fallen snow
Clouds float westward
Swaying like a gospel choir
Evergreens hum softly
Maple and oak branches
Drum beats in the cold air
A doe lifts her head
As the sun sings
Gold notes
A crescendo of life
Soaring ever higher
Mixing with silver
On a freshly fallen snow

C.M. Jackson 2010


For more thoughts of snow and winter wonder---visit Magpie Tales!

Happy Thanksgiving

A Blessing

May your home be filled with laughter and the warm embrace of a summer day.

May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal,

love and wisdom, as in a quite heart.

May you always feel that what you have is enough.

Author Unknown

Best Wishes to all for a happy Thanksgiving!

A Room with a View...

in Chicago of the John Hancock Tower from the Sofitel Water Tower. This was my fifth or was it seventh visit to Chicago?  Hard to remember because Chicago is an annual business trip which means that I don't get to do much other than work....

With the exception of a trip eight years ago with my niece and best friend to visit American Girl and the tremendous museums the city has to offer, it is always been "fly in and fly out" within two days.

Due to the increased airfare for short term business travel this year (e.g $900.00 for two nights vs. $250.00 for a three night stay), I decided to stay and walk about for an afternoon and evening before I made my way back to O'Hare and home.

My first wish was to re-visit the Art Institute of Chicago and say "hello again" to the O"Keefe's there. However, as I got closer, I realized quite a bit had changed. Millenium Park, built over railyards and abandoned land, had been completed while I was flying in and out of Chicago over the last six years. Frank Gehry not only designed the concert pavillion but also a winding bridge that connects the park to another pavillion and the waterfront.

Chicago's motto "Urbs in Horto" (City in a Garden), evident in the numbers of trees and plantings throughout the city, continues with the thoughtful design of green space and public spaces throughout Millenium Park.

I can say I've been to the Bean! .... a curious and enormous stainless steel sculpture named "Cloud Gate" that looks like, yup, a bean.

Great place to people watch as they gaze at their reflections and the city skyline reflected back at them.

Continuing on, I found Lurie Gardens and Gehry's walkway which I could probably spend days gazing at and photographing... 

The Art Institute of Chicago, guarded by this fellow,

has added a new Modern Art wing since my last visit. So not only did I get to see Georgia's Sky above Clouds IV again, gaze at Van Goghs and some Hoppers but I also walked through the new wing and viewed a great selection of photography, paintings and sculpture. This museum is one of the great ones that should be on everyone's 'must see' list. 

Chicago is an amazing and beautiful city. On my last night the streets and public places were abuzz with the upcoming marathon. I haven't even mentioned the architecture, the food, the neighborhoods, the river tour and the people that make it delightful and unique. Next visit.

Magpie Tales-Seasons

Autumn winds move clouds across an azure sky
Red, gold and amber leaves rustle at my feet
Swirling hoodoos of moments
Circling in my mind
I can hear winter whispering
Hello

C.M. Jackson 2010


For more.. fly here---Magpie Tales

I'm on the road again....

Enjoy the musical interlude while I jump on a plane and fly west. California here I come! When I get back, I promise to tell you all about the places I've been and where I'm going. Peace and thanks for stopping by.