Those of you who are familiar with Mae West probably think of her as an American actress and singer, and you would be right. But there was so much more to her than her charm and sass onscreen. (If you don't know who Mae West is, shame on you! Now go find her film, I'm No Angel and watch it.) Mae was also a prolific writer. In the 1920's she wrote her first play called "Sex". Mae played the lead role. The play was very controversial and Mae was arrested and convicted on a morals charge! However, she was pleased with the publicity the arrest brought with it. Nothing could slow her success.
Throughout her long career Mae wore many hats...Vaudeville performer, playwright, Broadway sensation, movie star, author, Sex Goddess...she was an inspiration during her life and continues to be today. Mae might not have been conventionally beautiful but she was herself...and confidant! Her independence and sass was infectious!
I have a little Mae West statue that belonged to my Grandmother Jernigan. I keep it in my powder room. She has a pearl bracelet draped over her arm...it belonged to my grandma too. When I am in front of the mirror, getting ready for the day, Mae West is there to remind me to be myself, and make life fun!
Vintage Mae West statue
When Mae was only fifteen she wrote a now famous poem called Cave Girl. I think it is a fabulous representation of who she was as a person.
CAVE GIRL
By Mae West
I got my smile from the sunshine.
I got my tears from the rain.
I learned to dance when I saw a tiger prance,
And a peacock taught me to be vain.
A little owl in a tree so high,
He taught me how to wink my eye.
I learned to bill and coo from a turtledove.
And a grizzly bear taught me how to hug.
But the guy who lived two caves from me,
He taught me how to love.
Mae West is so inspirational to women around the world. I hope she inspires you to flirt with life and claim your individuality and beauty. Watch some of her films if you've never seen any of them before. You might be surprised how relevant they still are. You might be surprised how different you feel after seeing her on the screen!
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. -Mae West
I am currently re-reading Rimbaud: Poems (Everyman's Library Pocket Poems). I bought this book in my teens, when I was going through my poetry phase. Rimbaud is one of my favorite of the French poets.
BECOMING LEONARD COHEN
Sketch or document things that you use in your daily routine.
*Musician Leonard Cohen does this regularly as a form of meditative practice.
I sat down this afternoon and did my sketching. I made sure to draw things that I use EVERY day, not just most days. I used pencil and I'm afraid it didn't show up that great in the photo. (click image to enlarge).
Pencil sketches Exploration #26
Leonard Cohen
I have always loved things, just things in the world. I love trying to find the shape of things. -Leonard Cohen
I am currently reading The Last Child by John Hart. This book is a loaner form my mom, so not one from my personal library. I grabbed it to read in the bath the other day and couldn't put it down. I don't read a lot of fiction but I really like this thriller! The Washington post described it as Huck Finn channeled through Lord of the Flies.
Study and document shapes made by water. Find as many as you can. Research shapes made by water. Come up with new ones.
This assignment immediately brought to mind Dr. Masaru Emoto and his research. I wanted to stay on task, I really really did, but we all know most of the shapes that water likes to take.
Icicle...
A wave...
A puddle...
A ripple...
And snow...
I could probably spend the rest of the day researching these water shapes, but I thought it would be a lot more fun to share some information and a few videos about Dr. Masaru Emoto. Dr. Emoto is the head of the I.H.M. General Research Institute and President Emeritus of the International Water For Life Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City. Although his research has been met with much criticism and is thought to be "junk science" in many circles, I choose to listen to my intuition and instinct. I believe the findings of Dr. Emoto to be truth. You decide for yourself.
The following video will give you an idea about the experiments Dr. Emoto and his team have conducted.
Still not convinced? Here is a really groovy documentary about water.
I hope some of you will watch the videos. I think the idea of water having "memory" is fascinating. The fact that we are fully conscious- living, breathing creatures comprised of mostly water lends to the idea that water holds the key to life.
I really enjoyed this exploration and revisiting Dr. Emoto's theories. Water is a magical element indeed and the one thing we all can agree on is that clean water is vital to our survival. So grab a cup, think happy thoughts and drink up!
