Chinese Newspaper vs. Purse

When I am with my friend Michele, I feel so wasteful and guilt-ridden about the countless items I toss in the trash. She is a special kind of visionary. She brings such renewed beauty and purpose to the discarded things in our lives. If there was a TV game show where you made amazing stuff out of throw-aways, she would be the victor every round. Truly.

I was going to bake her molasses cookies sprinkled with red sugar because she told me once she liked them. I thought it would be a great surprise, but poor planning on my part dashed my baking intentions.

I wrapped up a little journal in chinese newspaper for her. I thought she’d like the newspaper even more than the journal because it’s quirky. I imagined she would use it to decorate her recycled cards (she calls them “Ransom Notes”).

She made me that purse for me.

Old wool scarf someone didn’t want plus Michele’s Love equals Cherished Treasure!

We had a delightful lunch where we enjoyed the best curried chicken salad ever while we discussed “writing.” You see, in addition to Michele’s savant craftiness, she is a science fiction novelist and all round great storyteller. We talked about being stuck, being on fire, what made a good story, what we liked to read. You get the drift.

My favorite part was talking about the creative process itself - especially the self-doubt, judgment, risk-taking, fear, all those crazy emotions you feel when you are creating and sharing your work.

Anxiety is the handmaiden of creativity. - T.S. Eliot

One of the best things in life is soulful visits with friends. I cherish them always. And I will cherish this dearly loved purse.