Yesterday was Naomi’s birthday and she reports that Nature’s gift to her was a new life list addition: a northern shrike. They look nice and song-birdy but they’re ruthlessly efficient. Interesting mix!

Today is Vincent Van Gogh’s birthday. I had this quote from him in the past:

The thing has already taken form in my mind before I start it. The first attempts are absolutely unbearable. I say this because I want you to know that if you see something worthwhile in what I am doing, it is not by accident but because of real direction and purpose.
– Vincent van Gogh

Today’s Writer’s Almanac has this great quote:

To do good work, one must eat well, be well housed, have one’s fling from time to time, smoke one’s pipe, and drink one’s coffee in peace

which I think is something we all strive for – some balance, some security, some fun. Balancing “normal” life stuff with what I want to do is hard. I thought the end of their report on Vincent was interesting:

What am I in the eyes of most people — a nonentity, an eccentric, or an unpleasant person — somebody who has no position in society and will never have; in short, the lowest of the low. All right, then — even if that were absolutely true, then I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric, such a nobody, has in his heart.

Emphasis is mine. I get weary of the “what is art?” discussion. Discussion, if you can call it that. I don’t really care what you think about it as long as you do whatever has to come out of you. And, if you could stop wasting the time it takes to criticize everyone else for not making what YOU think is art, that would be perfection.

Go make something. And if it’s not the moment – go enjoy nature and what she has to show you.