midwest neurotica

This morning I curled up with the perfect cup of coffee (Starbucks Breakfast Blend) and the Jan/Feb issue of Cooking Light. I didn’t make it past the editor’s note before being summoned, almost supernaturally, back to my MacBook. For those of you that know me, sometimes I am called to write and there is no penetrating my bubble of serenity when this happens. There is no stopping me, as I must write. So here I am.

In this issue, the editor writes that last year’s New Year’s Resolution was to be more creative. This year, she will again pursue that journey of expression, as it has so fulfilled her in 2007. She allowed no excuses, no barriers to reaching out to new avenues of creativity and awakening passions lost to the years.

Reading this quite short note (for an editor) sent my mind in a billion directions. What is the state of my creativity? How did I arrive here and which wave shall I ride next?

For starters, I feel extremely proud that I’ve been blogging here for more than a year now. I am committed to Midwest Neurotica, it is who I am, and sharing the joy of domesticity from my alter ego StarXLR8. As I’ve gone through a tough year in my personal life, having a place to share all the goodness of cooking, crafting, housekeeping, sewing, decorating and the wonders of life was a much needed grounding force. The selfless support of my friends, family and my new sweetie also kept me centered and focused on my goals. I have surrounded myself with people and things that inspire and challenge me.

This includes all of you!

I lovingly created more than half of my holiday gifts from fabric I already had, sewing pillows, scarves and little things. I made so many white chocolate covered pretzels that I can wait at least til next Christmas before I ever want to see one again. I’m knitting more than I did in the past three years combined. I’m reading books, for pleasure, even when there is something good on TV. I am taking photos almost daily, hoping for great light, but not worrying if its night. I have no doubt that sharing your endeavors in 2007 influenced this burst of creativity.

You’ve taught me to be resourceful, clever, different, patient, persistent, open-minded. You’ve shared tips, patterns, resources, ideas that I never knew existed. You are the Girl Scouts (and Boy Scouts) of the internet and I am proud to have joined your troop. I may still be a little Brownie, but learning every day from the most wonderful women I’ve ever come across sends me yearning for more.

The challenge for all of us blog-readers, is to take time out from the searching, the discovering, the pondering of others and their brilliant works, to search, re-discover, and ponder the creative flame within ourselves. Like the Cooking Light editor, this year I’m allowing myself no excuses. I will write more (about myself too, per JT’s request) and I will explore creative outlets that have tickled my fancy for quite some time. I will participate more in the blog community, but also continue to be more engaged in my off-line life. I will take the time to close the MacBook and create something new. I will re-discover, again. All because of you!