No luck on paper, best pen a list.

{Herbs growing on the shelf by a postcard from Hannah Waldron.}

In my head in equal proportion, a handful of ideas in visual and word form. On the paper before me, absolutely nothing save for a black inky mess of crossed-out markings, scribbled text and half-drawn wolves with masks. It seems those ideas for future collages, drawings, titles and sentences will not make themselves fully known today. Ideas gathered in a room but my hands are failing me. I’ve tried all manner of coaxing but to no avail. In their place I offer you a list, a Five Senses (Wednesday) list as befits a mind that is frustrated.

To see:
Two prints given to me by the good machinery and Lisa resting on the bookshelf in wait for their trip to the framers in January.
Red calla lilies in a vase for a long time coveted (a sylvac vase with a small mouse).
Two candles flickering inside two brass owls.
Goldfish swimming happily and nibbling at what remains of the duckweed.
A felt mobile moving in the breeze.
Presents wrapped.
Presents still to be wrapped.
A greyhound on the loose crossing a busy traffic-heavy street.

{Remember me? Spied in Ballarat long ago, this vase later turned up as a surprise birthday gift.}

To hear:
Omar mewing for another chicken wing from the market.
The pen scratching across the paper (disobeying all instruction).
Light rain falling and landing gently on the large upturned leaves of the ivy.
Papers blown from the tabletop.
Mister moonlight, Piano Red
Yellow Coat, Screamin' Jay Hawkins
When I Was A Little Spy, J.U.F
Prospect Hummer, Animal Collective and Vashti Bunyan
Two territorial blackbirds in the trees out back.

To taste:
Coffee with chicory drunk from a new iittala mug from L & P.
Homemade apricot jam spread on day-old still-crusty bread.
Cats tongues from the Gelo Bar.
Green grapes.
Red cherries.
Dolfin milk chocolate with green tea & jasmin from Morocco.

To smell:
Candles recently blown out.
Star jasmine from the fence line near to the window flung wide.
The fragrance of fresh herbs on my fingertips.
Rain.

{Christmas all over the house.}

To touch:
Faber-Castel light-fast ink pen meets brush.
Mail to open.
Mail to send.
Champagne bubbles tickling my nose as I sit in the garden of a former neighbour drinking, chatting and celebrating in the afternoon light.

And now it is off to see Jiří Menzel’s I served the King of England for I have won two free tickets. I'll be back one more time before 2008 is here, to wish you all the very best for a wonder-filled and joyous new year.

{Keeping still ensured no breakages.}

Comments

[louise]

I'm sure tomorrow will bring more luck to your pen, and all those ideas swirling around will jump onto the page.

[tommy]

Oh it's one of those days. Your list has given me some inspirations though. I like it very much.

[lottie]

Grache, I love your senses lists so. Apricot jam and Iittala mugs... jasmine, herbs and rain. You've painted a perfect vivid picture of your present days.

[Vanessa]

HI!!!! Hola, Bonjour!! So much catching up to do. Oh, I just love it here... Ahhh, your candles... Your coffee... You wonderful home... :) xo V

[shari]

wolves with masks! can't wait to see them. it's so funny that you posted a five senses list. i have been thinking of doing the same or at least returning to regular five senses friday in the new year. love the owl postcard. wish i could walk in your garden and smell the star jasmine. and that new header is gorgeous. hugs.

[bex]

Yay, yay, yay! Everywhere you "look"! Xxx

[d.]

:)

[kate]

I love your lists and your vase and doll and flowers and wish that I could smell the star jasmine along with you. Everyone cooperated well and it looks as if there were no breakages. It is a good day!!

Keep on enjoying the summer!

[ashley rose helvey]

o what a lovely picture you have created in my mind! i love your list!

[karin]

I like this post for every sense very much ,gracia and the great sentence of the ideas that don't make themselves fully known. I've got the same feeling sometimes. Wait and see :) The collage of the family with all their treasures is beautiful.
Wish you a merry christmas!!

[gracia]

I have my fingers crossed tight, lj, in the hope that you are right.

Glad to hear it, Tommy. Yep, one of those days it was... and it stretched over into the next as well.

Thanks, Lottie... so happy to hear so. The rain proved a prelude to lightning, thunder and electrical storms. It's hot, hot, hot, muggy and humid and my hair is forming perfect (undesired) ringlets (!).

Hey there Vanessa. So much to catch up on, yes, I know just what you mean. The day before Christmas I shall still have things to organise, acquire and do. Next year I really must be more organised.

Hey there Shari,
It's been a while since I penned a Five Senses Friday post. Looking back in my blog archives I realised it was even longer than I had thought. Lists and the like will always prove a good way to unblock (if lucky) ideas. Hannah's owl postcard is a ripper, isn't it?

Thanks Bex, D, Kate and Ashley,
In the whirlwind that is the lead up to Christmas I am longing for a little peace and quiet. Short of being more organised next year, I think I really need to relax a little more... though of course not too much as then I seem to fall in a heap. Here's hoping you four are all in for a joyful, giddy Christmas with your dear ones.

Thanks, Karin. Still playing the waiting game my end. Here's hoping we each have a productive start to the new year! And wishing you an equally merry ol' Christmas.

Thank you everyone... for all of your comments and dear friendship this year. I, as always, wish I had a little more time in this space... I've enjoyed it immensely. Here's to a brilliant year ahead for us all.

take care,
g xo

[julie]

oh i have missed 5 senses...lovely peeks in the accompanying images - and the collage has such a seasonal feel. Loving candles now too xxx

[amisha]

how i love these 5 senses lists. star jasmine and fresh herbs, two of my favorite scents... xox