EKPHRASTIC FUN : END OF MONTH ROUND-UP AND PROMPT IDEA
Pooh Runs Through My Open Door
What a mess! Oh, bother!
“Do not touch the picnic!” she warned as she struggled across my threshold, the screen door bopping her on the backside in welcome.
Picnic?
She shoved a bunch of stuff into my waiting arms, which were originally extended for a hug, then promptly disappeared back out to her car.
Seconds later, a flustered Jaylee reappeared, struggling with musical instruments, a laptop bag, music stand and other required paraphernalia.
Finally, triumphantly standing unburdened in my lounge room, she declared, “Happy Birthday! We’re going to have a Pooh Bear picnic!”
I knew instantly that this was because we had been making funny Pooh💩 (bear) references in our back-and-forth communications via texting during the previous week. Jay had embellished the theme and decided to use it for my birthday celebration.
I received a generous hug and our scheduled monthly playdate began.
Hooray!
This meetup was even more special than usual because my bestie had put together a gorgeous platter of yummy cakes and cookies with which to celebrate — the centrepiece was a lovely pot of golden honey.
Between hoots of joyous laughter, and opening a playful gift of Pooh storybook with jigsaw puzzle, we brewed tea and invited Dee to join our picnic.
It was while enjoying our munchies that I had time to reflect on how grateful I was that this sort of play was common for us.
We had long ago come to a place in our lives where we made the most of celebrating our inner children without explanation, hesitation, or even questioning whether the others in our circle would think our activities were odd.
Giggling over the picnic, I glanced around the room and noted Jaylee’s “toys” spread higgledy-piggledy over my furniture, and grinned with delight — Pooh had burst through the door and made a delightful mess (as was both our norms on playdates) and I was reminded of AA Milne’s wonderful Winnie-the-Pooh’s favourite expression of alarm, “Oh, bother!”
But it was no bother. I loved it!
I love my friend, I love our scheduled playtimes and I love the mess we always make; creating together, being ridiculous together, making music together, plotting projects together, and eating together.
“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?” — Winnie-the-Pooh character by AA. Milne
So, we asked ourselves that very question, then stuffed ourselves with hot fish and chips and the remains of the Pooh Bear picnic before we embarked on the rest of our play time.
And that is what I am here to ask you today. How often do you make time to play, support your inner child, and celebrate the stuff that makes the child-like inner-you respond with unbridled joy?
Are you tempted to leave this story right now because it all seems a bit too silly and juvenile for you? Are you beginning to feel uncomfortable with all this talk of unbridled joy and dumb Pooh Bear picnics.
Wait up!
Please, a minute of your time — perhaps this reminder is meant for you! Just sayin’.
Do you believe in signs? Not the ones that tell you to slow down because of roadworks or because koalas cross here at night, I mean the kind that seems like a higher power is talking to you.
I do, and so when something silly or seemingly unimportant is pressed upon my consciousness, I tend to sit up and take a little bit of notice.
The day following Jaylee’s visit, I had a birthday date with my son. He was treating me to a favourite outing of delicious brunch, a slow and leisurely crawl around the Saturday Op shops (Charity shops) for potential bargains, and a visit to the seaside markets in his area.
While we were in a newly opened charity shop, a conversation at the counter made me prick up my ears.
“I hope you have a Pooh Bear on hand,” enthused a customer. “My grandson is just crazy about him.”
“I do believe there is one somewhere,” replied the assistant.
I chuckled to myself, thinking how odd that I should hear about Pooh the day following my birthday fun. Of course, I promptly forgot about it and went on with my explorations.
About an hour later, the four of us, my son and his wife, and Dee and I, were wandering through the markets. Queensland had provided a glorious day for my birthday ramble and I was thoroughly enjoying the boat harbor views, the stalls laden with colourful crafts, and the amazing displays of fresh fruit and vegies.
Hubby and I had cause to stop walking and wait for Dee Jnr and his wife to catch up — right beside a vibrant display of honey featuring, you guessed it, Pooh Bear!
The stall owner kept trying to engage me and because I was intrigued by yet another Pooh intrusion, I asked permission to photograph his stall.
The next morning, breakfast television presented another Pooh Bear call to arms and so I was finally convinced to give the subject a bit of further consideration.
I concluded that Pooh had given me a great deal of fun and laughter leading up to and including my birthday — the significance was simple. My inner child was being honoured and I was being urged to share that with others.
Ta da! Here I am, urging and sharing, writing all about the subject in my RvR end-of-month round-up and asking you to think about how you can personally honour the inner you.
You don’t need a special day, a special occasion or even a special time. Do what Pooh does, make every day a special day and find a special, playful moment just for you.
“What day is it?”, asked Winnie the Pooh. “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. “My favorite day,” said Pooh” ~Winnie the Pooh character by AA Milne
And so, I have declared October to be, International Celebrate Your Inner Child Day, which brings me to the prompt part of my post.
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” ~ Pablo Picasso
Get excited, break out your paints, crayons, pens and pencils and draw something childlike!
It can be anything at all as long as it has colour (‘color’, if you live somewhere other than Oz or England or anywhere else that doesn’t use Us). Then, gaze intently at your picture and write something silly, funny, deeply meaningful or outrageous. Make us laugh, make us cry, make us feel spiritual, or even make us feel sorry for you. 🤣
Here’s some inspo from Pixabay with tweaks from me:
If your little one ate your crayons, bust out your phone camera and take a photo of you doing something fun/funny. Maybe you could eat your crayons and snap that!
Let’s see what your inner child can conjure up to share with our inner children. 🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♂️🤸♀️
I was so excited by my Pooh picnic, I forgot to take a photo until there was only one cake and cookie left on the plate (in foreground of image). AI and digital manipulation assisted with concocting a few more goodies. 🤣
A special call out to our wonderful writer, David Rudder, who celebrated a milestone birthday this month. Congratulations, dear David, on the occasion of your 80th birthday. You are a superstar!
September Roundup
Our awesome writers at The RvR have delighted and surprised once again. A big bear hug🐻goes out to this month’s contributors:
Jaylee Reign — L♦tt♦rs from m♦ heart
Randall Snyder — No You Haven’t
pockett dessert — A Green Butterfly Spirit Emerges From The Blooming Calla Lily.
Lewiscoaches — Social Norms and the Trickster Life The Challenger Disaster Revisited from a Positive Perspective Toronto’s Music Garden
Patricia Jeanne — Frustrated Writers Need Lizzie Lizard Brain to Survive Gas Chamber Entitled Californian is Late For Challenge
Sinus Kosinus — When Angels Descend on Earth
“I am often accused of being childish. I prefer to interpret that as child-like. I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things. I tend to exaggerate and fantasize and embellish. I still listen to instinctual urges. I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind. I never water my garden without soaking myself. It has been after such times of joy that I have achieved my greatest creativity and produced my best work.” ~ Leo Buscaglia
The wonderful Natalie was on my wavelength this month:
FYI Queensland Senior Readers, October is Queensland Seniors Month. If you are searching for something fun to engage your inner child, I suggest you explore the added link.
Have the bestest October ever, everybody! 🎃👻🦇 Love, Raine 💙💦
Letting Pooh have my last word
This for Jaylee —
“We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?’ asked Piglet. “Even longer,” Pooh answered. ~Winnie-the-Pooh character by AA Milne