Stay Curious--But Get the Facts

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity." --Albert Einstein

I ran across a list of explanations and definitions for historical traditions and word meanings in a recent issue of our local historical society's newsletter. While the tidbits were interesting, and in some cases downright funny, I had to ask myself if the "facts" were true. There were no credits or source information given. Hmmm. Well, let's just say such an example can serve as a reminder to double-check our research notes before taking them public. First account sources--like diaries, original documents, photos, interviews--are always best to draw from. For sure there's a reader out there somewhere itching to correct us if we slip up!

Having said that, here--from "Life in the 1500s Was No Picnic!"--is the list:

"Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they were starting to smell, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married."

"Only the wealthy had floors other than dirt. Hence the saying, 'dirt poor'."

"If thresh (straw) were spread on the floor and regularly added to, it would begin to slip out the door. To prevent this, a piece of wood (or 'thresh hold') would be placed in the doorway."

"Bread was divided according to status: servants got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top or 'upper crust'."

Yep, some curious stuff here. But, while we should never lose a sense of curiosity, in writing we should back up our work with facts that can be documented. What do you say?

And Then the Battery Died

We went to the circus last night. Thanks for the tickets, Melissa. Sorry you couldn't go, but then you're writing your own story there in Mexico!

The circus is a regular event for Bill and me; we try to go almost every year. We love it for the pulsating lights, energy, and pageantry. The sparkles, exotic animals, and thrills never cease to amaze us. And we couldn't have gone with a more fun couple than Jack and Eula.  Eula--a mother and grandmother, too--was like a child herself as she oohed and ahhed over everything. She even covered her eyes during nail-biting performances--like when the lion tamer seemed oblivious to the wild animal perched right behind him. She said just watching his act made her blood pressure rise.

I took my camera, thinking I'd get at least one good shot during the evening. A spellbinding one, I hoped, to encapsulate a tiny degree of the excitement. The lighting was poor so I played around with one setting after another. In total, I snapped maybe a half-dozen pictures. And then the battery died.

Aw, shoot (no pun intended).

After returning home, and replacing the battery, I scrolled through to see what images I did get. The last photo captured? This one, of human cannonballs being shot through the air! A split-second snap and an image is frozen in time--but still I think of the ones I "might" have gotten.

So, what did I learn from my night at the circus--and how might I turn it all to writing?

• Always carry an extra battery! Or, as the case may be, a notepad or journal to capture fleeting inspirations and writing thoughts.
• Shoot for the stars--and keep submitting. We never know when we'll hit the mark. But when we do, lights pulsate and hearts sparkle.
• Enjoy friends--and welcome them when they propel themselves into the next picture, scene, or story.
• LIfe's best moments come when we laugh. So let's not take ourselves--or our work--too seriously.
• Ask questions. Stay curious. (Where did that clown go after vanishing into thin air in that wagon?)
• Keep the sense of wonder alive, for wonder lights up the world.

A night at the circus awakens the kid in all of us, and is a fantastic antidote to stirring imagination, creativity, and renewed energy.
 
Now if I can only translate all of it into this keyboard.