Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Bob Dylan in my Dream Last Night!

fibula pin by robin atkins, lavender
Dream:
I am on the street outside of a cafe, milling around with a group of people who are attending a beading conference. I get tired of waiting, leave the group and enter the cafe, where all the tables are empty.

After taking a seat, I look up and see Bob Dylan entering the cafe. He's young, looking like he does on his
Freewheelin' or Blond on Blond album cover. Dual emotional response: 1. Wouldn't it be cool if he sits with me! And, 2. OMG, I wouldn't know what to say to him if he did!

I'm so shy that I put my head down and wait. He comes and sits kitty-corner from me at my table. Slowly I look up at him. Bob Dylan smiles slightly and asks, "What are the important influences in your life?" I freeze with shyness. I don't respond, and the next thing I know I'm back outside with the crowd.


End of that segment of the dream. However, I wake up soon, envisioning Bob and his question. A one-word answer snaps into my mind: teachers! My teachers are the most important influences in my life. All kinds of teachers (not so much the ones from my formal school years)...

Let me name, honor and thank a few of them here:

Andrew Dale ~ My tai chi teacher during the early 1990s, Andy taught me about physical balance and it's correlation to emotional balance. He taught me to walk with my weight back about 1/4th inch (I had been leaning forward slightly). This saved my feet and enabled me to walk normally again!

Shelley Tucker ~ My poetry teacher during the same period as above, Shelly taught me how to by-pass my controlling and frightened brain, and allow words to flow from my heart. I was already doing that with bead embroidery, but this was an entirely new thing to be able to do it with words. I still use her wonderful writing models, and have shared one of the best with you,
here. If you want to introduce poetry writing to young children, Shelley's books are super!

Ferne Cook ~ My mother, Ferne, taught me many wonderful life skills, including strong work ethics, ethics in general, how to sew, the value of quality craftsmanship, and good grammar.

Robert Demar ~ My husband, Robert, teaches me significant things nearly every day, including the most valuable lesson of all... that it's only money... you can see my progress with this concept
here. He opened the door for my recent insight about respecting my body, by taking my legs (the heavy ones I've always hated) out to dinner one night in appreciation for all they've done for me over the years. He has changed my habit of swearing when thwarted or frustrated, by showing me how it creates a negative aura. There's lots more.

Liz Chenoweth ~ How can I pick just a few things to mention about what I've learned from my best friend for 34 years? Among many other things, from Liz, I've learned that under anger there is fear, that love is all there is, that acknowledging love is hugely important, to give time and money, and to honor commitments.

Mary Oliver ~ Although I've never met her, poet Mary Oliver taught me an extremely important lesson... that I do not have to be perfect. The powerful healing medicine of
her poetry is beyond compare. On Monday, Feb. 4th, thanks to a gift from Liz, I get to hear Mary Oliver read her poems, live at Benaroya Hall in Seattle!!!! OMG, I'm so looking forward to it!

Bob Dylan ~ I've listened to Dylan's music since the 1960's. The man can write! And through his songs, he taught me to investigate everything, to look beyond the surface of people, and to care.

Lori Talcott ~ Metalsmith and friend, Lori taught me about how flat is boring, especially with wireworking. I used to make fibula pins with loops and spirals that were flat... pounded metal, but flat. Thanks to Lori, I now use my fingers to curve and shape the loops and poke out the spiral three-dimensionally. There's an example at the top of this post and several below.

OK, these are just a few examples of teachers and their important influences in my life. It's still November, the month of thanksgiving, and so I am giving my huge thanks to these and other teachers.

For the past two weeks, I've been making jewelry like crazy for a Holiday Sale this Friday and Saturday. Yesterday, I took pictures of some of the fibula pins I just made... thought you might like to see some of them...

fibula pin by robin atkins, soft green
fibula pin by robin atkins, teal green
fibula pin by robin atkins, teal purple
fibula pin by robin atkins, silver black
fibula pin by robin atkins, peach taupe
fibula pin by robin atkins, periwinkle gold
fibula pin by robin atkins, red yellow blue
fibula pin by robin atkins, rose black
fibula pin by robin atkins, silver grey
fibula pin by robin atkins, blue Chinese
fibula pin by robin atkins, orange black
fibula pin by robin atkins, taupe black
fibula pin by robin atkins, grey taupe

16 comments:

  1. Hi Robin,
    Thanks for sharing your amazing dream. How very cool to meet up with Bob Dylan.
    What a wonderful tribute you've written to your teachers. You've got me to thinking about all of the teachers I've had who've inspired me over the years. One most recently who has inspired many people on an incredible beaded journey. You! :-)
    Your fibula pins are gorgeous. I hope your Holiday Sale is very successful!
    -Karen

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  2. These are WONDERFUL ! I may not be able to get to the show but sure could use one for my shawl ! Beautiful work - as always !

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  3. Robin,
    Beautiful pins!
    I think if I had to answer that same question, I would also say teachers, but I would have to include friends as well. My friends have encouraged me to look at my real self and I've discovered that I'm okay. Maybe it's my age, but I spend far less time trying to please others and more trying to please myself. I find I'm much happier and more fun to be around. That was a good question.
    Arline

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  4. Wonderful work, and wonderful words !

    It makes me think that I should start learning something new.

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  5. I guess I love learning a lot. My dad was my biggest influence because of a couple of lessons he taught me without ever saying a word. He taught me I was okay just as I am and he taught me love is the best, in fact, the only thing. I couldn't agree more that under anger is fear! Always! Neat post, Robin and great pins!

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  6. Anonymous2:11 PM

    I have always looked forward to having you as a teacher Robin. Unfortunately it has never happened. But teachers are a huge influence and I enjoy reading your blog and learning long-distance. Thanks for sharing your pins.

    Robin

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  7. Robin, I feel so honored that you consider me one of your teachers. You have been, and continue to be, one for me. Your creativity has always inspired me. Your ability to be so capable and smart, excelling at everything you try from painting, to beading, to jewelry, to sewing, to designing studios, to dancing, to motor cycle riding, to writing poetry, to lecturing, to teaching - the list goes on and on - is amazing! Through it all, you have always made time to listen to me...to listen & listen in that accepting, loving, wise way that you do. Your listening & seeing who I am with such a loving, accepting eye has helped me see myself through a new lens of hope and ability. Our friendship is one of the, if not the most important things in my life.

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  8. Lovely, lovely work on those fibula pins! They are all so terrific, I don't know how anyone will be able to choose just one.


    Kathy V in NM

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  9. Anonymous12:39 PM

    What an extraordinary dream! Would you have had an instant answer ready if a similar incidence had happened in your waking life?

    The surprise factor would have blocked my thinking, too, for a while. Having had a few minutes to consider the question with no one in front of me expecting a reply, I would say what influenced me most were the places I lived at, my grandparents, late husband, son, daughter, a few other people, some literature and many different experiences.

    You are so fantastically productive (with such fabulous results, it goes without saying)! This naturally leads me to a question which I am sure you can easily answer: Does your day have more than 24 hours?? Or are you extremely well organised, perfectly disciplined, a very quick worker, going without sleep ...? How do you manage the household on the side?

    The sale is bound to be a huge success, for your fibula pins alone!

    Admiration and hugs,
    Sabine

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  10. In my work I am finding little bits and pieces of all the wonderful teachers that I have had. Thank you Robin for being one of them and for so generously sharing your life lessons with us. You are a wonderful teacher!
    Denise

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  11. Lucky it wasn't his 115th dream.
    Your work is, as always, inspiringly lovely.
    Love to and season's felicitations to you and Robert

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  12. I just dreamed of Fred Flintstone! Can't figure what that means.

    I could pick just one- that very bright one with The yellow, blue and red? or orange?. Beautiful. All of them actually.

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  13. Wow what a neat dream !!! I love your pins , I wish that I could attend the show because that orange one is just screaming for me to buy it LOL :) I am a huge orange freak !!
    Hugs
    Amy M.
    www.rattiemom.blogspot.com

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  14. Beautiful pins. I'd wear them as earrings too, they are really lovely!

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  15. Gorgeaous beadwork!

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  16. Anonymous6:40 AM

    Wow, amazing and gorgeous pins. Great work
    Bonjour from sunny French Riviera

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Thanks you for joining the discussion on this post today!