Still, I did not start in on November for that significance. I sit here calmly now having been through the shock and significance. I’m still here and remembering Joseph in Genesis is a short way to correct my attitude to give thanks to God and dare I say that I have gathered and been taught of the Great Spirit. When it is a said and done, you may say what you will. Remember though, it always starts with the small stuff and gains momentum going downhill.
Small visuals I brought back from sleep was a row, dare I say grove of prickly pears. What caught my eye in the dream was that the danced and waved back and forth as if in front of me. Soon I recognized that they were larger that most of the fruit I have had. Most fit in my palm, these danced on the curve of the cactus were the size of footballs. Being somewhat lucid and competent in the dream, I had enough cognizance to count eight large cacti. The number eight and the image of the fruit I made room for in a memory in my mind. It rooted firmly and for a few months to come in sat dormant.
We, mom and I, were coming east from San Francisco on our way to Las Vegas. We finally hit open road instead of traffic and large signs started popping up on the horizon for fresh fruits and nut. Honestly, it was an oasis in the middle of rolling hills. It also was a nice change to the political/economic signs that were scattered every few miles. They read “No water = No jobs”. One would think that this oasis was out of place, but link to the gas station, they were bound to get visitors. We pulled around the yellow building that had no windows, but many cut aways. We were greeted by a rabbi and slowly went around all the rows. Mom found her $.25/lb oranges as advertised on the billboards. I on the other hand looked out the window and saw cacti teeming with cactus fruit. I stood still for a second with a clueless visage. I asked the rabbi if I could pick their fruit. He said yes and at no charge. I screamed for joy. All this out in the side brush of the highway and no one had a clue. He gave me a bag and I started picking. My issue of picking out of season lingered and left. The dream was driving me on and I had to. I promise you that I had to. I stood there in the grove and counted. There were at least eight towering cacti teeming with fruit. I looked for spiders and did not get to low in case a rattler was nesting. Turn to the right and there were a few trees with growth beneath them. I was almost positive past of the growth was nasturtiums. Nasturtiums produce edible flowers. The kind man told me I could take anything I want out there. I said thank you, but I couldn’t. It was too beautiful to disturb.
What I did not tell you happened over six years ago. I had left the house where I lived to go out looking for a job. I had no vehicle, so shoe leather express was the one was to go. I left early one day without eating. I was still keeping my mind in order by pursuing my “Medicine Wars” Project. Looking, identifying and eating wild food was part of the plan. I put it aside some days, but I never give up no matter where I go. So, hunger propelled me that morning. Going out the back way of the plan, there are a few businesses. One of which is a place that orders/builds fire trucks. Outside is a small cactus plant about three by three feet. Perched on top was what I identified as cactus fruit. I pulled about three--Enough to eat now and some to feast on later. I was a while since I had seen the fruit in the stores, but I took a chance and ate for a day and then some. That memory left an imprint on my soul. Everywhere I look now, I know the Medicine Wars Project works. I’m more inclined to making the maps, learning to track and continuing with stitching sign.
Artlife was up close and personal these past three weeks. In the beginning of the trip started to journal and it fell away in the milieu. The advice I got was not to draw or journal, just soak it up. I drew once and that was at Red Rock Canyon outside of Las Vegas. Meanwhile, I’m starting to filter out and remember. Good stuff most assuredly I will tell. No matter how far into this year it takes.
Hope you are healthy and all is well.
BTW: I've been working on a new collage series. I've been asked to finish up by February, so I'm putting the time in. Putting the paper mache and clay pieces on hold may happen depending on wether I get tired, bored or the supply list does not fit the budget allotment for February. These next three months look busy and my head is swimming trying to organize myself. It is the little bitty finishing things for DQS that might wrinkle my party dress.
Meanwhile working on issues of trust and what does follow-up include in the studio?
As ever, stay hungry and curious.