Some people say it's the unconscious brain at work, some say it's tapping into a Universal vibration. What I speak of is the phenomenon known as time prompts. I always seem to look up at the clock when it's 'on the elevens'. 10:11, 1:11, 2:11, 5:11--always on the elevens. Those who turn a buck writing books have tried to spiel this twist of brain or vibration into a ropy exercise riffled with meaning. Each time prompt supports some type of magical interpretation that can be used to the abundant effect of the one who recognizes it.

Well, being that writing is always foremost in my forebrain, I use the elevens to gather into the moment. I spend that special minute writing a sentence, playing with an idea, or coming up with a character's name. From 11 to 12, those precious seconds are mine. They pull me out of my wild mind by urging me to stop thinking about the future or the past and to just spend a few moments in the now. Thomas calls them mini-meditations for the busy writer.

Many ancient meditative practices use these tricks to signal the beginning and end of applied mindfulness. The gong, the bell, the clang of an iron triangle. Each a call to private thoughts. But look deeper. Can you find other prompts to awaken your passions?

When Thomas visits, I smell old roses. It's a sublime scent, mixed with the fragrance of loamy earth. It wafts into the room and curls around my senses until I finally sit up and pay attention. It may, indeed, be my overactive brain requesting a minute to myself during a time that is not on the elevens. (It's quite all right to have more than one minute of personal focus, you know.) It was during one of Thomas's visits that I got the notion to honor my friend with a scarf of my own construction. So, Old Roses was born. I hand spun merino top, twisted in maroon-colored satin, cotton batik, sequins, angelina fiber, black lace and kid silk mohair. It captures the essence of Thomas and I thought I would share it with you. Click on the pictures for larger images.

Perspective. It's a concept with which visual artists are intimate. They consider how a picture is viewed--angle, lighting, color. Writers also deal with perspective. Whose perspective is guiding the story? Is it first person or third person? Most writers are familiar with these writing concepts, but did you realize that perspective comes into play when you're describing something from your mind's eye? The way you see things and translate them for your reader creates mood, setting and time. Study the picture above. What does it suggest to you? Are you inspired to let go a little Steampunk, or Victorian romance, or a futuristic description of post-apocalyptic proportions?

So, here's the challenge: Write a sentence or a paragraph and share it with us in the comments section of this entry. Really study this picture and after you're done writing, click on the image to see the original. Things may surprise you!

IT'S OFFICIAL!
OPALITE MOON ETSY SHOP

I've just uploaded the first One of A Kind knitted item to my Etsy store.
It's Ty's Scarf, boldly renamed November Moon. Go to: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dvitola

"Thomas?"
"Yes, Dear?"
"I've discovered how you came to be."
"Interesting. Figured it out on your own, did you?"
"There were clues. You're a Slate, aren't you?"
"A Slate. That's true. What gave me away?"
"I've found gray feathers after your visit."
"I need to take better care of my wings."
"Thomas?"
"Yes, Dear?"
"I've written a book that includes your secret. I'm going to publish it."
"When?"
"Soon."