CHASING DOWN THE MUSE
"Every beginning is some other beginning's end."
These words from a song by the group Green Day play in my mind as
I take my morning walk this first week of September.
The shafts of sunlight filter down to the earth through gray cloud
cover. Walking along the edge of the sea, sand crunching soft beneath
my feet, I reflect on the past three months -- beginnings, endings,
and new beginnings. The time has passed with such speed. In spite of
good intention, no time or space seems to have appeared in which to
savor all that has transpired. Time waits for no (wo)man, and I am no
exception. That there is more that I missed, that I just move too
fast, I have no doubt. This is the sadness that mingles with joy at
the endings.
It is at the crossroads of beginnings and endings that I find
myself now. There seems to be a signpost with arrows pointing in many
directions. Catharine's raven ("er crow") sits atop the post ready to
race off in the chosen direction, perhaps even lead the way. But for
just this brief moment I want to reflect-to see what was perhaps only
absorbed at the time.
The ending of the festival season here in Laguna offers me this
opportunity to contemplate and muse-even celebrate-what has
transpired. It is a chance to look at the beginnings and endings. The
festivals are occasion for an unusual coming together of varied
personalities and occupations and art forms. The artists and artisans
are independent, even separate, yet all parts of a community.
Diversity abounds.
The Sawdust Festival alone had 29 new artists from a variety of
disciplines. These new artists, along with the old, injected change
and new energy as booth building began last May. The pounding of
hammers, buzzing of saws, and the ratchety sound of drilling were
just some of the sounds that filled the peaceful eucalyptus grove
with an invasion of man-made activity. New wood and old went up
side-by-side forming the buildings of a small community. Soon myriad
colors appeared to brighten the landscape as artists chose the
backdrop for their artwork.
As opening night approached, there was a settling in, punctuated
by flurries of last-minute changes and completion of things not yet
done. Next, the art works began to show up, some ensconced in mystery
behind screens of fabric tarps. And then the "ta-da": the stage was
set-booths resplendent with tasty foods, the eager guests lined up
outside, exhibitors dressed up and waiting ... Let the show begin!
