The last two weeks, I was in the Florida Keys. I spent time outside looking at the nature, hanging upside down on our dock staring at the sky and discussing how beautiful God's creation is with my dear cousin Embie.
The rest of my time in the Keys, when it was too hot, too rainy or too mosquito-y to be outside, I spent indoors, relaxing in our good-ole bedroom upstairs at our vacation house. I wrote an entire novel in 8 days, spent countless hours just writing, plotting with my sissie Ashley-Tara and listening to music. This brings me to my post.
Have you heard of Pandora Radio? Most have. Most use it often. I have used Pandora off and on a lot the past year or so, we have it available on the Roku on our TV and I have the app on my iPod and phone. I didn't realize how much I truly cared about Pandora Radio until going to the Keys. Embie LIVES on Pandora, and thus played her stations for me, introducing me to all sorts of new music. Some instrumental (PERFECT for writing) and other new age-y/electronic type music. We discovered our affinity for accordion music and my deep appreciation for lower-string music.
I learned that the song "Pumped Up Kicks" is my current favorite, and that the viola cover of it I found online makes me happier than anything else right now.
(that's the viola cover that I listened to at least 30 times in a row while in the Keys)
"A Music For A Found Harmonium" is a brilliant story thinking song and definitely puts me in the mood for plotting and idea-brainstorming.
Movie soundtracks of all kinds are helpful, as well as Skillet's songs, which I didn't really listen to before Ashley introduced them to me. This one is my current favorite.
I wrote a novel, as previously mentioned. 40,000 something words, plus a follow up story I wrote the other night. I didn't go to the Keys intending to write that much, but I ended up doing so. My creative juices flowed like no tomorrow and I totally went with it, gorging on junk food and having enough sugar and caffeine to keep me up until 5 writing more than once during those 2 weeks. ;)
I would just snuggle up and write all day. It was the most relaxing and fun thing I have done in an extremely long time. I didn't worry about anything, except the fates (or rather, demises) of my characters, and when I needed a break, I went downstairs and got a freezy-pop and walked down on the dock.
I think that during the summer, we are often so caught up in life and doing something important over the three month break from school (well, for some. I haven't gotten that break exactly) that it's often forgotten to just relax. Going to the Keys was a wonderful time. We spent time outside, we went to the beach one day, we watched nature, we saw dolphins, we ate pie, it was great. I felt so relaxed and at ease. I didn't have to wake up at a certain time (the goal was before noon), I didn't have to do school (though I did do some reading), and no shirt, no shoes, no problem was the motto. I spent 90% of the trip in the same outfits, new favorite gym shorts, and the same three tank tops. Carefree was my favorite word, I didn't have to stress about a thing.
Despite my relaxation, I was very busy! I wrote a NOVEL guys!! In 8 days!! That's nuts! Not that it didn't take a toll on my psyche, writing that much. At one point during our trip I was so caught up in the story that I got downstairs for snack time and started crying into my chips because WOW EMOTIONS. It was intense.
Another emotion-avoiding tactic I used to keep myself from snapping after sleep deprivation, too much intense emotions and really junky food for a week and a half straight was making bracelets. I've learned all different styles and I'm pretty proud. We have all sorts of colors and Embie and I are bracelet making machines. ;)
I'm a professional at making the fish bracelet (as seen with the red/white/blue colors above), which I somehow keep making even though that isn't what I was aiming for. Oh well. New style it is. ;)
Now we're home, (going back to the Keys in a few weeks however!! YES!) and it has been raining since we got here. Today it is POURING. I woke up at 10:30 to my mother telling me to make sure my room doesn't flood and also that she was making tea. Happy soothing rainy day music was playing, the house smelled like pretty candles, Mom was sewing, and my sister just woke up as well.
Today is a creative day. I sent a story to a friend, I've been editing and rereading things this morning, and I'm listening to Pandora. Today will be a good day.
I leave you with this song, which I very extremely unsuccessfully sing every time it comes on my Pandora.
*ahhhiiieeehahhheeehauhhhahhahhhhh ahhhhehehehhahahheeeauhuehaheuahhh wwhwhwhahuehauehuahhwuhwueheuheuhwahhhh*
No one can ever say that I did not try.
Thanks for reading, more to come from my clear and some-what sane mind soon!!
xoxo,
Grace
