Stories

April 25, 2019 - The Red Tree

Short Film from book, The Red Tree, by Shaun Tan.

April 14, 2019 - Flipper Girl – Mind Your Buckets

Tired of moving mountains, Flipper Girl settled for being strategically productive, leaving all responsibility (not of her own kind) up the muddy creek.

(Clunk & Jam book, 2019 Edition).

April 12, 2019 - Wisdoms of Rose Daisy Chain

Rose liked to save the flowers from dying .

Rose enjoys rendering her world with things of great visual delight.  She spends lengthy periods absorbed in personal and worldly examination, surrounded by things of great beauty, interest and pleasure, all of which assist in easing the trespassing of time – and the invasion of unfortunate thoughts.  Long Live Rose.

Footnote:  Rose is an independent promoter of self acceptance (and indulgence); a star in self development; and a high minder of her own identity.  She stands supremely comfortable in herself, resolved and content on her own path – and free from any expectation to be liked or followed.  Her stories read like a dream school report, with a quirky twist and streak of Rose’s signature deadpan humour.

(Reposted from 2013.  Wisdoms of Rose book published in 2018.  Find Rose in her Clunk & Jam 2019.)

March 19, 2019 - Wisdoms of Rose Moving On

Rose was a complete stranger to rejection because she never gave anything away – and what she had wasn’t up for grabs .

Rose keeps close to chest the many varied and precious pieces that make up her belongings – and herself.  This commitment and loyalty she exhibits ensures Rose remains a one and only, high creative traveler of poetic and art-filled paths – to wherever she happens to arrive.  Long Live Rose.

(Wisdoms of Rose and Clunk & Jam, 2019 book.  Reposted from 2013)

December 25, 2018 - Army of Ink Ride In A Pumpkin

Sometimes I Wish I Wasn’t Me .

This little soldier finally realised that being the fairest isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and looking up to stars can be dangerous – especially when they fall.  And that ‘way up high’, ‘over the rainbow’ and ‘climbing the ladder’ are sometimes dangerous places to try and reach.  And too far away to possibly get there on time.

Footnote:   It’s such a competitive world.  There’s a strong current drawing us up, up and away from who we are – or are comfortable and content being.  Acceptance, popularity, success and fitting in, can feel so out of reach.  It can feel impossible to meet the expectations of others.   Until the question arises –  what and who determines our worth?  It’s also wise to question the notion that a sense of belonging exists somewhere outside ourselves.  And that bigger and the better and more determines if we are –  ‘enough’.   It’s potentially a hothouse for discontent.  Home?  Home can be a building, a place,  but it can also be a secure feeling within yourself. 

The feather?   Perhaps a reminder to hold tight and true to our uniqueness, strengths and even strangeness, despite the world’s mirror reflecting back little to support diversity and difference.  (See the film, ‘Dumbo’, original movie trailer below.  Tim Burton’s adaption was released in 2019).  The pumpkin?  Maybe that’s about Cinderella.  Her tenacity and creativeness in getting to where she wants to be – on her own terms.   

(Reposted from 2009.  Originally in ‘Rock The Boat’ handmade book, 2009.  Handwriting by Mags.  Now in Clunk & Jam book, 2019)

November 26, 2018 - Wisdoms of Rose Holding Hands

Rose took her life into her own hands .

Rose does things her own peculiar way, never relinquishing personal plans of the most unconventional type.  She confidently makes unadvised decisions which often place her outside of all things mainstream.  Rose fully embraces this difference, the unique directions she plots, and the independence her own decision making affords her.  She works within a space-like time frame, creating objects galore that keep her safe and sound in mind – and well outside the orbit of others.  Long Live Rose.

Footnote:  ‘Taking her life into her own hands’ may be about not only about being self reliant but also keeping all the good things safe and close.  Protecting those things from the tendency many of us have of self sabotaging and diminishing our own worth.   Protecting all parts of ourselves from the horrible habit of comparison maybe?   And within that small, precious space, setting our own limits.  Being less our own enemy and dimmer of our potential.

(Clunk & Jam  and Wisdoms of Rose books, 2019.  Reposted from 2013).