I discovered my passion very early. I just love doing it. My mother claims that I was writing when I was crawling — with a twig in the sand, or on the margins of books. But I think just growing up in the South and having a somewhat difficult time, you know, really helped me to look to creativity as a way to cope, really, with life.
Art requires us to really see, to look at things with understanding. And I think because things were difficult — for instance, you had one pair of shoes that had to last the entire year. So if you sort of wore them out, what were you going to do? Well, you had to really think hard about how people managed to clothe you, and how they managed to feed you.
The advice I would give to anyone, but especially to the young — find some quiet space around yourself and maintain it. And don’t fill your outer space or your interior space with other people’s anything. Keep a space for you. Because it’s the only way you can grow into being who you were meant to be.
–Alice Walker speaking this morning on We Have a Dream: Inspirational and Motivational Black Americans on 5 KSTP
-posted on red Ravine, Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
-related to post on practice, mentors, and Alice Walker on labyrinths: Labyrinth
I’m in Red Cloud, Nebraska tonight. Willa Cather country. She was the oldest of seven children (4 girls, 3 boys), and because she chronically stayed up into the night reading, her parents finally gave her her own bedroom in a tiny house. The other six kids had to figure it out in the other part of the attic.
Isn’t it amazing her parent’s had the wherewithal to encourage her by giving her space?
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Teri, I wish I could be there, too, in Red Cloud, Nebraska, basking in the energy of Willa Cather. I did not know that about her — that she stayed up into the night reading. And I can’t believe her parents gave her her own bedroom with all those kids around.
That’s pretty cool. Didn’t you tell me that you found space to write in a quonset hut when you were growing up? (Is that the right term? Am I spelling it right?)
I was the oldest of 6 kids in a pretty small house. I think I got space by going inside, listening to music, or heading outside to shoot hoops or throw a softball with friends. Sometimes it’s enough to find the space internally. Sometimes we have to be alone.
Thank you for checking in on your travels. I can imagine you there. And it is inspiring when writers visit the childhood homes of other writers. To find out the spaces where they had to make their way.
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Wow. I’ve never heard it put quite that way before, but now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure that “space” of your own is key to emotional well-being. Thanks for posting it.
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brightcalliope, I tend to agree with you. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Teri, you asked about the bridge in Kearney. I do believe I have seen the bridge you are talking about. Is it the one that used to be wood, then it was built in concrete? I think it was about a mile long. I stumbled on this vintage postcard of the Platte River Bridge (LINK) that says, “Built 1873, replaced in 1916 by a concrete structure.” And this book on Pictorial Kearney, Nebraska from 1920 (LINK). It’s got a black and white photo of the bridge.
Do you think you’ll head by Kearney? Or are you traveling further south? I do remember the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument that they built around 2000 (LINK). I was traveling along that way when it first opened. It’s hard to get to though. I don’t think they planned for an exit there. Have you ever seen the archway?
Safe travels tomorrow. It’s been freezing rain here the last few days. But pretty warm during the day. It’s putting the damper on the St. Paul Winter Carnival and the Pond Hockey Championships. 8)
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I wrote a fan letter to Alice Walker after reading several of her books. Never received a reply, but I didn’t expect one. She writes with such truth behind her.
The arch across the interstate is very hard to miss because how many arches do you have over federal highways. There is an arch (the golden ones) over some highway in Oklahoma. QM, you are correct that it’s difficult to get to as though they didn’t plan an exit for the monument. Very intersting inside though and worth the difficulty of finding an exit to get to it.
Warm? Our warm day ended late last night. We he predictions of flurries on Monday and a wintry mix of Wednesday. Winter returns after a week of temperatures during the day above freezing…a breath of spring.
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I’m in Kearney, and heading into the Archway Monument Bob has been to, too. When I stopped to get gas, I asked the two guys at the station about the mile-long bridge over the Platte. Where is it? Does it exist?
They looked at me like I had a branch growing out of my head. I guess they’re not up on local folklore. I’ll keep asking around. 🙂
I haven’t read anything Alice Walker has written, though I’ve seen “The Color Purple” a dozen times. Bob, I’m glad you wrote to her.
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Teri, oh, my gosh. I wonder if the bridge is still there. Isn’t that strange. Or maybe it’s like any other bridge now and not that big a deal. I hope you do get to see the inside of the Archway Monument in Nebraska. I never did stop because the exit was a little off. But I read about the exhibits and it looks interesting.
Bob, I had forgotten you wrote to Alice Walker. I like finding other big fans of hers. She’s part of the reason I’m a writer. I like following her writing life over time. And the spiritual work she does, too. Inspiring.
Teri, maybe ask Kristi about the Kearney bridge. Now I really want to know!
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Bob,
I went through the Archway Monument. I had no idea what it was…just handed over my $10. It was such a surprise! Really fun! I’m really glad you told me about it. I won’t spill the beans, lest someone else on red Ravine visits it someday.
I was directed to the Fort Kearney Recreation Area for the walking bridge across the Platte. I’m headed there now.
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Thanks for this post. I love Alice Walker. She puts it so simply that anyone can understand. Even if they don’t know why, they can show up, listen, find that quiet space and results will happen. This is good advice for anyone, any age.
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Teri, Kearney was called “the Minneapolis of the West” when it was in its heyday. Did you see any resemblance between the two?
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Kearney the Minneapolis of the West? In Kearney’s dreams! Of course, I’m not here during heyday times. Maybe in 1890 they could make this claim. I’ll give them that.
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How’s the weather holding out for you, Teri? I think of you every time I see another report of the storm moving into the plains.
QM, I appreciate this quote. I loved this line:
And don’t fill your outer space or your interior space with other people’s anything. Keep a space for you.
Alice Walker is talking about boundaries here. You gotta get tough with others and with yourself. I think it’s especially hard when you’re pushing out other people’s emotional stuff. Physical can be easier.
This morning as I did Writing Practice, I had to ask my youngest to leave my writing room. I did one piece while I allowed her to stay, and after being gone for two weeks, well, I feel like a heel for needing space to write. But I have an essay due, and I’ve been trying to drop back into my writing place. My daughter didn’t seem to mind one bit. “I know, Mom,” she said, and off she went with the pug.
Can’t let the guilt get the better of you. When you’re straight with others, it helps them, too.
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yb,
Weather report: great. No snow or ice. Today: Holcomb, Kansas and the site of the Clutter murders + Truman Capote.
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Wow, Teri, that will be about your third or fourth time to Holcomb, right? Looking forward to hearing more.
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ybonesy, I agree. Emotional boundaries can be so much harder to set than physical ones. Emotional boundaries seem to me to have to be taught. But they are subtle. The lines between intimacy and autonomy. It seems like as humans we love to be around other people. And at the same time, long for our own spaces. I wonder how you teach kids to keep a space for themselves? Is it by example?
Teri, so you’re in Kansas now? And clear blue skies. You are so lucky you left when you did. This giant weather front moved into Minnesota and roads have been bad up here further North. Clear sailing through Nebraska and Kansas it sounds like. Have fun in Holcomb!
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It was my third time to Holcomb, and I’m pretty sure…the last.
Considering the weather around the country (and the snowy weather in Santa Fe today), I am so grateful for all the dry roads.
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Yes, Teri, you made it into New Mexico right before the storm. Of course, being New Mexico, it should pass quickly and back to blue skies soon.
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Teri, I thought of you a lot on your travels across Kansas and Oklahoma. We were having such stormy weather here and the roads were bad. Then I saw on the news that after you arrived in Santa Fe, an ice storm rolled across Oklahoma and the rest of the middle of the country. You hit that perfect window of good weather between storms! I’m glad you arrived in New Mexico safely.
I’m curious about why this will be your last time to Holcomb? Do you feel you’ve come full circle with everything you wanted to gather there.
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