If you were to change your name what would it be?

As you know, I got myself a puppy November 30’13. She is a Schnoodle — Schnauzer x Poodle — and as cute as can be. She might weigh in at five pounds now, at almost five months of age. I will try to post a new picture of her in a later post.

When I introduced her to you I told you her name is Minnie. You can read about it here. Well, this darlin’ little puppy has had many names. When I got her she was named Bianca — the breeder told me that was just so she had a name, probably for identifying purposes and vet visits. I went through many names to find the one for her, and settled on Minnie. Minnie described her but the name did not sit on my heart.

I enrolled her in obedience classes as planned, scheduled to begin January 19. Finally, on January 15, I changed her name to one that felt right. I know, a crazy time to do it just before obedience classes, and I was concerned she would not be responding to her new name by then, but she picked it up right away. Oh, I should tell you that her name now is Meyya, pronounced meh ya, but we say it may ya. It is Swahili, and in English it’s Mary. Meyya means independent, strong, wise, responsible. I’m not sure how that translates for a dog, but little Meyya is smart, quick to catch on, and is enjoying obedience classes. She obeys the commands Sit, Down (which is to lie down), Come (coming when her name is called … usually, especially if she thinks there is a treat for her), and other things we are working on.

Now for my question: If you were to change YOUR name, what would it be? I am thinking about that very thing now. When I was a wee young child I used to think about having a different name, but I couldn’t decide what I would want to be called forever. That’s my problem now, too, so what I am still considering is finding a pen name, just for my writing, and maybe go from there. Maybe.

Now I ask you again, have you ever thought about changing your name? Or perhaps you did make that brave move. Why or why not?

And I have asked this question before, have you chosen a pen name for yourself? Why or why not?

These are legitimate questions, so I hope you will leave a reply. It may help me decide in my own quest.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

How do you express your creativity?

I’ve been thinking about creativity.

I don’t remember how I found this, but I made note of it to share with you because I think it’s such a fun and creative idea. A dad takes his children’s drawings and colours them (with their permission), and it’s amazing how it enhances their artwork. Take a look here. Did you ever think of doing this?

I used to sketch. In school — don’t ask how long ago that was! — I took a sketching class, which was fun and I looked forward to it. Each week a member of the class would sit in the middle of the room and the rest of us would draw him or her. Mine weren’t too bad – if I do say so myself; they looked like the person, anyway. For years I occasionally liked to sit and draw what I saw out the window, or across the room – but I am long out of practice. I’ve been thinking of taking up sketching again, taking classes, maybe even learn to paint, but who has time? Maybe it’s not about that, though. Maybe it isn’t whether there is time for it, maybe it’s about allowing myself that creative outlet, another vehicle of artistic expression. A stress reliever. A mind-expanding experience.

My dad used to doodle interesting little drawings. A few days ago I heard someone being interviewed about doodling. She said it’s very important because it is creative expression and also is something many people do while thinking problems through, processing things during conversations or meetings. I doodle sometimes, and my husband often doodles during his telephone conversations.

My mother had a very creative mind. She sewed, crafted, planned fun family parties, made up cute stories and funny poems. After her passing we found a delightful children’s story tucked away. I remembered she had written it for a summer course many years ago. Dad would like to see it as a book, and it could be … Mum also painted. She took beginner classes and learned different methods, so now we have several of her paintings in different mediums.

One of my daughters paints, beautiful work. Another can create very detailed drawings and embroidery work, another sculpts wonderful little creations from Sculpey (a polymer clay), another likes to bake fancy delicious desserts. This is just a glimpse of their artistic side. I remember when they were in school, each could come up with such good stories for writing classes, but unfortunately none of them chose to continue in that venue.

It seems I’m in musing mode tonight. Now I have some questions for you.

Are you a doodler?
Do you have memories of creative adventures – good or less than satisfactory?
Are there artistic expressions you wish you had pursued?
Perhaps there are things you are reminded of and feel enticed to venture into again? Do tell!

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

We have our winners of Shadows in the Stone!

Tonight my husband drew two names out of the basket. Betty and Darlene will each be receiving an email from Diane with the coupon for them to obtain their copy of Shadows in the Stone.

Congratulations, ladies! 🙂

Please watch for more book reviews, interviews, and the occasional book giveaway.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂