I used to put small objects such as these into brown lunch bags for my students to draw, using only their sense of touch to introduce them to the shapes (no peeking!). Not the same thing, but a very good way to see without one’s eyes. Mr. Peanut was the easiest for them to identify (that hat and peanut texture let them perceive something they had already experienced), as was a rubber alligator, but a tiny pagoda was nearly impossible. Most students drew a turtle. And the wooden figurine that looked like a fertility goddess was even harder than the pagoda. I wonder if the goddess would like to take a walk when it warms up. She’s still hanging out in my studio and would probably enjoy getting dusted.
Burying small objects in a tub of rice and then trying to identify them by touch is also a technique used for people who have experienced a stroke, teaching them to reconnect with their perceptions. Worked for me.
On my car’s dashboard, I travel with a 2.5” Oscar the Grouch. He makes my journeys joyous and whimsical. Years ago I purchased a few plastic “heroes” I adore and made each a little wood message box. Mark Twain, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie curie and a few others. They sit on a shelf in my study. Whenever I am stuck on a question without an answer, I write down my issue and hand it off to my “board of directors.” Literary questions, creativity blocks, etc. You’d be amazed how handing off your problems to a panel of experts frees you up to pursue other things. Not surprisingly, I eventually get my answer. Telepathically of course. I highly recommend something similar to anyone struggling through life’s little and big questions.
Just for fun I once added up the earthly ages of everyone on my board of directors and learned that I was tapping into the wisdom learned in over 500 years.
I love the concept of "The Art of Noticing." This resonates with me deeply although I have never thought about it in relation to small objects. I will definitely be giving this a try.
I have used this concept more in my art and poetry Noticing (Learning to Look Without Grabbing) Muraqabah (مُراقبة) — sacred attention, watchfulness without grasping). If that makes sense.
This was an incredible and heartwarming post. I was immediately reminded of when I was little and I used to imagine complete adventures for my minifigures in the gnarled branches of trees, or in the windowsill or in a small copse in the garden.
Now I have this obsession with collecting Hot Wheels RacerVerse cars (vehicles with a minifigure of a well-known character as the driver), so after reading the post I re-imagined the hedges of the neighborhood as incredible and forebodding forests for the cars.
Yes when I was a kid my little plastic soldiers etc were definitely my travel companions! And in a way the did give me a particular perspective on the places my parents took us camping. Thanks for this!
I have my own spirit doll. I made her from recycled fabrics. Her name is Coraline. She's awee bit spooky. She has been my protector and guide on a recent long journey from Australia to Europe. She doesn't love being in the hold on the long haul to flights but us now resting up safely with another home made friend, Salvatore, part dog, part Spaniard gigilo!
I love this. It makes me realise I usually travel with companions in my imagination. What will I take home to tell my husband? What will I take for the people who follow my author newsletter? If a character in the novel I'm working on was here with me, what would we be noticing? And when I'm out and about with my horse, I'm noticing with his senses (because that's a matter of our survival). Charming piece, Rob.
About the same day you made this post, a Facebook memory came up. It was three plastic dinosaurs on a beach in Kauai. I have quite a collection of Tiny Travel Guides.
And I was at a Nature Winterfest and one of my friends gave a photography presentation. She suggested getting super close-up to nature and photographing it. The create a story about that scene from the perspective of your being tiny yourself.
I love how things come together. Hey, February and a new noting theme is coming soon. Hint, hunt.;)
I love miniatures, and of course, I have a large, disorganized collection scattered all over the house. Thanks to this idea, I'll take some of them for a walk.
I even found some of the miniatures on the street!
And I'm always planning to make some small ceramic pieces and leave them as gifts around town; this post has finally convinced me. As soon as I do, I'll send you photos of the experience. Thanks as always.
This...this is psyhogeography run by fairies.
I love it.
I used to put small objects such as these into brown lunch bags for my students to draw, using only their sense of touch to introduce them to the shapes (no peeking!). Not the same thing, but a very good way to see without one’s eyes. Mr. Peanut was the easiest for them to identify (that hat and peanut texture let them perceive something they had already experienced), as was a rubber alligator, but a tiny pagoda was nearly impossible. Most students drew a turtle. And the wooden figurine that looked like a fertility goddess was even harder than the pagoda. I wonder if the goddess would like to take a walk when it warms up. She’s still hanging out in my studio and would probably enjoy getting dusted.
Wow this is great, and Sally the rice idea is excellent too!
Burying small objects in a tub of rice and then trying to identify them by touch is also a technique used for people who have experienced a stroke, teaching them to reconnect with their perceptions. Worked for me.
This is so cool... At 62 I carry around a miniature Wile Cayote in my pocket....I guess im not alone after all...
On my car’s dashboard, I travel with a 2.5” Oscar the Grouch. He makes my journeys joyous and whimsical. Years ago I purchased a few plastic “heroes” I adore and made each a little wood message box. Mark Twain, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie curie and a few others. They sit on a shelf in my study. Whenever I am stuck on a question without an answer, I write down my issue and hand it off to my “board of directors.” Literary questions, creativity blocks, etc. You’d be amazed how handing off your problems to a panel of experts frees you up to pursue other things. Not surprisingly, I eventually get my answer. Telepathically of course. I highly recommend something similar to anyone struggling through life’s little and big questions.
This is fantastic!
Just for fun I once added up the earthly ages of everyone on my board of directors and learned that I was tapping into the wisdom learned in over 500 years.
LOL
So are you!!! Thank you kindly.
I love the concept of "The Art of Noticing." This resonates with me deeply although I have never thought about it in relation to small objects. I will definitely be giving this a try.
I have used this concept more in my art and poetry Noticing (Learning to Look Without Grabbing) Muraqabah (مُراقبة) — sacred attention, watchfulness without grasping). If that makes sense.
This was an incredible and heartwarming post. I was immediately reminded of when I was little and I used to imagine complete adventures for my minifigures in the gnarled branches of trees, or in the windowsill or in a small copse in the garden.
Now I have this obsession with collecting Hot Wheels RacerVerse cars (vehicles with a minifigure of a well-known character as the driver), so after reading the post I re-imagined the hedges of the neighborhood as incredible and forebodding forests for the cars.
Yes when I was a kid my little plastic soldiers etc were definitely my travel companions! And in a way the did give me a particular perspective on the places my parents took us camping. Thanks for this!
"when was the last time you had a crocodile be your guide?" -- A completely valid question.
Never.
I have my own spirit doll. I made her from recycled fabrics. Her name is Coraline. She's awee bit spooky. She has been my protector and guide on a recent long journey from Australia to Europe. She doesn't love being in the hold on the long haul to flights but us now resting up safely with another home made friend, Salvatore, part dog, part Spaniard gigilo!
Best from B (BHereNow) 💚
I love this. It makes me realise I usually travel with companions in my imagination. What will I take home to tell my husband? What will I take for the people who follow my author newsletter? If a character in the novel I'm working on was here with me, what would we be noticing? And when I'm out and about with my horse, I'm noticing with his senses (because that's a matter of our survival). Charming piece, Rob.
About the same day you made this post, a Facebook memory came up. It was three plastic dinosaurs on a beach in Kauai. I have quite a collection of Tiny Travel Guides.
And I was at a Nature Winterfest and one of my friends gave a photography presentation. She suggested getting super close-up to nature and photographing it. The create a story about that scene from the perspective of your being tiny yourself.
I love how things come together. Hey, February and a new noting theme is coming soon. Hint, hunt.;)
Oh that's a cool idea!
Tiny buddhas certainly can redirect! And most certainly spark the imaginative traveler!
I loved this project!! I am looking forward to trying it myself
Let us know how it goes ;)
I love this, and did it with a small bear figurine ("Mr. Fuzzy") in 2024 when I backpacked 75 miles of the Colorado Trail. A selection of pictures from his (our) journey are here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Q1ZslB8SBijT9LyaYKnjKjXiEqaAutT9?usp=sharing
Wonderful, Rachel! Love the pix -- "you gonna eat these fries?"
TBH, I didn't share them with him. 😕
LOL I don't blame you!
Lots here that made me pause and think this morning. A pleasure as always to read it. Thank you.
I love miniatures, and of course, I have a large, disorganized collection scattered all over the house. Thanks to this idea, I'll take some of them for a walk.
I even found some of the miniatures on the street!
And I'm always planning to make some small ceramic pieces and leave them as gifts around town; this post has finally convinced me. As soon as I do, I'll send you photos of the experience. Thanks as always.
Awesome. My weird habits are not so weird after all