"The A to Z game. For Ivo, it's a way to pass the time, a way to avoid the pain, and a way to think about what really got him here. His hospice nurse suggested it. Think of a body part for each letter, and think of memories connected to each one. And so begins the revealing of his misspent life: the terrible teenage choices, friendships made and cracked, love he'll never get back. He remembers the girl who tried to help him, the friend who wouldn't let her, and the sickness that chases him even now. Refreshing and thought-provoking, The A to Z of You and Me shows the raw unraveling of a life lived loud and hard."
Now, I have no idea whether or not this book is a good read, but it did make me think about different ways to use the alphabet. Other than the way we used it last week, how else could you use it to analyze and discuss literature or art? On a personal level, I think I will go through the alphabet and research a writer and an artist each day that starts with a particular letter. So today, perhaps I will take a look at the works of French symbolist painter, Edmond Aman-Jean, and the poet Adrienne Rich. I know you expected me to find a last name starting with A, but during my search Rich came up, and I already know I like her work.
How might the study of these two people, their art and writing, impact my own productivity and creativity?
Another way to use the alphabet is to improve vocabulary. Just get out the dictionary and look up a few words starting with A. Try to find a word you are not familiar with or at least one that you don't use often. For example, I found the word "acedia," defined as laziness or indifference in religious matters. Hmmm... I would think that could be used as a good story starter.
Another way to use the alphabet is to ask what fabulous, wonderful, kind, helpful thing could I do for my husband today? How about accept, appreciate, and articulate? This helps me look at him through a positive lens and also reminds me to tell him how I feel about him.
These suggestions may seem silly, but we all know that the average human uses only a small percentage of his or her brain. And as I have been considering brain health more and more lately as I age, and as those around me age, I can't help but feel that anything we can do to activate our brains is a very good thing.
I don't know about you, but I plan to have an AMAZING day! (By the way, did you know that when you cut an apple in half crosswise, the seeds form a star?) Click on the apple below to link to a poem that was inspired by this realization. "Spin Art" was published in "Slit Your Wrists" magazine and featured in "Houseboat."