Notebooks and Tablets and Pads, OH MY!

Every morning I write three pages of stream of consciousness. I have been doing this for several years. I write in sprial notebooks. When one notebook is filled the beginning of another elicits a strange emotional experience. Opening the new spiral, I frequently will run my hand, lovingly, sensually, over the new, pristine, blank page. This page is an open invitation to all the new thoughts and gripes and longings that are coming into being. And so begins the next set of my pages.

I address sketchbooks and drawing pads in much the same way although I have done very little sketching or drawing of late. But I do have many awaiting pads. I especially like the ones with perforated pages because it is like the first new page each time one is opened

A brand new passion is my infatuation with the Moleskine notebooks. In fact I am among many who feel the same way over at the website dedicated to Moleskines. I began my involvement with them by purchasing the small cahiers. These come three in a package, blank, lined, or gridded and have an open pocket in the back. I have designated one to keep track of my "projects." I keep notes and glue in pictures as the project progresses. Another one I keep in my purse to keep track of sizes, shapes, and names of things: varius table sizes for tablecloth purchases, names of plants that attract hummingbirds, dimensions of a wine glass to complete a set, all the stuff I can't carry around in my head anymore. And the third one is in reserve, awaiting a purpose.

Emboldened by the success of the cahiers, I purchases an 80 page sketchbook Moleskine. These have the pocket in the back , a page marker ribbon, and an elastic band that holds it all together. In fact I splurged and bought TWO. The one that I unwrapped began as my "praying in color" notebook. Pilot G2 GeI pens are my color medium. I have added emotional thoughts along with the color prayers. But, of course, the really charged emotion was opening the Moleskine up to the first new page. It was almost like God, waiting to hear from me.

It seems that I have had this weird fetish since -- well, forever. New school notebook fillers, drawing pads, little note pads, anything with a fresh, new page. It is waiting. Just for me. An opening for my heart.