READ-Y

/ roughwighting

Opal https://pixabay.com/photos/opal-stone-crystal-mineral-757153/VargaWhen Julie opened the cover of the ancient book in the attic, the first page glowed opal, and letters began to float off the page, circling her like fairy dust. (Part I, The Ancient Book)

Julie should have been afraid, closed the book, and raced down the narrow ladder, quickly closing that attic ceiling door.

file:///C:/Users/Owner/Desktop/Letters%20Fonts%20Alphabet%20F/tommyvideoBut instead her body relaxed as dozens of those letters surrounded her and buzzed like happy bees. The sweet soft buzzzzzz turned to whisperings from Spirits long gone and still here.

Still here you are and will be evermore.

Still your senses  – silence opens the door.

Still your mind to return to times of lore.

Still your Being to find your inner core.

spirit, muse, life, deathWith eyes closed, Julie’s body began to float along with the words. Or at least, it felt as if she was rising, rising, rising to the rafters. Colors of every hue raced in front of her closed eyelids: ruby, emerald, turquoise, fuchsia, and deep blue.  She couldn’t imagine how bright the colors would be if her eyes were open. Perhaps she’d be blinded.

Blind you are not if your Spirit is open

Open to all that lies within and beyond

Beyond are worlds that most cannot fathom

Fathom it all when you read this aged tome.

Through all this, Julie felt not an iota of fear. Nor anticipation nor adrenaline nor consternation. She felt… 

Nothing.

Nothing is full of everything, you see

Seeing is not believing – that’s the key

Delve deep inside where there’s no you nor me

Just stillness of Being, which will set you free.

And just like that, the colors subsided.  Julie felt the hard attic floor underneath her, and the letters swirled slowly back in the book, which closed itself as softly as floating feathers. walking, forest walking, forest

She breathed in the earthy sweet scent of a pine forest.

She breathed out stale feelings and worries.

She breathed in the love of her aunt and the devotion of her mom.

She breathed out worries about her future or regrets of her past.

Julie breathed in hope and joy and yes, pure silence.

As she bent over to pick up the ancient book, the cover turned a glossy gold and slowly a title appeared: Still. Now Ready.

And ready Julie was. She sprang down the attic steps to start renovating Auntie’s house, willed and bound to her. Suddenly, Julie realized that the downstairs with wooden floors, high ceilings, and tall windows – some with stained glass – would make a perfect neighborhood bookstore. She’d entitle it with a grand sign at the front door:  READ-Y.

book, writing, love, from the heartBut one book she’d never sell, of course, was the ancient one in her hands.

 

A MILLION THANKS TO ALL OF THE COMMENTS to Part One (“The Ancient Book”) and my question: What did Julie discover? I’ve used many of your magical thoughts to create this Part 2 (“Read-y”). The winner is yeahanotherblogger, since Neil was the first to comment and “get the creative ball rolling.” Neil chose to receive a copy of my book: Flashes of Life. 

89 thoughts on “READ-Y”

    • I just made up that bookstore name as I wrote down the incantations, and it all came to me. Truly, there must be a bookstore with that name somewhere! If not, maybe I should patent it! 🧐😀

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Ahhhh … I love how the story turned out! And so glad we could all contribute. A bookstore is a perfect answer to her openness and willingness.
    Not for nothing, but there is a small note I made, taped to my Mac, in the face of my undertaking a new and challenging creative endeavor. It says: I’M READY TO GO
    No coincidences! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  13. You prove that words have substance and COLOR! I have always believed that you have to believe before you can see. Does that make sense?

    P. S. One day I hope to visit your bookstore with the blazing sign out front, READ-Y. That’s a winner, for sure!

    This awesome story has an Alice-in-Wonderland-type quality. Thank you, Pam, and congrats to Neil! 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    • Poetry does intimidate me, but these seemed more like incantations. And when I closed my eyes, they came pretty easily. Perhaps a spirit was whispering in my ear, as well as Julie’s! 🧡🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Perfect winding up of the story – the bookstore idea – and yet, maybe it’s not the end of it. Maybe the books that will be sold in that particular store will have some magical effect on the readers. The possibilities are endless. As for your prize of “Flashes of Life,” I’m sure Neil will love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    • I didn’t think of it, but you are right! The ending is not only magical it’s practical too. Julie now has a new job and she’s the boss! Although Auntie might be the boss in the background (as a ghost can be). 😉

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  24. Sometimes there’s a moment when we’re ready to hear and understand and choose. This time in the attic was the moment for Julie.

    Liked by 1 person

    • So true!! Sometimes our eyes are closed even though they’re open and we don’t see what is right in front of us. I’m so glad Julie went up to that attic, and the ancient book appeared in front of her open eyes. 🩵

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  25. Houses with history…magic and mystery. And this line? Oh…it got me! “Nothing is full of everything, you see”. Thank you, Pam! Wisdom right there – applicable to many of life’s moments. xo! 🥰

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    • I have been reading some interesting spiritual books ( like A New Earth)and have been struck by how we are encouraged to realize the quiet space all around us. That’s how I came out with that line. I’m so glad it spoke to you. 🙏

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      • Thanks for sharing the inspiration and gosh, I agree. There is so much noise of all sorts around us. I wonder some days if I’m missing the magic moments because I’m not attuned to the whispers. Wisdom and grace don’t shout, do they? 💕

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      • lmao – damn you! You just sent me down an hour long rabbit hole. 😀 I love Audrey Hepburn’s movies. And now, I’ll repay the favour:
        This is Audrey singing the same song in her own voice:

        Liked by 1 person

        • That’s amazing (I’m humbled to tell you I didn’t know that was Audrey’s voice in the movie!!). She did a great job – made it more authentic, in some ways. Thanks for sharing. Now I think I need to see the movie again. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

          • Yes! More authentic. Sadly I don’t think her version has been released, but if the comments are anything to go by, a lot of us would love to see it in its real state.
            As an aside, I did some searching on The King and I, my favourite musical of all time. And guess what I found? Marni Nixon, the one who dubbed Audrey Hepburn ALSO dubbed Deborah Kerr. Irony of ironies though, Yul Brynner, who doesn’t have a great singing voice, was allowed to keep his voice. :/

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  28. Am I the only one that feels the profoundness of this story and all you have written here. It’s almost like there is subtext underlying the whole thing. I want to keep this story because it has moved me. If someone left me a house to turn into a bookstore, I’d know I had died and gone to heaven. I loved every word and I’m keeping this page open to read again.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Sweetness, light and love to you, Marlene. I’ll tell you a secret – I was stupefied and amazed as the words to these spiritual incantations flew from my pen. And I’ve read them every day since I published this blog post. THANK you for feeling the profound energy that has come from everyone here. ❤

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      • Did you ever read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, “Big Magic”? She talks about how that kind of inspire-ation flows through us. It was fascinating. I felt so very moved by what you wrote and will copy and keep it in my files to look back on regularly.

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        • I really enjoyed Gilbert’s Big Magic and used some of the inspiration from it for my creative writing classes. What an immense compliment – that you’ll save this post and re-read at times. Love to you, Marlene. xo

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