“vessels of renewal.” Collage, cut New Yorker Magazine paper, 9" x 12" — **“vessels of renewal.”**
Collage, cut *New Yorker* Magazine paper, 9" x 12"

Spring in Atlanta never disappoints.

Unless you suffer from allergies, which I don’t, thankfully. But I guess even then, spring fulfills expectations.

Remember this time last year? We were about a month into this pandemic, and spring seemed like such a gift. I’m sure that Walking Buddy Wanda and I expressed gratitude during every single walk for the beauty we were experiencing. Spring helped keep us sane and grounded during that exceptionally bizarre time.

A year later, Wanda and I are still walking our usual routes, marveling once again at the gorgeous colors, grateful for the later evenings, hopeful for bunny sightings.

“After the Insurrection” by Edel Rodriquez @edelrodriguezThe New Yorker, January 18, 2021 — “After the Insurrection” by Edel Rodriquez @edelrodriguez
*The New Yorker,* January 18, 2021

I am also experiencing a bit of spring fever, like during my final spring quarter in college. Homework was a challenge. I was so distracted, chomping at the bit to move on to my first real professional acting gig. I was ready to start my life!

As I near the end of this year-long challenge, while spring is awakening, I find myself distracted and ready to move on to the next whatever. But I am determined to finish. And I will.

Still, it’s a challenge. If you’re a subscriber (thank you!) and you’re keeping up week to week, you know that I’ve taken a respite here and there. So there’s a hiccup (or four) in my goal of 52 collages in 52 weeks.

Do I care?

INNER PERFECTIONIST PRISCILLA: OF COURSE YOU CARE.

ME: Right.

INNER CHEERLEADER JULES: But not enough to go nuts! Your challenge, your rules!

ME: Right!

Well, whatever comes of these final ten collages, this week I obviously needed some spring renewal. I’m grateful to Mother Nature and the New Yorker for the inspiration.

I realize that a vase isn’t really going to generate “renewal” for a cut flower. In that sense, I guess it’s more of a hospice bed.

INNER CRITIC URSULA: What a pleasant spring thought!

BUT—it does renew the flower’s purpose. Cut flowers provide inspiration to the arranger and indoor beauty to the beholder. The vase itself adds an element of creativity too.

It’s not an original thought, but I love the notion of my physical form being a vessel for my spirit—the part of me that exists before and after my physical form takes up space on this earth.

While my form is taking up space, renewal is available to me every day, every moment. I don’t have to wait until spring to cleanse my palate/palette and refresh my purpose and intentions.

But all these show-offy flowers are a glorious reminder to “gather ye rosebuds while ye may.”