The Salamander Box is a piece of pottery that I bought for my brother years ago back when we attended community college together in the 1990's. It was a "clean out the studio day" for the pottery department, and several students had brought forth their works in the hopes of making a few dollars in the process.
I have always felt compelled to buy from these kind of artists... those who could use a bit of a boost in morale as they learn their craft. Not only does it give a budding artist a lift, but I usually end up with a unique piece of art at a price that I can afford.
That day I glanced over the selection and saw the usual vases and plates... nothing I needed, but I thought I'd take a second look as no one else was really stopping by the table and the poor potter looked pretty sad at the lack of interest. It was then that I saw the box.... he was tucked behind other items as if he were some sort of afterthought, and my heart just melted.
The asking price was fairly low, under $25 if I remember correctly, but back when you are a "starving student" even $25 doesn't come easy. Still, I knew I had to buy him. Why? Because I knew my brother would love him. Jason wasn't the kind of person to buy something like this for himself; in fact, I am not sure he would have even stopped by the table if he'd seen it, but this sweet little piece just called out to me and said, "he's going to love me", and that little box didn't lie.
Jason and I grew up with much younger siblings, and we used to read stories to them a lot. One of the books Jason loved to read out loud was called "The Salamander Room". This box was quirky, oddly shaped, and yet, as I hoped, Jason loved it. It sat in his bedroom until he finished college and went on to become an elementary teacher; at that point the box moved to his desk at school. I had no idea what he kept in it, or why it was always on his desk, but I was happy to see that he enjoyed it, even after all of this time.
Sadly, my brother died a few months ago. Prior to his death I helped clean out his classroom, and was packing away the items on his desk when I came to the Salamander Box. I wrapped it up carefully and tucked it into another box of little items to be dealt with later, and moved onto the next thing to be packed. It wasn't until after his death that I came across that dear little box again. I took it from its wrappings, carried it gently to my car and brought it home with me.
The box now sits on my desk. I was looking at it the other day, when I got the urge to take a look inside. I hadn't looked before now because I was just full of so much pain, but curiosity got the better of me. Imagine my surprise at what I discovered:
The box was full of words... words just waiting to become something more.
It appears that my brother kept random words and phrases in the box for when his students needed inspiration. Any student who said "I don't know what to write about" had the opportunity to go to the box, draw out a slip of paper and try writing about whatever words they drew.
Well, I thought, rather than just toss them out, why not let them inspire me?
For every word I draw I will write whatever comes to mind.... be it a short story, a poem, haiku, essay or just a few rambling lines. At times you may even luck out and find I've posted some photography.
Each week I will draw a new slip of paper and begin writing, with the finished pieces being posted no later than the following Sunday. At the very least I will write once a week. While I haven't counted how many suggestions are in there, if I choose only one topic a week I will be able to carry this out for perhaps a couple of years. If I find I run out of words I can always revisit old ones and see what they inspire the second time around....
So do come back and see what things are inspired by the box... you never know just what you may be in for.
I love the back ground you have picked for your blog.
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