Laume's Studio

Having recently dealt with plumbing problems in my kitchen (now, two and a half days later, all fixed thank goodness), my mind turns to the idea of water - too much, too little, contained, flooding all over the place but not where you want it to be. So I have a question post for all of you. I hope you will all participate by sharing an answer, an insight, or even add to the confusion with another question if you're a troublemaker.

Question: Is your creativity flowing? What are your "faucets"? In other words, what turns on the flow for you?

I'm sure we all have some faucets in common, though some people might have unusual ways to get the flow going. What are your faucets? Do you have any unique or specific rituals or activities that get the energy and enthusiasm running? How do you deal with "plumbing problems"? When your ideas gets plugged up and won't go anywhere or your enthusiasm leaks out before you can use it productively, what are your tools to get things working again?

Tomorrow I'm going off for a big city shopping day. I've got a handful of items I can't find in town so I'll combine picking up the things on my list with treating myself to some holiday window shopping (maybe a bit of holiday gift shopping too) and a nice lunch. It's a two hundred mile round trip so I like to make it worth the trip, make a whole day of it. (I know that distance sounds insane to some of you folks. It's a wide open spaces Western thing. There's nothing closer to me except deer, fir trees, chaparral, rocks, scrub oak, mountain lions, cattle, barb wire fences..... you get the idea) So, I'll have plenty of time while I'm driving to give this question some thought and come up with some answers to share with you. But first, I want to hear what you all have to say about it.

Come on. Don't be shy! If I have to, I'll bribe you. 'Cuz I'm really looking for some new insights. I think I'll be on the lookout tomorrow for a little gift or two to offer for the best new idea. Share folks. And don't bother mentioning the dancing naked on the roof with an umbrella while singing old show tunes. I know it gets the adrenalin racing and the mind buzzing but my neighbors signed a petition requesting I NOT do that anymore so...... I need something new. Help me out.