From the ordinary to the extraordinary with daily creative work: birth, release, connection

THE NEXT GENERATION. As Tony Martin and I, Hallelujah Truth, experience the manifestation of Tony’s writing Dinosaurs Without Bones, we are getting to view the next generation of paleontologists and scientists. It is with such excited energy that this young man engaged with my husband. How thrilling for both of us to see “ichno-dust” in this dinosaur-loving child’s eyes. (photo by Hallelujah Truth)
Hallelujah for living with another CREATIVE! Hallelujah for experiencing the ordinariness of side-by-side crafting of our SOUL WORK and its positive materialization!

I am happily married to a scientist, one whose work is absolutely the manifestation of his SPIRIT! Right now, Tony Martin (a.k.a. Chiboogamoo in this blog), paleontologist, ichnologist, writer, artist, and educator, is relishing the delightful outcome of publishing his third book, Dinosaurs Without Bones (read Publisher's Weekly review here). And I am too! How did this successful outcome happen?

As cohabiting CREATIVES, we witness each other's daily crafting of ideas. In fact, our rituals support the creative process. During the phase of Tony's authoring a book, we both rise in the early morning (between 5:00-6:00 AM). Tea, coffee, juice, vitamins are prepared for consumption, cats attended to, incense and candle lit, and music turned on. Two sacred hours of construction follow before breakfasting. Repeat each day. 

Of course, there are the evenings and devout portions of the weekends dedicated to research and writing for Tony and drawing, painting, and blogging for me. But it is this morning rising together that fills my life with the profound richness of companionship and accomplishment. 

This particular morning, as Tony and I were awaking, we exchanged our deep feelings of appreciation for the connection with others that our creative work brings into our lives. Last night, Tony gave a presentation about Dinosaurs Without Bones at the Telllus Science Museum with an author signing afterward. 
Those in attendance displayed interest in dinosaur ichnology and in Tony. It was important for them to talk with him about their ideas and to learn what he thought. What an honor for Tony and for me as a witness and photographer!

Let me share our journey to Tellus Science Museum with you. Here it is!

THE MANIFESTATION OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS: Ichnologist Tony Martin meets the public to discuss Dinosaurs Without Bones.

TRAVELLING TO TELLUS SCIENCE MUSEUM. Tony Martin and I confronted a traffic challenge leaving our city of Atlanta for Cartersville, Georgia, on a Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. It took us nearly two hours to travel just 48 miles. (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

TA DA! SUCCESSFUL ARRIVAL. Despite the rain and traffic, the author of Dinosaurs Without Bones, Tony Martin, and I arrived at the Tellus Science Museum, refreshed and on time! (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

DINOSAURS WITHOUT BONES. Upon entering the Tellus Museum, we were delighted to see Dinosaurs Without Bones prominently displayed on the ticket counter. The employees were thrilled to meet the author and his wife! (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

BEHIND THE SCENES. The Tellus Science Museum staff was supportive, friendly, and enthusiastic. Everyone treated the author of Dinosaurs Without Bones as if he were a rock star! But then again, we were in a mineral-rich environment inside this institution. (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

EARLY BOOK SIGNING. The Tellus Science Museum Director, Jose Santamaria, and Director of Education, Cantey Smith, asked Tony Martin to sign their copies of Dinosaurs Without Bones behind the scenes. How awesome is that? (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

WALKING WITH THE DINOSAURS. As Tony Martin gains momentum presenting Dinosaurs Without Bones to the public, his gait shifts, and he walks differently. There is a joyful spring in his step! (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

HOW DID THE DINOSAURS WALK? Striding like a runway model on a tightrope, Tony Martin explains one of his most beloved ichnological topics from Dinosaurs Without Bones—tracks! The audience pulses with fascination that a paleontologist can move so fluidly while explaining a scientific and mathematical concept! (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

BEAUTIFUL DINOSAUR TRACK. For his concluding slide, Tony shows a well-defined dinosaur track, and here you can see a toe and claw impression from it. He then enjoys asking the audience what dinosaur trace fossils they would like to see discovered in the future. (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

MORE THAN JUST A BOOK SIGNING. For Tony and his wife, Ruth Schowalter (a.k.a. Hallelujah Truth), the Tellus Science Museum book signing of Dinosaurs Without Bones was profound. Book buyers engaged with him from a well of their own curiosity, approaching Tony almost as if they were at church and approaching the altar. But, after all, Tony has created the Church of Ichnology—Substrate, Anatomy, and Behavior—AMEN! (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

TWO BOOKS. One Tellus Science Museum member approached Tony and asked him to sign two of his books! How wonderful to see Tony’s book on modern ichnology, Life Traces of the Georgia Coast, alongside Dinosaurs Without Bones! And there was a question: What does this rock reveal? Tony was not sure, but always enjoys the intellectual challenge that comes with people bearing “mystery rocks.” (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

ICHNO-FAN PHOTOS. Some Tony Martin ichno-fans wanted a photo with the author of Dinosaurs Without Bones in front of a giant shark’s jaws, which serves as an exciting frame for such science enthusiasts. (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

DINNER CELEBRATION. Hurray for science and for celebrating science with those who support and nurture it! The Tellus Science Museum staff kindly and generously took us out to dinner afterwards. We toasted to Tony Martin’s successful presentation of Dinosaurs Without Bones and cheered for Julian Gray, who is moving on to a new job in Oregon. (photo by obliging waitress)

QUICK RETURN TO ATLANTA. Traffic had subsided by the time we hit the interstate to return to our metro-area Atlanta home in Decatur, Georgia. The rain continued but we arrived speedily and safely to our two-cat home, the Ichno-Cat Art Palace. (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

That's Coffee With Hallelujah! SOUL BLOG with me. I would like to know several things from you: What is your SOUL WORK? Have you felt its manifestation in your life? Does your SOUL WORK connect you with others?

ICHNO-CAT ART PALACE INHABITANTS. The author of Dinosaurs Without Bones, Tony Martin, and his wife, Ruth Schowalter, pose in front of shark jaws, creating for them a nostalgia resembling that of a high school prom picture. A wonderful time was had by all! A daily creative practice materializes in the world and creates communion with others. How great is that? (photo by Cantey Smith)