How Is It Possible ?

Old Dog says, “It is more important to say how is it possible rather than is it possible.” The maximum of freedom in creativity is fulfilled by an open mind, suspending doubt and being willing to think in ways that you have not thought before. It may require that you toss into the waste can such notions as….

It is never done that way.

That isn’t the way we usually do it.

That just isn’t done.

What will people say ?

But, that would be against the rules.

Old Dog repeats the story of the little girl watching her mother cut the ends off a ham before she begins to cook it. She asks, “Mommy, why do cut the ends off the ham ?” Her mother cheerfully, “I do it because my mother did it that way. It is our family traditional recipe. You should go ask Grandma.” The little one runs off to her Grandmother. She asks the same question. Her Grandmother replies,” I do it that way because my Mother did. Ask Great Grandmother.” Her hair bounced as she giggled to zig-zagged to her Great Grandmother and was given the same answer. She goes and finds her Great Great Grandmother and says, “Mommy and Grandma and Great Grandmother say they all follow your recipe by cutting the ends off the ham because that is how you did it.”

In soft, ancient voice, her Great, Great Grandmother, whispers, “I cut off the ends of the ham because my pan was too short.”