It’s that time of the year again when I need to listen to classical music. The catalogue for our ranch production sale is due to the publisher in about 10 days. That means we are putting together the layout complete with pictures, footnotes, statistics, etc. Although the sale isn’t until October 24th, the preparation is currently intense as we figure out which animals are pregnant and ultrasound sex check all the embryos for catalogue identification. (If you would like to see a few videos of some animals they are on our website at www.dreamcatcherranch.net/ranch/events) Therefore, it’s time for logical thinking and classical music. Music from the European baroque period which extended approximately from 1600 to 1750 is associated with composers like J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, and many others. I think of this music as very logical-mathematical in the repetition of patterns and musical motives. That type music helps keep me in the groove of logical thinking and patterning which is what I need to put together an organized 42 page catalogue. I’ve experienced and heard others says that it often takes a while to settle into a particular task. I believe this may be because that task requires a different type of thinking from what we commonly utilize. For example, when I first get ready to organize our production catalogue, it may take me almost an hour to actually make a good start. I’m just not readily used to the type thinking this requires. Some people seem to stall in front of the computer when asked to write something longer than a short email. The words just don’t come. Perhaps this is because those folks aren’t used to initiating the type of verbal thinking required for the task. I do, however, believe there’s hope and that many of us can initiate specific types of thinking through stimuli. It may be through music, objects, pictures, locations, etc. since stimuli vary with individuals. Many designers have a specific location where they sit and are automatically engaged in creative thinking. Others begin creative problem solving as they handle beads, wire or other materials. I seem to be programmed to specific types of music. While I don’t suggest replicating the experience of Pavlov’s dog, wouldn’t it be great if we could all determine what stimulus initiates a specific type of thinking? We would certainly save a good deal of time and frustration spent as we wait to START thinking. The expression of grandson Gabriel (taking his very first dip in the swimming pool) best depicts my true feelings about needing to continue my logical thinking, as opposed to my natural creative way, until the catalogue is complete. But for now at least all I can do is turn on Bach and get back to work.