One begins by simply deciding to make something out of nothing.

First of all let me explain to you what an Edwardian Picnic means to me.  It's not a real picnic at all, you see, no ants nor baskets, not even a wrapped sandwich or two, though there certainly could be, might once have been, or still may yet be.  The theme for today is 'Whatever are you thinking?'  So shall we begin to honor the creative urge that brings life together: people, food, events, thoughts!... All assembled of spirit and purpose and presence.  We exist, ephemeral creatures we may be, to celebrate our mighty impermanence.  Do we make nothing out of something -- or is it the other way around?  A nice blank slate: