According to Merriam-Webster,  a talisman is "an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring fortune", or "something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects."

There are objects in my life, from my past, that hold a talismanic power for me. They connect me to my past - to places I can no longer go. Part of me insists that if I only have and hold the correct set of talismans, then I CAN go there again. 

I've made a list of those objects - a few of which I have, and many which are lost.

1. A bridle rosette given to me when I was six, because I loved horses. Lost.

2. A small thick ceramic coffee cup with green stripes left over from when my parents owned a hamburger shop. Lost.

3. A small gray ceramic dog which I named Andy Pandy. This is a particularly powerful talisman, which unfortunately, is lost.

4. A set of Wizard of Oz ornaments for Christmas, each representing a different family member. Lost, but remade with vintage materials. Nearly as powerful as the original set, which was destroyed by evil.

5. A small, white, smooth stone that my mother liked to run her thumb across. I have this, but I can't put my hand on it and I fear that it may be lost.

6. A ceramic bull planter with golden horns. This belongs to my father.

7. A stone my mother found near a creek - jasper, with veins of blue and white that formed a perfect eye. Lost.

8. A cast iron Scottie dog made by a foundry in my hometown. I have this.

So many of these things are lost that I am sure I can never collect enough magic to travel in time.

My next best idea is to conjure them from the past and into a painting. Make a painting that can serve as an actual time machine. If I focus my thoughts and my will and my gifts; I can create a painting that will serve as an aggregate of all the talismans I've lost. 

Then watch me go.