Protein
IZ: You need to eat more protein.
Somehow, I don’t think this is what he had in mind.
Salt With That?
It’s Saturday and I should be doing something instead of sitting here cruising Etsy. But I’ve got words all jumbled up in my head. Knots and knots of words refusing to come unloose, no matter how I pick and pry at the individual threads. I’m not trying all that hard to unravel this mess, either. There just isn’t any meaning to be made tonight.
It’s a diversion tactic; as a way of distracting myself, I mindlessly flip through pages upon pages of vintage items. We’ll just ignore the fact that I’ve been neglecting my own store front. Yeah, add that to my word problem. “Things to do! Things to do!” blares through some mental megaphone in my head. I not only own property in Denial, I’m the town’s mayor—click, click, click.
Problems can be self-sufficient. And persistent. And mind-numbingly tedious. They also tend to solve themselves when you step away. Or, at least when you find some perspective. But perspective can take time and distance; commodities in short supply at present. What perspective is to be had on the reality that my etsy store is deplete of merchandise and I’m ambivalent about that, is beyond me. The word problem is more complex.
I don’t enjoy writing posts like the one I posted to Anonymous. As a rule, I ignore that garbage; it’s in the town’s charter. As mayor of Denial, I have a civic duty to uphold. However, sometimes you have no choice but to look the bully in the face and say, “Boo!” And now that I have, I’m not all that energized to untangle the words that are jumbled up in my head tonight. I fear, if I start writing on words like “Responsibility” and “Forgiveness” and “Grace” that I will be preaching to the choir. I fear the words that have held my anger and frustration will come pouring out, that I will not be able to stem the tide. I fear I won’t want to stem the tide. I fear I will write a book in the process. I already use far too many words.
I’m pretty sure if I start, I won’t get past the word “Responsibility” to tell you that grace is not cheap. Or that there is no point seeking “Forgiveness” in private for transgressions committed in public. I know I won’t make it to “Grace”.
So, here I sit tonight. Click, click, clicking through countless pages of vintage. Avoiding making meaning. Using more words than necessary to tell you, well, nothing. And pitching my competition to boot. There’s a reason I was elected Mayor.
And you know, I don’t even like salt.
City Girl
city girl waiting
tall buildings of memory
a matter of time
Blogging With Bullets
It’s a gray day here on the edge of the world. I feel sorry for all those people with Spring Break plans that included a trip to the beach. Unless your idea of wonderful is storm chasing or being curled up in front of a fireplace watching yet another wet system move in—this week is not the week to be here. It’s drizzly snowy! and gloomy and cold. Really cold.
I took last week off from blogging and in truth, I should be taking this week and next week too. My pile of “to do” has reached a “must do” height. I find myself overwhelmed by it all and honestly, any spare moment I can garner would be to my benefit. It’s that bad. Partly, because I am traveling a great deal in the next three months. Leaving home creates this urge to have everything in its place and my ever growing to-dos in order. But also because I’ve let some things lapse; entropy has ensued. And you know how sometimes you let things go to the point of no return? I feel like I might be on the edge of that with a few projects I’m not emotionally ready to let go of just yet. So, busy, busy me.
You don’t have to read this blog long to discover that I’m no fan of “busy”. In the midst of chaos, it’s important to breathe. It’s also important to laugh and not take yourself quite so seriously. And if you’re going to ponder, then to ponder the really important stuff. Not things like, “When did you last shower, huh? I don’t want to talk about your underwear.” Or “Excuse me, but this floor? This floor looks like the floor of a barn. WHY?”
No, no, in the midst of chaos it’s important to stop. Breathing in I calm my body. Breathing out I smile:
- Kalurah asks “Why“. Laughing with you, dear one, laughing with you!
- I prefer my Peeps gooey with chocolate and graham crackers. But, you could always play with your food. Vicki does and it’s fantastic!
- Ooh, pretty. See, breathing. This looks like what breathing feels like. To me anyhow. via Ms. Sadie
- Even if you know how to do this, even if you don’t want to know how to do this—you should really watch Amy show you how to do this. Because she’s funny and it’s brilliant. And did I mention it’s funny?
- Did you see this last night? Not really laughing matter as much take my breath away. It makes me smile. Every time I play it back. How much do we love Youtube?
- And finally, a question for the ages: What Makes a Good Friend? on Metafilter. Via Not Martha.
So, what is making you smile today? And I’m sure you have an opinion on that last question. Sound off in the comments, m’kay? Because I’m never too busy for comments.
Easter 2008: In Photos
Lessons From the Universe
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I still haven’t wrapped my brain around the idea that this is Holy Week, what with the holiday and all. I keep expecting to have more time. I woke up with a start this morning, “Oh no, I forgot to leave out the loot!” The Leprechaun is no longer a mystery in our home, but tradition is tradition. And as you have probably already gathered, we’re big on tradition around here. Needless to say, I did some scrambling before I dashed out the door for a meeting.
Holy week brings a great deal of activity on its own; having St. Patrick’s on top of it has sunk my questionable game low enough that I handed the boy his treat and gave him a hug without any pretense of magic. For his part, he didn’t build a trap this year either. We’ve moved on a bit, I guess. It’s bittersweet. But the day isn’t over and there is still magic to be had.
I tell you, I’m not liking all these major holidays squished together. Seems like it was just St. Valentine’s a month ago and now, Easter on Sunday? Bah. It has me running and I tend to get forgetful at this pace. Which is why I even forgot to mention, last Friday, that I was planning to take Holy Week off. However, I’m glad I forgot, because it gives me a chance to say a few things before I leave for the week.
I have say, the biggest reward of blogging is the amazing relationships I’ve established with some you. So much happens “off-line” via email and phone calls—and it’s provided an opportunity to dig deeper than the comment section allows. I’ve really enjoyed the process. While I expect you all to be creative and generous souls, because you are, I am always so touched by your generosity.
Friday, we came home to a HUGE box we weren’t expecting. And you know, good things come in small packages, but boxes rarely contain bad news! If you’re not expecting it, I think it might be even better. Who doesn’t love a sweet surprise?
Inside, was ball after ball of color! Wendee Shulsen of Hazel Knits, had sent the boy a treasure trove of yarn. I would be remiss to not point out how soft and truly lovely this yarn is! It makes a girl want to learn to knit. Included with all the color, came the most amazing card (that we read to Grammie and Poppie on the phone, Wendee!!) describing Wendee’s process of selecting and dying yarns for Hazel Knits.
Now, I’ve had the chance to get to know Wendee through email over the past few months. And I have discovered her to be a giving and thoughtful soul. But this box was just so. . . special. What Wendee didn’t know, was she spoke magical words to the boy. Words about “trial and error” and “making mistakes” and seeing her work as an “invention”. These are all lessons that, as a parent, I take great pains to preach; especially to a child who claims “being an inventor” as his life’s goal. It’s never easy to see our mistakes and learn from them. We want instant success, right? However, owning our mistakes is part of the creative process. And we never really know where that journey will take us if we are unwilling to risk a few failures along the way. In part, these are lessons learned best by doing. Yet, having other voices speak wisdom is so helpful; especially if that other voice is kindred inventor!
So, he notices, Wendee. He does. And so does his mother. I never cease to be astounded by the beauty the Universe offers up to us on a daily basis. For the beauty that you have brought into our lives, Wendee, “THANK YOU!”
And with that, I am taking this week off… officially. I wish each of you a blessed week. I hope that it is filled with magic and hope and beauty and love. May you find rest and comfort. But most of all, may you know peace.
Hello ~ Welcome to Evidently
- Introvert and word lover and Christ seeker
- Currently learning Swedish just in case
- ISFP... what are you?
No one really leaves comments any more. But if you did, you'd be my favorite. At least until someone else came along. I'm fickle like that.
Patron Saint
