I took a large box of my Heirloom Scarlet Runner beans to the park yesterday to shell while the older kids did P.E. and the younger kids played. When you first shell these beans they are bright pink and purple. Easter egg pink and purple.
Unfortunately by the time I got home to take a picture they had already started to dry. When completely dry they are still pretty, but turn a very respectable and normal bean color of burgundy and black.
It made me think of how tempting it can be to wax poetic in my blog about all sorts of rather ordinary events, like pink beans, in order to come across as deeper, or more joyful, or more spiritual than I really am. It's also tempting to me merely because I'm a word lover and descriptive phrases are fun to write.
Opening the pods to reveal gleaming pink and purple peas- perfect chance to rave about joy and beauty being present in any mundane task. Actually, I was surprised and pleased and enjoyed showing them to my friends, several of whom took baggies home to plant in their gardens next Spring. End of story, nothing terribly deep. Except...
It reminded me of a challenge that I read about to not allow computer time and blogging to suck all creativity and mommy time away. I've been thinking about that for a couple of days.
I'm obsessive compulsive enough that I can easily get carried away and spend my time quite poorly- leaving responsibilities by the wayside. My 15 yo and I were talking about this and laughed together at the image we created of a mom sitting at the computer while children beg for attention only to hear, "Shut up and go watch a movie, I'm busy with my parenting blog."
As an exercise I thought I'd attempt to write and post, spending just 30 minutes. A Lean Post, Non Bloated Post- as it were. Currently there is a wiggly toddle in my lap eating a banana. I think I ought to get credit for posting in 15 minutes- the stickiness factor being quite an obstacle to good typing.
This is part of the 30 min. Moms Challenge.
Posts
6 comments:
Great post. I commend you for writing this with a wiggle worm in your lap. I've tried it and it's hard.
It is a challenge not to get carried away, clicking on link after link! I just did the same thing as far as trying to set a sort of schedule so as not to get lost in cyberspace. I commend you for setting a time frame and sticking to it, toddler, banana and all!
It's hard not to get carried away. I am OCD too to a degree. Sadly it's more about my hobbies and not my house. I'm working on that. ;) A timer helps me a lot.
I had a sticky, squirmy toddler competing for my attention as I wrote today, too!
I totally understand what you are saying about how in blogging, we start to condition ourselves to always be looking for the next beautiful word picture, the next profound insight. It's good to just step back and let moments pass without composing a post around it. HUGE challenge for me, by the way.
Your honesty makes for fabulous quick blogging. :)
I love how honest you are. Wow!
Thanks for visiting me today. I am now following you as well:)
Post a Comment