A friend just emailed me that she feels guilty not writing – she has two children home for the summer and is feeling “sandwiched” between them and her sick mother in a nursing home. Another is frustrated about not being able to paint this week because of family obligations. Another is at his day job and can’t work on his script.
It’s called life, folks. And it gets in the way. We have families and/or jobs to earn a living and usually the whole thing feels like one big juggling act. There’s no other way to do it unless you have a gazillion dollars and no family or friends and unlimited time. But then what would you write about? So be patient with yourself and your stories and poems and paintings..
We’re back briefly in L.A.and heading for a week in Lake Arrowhead this afternoon with 23 family members. I personally am bringing up fourteen pounds of chicken and enough ingredients for vegetarian lasagna for us to be eating lasagna until next Thanksgiving. I’m optimistically planning on reading a lot of the books mentioned in the last post and making notes for a new essay and a book proposal. But I have a feeling I’ll probably be grilling chicken and making that vegetarian lasagna instead.
Hi Barbara,
Enjoy Arrowhead. Do you ever put recipes in your writing? I loved Like Water from Chocolate.
cheers,
Laura Hoopes
Posted by: Laura Hoopes | July 11, 2009 at 08:35 AM
As usual, Barbara's jewels of wisdom seem to hit at the right time - I know that with being "sandwiched" right now between chemo and "neulasta" shots for my middle daughter, a full-time job, a sick dog, and wanting to retire when I am 65 and feeling guilty because I have a job when so many others would love to have it while I try to figure if I can afford to go part-time, prevokes and new essay every day right now! I need to do is WRITE IT DOWN!
Posted by: Nancy Grillo | July 11, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Barbara,
If you manage to read a single word, I'll want you to walk on water the next time I see you.
You are amazing. Happy reading and happy grilling!!
Posted by: Denise Emanuel Clemen | July 11, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Have a great time in Lake Arrowhead. I envy you for all your family members -- it reminds me of what life was like in my great grandmother's era when she had ten children, and a summer house in Deal, New Jersey big enough for children, spouses, grandchildren -- and help (think upstairs/downstairs). How different life is now but there is still need for family and the joy and blessings that a tribe brings. So enjoy the time, the lasagna, etc. and all will be fodder for more good writing from you for us Abercrombiites. Hugs, Loren
Posted by: Loren Stephens | July 11, 2009 at 03:44 PM
Good luck. And we all need to stop whining about what are essentially blessings--our jobs,when so many people pray for one; too much to do, most of which doesn't involve carrying dirty water from miles away adn hoping it doesn't make us sick; our weight, which means we have more than enough to eat, and so on.
Your recommended list always makes me want to lie in a hammock for about two weeks and pick up the books one after another. There's so much to read from those who've mastered the profession we've chosen. Right now, though, I'm giving all my attention to the newest book, Back Again to Me, which should be released in a few weeks, and a new blog--http://gretchen-hirsch.blogspot.com. Come visit, You'll find your lovely blog on my blogroll--again.
Posted by: Gretchen Hirsch | July 12, 2009 at 04:13 AM
Fourteen pounds of chicken, huh? How do the vegetables feel about this?
More important, thank you for writing the exact post I needed to read right now. xox m
Posted by: Magdalena Edwards | July 13, 2009 at 01:23 AM
Damn - I just wrote notes to all of you and some click wiped it all away. No time to repeat. But thank you and I read every single one and appreciated your comments so very much. xxooo
Posted by: Barbara | July 21, 2009 at 04:15 PM