Meet (left to right) Paddington, Susan, Alf and Honey Doll.
I’m in the process of taking everything out of all my closets and cleaning it all.
Is it an over-reaction to dust if I buy those hermetically sealing storage bags for everything I own, then refuse to keep more than three days of clean laundry on hand at any one time? Seriously, think of the time savings in deciding what to wear. And I wouldn’t have to worry if my paisley blouse goes with pin stripes or not. I could just keep out three things that match, then swap them back into bags for three new things that match. (Question. When did pin stripes become a neutral, and why doesn’t the same go for mini polka dots?)
Anyway, the reason I bring this up is that I think the need to re-clean my clothes is unfair. I’m sure everything was clean when I put it away the first time, so I’ve done the work. But somehow it all got dusty and nasty just sitting there. Unfair right?
I mean, yes I know the air in my house moves around…and God help me I know there is dust (and cat hair) in the air. So logically I have to know that the once-clean items in my closet have the potential to collect said dust. But I still feel burned by the whole process, and when has logic really mattered anyway? I’m seriously considering one of the info-mercial plastic vacuum systems that hermetically seals everything. Clean forever right? (And it’s the 21st century, where is my George Jetson style clothes putter-oner? I’m starting to think that the things I see on TV aren’t in actual fact reality or a contract for what the future will look like…it’s a sad sad day.)
In other news, while cleaning I found some good friends…the stuffed kind. I wish it weren’t creepy to keep them out now that I’m an adult.
In other other news, I forced myself to write today. Not on one of my procrastination topics, but on actual novel work. I am now six full chapters into Redemption, and I know what to write next, which is always half the battle. Writing today was hard because my self-doubt voice was telling me that I suck and don’t have anything to say. There was a pitch battle in my head and it ended up with me sitting down and writing. Yay me! Now to keep up the habit. I know from last time that if I can get myself going for four days in a row it gets easier.
Note to self. I will write 1000 words tomorrow. I will write 1000 words tomorrow. I will write 1000 words tomorrow.
Wish me luck.
Sharing: – Today I wrote a poem for a baby card.
Bouncing bundle that squeals and coos,
Oh what adventure waits for you.
Seuss, and a moon’s goodnight.
Diaper-days are soon out of sight.
So don’t blink, as you watch her grow.
The days fly by, though nights may seem slow.
Writing Exercise:
Walkabout. Do you ever struggle to find characters for your stories? Characters are all around us, but it takes an open mind to find them. Take a short walk around the block with a pen and paper. Walk slowly and look around yourself. Write down the first animate thing that catches your attention. It could be a person, an animal, an insect, or even a particularly interesting plant. Write down your discovery. Keep walking and looking until four animate things have caught your attention and found a place in your notebook. The first thing you saw is your protagonist, the second your antagonist, the third a “buddy” and the fourth a “henchman”.
Spend a few minutes thinking about your characters. How did they meet? What could have driven your characters to dislike one another, or for that matter to be friends? Are they aware of their place in the greater environment? Spend ten minutes writing a scene from their lives. Happy writing.
