Tunnel Vision

My Thanksgiving vacation was glorious. I had four days off work, and I only left the house once the entire time - and that was only for an hour or so to get groceries! That is a successful vacation in my book.

Of course, it wasn't all relaxing and reading and eating (speaking of, I need to go to the gym tonight...). I am currently working on the next article for America in WWII magazine. And, as any good historian does, I have managed to gather a massive amount of research. I remember a museum curator told me once, "The historian with the most stuff wins." If my research methods are any indication (read: lots and lots of paperwork), I could probably win the gold medal.

However, all of this stuff has to be filtered into a 2500-3000 word article. I wrestled with it all weekend long, and finally ended up with a rough draft last night. I didn't sigh in relief, though, because the hard work awaits - i.e. editing.

During the weekend, my family tried to engage me in conversation. My husband asked whether or not I wanted Christmas decorations in the front yard. My mom wanted some advice. My daughter tried explaining a new game she found.

I heard what they were saying, but I don't think I processed any of it.

Instead, my head was jam-packed with how I was going to write this article. I was mentally shifting paragraphs, deleting others, making notes on what I needed to add and subtract. I ate a little too much apple pie, and my back hurt from sitting too long. Tunnel vision at its finest.

Sometimes I think too much. My husband says I live inside my head a lot, and that is why he doesn't mind that the house isn't spotless. I am, in his words, an intellectual. That's a label I'll take any day. Indeed, I often forget to clean, and only after I emerge from my fog do I realize I need to scrub the floor or clean the bathroom sink. It's a good thing I have an understanding husband who helps me do laundry and dishes and can also cook better than I can.

Of course, all of this focus on the article has made it impossible to focus on the novel. That's how it should be as the article needs my full attention at this point. I'm not one of those that can work on two intellectually-demanding projects at a time. My brain would pop.

Onward!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful for my Lord, my family, my friends, my job, my home, the food in my kitchen, the clothes on my back, the bed I sleep in, my furry kitties, the car I drive, eyes to see, ears to hear, feet to walk and run, chocolate, laughter, joy, silence, solitude, fingers to type, a mind to think, stories galore, books, Snoopy, writing, cell phones to communicate, the Internet, the beautiful sky, leaves and birds and grass, the spirit of giving, love, empathy, hugs, and kisses...in short, I'm thankful for life!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Moving Too Fast

Lots of things are moving too fast lately.

1. The month of November, for one. I can't believe it's more than halfway over. Thanksgiving is in a few days and then we'll be in the Christmas season. In comparison, why does summer drag on and on?

2. My daughter is wearing make-up now. And straightening her hair. And oh yes, she is certifiably boy crazy. She's growing up too fast.

3. Now that I think about it, this entire year has gone by too fast. Does this happen as you age? I think so. I honestly don't remember years going by this fast when I was a kid. They seemed to plod along at a snail's pace.

4. However, one thing that is not moving too fast is my writing. I'm plodding along, but it's been hit or miss lately. I blame...well, there's really nothing to blame it on. I've actually felt pretty good physically, though mentally I've been struggling with very low motivation and depression. Gah.

Anything moving too fast for you these days?

Sing Your Song

Veterans Day 2012

Remember them. 

Honor them. 

Never forget them.

On Elections and Bowling

On Elections...

It's Election Day here in the U.S. (which probably nearly everyone on the planet knows). I'm off to vote after work.

My mailbox has been inundated with junk mail from the local elections, and I'm heartily sick of it. The few times I watched t.v. and a political ad came on, I immediately hit the "mute" button. Ha!

If it's one message I want to send to anyone reading this blog, it's this: our political leaders are not rock stars or celebrities, and we should not view them as such. They are our employees. They are accountable to we the people. To forget this is dangerous. Hitler and Stalin taught us that.

I'm just glad it will all be over with come tomorrow. My recycling bin will thank me.

On Bowling (And My Health)...

It's been quiet on the blog...that's because my health is up and down a lot lately. I went bowling the other night with hubby for our date and spent the next two days walking around the house like an 80-year-old woman. This puts a cramp in my writing, and there are some days when stringing two sentences together is more difficult than making it rain.

I have my follow-up appointment at the rheumatologist tomorrow, and I'm hopeful of getting a diagnosis and perhaps getting started on some treatment options. Having your entire body hurt and wanting to take a nap all day long is certainly not conducive to any sort of writing productivity (or any productivity, for that matter).

Gratuitous photo of my napping cat.

However! I tend to think the two days of pain after bowling was slightly worth it since I beat my husband on every single game...