Sacred Space

Last Summer I went on a family vacation to the midwest. It was a reunion of my husband's family. They are wonderful and I love to be around them. He has 5 older sisters, yet he will be the first to admit he does not understand women. How can that be? Anyhow, I digress, on this one particular afternoon I went to visit an Abbey complete with chanting monks. On this outing I was with my children and about a dozen of the female relatives including my wonderful mother-in-law.

The property was spralling with lush gardens and the most enormous stone building I have ever seen, it looked like the cathederals of Europe. My children asked if it was a castle. Everyone in our group are quite devout Catholics and I was afraid, just a little, that my munchkins might say something embarassing due to their lack of experience in a church. To be in this space felt spiritual, sacred, somehow closer to God.

When we entered the main Abbey it was so huge, so beautiful, think Maria and the Captain's wedding in The Sound Of Music! We all felt this reverence and immediately spoke in hushed wispers as we walked down the main aisle toward the pulpit where a bejewled throne like chair sat perched on an elevated step.

My darling daughter of 10 years was instantly drawn to the 'throne' as she asked if she could sit upon it. I searched my brain for church political correctness, as I could not recall any Inquisitions based on throne sitting, I allowed for a brief royal rest. DD thanked me in a whisper of a voice and made her way to the throne. She climbed up and sat with a look of pure joy only a child can possess.

Then it happened, my sweet offspring let loose with a fart that would make a trucker blush. It reverberated off the marble floor and marble walls and marble ceiling. At first everyone in the Abbey pretended to have not heard it, but then I began laughing so hard I actually fell down. Soon to be joined on the floor by my daughter with tears borne of laughter.

Good Lord, and to think I thought the embarrassment would come from something they might say! I am sure we are going to hell!

The Profits of Procrastination

I am writing a book. I have all the ideas in my head and have actually mapped it out in hard copy. 50% of the writing is done, the rest should flow easily from the map and notes. I have my business license, checking account, P.O. Box, all for the publishing company I started. I am well on my way... so why has it been so hard to finish?

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A friend suggested I am afraid of success! How could such a thing be possible? I really like the idea of success! Just finishing it would be success at this point! So what have I been doing you may ask.... or not. Either way, I have been hiking daily, knitting, volunteering in the school, I have even been considering driving for meals on wheels. I'm not sure if that is truly altruistic or just more procrastination!
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Here are the fruits of my labor, which wouldn't be so bad if I were writing a knitting book! I like this ruffle scarf, very fun! The hats are gifts, no one is safe from my knitting stash!

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I must admit, I have knit more things in the two months of this year than I normally would in a 6 month period. If nothing else, procrastination has made me prolific, just not in the most satisfying of ways! Now if only I could channel this creative output into my writing.... It can be done! I set this goal for March to just do it! Oops, I'm not off to much of a start if all I can do is plagiarize a Nike advertising campaign! Wish me luck!