Simply Put
New Year’s Day 2010: I like a simple life, when a lunch made from scratch and a walk to the mailbox are the highlights of the day. When I’m free to drop what I’m doing to photograph swirling shapes of steam coming off a freshly poured cup of tea illuminated by afternoon sun.
I like it when the first line of a story breaks through and I can write it down right away. When I can go from doing that to doing research on a dying writer’s last words, or the life of Patti Smith, or the etymology of a word that strikes my fancy, like brouhaha or jalopy.
I like it when the red-headed woodpecker in the yard catches my eye and I find myself writing BIRDSEED on my latest shopping list. When I can sit with a catalog and leisurely fantasize about the winter boots I want for Christmas next year. When I can make a call to my mother in Massachusetts to wish her a Happy New Year because I hardly ever make calls and she usually calls first.
I like to stop during the day and flip through a new literary magazine to read a few stories and poems. And when one certain poem brings me to tears I like to let them come. I like to read the writers bio-notes and email the author to say thank-you.
I like a day when I can get lost in thought while wiping down the kitchen counters or sweeping the floor, and then stop mid-sweep to browse through the pamphlet my friend Alwyn authored for Christmas. I underline in neon yellow the part that says: “Our task is to merge the peace testimonies of the past into a new vision, in which peace with the earth is synonymous with peace on earth.”
I like that there is no football or parade noise coming from the TV when I’m lying on my bed in the middle of the day with a pen to mark up a printed copy of something I’ve written. Just the sound of the wind howling and the wood stove fan blowing.
At dusk, I like to sit quietly and study the meeting of light and dark on the window pane, where the room seems to stretch out into the yard and it’s hard to tell the difference between physical reality and reflection.
The day goes by too fast, but I enjoy it like a rich dessert. Just a couple of bites at one sitting. I don’t like to be overfull. There will be more tomorrow. I save room.
January 5th, 2010 8:26 am
my motto treasure every day sandy
January 5th, 2010 8:34 am
You are definitely not on a diet but on a live it. I would like to be the fly on the wall this day.
January 5th, 2010 9:25 am
The simple life for me too! I am once again starting ‘Simple Abunance, daybook of comfort and joy’ – but reading your blog post is just as comforting. Hope you have a great new year!
January 5th, 2010 10:34 am
Reading this made me feel really peaceful. Thank you for the lovely hypnotic quality to gave to it.
I often have to make rough play out of enjoying the simple beauties of my days. Too much showing up to do, not enough escape. But I love your presence of mind here, it is so relaxing!
January 5th, 2010 12:35 pm
Beautiful, peaceful days. Simplicity. I could use more of that!
January 5th, 2010 1:05 pm
I like it when you string together thoughts to make a beautiful story 🙂
January 5th, 2010 4:00 pm
this post exudes the peace and simplicity of a day like that…. very nice. i miss those kind of days now that i have gone back to working full time again.
January 5th, 2010 5:32 pm
Your post helped me to treasure my time. Thanks!
January 5th, 2010 9:49 pm
…peace with the earth…what a concept.
And the steam rising brought back memories of photos past, when the cigarette smoke in the sunbeam was enough to waste a full roll of 35mm film…
January 6th, 2010 7:51 am
What a lovely, peaceful post, Colleen. I, too, love days like this the best—days unfettered by the restraints of time or pressing duties.
January 6th, 2010 2:09 pm
I really love this post…thank you!
And, the video of the tea brewing – excellent…
January 6th, 2010 7:07 pm
What a lovely post, Colleen. The rhythm of the phrasing was very seductive and transported me into your world so easily. Very nice, thanks!
January 6th, 2010 8:35 pm
Thanks! It was a breath of fresh air to write from that less formal place, like a mediation on where the present and the inner world converge.
January 7th, 2010 6:35 am
27 degrees. give me some fast