Monday, December 27, 2010

One Thousand Posts -Woo Hoo

I liked the look of these peony frames out in the garden.  They have more snow on them this morning but they are still looking just like this.  It resembles the line drawings of November, huh?  Delicate but strong lines against the white (which I have iPhotoed to a buff color).

One Thousand Posts.  When I began this challenge (to make 1000 by the end of 2010) I was not sure I could actually do it.  Writing nearly every day was hard at the beginning.  I was so used to waiting for a "good topic" before posting.  I had to start "just writing" and then write, delete, write, delete etc until I had something that wasn't too, too boring to post.  It was an excellent writing exercise.  When I reread my posts I am in wonder at some of the (few) really good sentences I created.

In the coming year I will attempt to answer comments in the comment section instead of sending emails. That way there will be a continuing "conversation" of sorts, between the readers and myself.  Another layer of something to read.  We'll see if it works.  Several of the commenters are "no reply" and I would like to continue (or begin) a conversation with them also.  I can always do both if readers prefer since I don't always reread a post to check on the comments.  We'll see?

I opened the door for Riley this morning and he went straight out, and turned around and came straight back.  I sternly told him he had to go out and pee.  So, out he went and ran around a bit to find the perfect spot, did his business and ran as fast as he could back to the door.  I don't think I have to worry about a "walk".  Our street is plowed.  Which means a huge pile at the end of the driveway.  The heat is on.  The lights are on.  I plan to start moving fabric from the first floor to the second today. Riley will be helping me by running ahead of me, up and down, the stairs.  I intend to go slowly, one color stack at a time, getting my own exercise (I have eaten too much in December because the walking pants are no longer "wedgie free").

All the laundry and shirt ironing got done yesterday afternoon.  Then I watched Pride & Prejudice a second time along with Nigella's 30 minute cooking program.  I finished with a cup of tea, two cookies and House Hunter's International with a family relocating to Krakow Poland.  They never did get to buy a house.  Six months later and still no mortgage approval.  And a new baby on the way.  I was hoping for one of those little updates printed at the end to say how things worked out.  But, no.

This year is coming to an end and I worked more hours at work (almost double of last year), I had a better garden at home, I taught 15 classes at work, I read more books, I weeded the entire vegetable garden, sifted the compost piles and weeded two of the five perennial beds. My housekeeping went downhill and I will probably be spending the winter cleaning, sorting and getting rid of all the accumulated clutter.  My windows never got washed.  The carpets didn't get shampooed. The used slipcovers are still in a heap waiting to go to the Suds & Wash. I had a great suntan all year.  Perfected Chicken Marsala and Carbonara.  Made 22 jars of Concord grape jelly.  Got a new roof on the house.  New glasses and frames. Finished one pen and paper journal and nearly finished the new one.  More art in the new journal.  There are many unfinished threads left at the end of 2010.  The jewelry I had wanted to make last winter.  The placemats I cut and prepared but never quilted.  And I am still trying to find an author to read over the winter.  Perhaps Elizabeth George.  From the beginning.

In any event, you will have a front row seat to whatever happens in 2011 (and the days leading up to New Years).  Now, to begin hauling fabric upstairs.

12 comments:

dee said...

It's been fun reading about this journey. Looking forward to many more posts. I love the way you write. Always interesting.

mathea said...

Congratulations on making the thousand post mark. I always enjoy your posts but could be better at leaving comments...
I started tyding up in my piles of fabric today as well, but I used the chill of the room as an excuse to escape back to the living room and the computer!

Joanne S said...

Riley quit on me after 8 trips up and down (he brought Pook). I watered my plants (two dead), carried the two new (saved from the dumpster) orchids upstairs to share the orchid table and then started carrying fabric up. I always wonder, when I see a great fabric in someone's work "why didn't I buy that?". I did.

Hand Quilting Nana said...

Congratulations! I don't know how you did it. I can't even make myself write in my journal.

I enjoy your blog and look for it every day.

Linda

Deborah Boschert said...

Hooray! You achieved your goal and we all benefited. Every time I read your blog, I think... gee, she is so incredibly readable. That sounds simple, but I know you work hard at achieving the conversational, smooth, interesting, honest, witty and thoughtful words each day. Thank you!

MariMo said...

Congratulations on this phantastic achievement. I enjoy your posts so much - when I read them, it's like you're talking to me. Look forward to your new posts.

Annie said...

Yup, count me in as another loyal reader looking forward to another year of your posts.

I so admire bloggers, especially those who talk about themselves, their family and pets,ideas, whatever is in their head. I really dislike talking or writing about myself.

I also like your idea of talking here to those who comment.

: )

Terry Grant said...

I started writing my blog just a month before you did and I wrote my 1000th post awhile back. I can't remember when I found your blog, but it has been quite awhile ago. I love your point of view. While blogs are inherently a bit self-indulgent, yours is never the "look at me" kind of blog. It is the rest of the world, through your eyes, and with your quiet sense of irony and interest and curiosity. I look forward to the next 1000.

Joanne S said...

Hello Marianne!!! Linda, Deborah and Terry! Such a lovely surprise to get such nice comments today. I am having a snowy day, watching daytime television (mind numbing) waiting for G to drive home safely in a few hours.

Terry, you and Deborah must have started at the same time with me a few months later. I didn't post often in the early days: kept trying to be witty and clever and not having much luck. You and Deborah always had more fabric art content which I adore.

Diane N said...

Congratulations on 1000 posts! I've enjoyed the ride so far and am glad to have one of those front row seats for the 2011 journey. I'm looking forward to you adding your comments to the ones we post.

Looking forward to the 2011 blog entries. This makes me feel like today is New Year's Day even though it's only December 27th.

gema said...

Big CONGRATS! This is a great achievement. Your posts always make very interesting reads and even though I don't always comment, I enjoy your blog immensely.
Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing!

Jeannie said...

Congratulations on 1000 posts! I have enjoyed following your journey and look forward to 2011. I started cleaning up my room the two weeks before Christmas. How dumb!!! But, it made me work fast and with purpose because I had so many other things to do. It took too long, I hated every minute of it, but now I am so glad I did it. I can walk in the room and not have to stick to a path, I can find what I am looking for, and want to be in there. Have a great week doing whatever you decide to do.