23 June 2009

To Do or Not To Do


I am an admonished daily by The Great and Powerful Critic Within for my lack of productivity, purpose and direction. “Too much TV, not enough busyness…you are drowning in a sea of sloth and self indulgence”… blah blah blah.

Because of my retirement, self imposed isolation and lack of domestic skills it becomes easier and easier to let go of daily chores and focus on things I enjoy. Having a gimpy knee doesn’t help and any activity that requires bending or kneeling is extremely difficult and usually to be avoided. By that definition, many of my domestic responsibilities get put off. I can manage to clean up the kitchen as well as load and unload the dishwasher. Laundry is a little dicier (picking it up and sorting it). I like doing windows but the ones that really need attention are “dog” level: hence-bending. Vacuuming is something actually enjoy, however… It seems to aggravate my L5-S1 degeneration, and when that happens, holy mama! Drugs and bed rest!

Now the good news, I have been doing something. Writing. That’s right I have been putting fingers to keyboard on a pretty regular basis and since November, I have completed three fiction manuscripts, started a fourth (sequels) and started a major rewrite of my first novel. Not counting the first novel, that means I have written approximately 140,000+ words! I submitted the first one to Create Space.Com for possible Print on Demand publishing (and now must do some serious editing).

In addition, since January I have logged approximately 300 hours and 500 miles as a National CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children. I was assigned two children in Foster Care with whom I schedule regular visits, attend progress meetings and school assessments. I have made endless phone calls, met with dozens of family and friends as well as professionals and written pages of notes. I have submitted court reports and attended hearings. I believe that I am, in good faith, advocating for these kids. The down side is that is emotionally draining and often frustrating. But I am not easily sidelined. I will still be advocating until these children have a safe loving permanent situation and then I will get another case.

So, for today I’m going to continue writing. I may toss in a load of wash and then I’ll call Merry Maids so upcoming house guest (My Bro and his Lady) will feel more comfortable and not think his old sister has gone bat-shit crazy out here alone in the desert, heh heh.

4 comments:

A.Fanny said...

Wow - I am impressed - with the writing and with the advocacy work. KUDOS! Thanks for reporting too. I am also dealing with the retirement dilemma and it's good to hear what fwends are going through. I have not done as much as thou. Maybe I'm still resting from my OCD years!

moi said...

It doesn't sound like you're suffering from a "lack of productivity, purpose and direction" to me. Sounds like you're chugging right along, doing great things. Laundry, schmaundry. The play's the thing.

~MAGILL~ said...

Thanks for cleaning for me - sorry to cancel last minute we will return soon

Anonymous said...

I really like when people are expressing their opinion and thought. So I like the way you are writing

Natalie Dessay rehearsing in Santa Fe 2008

Sempre libra Millenium park 2008

La Sonnambula Finale

Dessay in Santa Fe