Now that I’ve been making lists in blog posts this week, I have a few more lists swirling in my head. This is not surprising. I always have a few lists going: the to-do list, the what stories I might do next list, the who to hit up for money for __ organization list, the thank you note list after birthdays, the invite list if an event or party is approaching… you get the idea.
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My dear husband (with whom I am getting along with again a few days post reentry) almost forgot the lunch I prepared for the eldest son (who slept through our repeated inquiries about lunch) and as he picked up the food after my reminder, he said, “If you want to be with someone who remembers everything, live with a Filofax.”
I could feel the binder in my hand as soon as he said that word. Iphone stole the Filofax? (I do not have an Iphone; I do have a paper calendar).
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Paper calendar aside, one of my lists this week was kind of flighty: it was the things the Internet makes me yearn for list.
Here are just a few:
Reading about how to make summer more organized makes the idea of taking out all the winter gear and making sure the summer necessities are front and center seem appealing—even dreamy. I think this is the power of the Internet, to make something practical seem enviable, and even beautiful. Perhaps, having things work is beautiful, though (remember: work is love made visible).
The after picture of empty room to sweet room makes me yearn for that same magic on my second floor (three kids’ bedrooms and four kids, plus too much junk).
My friend Suna’s blog reveals her capability regularly. How about the transformation of strawberries into strawberry jam? Until last year, when we discovered Blue Chair Preserves, I never wanted to make jam. Now, I think that I do.
Reading about Jaime’s favorites and seeing that one is Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens—Isaiah Zagar’s most excellent creation makes me again want to successfully pitch a story so I can write about him. He’s such a fantastic character (I’ve known him since I was a kid). The Internet reminds me that knowing fantastic characters is one of life’s great pleasures. To walk into the Eyes Gallery (owned and run by his wife, Julia) or his house, studio or much of his neighborhood—or the Gardens, well, it’s just a feast. Magic is the fitting word here.
And the Internet makes me yearn to create clear counters, inspirational bulletin boards, photographs on display along with my kids’ art, neat shelves of cookbooks, gorgeously arranged spice racks… it’s exhausting. The Internet also has me yearning to see when a moment is just that, a moment.
This week, I nailed that wish. Rather than care about taking photographs every day, I’m glad I’m simply taking more of them and more risks with them. More than anything, I’m glad when be here now is where I am. Fortunately, it happens more than anything else does.
