Today’s post doesn’t really have much to do with writing, though I’m calling it free prose. That’s not the same as stream of consciousness; I would never subject you to that.
Juan, Henry, and Margaret
I grow roses … well, for the most part this last year, I neglectedroses, but still they bloomed. Yesterday I cut a few. I don’t usually do that this late in the season because I like to let them go dormant for a couple months, but roses that bloom in cool weather have the sweetest fragrance, and I needed a lift.
In the bouquet pictured, I have Don Juan (red), Henry Fonda (yellow) and Margaret Merrill (white) and though the yellow doesn’t usually have much scent, and the red much less than the white, they’re all scenting the room as I write.
My work station?
I have not done so well on my NaHoCleMo challenge. The reward of a spotless house, including cupboards, closets, and drawers, is not enough to goad me into the nearly three hours of daily work I need to keep on goal. Actually, it’s not so much the cleaning that gets me down, it’s the deciding. I don’t know what to do with piles of stuff when I pull it out of those cupboards, closets, and drawers.
I like to blame it on being born under the sun sign of Libra … you know, being able to see all sides and trying to be fair in my judgment. Should I keep this? Should I give it away? Should I toss it? It’s that inability to decide that clutters my house in the first place. That, and my mother cleaning my childhood bedroom and throwing away all my little “collections” which she apparently mistook for trash. I’ve battled with keeping MY STUFF ever since. Ah, well …
In what sense are we lost?
I know this question is “out there” but is it possible that time is speeding up? I’ve been thinking that it’s only because I’m getting older. And cruel joke that—the less time you have left the faster it’s used up! But I’ve heard people far younger than I make the same observation.
Of course, with that in mind, we could veer off into questioning what time is, which would make my head spin, so let’s don’t. Although … that does remind me of the show LOST and how I so wish I could figure it out before they reveal it all this next season.
All right, I’ve blathered long enough, but at least free prose is … well … free.
Very much enjoyed the free prose! The roses are beautiful! And decisions, especially regarding stuff, are very tough, I agree. I feel as if I need something as soon as I throw it out! Good luck as you continue your quest to de-clutter. Hope you find that balance that is right for you. I have to admit I’m not a big fan of the super-organized homes (or maybe I just say that because mine isn’t one of them)! I figure a little clutter shows character, right?
Nice way to look at it, Christina, my house just oozes character.
Part of my problem is that I can save something for ten years and within a month of getting rid of it, I will finally need it. It’s happened too many times to count.
Gorgeous roses. Brilliant!
Free prose, eh? Maybe this could catch on, meme-like, and go viral. I might just try it.
It would be highly unlikely for something I said to go viral.
I’m a huge fan of stream of consciousness. I do it all the time on my blog. I had no idea that roses that bloom in cool weather smell sweeter. And if you’re feeling behind in the NaCleHoMo please just take a peek at my blog and notice that I have put in a total 660min. Pathetic, I know. But don’t you feel better now?
If you do it all the time on your blog, then it’s safe to say your stream of consciousness is far saner than mine would be.
I have managed a whopping 22 cleaning minutes so far today. And you must not be counting all your minutes. I use my iPhone stopwatch and count every second of picking up, wiping down, dishwasher filling. Everything counts.
I just finished The Year of the Flood, and there was this one line from it.
“Why now? is the cry. Why so soon? It’s the cry of the child being called home at dusk, it’s the universal protest against Time.”
I too am a Libra, Linda
struggling with that balance.
Gorgeous roses by the way.
I love that quote, Jennifer. Thanks for sharring it.
Never give a Libra too many choices.
I’m a Leo. So, while I may not have trouble making decisions, I get real testy when someone else starts moving my stuff around.
I have piles, but they’re all organized, thank you very much.
And I, too, love the roses. Fresh flowers are good for the soul.
Ha ha, that’s how my piles are. I swear, after I clean up I can’t find anything. My husband just commented on the roses too.
Love the LOST reference!! (Though, of course, I’m sure you knew I would!) I agree, time feels like it’s speeding up, and I’m only twenty-six. Days, weeks, even months just fly past me. With time going so fast, you really have to make an effort to enjoy each day and not just watch them speed past you in a blur.
I want to grow roses like yours! Maybe one day, when we have a house, not just a tiny apartment porch.
owlandsparrow, growing up, one of my friend’s lived in a high rise with a tiny balcony, I mean tiny! She managed to produce a garden out there: tomatoes, snap peas, cucumbers, and roses.
You know, I guess I could venture forth into rose/vegetable territory on my porch…I have other plants, but for some reason roses and vegetables seem like “in-ground” plants to me. Just because they usually are, doesn’t mean they have to be, I guess. Good idea! I would love to have fresh veggies on my little porch (and fresh flowers – most of my plants are just green).
Yes, I knew your little heart would flutter at the mention of LOST.
You could certainly grow miniature roses on a patio, if you wanted some color. They don’t have a scent though. But if you had a large/deep enough pot you could grow a full-sized one. They need sun to bloom well, and LOTS of water, especially if they’re in a pot.
Just saw an article on EW.com announcing the premier date: 2 Feb 2010! It’s on Tuesdays this year, by the way. I’m tempted to be mad that we have to wait even longer than January, but I’m just hoping it means there won’t be many of those non-new-episode weeks.
Thanks for the rose-growing advice! I want to try to plant some. When’s the best time, do you think? Spring-ish?
I wonder if they’ve changed plans again? I heard that LOST would be on for one month then take a break, so they could end the series in May (sweeps month).
Planting time depends on where you live and whether you have bare root or potted roses. Go to a reputable garden supply and ask questions because they’ll know what’s best for your area.