Beatrix is napping right now. I can't believe it!! Blogging in the daytime is my absolute favorite. It's probably what I miss the most since the napping era ended about a year ago. The opportunity to write. For the life of me, I just can't compose a decent sentence at night. Much less a whole post which means anything to anyone.
This poor space. It's so haphazard and non-traditional, I'd say, as far as blogs go. I was never one to offer tutorials or recipes, advice and tips on this, that, or the other. It's just not my thing, though, I'm grateful for everyone else who does it. I'm most definitely not a technical writer and I'm okay with that. I have the most fun here at Live Free when I have the chance to blabber on about the experiences and emotions of daily life. At my best, I feel most authentic when I'm able to thread words into thoughts that somehow attempt to upturn a hidden connection amongst us all ~ as people, as mothers, as teachers, or daughters. Whoever we may be. I firmly beleive, that at our core, we are always more alike than we are different.
Sometimes, as I'm hanging out laundry, or organizing an art shelf, or watching my little one dance to The Nutcracker one more time, thoughts spill out of me into the atmosphere, disapating as quickly as they arrived. Oftentimes, even I doubt their true existence. Other times, I can't for the life of me think of one single aspect of my daily life worth writing about. Not that my life is unworthy. Not at all. It's just that these days are filled with the upkeep of the mundane. My days hum to the tune of ordinary. Another sinkful of dishes. A breakfast of eggs and bacon. A walk through the neighborhood. Another nature hike. Time to tidy up. P,b and j for lunch. Apples for tea. Beans and rice at dinnertime. And in between all of that, there are funny, little conversations, there's grocery shopping, there's an email returned here and there. There are library books to return. Bills to pay. There's an Instagram photo of another cup of coffee, or a blooming something, or folded laundry, or a playing little one, etc.
Plain and simple moments.
I'm at that point in my life where I pretty much have it figured out that I won't be remembered as a transforational figure to anything of great importance or to anyone beyond my closest of friends and family. Those few know my heart and know how hard I work at being just a tad bit beyond mediocre. I'm not alone, I'm just common. Maybe I've reached my greatest potential, right here, right now. If I sitting here wondering, perhaps I still have a ways more to go. We can always dream.
But darn it, as long as there is a kid sharing this roof with me, one thing will always be certain: when the house is quiet and still in the daytime, I'm gonna keep trying to write.
Awe. I love this post and I often feel the same way!
Posted by: raisinaruckus | January 31, 2013 at 03:38 PM
That's why I like your blog. It make the mundane seem special. And you are not common. Really, I can tell. I like how you capture the inner snippets of the day. And when you do, they are no longer mundane.
Posted by: Mindy | January 31, 2013 at 04:17 PM
I will remember you. I do remember you...
PS Agree with every single word, as usual. including writing during daytime. Feeling a bit sad for my pure English, so that I could have expressed myself better. And.. it is my Birthday by the way...:) thank you for celebrating it with me...:)
Posted by: Miri | January 31, 2013 at 05:43 PM
um... you are not "common."
you are not mediocre.
You may have those thoughts about yourself, but they are just thoughts.
I think, your potential is measured by you.
XO
Posted by: ladycordelia | January 31, 2013 at 06:22 PM
Ha! I'm so glad that you got a moment to write. Ive missed your words. They are, so beautiful. Those precious moments for me have now been consumed with practicing the guitar. I have been dreaming of performing again. But, like you, those moments of stillness in the house are so few and and far between. But we can still dream! Xxoo
Posted by: lissadell | January 31, 2013 at 08:13 PM
blabbering about the experiences and emotions of daily life is where it's at! I write and feel that more often than not, it's all "today we planted xyz and ate this" kind of stuff as well. I chronicle my little life and worry not since I've not made any promises of bringing anything extraordinary to the table. it's the little seemingly ordinary and insignificant moments that make our lives, you know? and....... maybe our seemingly insignificant little worlds, and the snippets of them, are interesting to each other, to others..... I think because it reminds us all of how it IS good and important work to revel in the daily moments, the ordinary little things that build our world. (that, and it's fun to peek in on other folks' worlds) it is the work of my life, for sure- to keep myself on my toes looking for the beauty around me to marvel at and soak myself in.
I love reading your posts~ I certainly look forward to them and notice when you haven't written in a while. and know what? I think you've 'upturned our hidden connection' through your words here!
xoxo
Posted by: amanda (sweetpotatoclaire) | January 31, 2013 at 09:51 PM
Your influence goes far beyond your immediates. All those kids whose lives you've touched, anyone who meets you, anyone who reads your blog. Your joy in the everyday, and the beauty you both create and see in it are both joyful and profound. You are uncommon I would say - there's none I've come across just like you. You inspire me.
Posted by: Rach | February 01, 2013 at 05:45 AM
i feel the same way. i am so happy to know i am in excellent company.
for what it's worth: i think you are unique.
Posted by: amanda {the habit of being} | February 01, 2013 at 10:03 AM
In a world that is ablaze in words and images, it is your corner of the blog world that I always find a moment to recenter. Your words, your images, your work at home and outside resonates with truth and beauty at every turn. I am always in awe.
And please do tell where those precious mugs come from with your intials. I know a little one who would love one.
With gratitude for your many gifts.
Posted by: Beth | February 02, 2013 at 06:33 PM
You are really kind, Mindy. Thank you for chiming in. Your words mean so much.
Posted by: Nichole | February 02, 2013 at 09:54 PM
Aw...Miri. I know you will. I didn't mean to sound like I was looking for praise. I really wasn't. (But boy, sometimes we don't realize how nice it is to hear a compliment until we get a bunch!) More than anything, I think I was just having a conversation with myself and admitting that I'm not the lady doing anything great beyond the usual. And that's okay too. I'm so glad you still stop by and read. You are such a person! I hope you are well. Your children must be getting so big by now.
Posted by: Nichole | February 02, 2013 at 10:01 PM
Cory....these words coming from you - the lady who literally accomplishes anything she puts her mind too! All that quilting and knitting and cooking you've learned to do in no time flat. You are amazing! Ladies like you keep me humble.
Posted by: Nichole | February 02, 2013 at 10:03 PM
I've been wanting to ask how the acting classes are going. I've been trying to teach myself guitar for awhile now too. I keep losing my callouses because I practice so infrequently...Oy. Bad student. I miss you too. All the time. Thanks for the love.
Posted by: Nichole | February 02, 2013 at 10:05 PM
You are such a wise woman, Amanda. You are, you are, you are. One day I want to be as comfortable with the imperfections of life as you are. (And I mean that previous sentence in a entirely nice, awesome way.) Actually, you are one of the women that I look up to. You've got it going on in your little part of the world, Amanda. And I'm so glad I have had the chance to get to know you, if not personally, then at least virtually.
Posted by: Nichole | February 02, 2013 at 10:11 PM
Wow...I'm totally grinning and blushing too. Thank you Rach. You are really nice to say such a thing. Everyone's encouraging comments were totally unexpected. When I wrote that post, I felt like I was just talking to myself, rambling once again, about life and the passage of time. Thank you so much for commenting. It always means the world to me to hear from readers.
Posted by: Nichole | February 02, 2013 at 10:16 PM
Whatever, Amanda!!! You are not common, my dear. So far from it. I'm constantly awed that all of you amazing writers, and mothers, and knitters, and cooks still actually visit my little online space here. Thank you for your super words. I feel so special now -- blushing and smiling and so surprised by all the sweet love.
Posted by: Nichole | February 02, 2013 at 10:21 PM
Beth, I'm so surprised by all of the sweet words readers have left for me. I really wasn't expecting much response. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for taking the time to comment. The little mugs come Gleena: http://gleena.com/category.php?category_id=2
Posted by: Nichole | February 02, 2013 at 10:25 PM
Thank you! Glad I'm not alone!
Posted by: Nichole | February 02, 2013 at 10:26 PM
oh I love this......
and ordinary people are my favorite (i'm ordinary too!)
having time to see your life happen, to notice dishes, eggs from the hens, the gift in each cup of coffee...
that is a wonderful thing.
you're the kind of girl that keeps me grounded.
and you're amazing.
truly.
xo~
s
Posted by: Stephinie | February 03, 2013 at 08:33 AM