day 31: sandwiches and leftovers
1.
I wrote a quickie booknotes post last night in the five minutes between work and family movie time, but I took it down a short while later because it was too quick, too silent about events I actually have quite a lot of words for. Choice words. Not all of them fit for my kids’ ears. I’ve been speaking them elsewhere and seem to have annoyed a fair number of people. Well, that’s too bad. I suspect I’ll be saying more, not less, in days to come. Perhaps not always here, in this space which is a happy little retreat for me. But maybe here too. There is so very much to say.
(Deep breath, fingers twitching.) Not this minute. Right now, I need to work. So I’m going to just open a space for a family story or two. If you want my activist voice, come on over to Facebook or Twitter.
2.
A couple of days ago, a Girl Scout rang the bell. It’s cookie season, as you know. I turned her down with regrets, because, frankly, five dollars a box is too rich for my blood.
An hour later, another ring, another sweet kid, another set of regrets.
THREE MINUTES LATER, another doorbell chime. But this time it was our neighbor, Guy—who seriously is the nicest guy—holding out three boxes of cookies.
“I can’t say no to a little girl,” he said, thrusting Do-si-dos, Samoas, and Tagalongs into my arms. “But I also can’t eat these cookies.”
My children would like to raise a statue in his honor.
3.
My son wrote the following about me in an email to a friend: “She used to cook dinner or all the time until Dad [took over the meal prep] and now she only Cooks now and then. Her Specialties are sandwiches and leftovers.”
I may need to add that to my resumé.
4.
I had garden-y things to add to this post but my five twenty minutes are up. Tomorrow, maybe. And I’m going to re-post the one I took down yesterday (it’s not much of anything, trust me, just disconnected sentences about what we’re reading) now that I’ve had a chance to explain why I was quiet (here) over the (tumultuous) weekend.
Ellie says:
I love that. Sandwiches and leftovers 🙂
I hear you on the writing choice words and raise you ten … for myself, I cannot stay silent, words are all I have: I can’t march or run for office or volunteer with refugee camps overseas or go to law school … all I have are words and prayers and quiet hopes. Maybe with all of us together, it will be enough to turn the tide and build a better world.
On January 31, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Lise says:
I saw your book post go up last night, and managed to read it in my reader though it was gone on your blog (I do love book posts), but I was also so glad to see your “caught my eye” posts…I haven’t been able to read fluffy happy blog posts this week without getting upset about people’s silence on the big issues at hand. I love your “that’s too bad” attitude and will be glad to read whatever you write. I need to be surrounded by sane people in the insanity. Thank you for not being silent.
On January 31, 2017 at 7:05 pm
Tabatha says:
Here’s to Guy! Also, here’s to Scott for his meal prep!
Silence is not patriotic — go ahead.
xo
On February 1, 2017 at 6:57 am
Mary says:
I think its great for you to have a voice, but please don’t judge or need everyone to agree or applaud your opinions. I don’t know what to think about everything that’s going on right now. I pray too, but I don’t think those of who are not protesting are all bad. Though I am sure there are a few.
On February 3, 2017 at 10:16 am
Melissa Wiley says:
Golly, I’m not expecting anyone to applaud my decisions. And I’m keenly aware how many people disagree with them.
On February 3, 2017 at 12:42 pm
Mary says:
Gosh I am sorry if my choice of words offended you. My sentiment was sincere and I am truly sorry if that did not come through.
On February 3, 2017 at 3:02 pm