As a writer, I’ve oft heard that writers should write something every single day. So today I’m writing this blog post of things I should/could do if not writing this blog post. It’s a little circular, but stick with me.
- Keeping house. If I were a really good wife, fulfilling the expectations of my generation, I’d say that when not writing I should clean the house. B
ut luckily for me, my mother taught me that dust bunnies regenerate (like bunnies) no matter how many times you Swiffer the floor, and you’re just going to get back in bed again, so making it is only so important. I’m not sure my husband knew my feelings on housecleaning when he married me, but he hasn’t filed for divorce yet, so I might be okay. - Learning to cook like professional chef. One thing I found out about hubby soon after we married is that he likes meat and green stuff. He might tolerate other food groups, but that’s what he really likes. Nothing spicy. Nothing herb-y. Nothing with pepper in it. Nothing too
different from standard fare. I once proudly told my mom that Jack was so easy to cook for because he was happy with chicken and spinach. Yeah, well, after years of chicken and spinach a woman longs for a bit more. Some chili or pasta, for instance. Still, I don’t have to give up writing in order to work my way through Joy of Cooking—Jack wouldn’t eat most of that food. There’s always a silver lining! - Building something. By “something” I mean cabinets or furniture. Houses. You know what I mean. Besides the fact that I can’t drive a nail straight, I’d rather buy furniture and cabinets—that way they actually stand up and are level.
- Making my own clothes. I learned long ago that making clothing started with cutting the pattern properly, and I never was able to do that. I tried, I really did, but some people have the knack and some don’t. There was never any question in which group I belonged. I really admire people who can sew (and knit and crochet) their own wardrobes. I wish they would do it for me…
- Reading. Watching HGTV and ID. Now, while the items above this are things I should/could do when not writing, this is one I would do (and do
do!) when not writing. When Mom taught me about dust bunnies she actually said, “Forget dust bunnies. There’s always time for a good book!” And boy, was she right! I admit to enjoying watching all of those people building furniture and cabinets and such on HGTV, as well as murdering people (and getting caught!) on ID. The brain needs a rest, y’all!
What do you do when you’re not doing something you should be doing…like writing?
Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.
Dee
Naval Maneuvers When a woman requires an earth-shattering crush of pleasure to carry her away, she can’t do better than to call on the US Navy. Sorry, Marines!
and then, when you reach your Golden Years, pick the right numbers and be set up for the rest of time. How great would that be?? Unfortunately, life rarely happens like that. Still, it’s fun to imagine…
foot in Wales or Ireland, so I could probably spend a year or more on just those two islands. And Italy is a place I’d like to spend more time. I’d like to go on a safari to southern Africa, and see the Maldives. If I had the money to spread the trip out (with stops in Hawaii and Tahiti, for example), I’d hop on a plane to New Zealand and visit my pal Jan in Australia—someplace I’ve always wanted to go (despite their poisonous snakes and spiders). Closer to home, I’d like to revisit western Canada, and points here in the U.S. Sounds like so much fun!
yacht, island, wardrobe, and expensive jewelry? Nope. Best off not having any of that stuff. It would be nice, though, to see new places and share the adventure with those I love, which really means spending time with those I love, and we can do that with very little cash at all.
years we were there. We spent hours sunbathing, crashing through the surf, and laughing with friends or talking. Later, burned and sleepy from the sun and fresh air, we drove home to shower and change clothes and nap a spell. But later that afternoon, after a seafood dinner at our favorite local spot (Hurd’s, which I think is gone now) we headed for Norfolk and Ocean View amusement park. Not that I ever rode it, but they had a huge wooden roller coaster. I got on lots of other rides, though, and we walked around to see all the sights and hear all the sounds. We ate cotton candy and drank Coke, and generally 
gorged ourselves on the celebration of our independence. After dark, fireworks lit the sky over the bay and we Oooed and Ahhhhed over the burst of lights. Finally, we made our way through the crowd to the car and drove home. Lucky me—I was able to sleep in the next day!
surrounding me from my parents as we walked through that amusement park, still burst through me like those rockets that filled the air over the water with light and sound.
Todd is one of my favorite characters. He was recently interviewed by Kayelle Allen on 
crochet, a little knitting, and crewel work as creative outlets. I stopped counting cross stitch when I had to use a magnifying glass to see the tiny little holes (oh, vanity!), but crocheting is still a relaxing activity.
endeavor for me. Mostly though, I crochet scarves and afghans—nothing greatly detailed that involves shaping, like sweaters or booties.
them it wouldn’t have to be anything too intricate, just hypoallergenic and washable. I think even I could manage that. And in that case, I would once again be using needlework as a creative outlet, but with greater ramifications.
nothing but the clothes on their backs. They crochet winter scarves and donate them to Native American schools in the Midwest where they live. And they do this on very limited incomes! Maybe we can all do a little more to help out those who have less? I’m going to try. Will you?
About Abbey MacMunn:
beach, school concerts, just hanging out with friends, dinner at Dairy Queen, talking about books. For eight years we drove nationwide as long-distance truckers where, even as tired and cranky as we were on occasion, we viewed sunrises and sunsets, wide open spaces, and horrific traffic jams all while holding hands (metaphorically).
Jack has always been there to remind me that that’s the ticket to a good life. He’s always been able to make me laugh, and that’s fun no matter if we’re dressed or not.