thinking time

Lately I've found I am spending more time tied to my laptop. I'm not sure if it's because I'm addicted to email(--especially the nice emails about my book?) or if it's because I'm feeling somewhat adrift and want to feel like I'm working even when I'm not.

You see, the professor and I are still waiting on that paperwork. The paperwork from the Canadian powers that be that will help us move to Winnipeg this summer. Until then, there will be no packing, no trips to find a house, none of that. Yet, we're still pretty sure that we'll get the details ironed out by May and the professor would like to move by July. Of course, I'll be at 3 different festival events in May, and a couple things in June, and oh, there's that odd event or two in April. My grandmother had a short hospital stay this week (she's home now, but still ill...) and and and -That's a lot to think on.

It also means that I've got to plan my freelance life so that I don't have anything much due in July or August, cause that would be moving time. It means slowing down now on soliciting new work so that I will not be overwhelmed later on.

Of course, I probably need the slow down. We all do from time to time, and I've been on warp speed with all this bookwriting activity. Yesterday, I decided a change was in order. I tried to step away from the computer keyboard.

A friend sent me a very interesting link to a lecture by Elizabeth Gilbert. Another friend, Cindy, encouraged me to listen to this Knit Picks podcast, which had a fantastic review of Fiber Gathering. All in all, a good chance to think. To listen. To feel stimulated and...to spin. This too is necessary if I want to be a writer or a teacher. Must think. Must practice my craft and reflect.

This photo is shot from the doorway of my office. You'll see that the dogs have the good spot on the couch. My desk chair is being used as a portable lecturn for listening to video streaming lectures. The fiber on my wheel? A springy, somewhat short stampled sample of combed CVM. Naturally brown, fine wool which unfortunately picked up a bit of musty smell along the way. Perhaps in my trip to Arkansas and back? It's going slowly. (perhaps because the smell isn't very attractive) I am also halfway through knitting/designing my second mitten, and I think it's coming out well!

Soon, the blog tour will begin! Less than a week now...

Oh, and just wanted to repeat. If the seal isn't good on your homecanned goods? Don't eat that! However, it doesn't happen all that often. Very rare, in fact, and opening up that jar of eggplant chutney on Wednesday? A very satisfying feeling of instant, made from scratch food. Well worth the trouble last summer, and infinitely less risk than buying a bag of "prewashed" greens from the grocery store!

Off to make dinner in a bit...cooking's also good thinking time. Lamb chops, chimichurri, spring salad, roasted radishes, homemade challah, potatoes and...fruit crisp with blackberries from the freezer, picked last summer.