be content…
I’m trying to remind myself to be content with the way things are just now, but I’m not finding it very easy. It seems that the more I’m able to do, the more I want (or think I ought) to do. Yesterday, as I was lighting the fire, I glanced under the sofa and saw a sea of dust. Now, a couple of years ago dust under the sofa probably wouldn’t even have entered my orbit; the questions that filled my day then would have been, “do I use my morning energy to make breakfast or have a bath?”. Now, bathed and fed, I’m lighting the fire and seeing something else to do.
The truth is there could always be something else to do. If I rushed and vacuumed the dust, my eyes would no doubt rest on the window ledge, or bookcase and see yet more dust, or things to tidy away (I REALLY must take down those Christmas cards sometime). Better not to look I think. Better to be pleased that I can be up and dressed and fed and lighting the fire. Maybe that can be enough.
Was it Quentin Crisp who said one should never dust? I bet he found lots more interesting things to do instead…
January 26th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
I think Crisp said something about the dust remaining pretty much the same after a few years or so.
I don’t mind laundry or washing dishes or taking out the trash…but dusting is the worst [after cleaning toilets, of course]. I loathe it.
January 26th, 2006 at 10:39 pm
“After four years, the dust doesn’t get any worse.”
There are more quotes here.
I like this one:
“If at first you don’t succeed, failure may be your style.”
January 28th, 2006 at 9:39 am
Ask a Macmillan nurse how many patients wish they’d spent more of their lives dusting.
That’s why Jane and I pay a weekly cleaner, then do interesting things with our precious spare time and energy.
Cheers,
B.
January 30th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
my fave housework trick is the 15 min kitchen timer. I set it and see how much washing up tidying I can do in that amount of time I aways surprise myself by how much I can do in that amount. I do another 15 mins if it still looks like I need it. Otherwise housework is restricted to when guests come - I have an infinate capacity for tollerating knickers on floor, unwashed dishes and 7 years worth of dustballs running around the house…
January 30th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
Hallo! Candlelight is the answer. It covers up a multitude of sins!
Anyway, we all need a peck o’ dirt in our lives, so leave the dust and put the kettle on.
Also, a tidy house is a sign of a life unlived!
January 31st, 2006 at 1:09 am
Its under the sofa. Nobody will see it!!
My mum went over to my brothers house a few months ago and wrote as a joke in the dust on the mantel piece, “I used to be blue” she went back yesterday and its still there. Three people live in that house and they are all healthy, so I think you can leaving it!
February 1st, 2006 at 2:46 am
Ah…the sign of a true perfectionist! I had a great-aunt who decided to wash all of her husbands tools because the dirt and grease on them bothered her so much! They ended up rusting!
February 2nd, 2006 at 10:50 am
interesting topic, now i have to check the dusts under my bed.
‘dropping by to say i like the drawings for the things you had last year and for this year. ‘like both the long sleeves shirts. great job with the details.
February 2nd, 2006 at 2:32 pm
Draw, don’t dust! Unless it makes you sneeze. Then call for help. There are professionals who handle that sort of thing.
February 2nd, 2006 at 8:18 pm
Dusting is a complete waste of life. If you have cats, they do the dusting for you.