On Putting My Pen Down

 December 1st I was meeting with my writing accountability partner, and as I was about to identify my writing goal for the coming week, the words, "I am putting down my pen until after the New Year" came out of my mouth. What does that mean? To literally put down my pen or to stop writing altogether?? 

I do have a lot going on this month of December. 

1. Women's small group Racklette potluck tomorrow.
2. Pre-op then surgery to remove a polyp from my uterus next week.
3. Pre-op for cataract surgery the following week.
4. Houseguest for 2-3 weeks after that.
5. Family wedding - why the houseguests are coming.
6. Christmas.
7. Ignoring the Wedding Quilt - as if I could.
8. Plant the rest of the bulbs.
9. Have fun stitching on Lucy. 
10. Oops - I forgot all about the Churn Dash blocks.

I have been writing Morning Pages almost daily for nearly 2 years now. It is a part of my life. As I have been decluttering and rearranging stuff, I have come across more journals and notebooks I have kept over the years. This is fascinating! I have been doing morning pages for years and years. It just wasn't called that, and it wasn't every day, and it wasn't 3 full pages of stream of consciousness writing, but it was pretty much of what I do now. 

Seriously, writing is what I do. I process thoughts and intents by writing them out. It often looks like a to-do list but only if I do it point form and maybe write a number in front of it. I have stacks and stacks of notes for the books I have been writing. And now, I have insights how to bring all that together. But I am laying down my pen.

So, instead of handwriting this morning, I spent several hours on the computer booking travel arrangements for a women's retreat to The Black Forest in a Baravian Alpine resort for me and Ava for March. It just happens to be her spring break week. Retreat venue is included, and I booked 2 nights in a chalet place with a balcony and now to get flights for the correct days. Did I mention this is in Germany? I thrive on stuff like this. 

My Sweetie and I are going to Australia in April, but I have to wait until after the next Visa statement is processed before booking our flights and rooms. Most of that trip is already pre-booked. Just need to fill in the gaps between international flights. Oh, I am excited. 

I have 2 other overseas trips later in the year figured out in my head but have to wait for a bit. And the Vermont Quilt Festival in June and Shipshewana Retreat in November.

But putting my pen down. I will not be writing Pages, nor will I be journaling which is what I have been doing while online with a writing group. Do you think I like writing? Some Decembers I have blogged every day for the whole month. Not going to happen this year. The writing part is easy and fun, but it takes time to respond to blogger's comments and that is what it is all about. Connecting with readers around the world. And I do have a lot going on this month. And I have several posts already written up. I guess my 23 UFOs for 2023 will have to wait to be announced. And my Bertha's Flowerpots BOM will also have to wait. But that is okay because, you see, I have a lot going on this month.

My Sweetie just drove off to pick up a carload of Caesar Salad kits that got dropped off at our son-in-law-the-pastor's church so we could share them with folk around here. I have a dozen ladies coming for lunch tomorrow and they could all use a gift. 

Blessings until the New Year,

Chris