Getting Real

"I think I love society as much as most, and am ready enough to fasten myself like a blood-sucker for the time to any full-blooded man that comes my way. I am naturally no hermit, but might possibly sit out the sturdiest frequenter of the bar-room, if my business called me thither." — H.D. Thoreau, "Visitors"

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The experiment continues. I find that I’m still wanting to over-crowd my time. The internet use was only a symptom.

Today I felt like one of Timothy Leary’s people: Drop Out, Tune In. I feel like I’ve dropped below the din and there’s a whole reality going on down here.

I feel like I’m becoming more real to myself again and haven’t felt this way in a long time. Been playing my fiddle more, talking to people more, appreciating more the people in front of me, and who are important to me: family, old friends, neighbors.
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Today I was talking with Janey on the phone, about various things, including wool — and had to sign off to get the boys. She offered to bring her spinning wheel over when we were back.

She did, and let the boys try it, and I got the carding brushes put together, and started to learn to card. Susan, my neighbor across the street who's a fiber enthusiast / spinner / knitter, must have seen us from her upstairs window because she showed up with dishes from a meal I brought her last month when she had surgery, and a batch of delicious Mexican anise cookies. She came in and upon seeing our project asked if I had an extra set of carders. She and Janey hit it off.

I felt a bit overwhelmed, tired as I was from a long first day back taking the boys to Sierra's (their teacher 2x week), ready for some down time. But how could I say no to such needed and wonderful impromptu community. It’s only day 6 and already my dream is coming true. What will the other 359 days of this year bring?
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Tonight met with Angie, Janet, and Mandy about the fate of our homeschool coop. We are going to do some outdoor activities and I had the kids’ newspaper idea come back up again. We are going to get an issue out with little articles, an ad or two, and lots of artwork.

The fiddle is at my beck and call all of a sudden. I’ve been playing again. Thinking again more clearly. The thought-habit of narrating my actions as if I were posting a Facebook status update has faded into the background and something else is emerging. What is that---uninterrupted, unedited thought?