tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post7259448906123164857..comments2023-10-11T04:09:53.564-07:00Comments on materfamilias writes: Determined to Relax! Working at it! Playing Too!materfamiliashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-76966251081880869392012-07-31T12:53:18.428-07:002012-07-31T12:53:18.428-07:00I know! It's so hard to slow down, and especia...I know! It's so hard to slow down, and especially hard to feel that slowing down, even just sitting still, is productive in its own way. And yes, we end up carrying ourselves with us!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-9400736272224137662012-07-23T15:01:09.824-07:002012-07-23T15:01:09.824-07:00This one really spoke to me! I wonder if I could ...This one really spoke to me! I wonder if I could do four days of not having a mental to do list. I have vast amounts to do in the garden (supposedly my passionate relaxation) and curtains to make for my shepherd's hut (supposedly my place of peace and refuge) never mind the family things queueing up for attention and the work things waiting in the wings. I gave up my mega job to have time for other things but I carry myself with me and she is very focussed on achieving things! Thanks for making me think.Elizabeth Musgravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09473705107636868753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-16909067845831445212012-07-23T07:15:21.050-07:002012-07-23T07:15:21.050-07:00A wonderful find! That you so much for sharing thi...A wonderful find! That you so much for sharing this, Elle. It's perfect.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-74122950787522371612012-07-23T07:14:49.980-07:002012-07-23T07:14:49.980-07:00Thanks, Mette, for your concern. This has been a b...Thanks, Mette, for your concern. This has been a busy summer with more stresses than usual -- and my personality is not one that relaxes easily. So that's exactly the project now, quieting down. . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-32655742962034114882012-07-22T14:20:42.044-07:002012-07-22T14:20:42.044-07:00This is long, but may suit these days of taking ti...This is long, but may suit these days of taking time--<br /><br />Judy Brown's "Fire":<br /><br />What makes a fire burn<br />is space between the logs,<br />a breathing space.<br />Too much of a good thing,<br />too many logs packed in too tight<br />can douse the flames<br />almost as surely<br />as a pail of water would.<br /><br />So building fires<br />requires attention<br />to the spaces in between,<br />as much as to the wood.<br /><br />When we are able to build<br />open spaces<br />in the same way<br />we have learned<br />to pile on the logs,<br />the we come to see how<br />it is fuel, and the absence of the fuel<br />together, that make fire possible.<br /><br />We need only lay a log<br />lightly from time to time.<br />A fire <br />grows<br />simply because the space is there,<br />with openings<br />in which the flame<br />that knows just how it wants to burn<br />can find its way.<br /><br /><br />Somehow this always resonates with me--ElleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-8643854296725462892012-07-22T11:23:37.294-07:002012-07-22T11:23:37.294-07:00Have not commented for a while, but having read yo...Have not commented for a while, but having read your post now, I feel worried about you.<br />Why is it so hard to relax, is it temporary, or is it building on you?<br />While the glass of wine might seem tempting, it´s calming effect is only temporary, and might cause more anxiety.<br />Might it be time to pause for a moment or two, and consider what really is needed to be done/ what not.<br />Wishing you peaceful days : ).mettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13732534795009852825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-50107297242295860252012-07-22T07:54:32.638-07:002012-07-22T07:54:32.638-07:00I enjoyed the Harkness last summer, reading it whi...I enjoyed the Harkness last summer, reading it while traveling, and thought the sequel would make a good beach book. Have to say I got restless with the second and not sure I'll bother when the last of the trilogy comes out. Certainly wouldn't call them shitty, though, but my expectations were for genre fiction and they met that okay -- well written enough.<br />Hope you're getting a chance to belly breathe and relax as you head out on your big road trip and new adventure!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-27860867376189236362012-07-22T06:30:24.430-07:002012-07-22T06:30:24.430-07:00Hmm. I'm interested to hear something positive...Hmm. I'm interested to hear something positive from an academic about the Harkness books. Many historians I know love her excellent work on Elizabethan science, but thought these novels were just shitty. I haven't felt the urge to pick them up. <br /><br />I hope the belly breathing and relaxing leaves you recharged and rejuvenated!Raquelitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13138113830990586689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-70453293846437584692012-07-21T15:30:23.686-07:002012-07-21T15:30:23.686-07:00Such a funny First World Problem, but after all, I...Such a funny First World Problem, but after all, I'm the one who has to keep this body healthy, right? As are you, for yours. So we do need to schedule the down time/ headspace time, sighs and all.<br />;-)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-76661306855615263802012-07-21T15:29:14.834-07:002012-07-21T15:29:14.834-07:00This is me you're describing. I feel really un...This is me you're describing. I feel really uncomfortable, guilty, needing to rationalize, if I'm not being obviously productive. So I'm assigning myself relaxation! Then it's okay, right? Right?<br />Thanks re the paintings -- they're very modest, obviously, but they please me inordinately.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-84704173760315201542012-07-21T15:27:23.346-07:002012-07-21T15:27:23.346-07:00Not so much doing nothing as refusing to do anythi...Not so much doing nothing as refusing to do anything out of obligation. Or not even refusing, but I've freed up a few days that I can bracket as obligation-free. I'll report back. . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-1051445351877567062012-07-21T15:26:30.336-07:002012-07-21T15:26:30.336-07:00I could get a button made: Cultivate Indolence!
I ...I could get a button made: Cultivate Indolence!<br />I have to admit it's not a very natural state for me, makes me nervous, this relaxing does. ;-)<br />Hope you have some free time after finals.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-79351400424641971622012-07-21T15:25:32.276-07:002012-07-21T15:25:32.276-07:00Rest and digest . . . that could be my new motto!
...Rest and digest . . . that could be my new motto!<br />Amused that you'd want a watercolour from me, given how much more talented you are. xoxomaterfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-42647571046246110722012-07-21T15:24:43.362-07:002012-07-21T15:24:43.362-07:00Pleased that I managed to convey a sense of calm ....Pleased that I managed to convey a sense of calm . . . thank you!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-41308084927311863872012-07-21T15:24:05.615-07:002012-07-21T15:24:05.615-07:00In fact, I haven't knit a stitch since we got ...In fact, I haven't knit a stitch since we got back from France, probably the longest "knitting drought" in many, many years. Not sure why that is, but part of my hope for my "obligations time-out" is to relax and find some time for knitting -- which makes it look rather like an obligation, doesn't it? I see similarities in our personalities . . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-40781937140893237602012-07-20T21:06:42.156-07:002012-07-20T21:06:42.156-07:00a day 5 indeed.
love the paintings btw
and i must...a day 5 indeed.<br />love the paintings btw<br /><br />and i must take note - schedule some headspace time<br />sighpomomamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08338550638937829078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-64607575392328737632012-07-20T20:38:18.069-07:002012-07-20T20:38:18.069-07:00When I was retired, and indolence was possible, I&...When I was retired, and indolence was possible, I'd get anxious anyway. Then I'd tell myself, take one day where I didn't do ANYTHING I didn't want to go. Would help a lot.<br /><br />I love your paintings, BTW. That chair is very nice.LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-91147249144208567802012-07-20T19:18:47.366-07:002012-07-20T19:18:47.366-07:00Doing nothing - what an idea! Please let us know h...Doing nothing - what an idea! Please let us know how you do. I'd like to try nothing too.Pondsidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407539138546412482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-89830654493190283432012-07-20T17:37:25.171-07:002012-07-20T17:37:25.171-07:00May the indolence work. As I approach the crush o...May the indolence work. As I approach the crush of finals during the summer term, I am very envious. The end is in sight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-56446618120837540492012-07-20T15:23:58.950-07:002012-07-20T15:23:58.950-07:00oh, how fantastic is that collage?!
I am happy ...oh, how fantastic is that collage?! <br /> I am happy to hear that you are practicing your home-care exercises, self awareness. You are a force to be reckoned with, and have created some deep rooted breathing habits... so I suspect that it will be a while before that new pattern of breathing becomes comfortable for you. In the meantime, the painting and Kir Royals will help to quite your sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight mode)and tap into the parasympathetic (rest and digest). <br /> go mom, go!....also, I'd love a little water colour for the baby's room :) an arbutus perhaps???! xoxodo,write. readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02687240571292516010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-21144942093843405082012-07-20T13:11:39.990-07:002012-07-20T13:11:39.990-07:00You sound very calm and I see those creative juice...You sound very calm and I see those creative juices are flowing in your chair painting, which could be framed and kept close by to remind you to breathe deep Yogic breaths.<br /><br />Keep this mindset going beyond Day 5...<br />I wish you well mater.hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-83990152021673015952012-07-20T12:03:47.052-07:002012-07-20T12:03:47.052-07:00Oooh, sounds great. But are you allowed to knit? :...Oooh, sounds great. But are you allowed to knit? :-) It is amazing how associative alcohol is. I'm always trying to recreate a great glass of wine but, of course, one can't divorce the wine from the meal and the place and the company. Recently, I decided I'd just try to make every glass of wine my next standard :-)K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.com