I got an extension on my article deadline--from Dec. 31 to Jan.6--because of our trip to Virginia. And now that deadline is looming over my head like the about-to-avalanche snow above the pass in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers [that my two daughters just watched with their Aunt Rebecca and I'm jealous] and I can't for the life of me think of anything to write about.
So we went on a trip. And had a great time. And I got sick. And I'm still running a fever and croaking. And it's a new year. And while the trip was great it is also great to be home with our wonderful water and the resultant pot of black tea every morning that is so good surely the angels will serve it in golden teapots in Heaven when I get there. And I got Arlene to teach Sunday School for me this morning and Stephie to do children's meeting for me this evening, and the nice lady from the Home Science Club said I can come speak to them in February instead of tomorrow, since there's not much chance any of them could hear me by tomorrow afternoon plus they'd probably all catch pneumonia from my wretched coughing. And maybe I should just quit writing that crazy column if I don't have anything to say.
However. None of this fits into a theme [of New Beginnings or Life Lessons or Something Profound] or answers the all-important question: So what? And we all know the Letter from Harrisburg has to have a Point and everything tied into a neat bow at the end.
Help me out here--Matt? Amy? Arlene? Somebody??
Emily has a name for this: Mom-On-Day-30 Syndrome.
Sigh.
Quote of the Day:
"Maybe this time you can take out two bushes."
--Steven, as Ben backs the van out the driveway
I just blogged about brushing our pets' teeth. Does that help?
ReplyDeleteOh, dear... please don't quit writing Letter from Harrisburg! It's the best part of the Register-Guard. I missed your column this morning. How about your favorite things about Lane County? Or something about cooking or recipes that are family favorites and stories behind them? Your sister's and her family's transition back to the States? The people you've made connections with through blogging and internet use that you've never met in person, and how those relationships differ from personal ones? I'll take anything... I would be dismayed to find no Letter from Harrisburg this month. It is always a pleasure.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably too late now to do the research, but you could write about how taking large doses of Vitamin D helps boost your immune system here in Oregon so you don't get colds on Airplane trips. I started taking 400IU per day, a year ago after reading an article about how we don't get enough sun in Oregon during the winter months. Maybe it's a coincidence, but I have taken two trips clear across the country (to Jacksonville, FL) this fall without getting the colds that I usually get from riding in a germ filled "aluminum tube". The most recent trip was mid-December last, and came home to that awful ice and snow in Portland. I figured it didn't cost much and it was worth a try.
ReplyDeleteWell, you just joined Facebook, which induced me to go LOOK at Facebook. So, then I joined, and I've added WAY too many long-lost friends to my profile. And NOW I don't get anything done around the house that isn't absolutely essential...AND I now have a fever of my own, to boot. Ah, the joys and evils of modern technology! (I'd LIKE to blame it all on you, but I'm an adult and I'll accept responsibility for my own actions.) :)
ReplyDeleteWishing you an unclouded, fever-free mind as you try to think...
Or you could visit my blog and talk more about water and how essential it is for us...washing us inside and out...and how horrible we get when our PLUMBING breaks!!
ReplyDeleteAnd, yeah, that's my cousin Jamie above there...the last thing SHE needs is facebook...what a time thief!! Maybe you ought to write about how much simpler our lives would be without internet!! REAL relationships and all that!!
I see a lot of your readers have facebook on the mind- me, too! My suggestion for a column is how joining facebook tweaks our definition of "friend." :-)
ReplyDeleteI got it!!! You could write about new beginnings.. which include joining facebook. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to be creative when you brain is fever-fogged. Sounds like some of your readers have some great ideas! I like Arlene's. I personally hate deadlines...so best wishes!
ReplyDeleteYou have probably already writen your column by now, but when I feel stumped and also feel the need to post an entry on my blog I always ask myself---What am I really thinking about and feeling right now? It works most of the time because then I write from my heart. Get better!
ReplyDeleteOops, written, not writen jp
ReplyDeleteI joined Facebook during this Christmas break. I thought it was a good idea since I have students' writing about it in English 101. In your blog you lament,"None of this fits into a theme [of New Beginnings or Life Lessons or Something Profound] or answers the all-important question: So what? And we all know the Letter from Harrisburg has to have a Point and everything tied into a neat bow at the end." Now my question for you is have you found anything "profound or anything that answers the all-important question: So what?" in your experience with Facebook? My impression so far is that Facebook can be a very broad but very shallow community. Granted, I did cry with joy when I found the daughter of a distant friend who died in an accident a few years ago, and finding her was worth the time I spent reading the friends of friends' lists, but have I found anythng profound? Maybe some of the groups achieve a deeper level of communication than I've found on the walls I've visited. I don't know. What do you think? Is Facebook advancing our communication or simply relecting the superficiality of much of today's society? If you write about Facebook, will you give me permission to copy your piece for my classes? I'd probably need to contact the paper--rats! Doing the extra stuff (like getting permission, or changing a password, or correcting an error, or you name it)is often such a pain. Maybe you could write about "the extra stuff" sometime!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes!
Sharon Yoder (from MD)
My poor editor doesn't have the courtesy extended to him of being asked permission for extensions on column deadlines. I just send them in late on a regular basis, a dreadful habit that I'm trying to rectify and not making much progress upon. I think they would be richly justified in firing me.
ReplyDeleteHans--my guess is your editor thinks you're indispensible so you don't need to worry too much. Unfortunately the RG has been known to drop its freelance columnists without warning so i try to mind my p's and q's.
ReplyDelete