I’ve been failing so hard at this blog lately. I could give
you all my usual excuses – “I’m busy, I don’t have time, I work too much.” But
in reality – although I have been crazy busy – I just haven’t felt creative.
Plus I’ve been watching a lot of Netflix (Scandal, OITNB, Arrested Development)
and other garbage TV shows (Party Down South, Real World: Free Agents, WWE
Divas). I’ve been (trying) to read more – I’ve been terrible at that lately too
– but I’ve made my way through a couple book club books and some free reading
books as well. (That makes it sound like I’m
in 4th grade and we have “silent reading time” to read our free
reading book. And let’s be real – wasn’t that the BEST time of the day? Maybe
just for me? Yeah? Well all right then.) As my mama told me time and time again,
a poor excuse is better than no excuse – and so that’s my excuse. A lack of
creativity, “busy schedule,” and just the fact that I didn’t WANT to sit down
and write.
I just started reading The Paris Wife by Paula
McClain and it’s pretty amazing. It’s one I’d seen at Target EVERY single time I
went and just kept thinking that I should read it. This is a story about Ernest
Hemingway and his wife Hadley. I’ll be honest with you – although I’ve read
some Hemingway, I knew ZERO things about the man other than “Romantic? Hemingway?
He was an abusive, alcoholic misogynist who squandered half of his life hanging
around Picasso trying to nail his leftovers.” Thanks Kat Stratford for opening
up my eyes to literature I only wish I knew about sooner. (That was a quote
from 10 Things I Hate About You… btw.) As I continue to read, I can tell that
to be very true. It’s a really intriguing book – seeing the POV from both Hadley
and Ernest… and damn if I don’t love me some 1920s history. When I saw this
book at the Half Price Bookstore, I knew it was fate. It was only $5.99 so I pretty
much HAD to get it. Plus I had a gift card… so it was essentially free. Logic. And
who doesn’t love a free book?!
Side note – have you seen the abundance of Little Free
Libraries popping up all over? This is probably one of the best things EVER…
when I have a house (someday) there will be one in my front yard – write that
down, roomie. If you don’t know what these are, go for a walk/run along Grand
Avenue in Des Moines… between 42nd Street and Polk Blvd. There’s one
on the south side of the street and every time my running buddy and I go by it,
I just want to stop and take a look inside, or bring a book of my own back to
drop off. (Visit their website for more information… and find one near you! http://littlefreelibrary.org/) It’s such a great idea – and such a different
way to get your friends, neighbors and also complete strangers to read. I love
borrowing books, sharing books, library books, new books, old books, e-books, ALL
books. In all reality, I’m pretty much Belle from Beauty and the Beast (sans
the Beast… although at times the roomie can be pretty beast-like… KIDDING!!)
with her love of books. You can escape to so many different places, be so many
different people, and learn so many things that you’d never know if you’d never
opened up a book.
“No matter how busy
you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to
self-chosen ignorance.”
I just took a quick trip through the “Happiness” board on my
Pinterest page (you can never have too MUCH happiness) and there seems to be an
abundance of bookish things on this page. Quotes, pictures, lists – because all
things “book” make me happy. Walking into a book store, a library, alphabetizing
my own book shelf, looking at friends’ book shelves – it’s just an amazing
thing. I am so fortunate that I was a reader at a young age – and never STOPPED
reading. Although I was told once that I should “get a new hobby” when I said
that reading was one of my hobbies, I’ve never lost that. I love getting lost
in a book – in the relationships with the characters, the scenery, the emotions
– I’ve read many books in a day, mostly because I cannot put them down and want
to see just what happens NEXT. Sometimes books make me cry, even if they aren’t
sad. Sometimes I get angry – but I keep reading because I want to see that
person “get theirs.” I could talk books ALL. DAMN. DAY. And that doesn’t
embarrass me at all. I love that I’ve found a great group of girls who love
books and reading as much as I do. This book club was one of the best things I’ve
done and I am SO GLAD that I finally did it. Book clubs aren’t dorky you guys –
they’re awesome.
That being said – book club happens the week after I get
back from my hippie vacation in Colorado. Which also excites me SO MUCH. Four
days of yoga, outdoor activities and sun – what could HONESTLY be better? I’ll
get to see the fireworks on the 4th over the Rocky Mountains, go for
a sunrise hike/meditation/yoga practice on my last morning there, I will get to
spend four days with people I don’t know – and that scares me and excites me
all at once. As of right now, I will know my road trip buddy/roomie, and one of
the instructors. That’s it. Very out of my comfort zone – and it’s going to be
GREAT. I hope to come back from Colorado as a new woman. One who has grown,
learned, and bettered herself while “wandering” to find herself.
“Life is either a
daring adventure or nothing at all.”
Tonight I’ll be a little more in my comfort zone – Sips and
the City at the Historical Building tonight. Wine and friends and snacks and
wine and friends. Just a few of my favorite things. Plus – the last time I was
in the Historical Building was for a prom my junior year of high school. Slow
dancing near the wooly mammoth was about as far from “romantic” as you could
get. Maybe the me from 10 years post-prom (barf) will appreciate it a little
more.
Well kids – I think that’s all for me today. It’s Friday, it’s
hot out, and I’m in a good mood. I’ve been listening to Sam Smith on Pandora
today and this crooner is getting into my SOUL. I had Kona coffee with my
fruitful breakfast and am ready to enjoy the day. You should do the same.
Love and hugs from me to you,
S
No comments:
Post a Comment