I am experiencing a lull in my self-assigned tasks. The cookies were baked and eaten. The tamales were assembled and devoured. Wrapping paper has been discarded; boxes taken to recycling centers and economy again embraced as I bid farewell to the holiday season. I still have tasks on my task list that involve paint and/or grout, but I am currently leaning heavily on the seasonal weather excuse (it’s too cold outside to engage in activities that rely on good ventilation). This has allowed me to slide on to the slippery slope of more leisurely industry.
My self-assigning of productive activity allows for (without encouraging) sedentary demonstration of my tactile capabilities. My rear has been largely engaged – getting larger every day – in a comfy chair while my hands work crocheting another afghan. This allows for television viewing. I turn to my British streaming channels for gentile entertainment as I work to quickly fabricate adequate fabric to keep my lap warm. This past week, I’ve watched a series about the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 1800s. This provides for, with minimal exertion, sustenance of fifty percent of my New Year’s resolutions: learn more and create more. I am using a stepper and writing in my journal most mornings, succeeding in maintaining my other two resolutions: move more and write more. I am absolutely my best employee. I wish I could say that supervising only myself was easier than supervising others, but I can be very difficult to deal with. I am frequently very hard on myself which results in a hostile work environment. This brings me back to what I’ve learned about the Arts and Crafts movement. It valued the craft person, the craft created, leisure, and the community of craft persons. I think I need to discuss this philosophy (appreciate the work done as well as the worker) with my boss.
Participants in the Arts and Crafts movement often lived in communes. My commune is comprised of me, myself and I (and my new kittie, Cinnamon) residing in my comfy, cozy home. Life in retirement is GOOD! A warm, partially-finished afghan encourages completion in order to expand the generation of warmth: a task that supports and enriches the community (and decreases the amount of yarn stuffed in to the recesses of my sewing room). So what if the paint on the wall is chipped and grungy, and the grout on the floor is soiled and stained; the community is comfortable. Now, I just need to convince my boss.
It's Me: Jennie Block Taylor 