Category Archives: reading

Dilemmas and distractions

26 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by in libraries, reading, therapy, writing

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As I sort through the books in the library of le petit apartment, I feel emotionally drained. 

books on bookcase and in boxes

One section of the personal library, sorted, categorized and tagged for potential purging.

In addition to supporting a family, performing full time work and nestling into a new volunteer role, I have let this project take over a month and will likely let it drag on through the summer. I am letting it prepare me for a quest that is doubly draining and has suffered from my procrastination.

It’s a daunting task to sort and justify keeping or discarding books. Some brought joy, inspiration and comfort. They are like old friends.

Some brought knowledge and helped build skills. Some skills are transferable; some are no longer applicable in today’s job markets.

I think back to 20 years ago, to my foray into dialup connectivity, HTML web design and website usability. While I balanced family, work and survival, these books challenged my creativity, nurtured my fascination with hyperlinks and supported my appreciation of online communities.

Books about web design misc.

Favourite oldies, books about web design, usability and succinctness of Twitter

The concepts in some of these books could still apply while some have been left in the dust due to fast-paced development and evolution of technology. Do I keep them out of nostalgia or donate to the community? Will they even be of value to somebody else?

Then there are the books that reinforced my love of nature, justified a moderately paced life style, and encouraged one to take action in preserving this earth for future generations. We can’t give up.


Next time:  We look at Biographies and Poetry.

Thanks for dropping by.  What are you struggling with in your personal library or de-cluttering projects these days?

If you need a distraction from your projects, you can read the novel I wrote under my pen name. Flo is old school but she’s getting hip to the ways of Twitter. Please visit Smashwords to download a sample of the e-book for The Year of the Rabbit. You could choose to purchase a copy. It’s only 99 cents or you can pay what you feel is a fair price. It’s okay, I wrote it mainly to share a story. Some people liked reading it. If you enjoyed the novel, please mention it to others.

Although it is not quite the same, may you be spared the emotions of sorting through your e-book libraries one day.

T

Keeners and coffee drinkers

24 Sunday May 2015

Posted by in community, Health, pets, reading, writing

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For most of this week, I was up and out of the house earlier than usual.

I was not bright-eyed and bushy-tailed yet I was fuelled on at least one cup of instant coffee in addition to a rushed breakfast. I think my early departures had one of the cats concerned although he received his breakfast and a hug from the servant woman –  plus she took time to scoop out the litter box.

Black cat in bed with comic bubble

I attended a three-day conference that is prominent in my annual learning plan at the work place.  This year’s theme was Design Your Destiny. Live the Change. I was pleased when organizers announced the theme many months ago.

It was great to catch up with old volunteer acquaintances, to listen to interesting session presentations and inspiring keynote speakers.  We were well-fed, body and mind.  By Friday afternoon I was tuckered out, body and mind despite the nutritious meals and copious cups of coffee during the day.

As an introverted person, I can become overwhelmed and tired out after too much socializing and networking.  I need to retreat to a quiet corner to rest, reflect and re-energize. I am not being rude :-] 

At least I managed to focus and scratch out handwritten notes in the program booklet and identify key points. This afternoon, I deciphered my handwriting and created a point-form report (in the rare event that my boss would ask). Next I created a word cloud (Thanks, Wordle) to highlight the frequent words from key messages.

word cloud

Word cloud from key points in my conference notes

This weekend, I started my first day of a new volunteer gig that requires less time sitting. Momma needs to move her body more.

Due to a combination of communication assumptions by a resident message-taker and unintentional omissions, I arrived by city bus three hours early.

That’s okay.  I was able to take in a healthy walk, have an early lunch and become familiar with my surroundings.  The ensuing volunteer activity was slightly overwhelming yet provided an educational experience. It was the beginning of new opportunities to support literacy in my community. I look forward to more.

Today, I serendipitously tripped upon a quote by one of my favourite authors:

I can control my destiny, but not my fate. Destiny means there are opportunities to turn right or left, but fate is a one-way street. I believe we all have the choice as to whether we fulfil our destiny, but our fate is sealed. ~ Paulo Coelho

During web distractions between today’s glamorous domestic duties, I also learned possible explanations why cats bolt from their litter boxes after pooping and run around the house like fools.

Now you know too. You’re welcome. 

Cat box haiku. Apologies to the serious poets.

Thanks for dropping by.

T

The cleanse

03 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Health, Mythology, reading, therapy, writing

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Do you cringe when people say they’re going on “a cleanse”? 

And when did it become a noun?

One dictionary reference defines the verb cleanse “to rid (a person, place or thing) of something seen as unpleasant, unwanted, or defiling.”

During a whirlwind weekend of cooking, laundry and other domestic duties, I also performed some volunteer work and Feng Shui’d my bedroom.  With help from one of the young folk, I moved furniture around then I swept, dusted and sorted through boxes.

Is it okay to call those clumps under furniture “dust bunnies” if they consist mostly of cat fur? 

According to the Year of the Sheep workshop instructor, I needed to move my bed back to an “auspicious direction” with my head facing East.  Last year it was West.  That’s okay.  Some change is good.  I’m willing to explore a 5,000 year-old tradition about balancing energy and maintaining harmony in one’s space and lifestyle.

I’m also on a two-month “cleanse” to re-assess the need for boxes of books and other things I’ve kept, clothes shrinking in my closet and unnecessary thoughts cluttering my mind.

tabby cat in closet

Tabby cat in my closet

My little writing desk will stay in the same spot. Some things don’t need to change –  mostly for practical and sentimental reasons.

desk and books

Thanks for dropping by. Permit me to lead you to The Year of the Rabbit domain for a sampling of my fiction writing. If you decide to purchase a copy of the novel, it won’t collect dust.

T