Wafted the aroma of the turkey I’d bought from the store.
The table was half-set, and I heard the parade,
While I typed like a fiend towards NaNo word counts I’d made.
When out of the kitchen I heard such a clatter,
I sprung from my desk to see what was the matter.
The dog was wolfing down pie, a toaster was beeping—
And all of a sudden, a kid’s book idea came creeping.
I’d file it away, and as I pulled out the burnt toast,
I thought Happy Thanksgiving! Now I've got a blog post.
For some of us, if not most of us, writing has to come in between. Between the day job that pays a regular income, and the too-short weekends to catch up on everything else. Or between fussy babies finally napping—and kindergartners just home from school. And on days like Thanksgiving, between a turkey roasting in the oven, and the guests arriving way too early.
It’s quite a challenge to fit writing time in while the craziness of life swirls all around you. But you know what? I’m grateful for the experiences and the people who swirl in that lively soup. That’s where I get inspiration, ideas, and the impetus to “write it out.”
There was the Thanksgiving I served a raw turkey to my mother-in-law and parents—and learned how to write about asking for help. On another Thanksgiving, I had a baby howling with an earache and a toddler complaining of a bellyache and a husband sitting alone at a beautifully set table with a bowl of black olives and a turkey. It was all so absurd, I laughed out loud—and wrote about the foibles of trying to have the perfect family holiday.
Yep, I’m thankful for Thanksgiving. It’s served up a fair share of writing along with the cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. But honestly, every day is brimming with writing possibilities, and I’m thankful for that cornucopia that tumbles around me.
Oh! And I’m thankful for you, the readers who take the time to stop by and say hello. I so appreciate you squeezing me in, between washing the dishes and hubby asking for leftovers. But now you really should be off. Writing—and pumpkin pie—wait for no (wo)man!
~Cathy C. Hall
8 comments:
Cathy--What a funny bit of poetry to begin with.
Yes, it IS the mishaps that happen way too often that give us more than enough writing material.
(Life is never boring at my house. ;)
At my house either--I am going to count how many times I pick up the toys today and try to keep the house neat with a toddler. It is nearly impossible. :) Good thing it's grandparents coming over--they don't care.
Writing--UGH! Trying today, but who knows? Hosting always comes with so much to do. . .
The visual of your hubby sitting at a table alone with a turkey and black olives cracked me up! :)
Where would Thanksgiving be without the occasional fiasco? Mine are less in the form of cooking catastrophes (TG for the Internet and writers sharing cooking advice and recipes!) and more in the form of belligerent relatives. LOL I'm hosting and cooking today, and so far, so good. But it's still morning here!
Happy Thanksgiving all! :)
LOVE the poem, Cathy. Very clever and cute. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I am grateful for you because you always make me smile and sometimes laugh out loud.
Aw, thanks, y'all, for the kind words! Hope you had a Thanksgiving filled with your heart's desire (and if that happened to be turkey and football, I completely understand!).
Happy Belated Turkey Day, Ms. Cathy C!
Hi Cathy,
As usual I'm a bit late chiming in and reading your posts. I am thankful for friends like you whose words of wit and wisdom lift my spirits and lighten my heart and make me realize I have many blessings in my life.
Donna
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