An hour here, fifteen minutes there

Cyndi Lauper taught me one of the most important lessons for my creative life.

I read once where she said that she would write songs while she was ironing. This struck me because I was learning early on that if I wanted to be a writer, I would have to insert it into the other aspects of my life, that I might not have long periods of time where I could write (as I would love to have), but shorter blocks.

I learned to plan my writing in my head (usually while swimming and maybe running although I find I have to keep my head focused on my running to keep up my pace) ahead of when I actually had time for it. This meant I didn’t sit down at the laptop and go, “What will I write today?” which would probably be an extra twenty minutes. Instead, I could jump right in, usually based on a sticky note waiting for me.

It’s been much the same with Chelle Summer. I rarely get a long day like I did this past Saturday. As Greg was with his girls soccer team up in the Four Corners of the state, there were no plans we’d made, no estate sales to distract me, and the weather was rainy and cool, not a good swim day. It felt luxurious to have all those hours.

But that’s not the usual. Today is my second day this week I have an empty calendar although tomorrow that changes for the rest of the week– and I also have packing for the Palm Springs Vintage Market this weekend ahead of me. There’s also always paperwork, things (like bills) that are messed up and need to be fixed. If only the dogs would offer to vacuum, however, that’s another story.

I have learned that to make my goals and dreams happen, I had to fill the little spaces in my life with my creativity, the same creativity that also brings me the most happiness. After all, part of making those goals and dreams come true also means figuring out the way to maximize the effort I put into them'.

Now I must go– the sewing machine is calling.