1978
I wonder if the college would approve an interdisciplinary course in the history of everyday life in America, drawing from all areas. Leisure, food, clothing, housework, home management, etc. Sounds like a super idea.
Comment 2023
Sounds like American Studies to me, kid. Maybe you are in the wrong place…
1979
It is very warm! How strange it feels. Also pleasant. I wish I could just take a book into the park and read. But these days I have to take notes when I read. Reading and writing while lying under a tree would be more hard than pleasant. Still, it would be nice to have one last afternoon in the park before it gets colder.
The 608 project is fairly started, and I am happy with the beginning. Now the next part needs to be outlined and filled in.
It is beginning to dawn on me that creativity is always work. Effort. Even sacrifice, trading something I would enjoy doing for something that, in the moment, is no fun at all. What do I need to give up? Maybe the tendency to pause and wait until the “right moment”. If I keep waiting passively for inspiration, it will never come. Better to just start the work and see what happens.
Current things to do:
Draft the next section of my 608 paper Finish the lining for my tweed jacket Take notes of Flugel for my dissertation Also: call vet to board Marley Wed-Sat. Plan my 10-minute talk for ACPTC - this can be done in the park!
So I’m going to the park to work.
Comment 2024
I am going to quote myself right here, because on October 20, 1979, thirty-year-old me said something brilliant.
“It is beginning to dawn on me that creativity is always work. Effort. Even sacrifice, trading something I would enjoy doing for something that, in the moment, is no fun at all. What do I need to give up? Maybe the tendency to pause and wait until the “right moment”. If I keep waiting passively for inspiration, it will never come. Better to just start the work and see what happens.”
Unfortunately, I wasn’t really paying attention.
1985
What a truly decent weekend! Besides going to the Smithsonian with Kiddo and then out to dinner with friends, I also cleaned ALL the floors in the house. Working a full Wednesday has made a big difference in the time I have to spend on house, self, and family on weekends.
The teen group at church went a little better this morning. It is amazing how self-centered kids that age can be, They want to raise money for a weekend in Ocean City. Norm and I are lobbying (softly) for at least some of going to a worthy cause. It won’t be decided overnight; the process is what’s important. Working with teens is not easy, I am learning. But interesting.
1997
Life is quickening its pace. Having a visitor from Germany is helping to fill up the day, but that’s fine. The weather has been more fall-like, and I have still had time to enjoy my four rooms. Though I still neglect my physical room the most.
2006
Wilmington, Delaware
I have done a very strange thing. I was going to go to a Costume Society regional meeting at Winterthur, and made the Amtrak and hotel reservations, but then never registered for the conference. I realized that what I wanted was the train ride and the hotel room. It was an OK train ride - very crowded - and it’s a lovely hotel room. The internet connection is très magnifique and the bed is comfy.
I brought a little bit of work to do, and a book to read, and that’s it.
Comment 2023
Sometimes a train ride and a hotel room is exactly what’s needed.
2018
Inktober 2018 Day 20. “Broken”
2019
At a conference, ignoring the speaker.
2024
I just got home from my tai chi adventure and celebrated with a restorative nap. An invigorating weekend in a beautiful place.
