My fingers are dyed pink-red and I pause to put my wedding rings on again. The watermelon sugar cookies are nearly done in the oven and I send them outside with a promise to call them when the icing is ready. The cookies are easy — just a bit of food coloring, store made icing and slice-and-bake dough. It’s the being present and engaged that takes all the work.
I want to write. But the words come syrup slow, like trying to play tag in the heat of the day – you want to and it’s fun, but it’s just too hot. And so you find the shade and sit against the bark and let your knee-pits air out a little. And you pull the wet curls from the nape of your neck and dream about lemonade that isn’t too sweet. The gnats begin to hover but it’s too hot to move. That’s where my blog writing life is this week – sitting under my front yard tree, airing out her knee pits.
In other news, the book writing is in a full springtime swing. The words pour out like petals from a mason jar. Fresh. Colorful. New. But I can’t share those words with you yet, and that’s why it’s brown-grass summer over here on the blog. Slow. A little weary. Thankful. Reflective. Quiet. I have a Man who has been gone for a while and some children who haven’t been. So we’ve been eating like kids and staying up too late and trying not to get sunburned. And any words I come up with go directly into my next book, tucked away for you later. And so this is just a little note to let you know the quiet and slow may remain around here for a week or so. Pit-airing in progress.
Pit-airing in process…priceless!
I’m so happy that book #2 is in springtime bloom! It’s gonna be beeauutiifuul! And enjoy your time with your babies. We had a tea party here with PB & J’s. Like you said, it’s the being engaged that’s the only work!
Love you!
Kristen-Chasing Blue Skies´s last [type] ..When You Want Kids Who Really Respect You – Robin Dance
Praying for you while your husband is away.
Fondly,
Glenda
Glenda Childers´s last [type] ..Saras House a Beautiful Makeover
I don’t see how you can write a book and a blog and keep them separate. Completely understandable. I’m glad the book is coming easily. Stay cool.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..Happy Birthday
Leg-pit is what we call it around here! I totally understand where you are coming from – it’s suddenly all kids all the time and it is hot! Just enjoy the season with them. They’ll never be this young again…
Misty´s last [type] ..Pretty Happy Funny Real peaches
And the words you write are so beautiful…plenty to savor while your focus is elsewhere. Off to click that link to watermelon sugar cookies (aaah, the wonders of summer)!
michelle @ this little light´s last [type] ..Comin’ Clean- A Secret Joy
I loved what you said about writing! It would be fun, but it’s just too hot. =) I love coming to your blog, Emily.
Ruthiey´s last [type] ..Quiet As Can Be
Pit-airing, huh? What a word picture, Emily!
Y’all have done a good bit of she’s gone/he’s gone lately, haven’t you? I know how that feels. Even though my little ones aren’t little any more, it’s still DIFFERENT when Jack is away. Including the kid food and the staying up late. And, of course, the pits that need to be aired.
Richella at Imparting Grace´s last [type] ..Expert advice- the key to a good marriage
I’m a huge fan of staying up too late and trying not to get sunburned and summer in general. It’s a gift. Soak it up. Blessings.
Nancy´s last [type] ..About The Blog Title
you are cracking me up! so glaed your book words are pouring. enjoy the kids and the summer….
*glad* i type too fast and rarely proofread my comments!
Either way, you’re breathing here, just as you make room for us to do. We like just hanging with you.
Kelly Sauer´s last [type] ..FAQ- Shoot Direction and Comfortable Posing
Girl, at least you’re still writing! You can only pour out of so many jars simultaneously anyway. After all, you only have 2 hands. I’ve hardly written for 3 months and each time it’s been hard. I know why though. Thankfully the words are returning. And I, for one, look forward to whatever you write whenever you write. Summer is supposed to be slow…enjoy!
Scooper´s last [type] ..A Call to Rest- Part 1
Glad to hear that the words are flowing for your second book. Your words truly are a gift…I have a hurting teenage niece that I will excitedly gift them to one day. =)
shelley.´s last [type] ..i cant think of an adequate title
KNEE-PITS! My hubby has always laughed when I call them that… I’ll have to show him I’ve now seen it in print!
Spring´s last [type] ..Chosen…
So looking forward to your new book!
Linda´s last [type] ..Domain Name Change
Well, us {virtual} neighbors will come out and play anytime you’re ready.
tammy@meadows speak´s last [type] ..when you think your God-dream died
I read the first few lines wrong. I thought it said you were pregnant and I was leaping for joy. Then I saw that you were “present.” I guess being present is good too, but a little less of an adrenalin rush on this end.
My arm pits are airing too, only I’m not blogging or writing much of worth.
Glad to hear that your words are freely flowing. Can’t wait to read them!
Usually I glean some spiritual truth when I read your posts, but today I was just happy to find the word knee-pits! I don’t think I’ve ever heard that before, and it made me chuckle a little this morning. I just told my 8 year old, and now she is laughing too. Thanks for lightening up the start of the day! Off to perk it up a little more with some Krispy Kreme doughnuts!
A new one for me Emily – knee-pits! How very right. It is good that your words are flowing into your book. Thanks for checking in. We just like to make sure all is well. Blessings sweet girl!
Linda´s last [type] ..Feelings and Faith
take time for you… undoubtedly you are still processing the Philippines trip too… saw a piece about Thailand last night and they showed a house on the water. Thought of you and your team instantly and it made me sigh…
Jenny´s last [type] ..Soapbox Dads
I kind of like your slow season of blog. It gives me a chance to savor your rich words. I just drink them. May cool breezes blow your way. Blessings,
Robyn Q´s last [type] ..June is Dairy Month
The knee pit airing made me laugh! Glad words are flowing for the book. I’m pecking out a proposal and it feels like I write five sentences and delete four. Syrup slow for sure. I’m looking forward to seeing you next month.
amanda´s last [type] ..living in the now
you make even “pit-airing” sound poetic.
Stacie´s last [type] ..Wonder
oh emily! to have words pour like petals. true joy!
melissa stover´s last [type] ..Big deal
I could write a blog post so very similar to these thoughts. I have trouble blogging regularly, too, when I’m focused on a manuscript instead. And the husband gone but children present…it always looks like sweets and movies and late nights for us as well. I love your blog. It’s gorgeous, for one thing – I’ve been glancing at it every day or so for design ideas.
And it’s beautifully written as well.
Serenity Bohon´s last [type] ..All of It
One time I put deo on my knee pits.
Then, someone said, “is that deodorant on your knees?”
And that was the last time…
Meg´s last [type] ..Wedding Party
Love it, Emily! Love, love, love it! Take all the airing time you need! Oh, yes, And? Now you’ve got me writing about art, too!
You go with your pit airing! Love that! I’m a wee bit relieved that you are like the rest of us…unable to donot all! Wink! Keep tucking those words into a book. I love real pages. Can’t wait!
Xo,
Linsey
LLH Designs´s last [type] ..The Body Remembers
You cracked me up as I read this. Once that man gets in town and you guys have a free night we want to have you all over.
this is why I love you….you can make me laugh, cry, reflect, dream,….by just writing. Much much love. T
You air as much pit as you need, sister. It’s the book-writing that counts most, and sometimes yes, you have to prioritize like that. So glad the book-writing is flowing like a sweet, cool stream. And just so you know, we’ll be here ready for you when those pits get nice and dry!
Michelle DeRusha@Graceful´s last [type] ..The Eye Must Travel
Am sooo glad the book is coming easily. That’s where your stress-levels go up. We love u & can wait for refreshing, pit-airing tidbits when you are ready.
But if the book wasnt going well& you were here? I think we’d all hurt for you. I know I would. So air away, dear one, we’ll be right here whenever you have joy, art and wisdom for us.
Oh, I am with you on the word-hoarding for manuscripts. I think that’s why my blog sees tumbleweeds so often!
We’ll be here when your knee pits are cooled.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who eats like a kid while the man is away!
Sounds dreamy!!! I’m trying to limit my complaining, so I’ll thank the Lord for the cloudy 60 degrees and rainy Seattle days (but I’m sure you can hear the complaint underneath).
There are seasons like that in blogging and in book writing. Perhaps that’s why I love guest bloggers–another perspective, and a break for me.
)
You didn’t possibly start a book about art?! I would be sooo glad! I started to copy some passages of your amazing articles about art in my notebook, savoring them once more while writing. But I would love it so much to hold a complete book about art by you in my hands… If you didn’t already, maybe you might consider it?
I used the slower tempo of your blog right now to read through your very first articles. It is just amazing and incredible how you changed and grew over the years. You really found your unique writing voice. Don’t get me wrong: the first articles are interesting and enjoyable, but now we hear the unique Emily. It’s great. I know I am far from such an evolution… You are an amazing and inspiring woman!
Thank you for writing! Martina