If it seems odd to read "vacuum mattress, box spring, and bed frame" on a to do list, I assure you it feels even more odd to actually accomplish the task. I imagine I am now on a very short list of people on the planet who have gone through with it. I feel pretty good about it; that could also have something to do with the fact that I managed to finish everything on my to-do list today (the bedroom was on tap, and I managed to get everything dusted, all the bedding washed and changed, pillows and comforter fluffed, the aforementioned bed-vacuuming and turning of the mattress, and the floor swept, vacuumed and dry mopped). And it's only 8:00 p.m. Go me.
I've been thinking about the muse today; it's been a while since I've been in her presence. True, my mind has been awfully crowded and cluttered lately, and that certainly doesn't help. As with the rest of the world, I'm concerned about the financial situation, conflicts erupting and stewing across the globe, day-to-day goings-on, what's for dinner, and a million other things that flutter and flit around my head like so many gnats. The muse is happy to talk about those things with me, but she demands that I give her complete attention when she comes around; I have to be willing to drop everything and follow her. Unfortunately, I've been too distracted lately. Maybe this is why she's staying away.
So, I'm going to sign off here, ignore any other housework that needs doing, and pick up my guitar. I really do need to practice for an upcoming studio session, but who knows, maybe just being in the moment, and allowing myself to follow the notes wherever they lead will entice the muse to come around.
Fingers crossed.
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Hey, I actually do take my bed apart and vacuum not only its innards but the floor underneath. I would like to say I find it satisfying, but it's all *dust*...and the thing I hate most about dusting (a sentiment it seems you share) is that it all seems so FUTILE.
ReplyDeleteAnd I find a lot of truth in your observations on working with the muse, too. Nothing is more important for my creativity than showing up in the study every day without fail, whether or not I think I'm in the mood. It's all too easy to neglect that discipline, and in recent months I've been terribly neglectful of it. It shows, not only in low page counts but in how much effort I must expend to work past the nervousness and get creative when I finally do show up.
Nervousness comes from expecting immediate perfection of ourselves. True creativity requires a certain amount of sucking. Finding our way through that morass of contradiction will always be a challenge...
Too true, Barbara, too true.
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