21 Comments
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Wendy Parciak's avatar

Not an insipid post, Mary! As for what I put off, oddly it's always the most fun things. I get a lot of satisfaction from knocking those unpleasant tasks off my list!

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Mary McKnight's avatar

How wonderful, Wendy that you find the satisfaction in the doing of those drudgeries and then being able to take them off your list.

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Marilyn Graham Werden's avatar

I am putting off trying to figure out how to post on Substack. Dipped my toes in last week and almost as quickly pulled them right back out. I’m not sure insipid is the right word to describe the things you write about, Mary, which seem to flow from an endless well of curiosity and wonder. YOU, Mary, are never insipid; writing like that and posting like that (week after week) is harder than it looks. Also, I prefer the seemingly inconsequential thread of conversation because it often contains gold nuggets. 😉❤️

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Mary McKnight's avatar

Marilyn, sweet Marilyn, I was stymied by Substack at first too, but found that the more I did it, the easier it got. "...an endless well of curiosity and wonder." Could I love that description any more?!!!

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Marilyn Graham Werden's avatar

A good word to describe you might be intrepid.

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Mary McKnight's avatar

I love that!! You know so, so much about me, so I will take that description with pride.

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Marilyn Graham Werden's avatar

That’s my experience of you, and you share your experience with such generosity.

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Marilyn Graham Werden's avatar

Also, you do seem to be getting the comments now and the chat something that just took time I guess.

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Ro's avatar

Getting rid of stuff I don't need!

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Mary McKnight's avatar

I know! How did I acquire and how do I decide, "Nope, done with this" and then actually get it somewhere where someone else could/would use "it?" I am finding, along with my sisters, that as we clean out Mom and Dad's house/65 years of belongs, that we are getting better at this.

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Yes, the cabin in the woods thing, food delivered by elves, clothes that never get dirty or wear out, charming animal visitors, cozy weather ... I would miss my wifi connection to the world's stored info and wisdom, however. Who would answer all my questions? Would I just make them up ... is that why he was so wise?

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Mary McKnight's avatar

Oh, oh, food delivered by elves!! And the charming animal visitors, I mean, now we're talking!! Uh, oh...no wifi...perhaps we would have to make up our own answers. Was he as content as his writing led us to believe? Damn, more questions. And, it's almost dinner time, and as far as I know, no elves have come yet to help me out. Sigh

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

From what I've read, he actually had elves ... or at least his mom and other caring women. All he had to do is walk about and contemplate life. I think there's an underlying pattern to why the majority of great thinkers are men.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Great post, Mary!

I put off loads of things, and prioritise things that I enjoy. At home I love to cook, order the groceries, organise the larder and the freezer and do the washing - sorting, washing, hanging up, ironing, putting away - but I don't enjoy cleaning, making or receiving phone calls or cutting the grass. Those things get left until I have no choice!

I don't put things away as I go - instead, every so often I will shove the latest pile of denial into a heap in the bottom of the filing cabinet. I'd love to stop procrastinating on sorting THAT lot out! 🤣

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Mary McKnight's avatar

"The Pile of Denial." Oh my stars, I love that so much!!!

I do love to cook, but the cleaning up...where are the elves when I need them! Cleaning is just so frustrating because it's like the myth of Sisyphus, with cleaning being the rock-it just keeps falling down on me and it's time to do it again. I love that you have an organized kitchen. Wouldn't it be lovely to share a cup of tea together there?

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Ah yes, the cleaning up afterwards! Never fun - but I guess I’m on autopilot for that kind of cleaning. I have Mum to thank for that - as children we cooked and baked a lot, but the rule was that if you’re going to make something you have to clear up afterwards rather than leave it for someone else to do! I’ve always figured that if I’ve earned the treat of preparing food (I’m passionate about it) then I get to do the work side of it, too!

And you’d be welcome in my kitchen for a cup of tea any time! (And I won’t even make you clear up, I promise!) 😁

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Mary McKnight's avatar

Yes, my mom had the same rule. Somehow, when it was a "choice" and not a "chore" it wasn't drudgery to me. I will enjoy for now, my virtual cup of tea with you. Many thanks.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

😁 We have lots in common, Mary! Cheers! ☕️🫖

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Jun 15, 2024
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Mary McKnight's avatar

Susan, my mom loved, I mean, loved doing laundry too! She said, like you, that it relaxed her. Of course, she also liked to iron, a chore I haven't done in at least 30 years. Packages...the boxes, I could break the boxes down right away, but...I don't. They pile up until they topple over. It's ridiculous. It means so much that you enjoy my newsletters, Susan! I do so love when people comment because I adore the stories of others!

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Jun 18, 2024
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Mary McKnight's avatar

I love that you all split the tasks!! What a beautiful image, of the roaring fire, football in the background, working together...sigh. Truly wonderful.

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Jun 15, 2024
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Mary McKnight's avatar

Smart man!!

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