On Blogging Breaks and Old Writing Desk
This writing desk used to belong to my mother z”l. My husband expressed some satisfaction when I he saw me use it one day as an actual desk. I was using it to address a few bat-mitzvah invitations. Which brings me to my next topic: blogging breaks. It seems that Purim stretched into pre-Pesach cleaning which then became Pesach and then a few busy work deadlines. Without strong intention I took a bit of a blogging break. I suppose ideally one should say, hello, I am taking a blogging break, but usually life is too busy for that sort of thing. Until after the bat-mitzvah I should just not plan on blogging very much. When it gets really hot in July, then I can get into the blogging swing again (I hate the heat and prefer air conditioning).
About the desk: my mother used to use it to write letters and organize recipes. I wish I had her collection of recipes – I assume it got thrown out at some point. The desk is quite fragile and is falling apart in pieces. I told the movers (we moved it from my father’s apartment after he died) that this was the last time the desk was moving (they didn’t want me to blame them for the broken pieces, and I don’t). But if my daughter gets attached to it, maybe it will move again. Who knows.
I was planning to write a post called Burning Bread and other Pesach Adventures. I have a great photo to go with that post. I’ll keep it in mind – maybe someday it will show up. My daughter was the Genie in a recent Highland Park Recreation production of Aladdin – if I had the energy, time and ideas, I might have posted about that. She was hilarious. Catch the next show on July 4th in Donaldson Park – no idea what that production will be.
I wish I were back doing watercolors – but too much else to do right now. Maybe in the summer? We’ve been having a gorgeous spring – it is quite therapeutic to go for a walk.
I highly recommend the book Like Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation by Yossi Klein Halevi. I would write a review, but I returned the book to my brother-in-law. I will just say this: it’s hard enough to write a biography of one person. Yossi Klein Halevi portrays quite a few varied people in this easy-to-read and engaging book.
Elsewhere in the Blogosphere
- We all need passwords. Carolyn at Wonder of Tech teaches how to select a strong password.
- Like Jane Austen? Are you a Mr. Darcy fan? Read The quantified swoon, or how readers fall for Mr. Darcy.
- Susan Cooper has had a lot on her plate: see Everyday Life Challenges.
- Jeri discusses writing book reviews: Be Specific When Writing Reviews
- Lorri is my mentor when it comes to writing book reviews. Read her review of Last Train to Istanbul.
Over to You, Dear Reader
How do you handle needed blogging breaks? Is there anything in particular you might say to your audience? Have you ever gotten attached to an old piece of furniture?
batya says
enjoy, you certainly do have a busy life
Leora says
Yes, I do, Batya! Thank you for visiting, and I hope it calms down in the summer.
Mrs. S. says
We're privileged to have my grandparents' z"l dining room set. I love that when I light the Shabbat candles every week, I do so on the same piece of furniture where my grandmother z"l used to light her Shabbat candles.
Mazal tov on the upcoming bat mitzvah!
Leora says
Isn't it special to use things that belonged to people you loved?
Thank you for the mazal tov. Now if only all the preparations will go smoothly...
Donna@GardensEyeView says
Now that is a special desk
Leora says
Donna, I sit at it and think of my mom.
Hannah says
Is your daughter 12 already? I cannot believe time has gone so fast. I remember when she was learning to read.
Leora says
I started this blog soon after my eldest son's bar-mitzvah. Actually, she is still only eleven, but yes, now she reads a book in a few hours. No problems there.
Jeri says
Here and there I've taken a week or two off from my blog without any issues. I think most readers get that, though guest posts can come in handy for such times as well ;) I just have to mention I'm headed to Sante Fe and will be taking tons of pictures of O'Keeffe country this weekend.
Leora says
Have a great trip in Sante Fe! I have a hard time finding guest posters for Websites for Small Biz - tons of submissions, but they all sound boring. I never try for this blog.
Ramblingwoods says
I also have a desk that my mother refinished for me... Very special to me...
Leora says
Sounds nice, Michelle.
Daniel Saunders says
I'm not sentimental, but it's nice to have things from previous generations. We're fortunate to have photos downstairs of seven of my eight great-grandparents, including my father's father's father in his World War I British army uniform.
Leora says
Daniel, nice to hear from you.
I like that - the family connection. I always hope the next generation will feel the connection as well. I think my daughter already does. She knows very well she is named after her maternal grandmother that she never met. They would have gotten along well.
World War I - your family has been in Britain for a while!
Daniel Saunders says
your family has been in Britain for a while!
Yes, I'm quite unusual in that respect. Not only were all my grandparents born in the UK (all in London, actually), one of my great-grandfathers was born here too, while his wife was born while travelling here from Russia.
Lorri M. says
Thank you for the link, Leora. I appreciate it.
There are times I might mention I am taking a break from bloggin, but quite often, I don't. Time gets away from me, and you know how that is.
I love the desk, and the thoughts and memories behind it, and am sure it is precious to you.
I have a tea set (pot, sugar and creamer, cups and saucers) that was my mother's, z"l, and I cherish it. I will hand it down to my grandie, Emily. I also have a late 19th Century china demitasse set that was grandmother's, z"l (pot, sugar and creamer, cups and saucers), handed down to her, then to me. I will hand it down to my daughter at some point.
Shabbat Shalom!
Leora says
Love hearing about your family treasures, Lorri. And how you already have plans to give it to your granddaughter! That is precious.
Shabbat Shalom to you as well.
Susan Cooper says
Aw, thanks for the mention Leora. Indeed life just seems to take off and overwhelm us. When that happens a break is so necessary for our sanity and good health. Enjoy your break. I look forward to more of your adventures and drawings when you're back. :-)
Leora says
Susan, actually, it doesn't feel like a break. When I *do* have a chance to blog, *that* feels like a break. At least now I have time to respond to this blog post!
My brain is finally thinking a bit about blogging again. But with an upcoming family event, I'm afraid I need to focus elsewhere for a while.
Arleen says
Leora- I took two weeks to go on a vacation to celebrate my anniversary. At first it bothered me that I will not be blogging for two weeks and then I quickly got over it. When you have a following and have built relationships they will be when you get back.
The desk is a wonderful memory. I have several things of my parents and I feel them. BTW I love Matza Brei and thought it was great that you shared the recipe. It is so simple and my children love it.
Leora says
Arleen,
I hope to figure out how to blog again! I'm working on some background items that might make a nice post. Too bad my posts sometimes take weeks or even months to write.
Yes, matza brei is simple, and those of who make it don't realize that others don't know how. Glad I shared it - I learned about other people's eating habits, also.
Jacqueline Gum (Jacquie) says
That is one very special desk! I, too, have a special desk that was my great-grandmother's, then my grandmother's, then my mother;s and now mine. This one piece that I've grown up with and seen all my life is the tangible thing that makes me feel at home! I do hope you enjoy the break and never fear.... we;ll be here when you return:)
Leora says
Jacquie, I think my break was basically over when I wrote this post. It was my way of getting back into thinking about blogging.
I like hearing about your special desk. Glad it's made it through all those generations.
Debra Yearwood says
Good for you for taking a break when you needed one. I will admit to struggling to get my blog out and visit blogs and it seems quite a few people are taking or have taken a pause.
BTW, I like the chatty feel of this post, much more like a conversation with friend. :)
Leora says
Debra, oh, I'm glad you like my chattiness! To me it feels like rambling.
I think my break is basically over. I didn't really intend to take the break, I just had tons of work all of a sudden after Passover. But this week I got a bit back into the blogging mode.