On Pursuing a Trade, Localism and Retirement

So, I'm back on Facebook. I started during Lent, while everyone else was taking a break from social media :) Three big reasons: the SCBWI message board has not been restored (I don't know if they'll ever will), our barbershop practices are recorded and we can return to our private FB page to review specific elements like interpretation, choreography, etc., and publishers expect you to be active on social media.  

One benefit has been reconnecting with family and friends far away, but the best part has been discovering things in my own community. I was feeling sad about not having my flag up for Fourth of July--I couldn't reach the bracket with all the cucumbers growing on our porch (and Michael was out of town)--but this nice young man, Derek Schultz, owner of Schultz Construction, offered to hang up the American flag for anyone who needed help on the private community page. I called and he came over and did me a huge favor by moving the bracket where I could reach it. It was great getting to know him--he's been in the roofing business since his teens working with his father, and now has his own company. It's so refreshing to meet young people who love their country, their family, and their work. I gave him some cucumbers; it reminded me of the old ways, where people exchanged goods and services. This reminded me how wonderful it can be for people to pursue a trade. 

Emma Slaven, a reporter for Daniel Island News, asked people about early retirement. I replied tongue-in-cheek to her query with: stay-at-home moms never retire. And was delighted to have a chance to answer her thoughtful questions. So fun to be featured in the local newspaper: Why more people are retiring early, and loving it | The Daniel Island News. 

I actually think that retirement is a strange notion; the happiest people I know are engaged in meaningful work, whether or not they are paid for it. Mothering and homemaking the most satisfying of all the work I've done, yet we never hear about it on "Career Day" in schools. I wish the focus would be on vocation instead. I really enjoyed this essay: Reflecting on C.S. Lewis’s Letter to a Housewife. 

All this brought back wonderful memories from last December, when we went to Liturgy of the Land Conference. We met many young families who left the corporate workforce to have a more family-centered economy, whether it's dairy farming, beekeeping, blacksmithing. There is no expectation of retiring because the work never ends, but in many cases, some of the grown children take over the farm or business, or pursue a different line of work more suited to their interests. Durable Trades by Rory Groves is a great resource for teenagers and it really makes one appreciate our society at the local level. There's a Catholic school in Steubenville that focuses on trade: College of St. Joseph the Worker 

I never shared my conference notes because we were busy with wedding preparations and family in town, but much of what I learned can be found in these books. Liturgy of the Land by Jason Craig and Tommy Van Horn has given us much food for thought about the why and how of the Catholic homestead. The Independent Farmstead by Shawn and Beth Dougherty relates how they were able to develop a farm that's self-sustaining. Even as suburban gardeners, we are able to incorporate some of the principles of these books into our lives. And I continue to have dreams about Bodach Books and Brews. 

The Three-Year Experiment

Remember when I crossed over to the dark side? Well, this weekend I deleted my Facebook account. And I got several warnings about how all my data will be gone--lol, cat pictures :) They seem so dire! I have a whole month to change my mind. Haha! I doubt it. I've done the experiment, tried it for a reasonable length of time (3 yrs!) and have found it wanting.   

Hard to believe she's away at college. At 3 pm I still look out the window.

I've been cleaning house, decluttering, so it's natural to do so on the computer as well. After weighing the pros and cons, I decided that the few things I will miss on FB--lovely pictures, private groups, etc.--do not justify being on a platform that hasn't actually made communication easier. The format doesn't lend itself to a thorough conversation as a public forum would. There are far too many advertisements and too much chatter (and I confess I've contributed to it as well). I must be the only person who doesn't like the "like" button. I question the value of an emoji without anything else for nuance. Cal Newport made a great case for not using it even if you use the platform. This summer, I took a hiatus for several weeks and then added back only a few things, as recommended in Digital Minimalism, but even so they weren't worth it. All the people whom I sincerely care for I already connect with via other means. And I'm available to anybody who wants to find me.

My children are grown and use all kinds of other social media. I'm not following them there; they know where to find me. I think I'll stay old-fashioned. Now, if only the rest of my house could be decluttered with a few clicks! As it is, I'll be doing a lot more writing, I mean cat-watching. They always come to my desk the minute I'm ready for some serious work, sit on my papers, and demand to be petted.

 

Tongue-Tied, Conferences, and Quiet

I've been sitting on this news for FIVE years!!! TONGUE-TIED is finally out. Isn't it pretty? I love it. It's my memoir for kids about stuttering. It's part of Heinemann's Fountas & Pinnell series of leveled books for classroom use. 

This book also has my first art (calligraphy). See the writing in Hindi? I wrote one stanza of the poem Jhansi ki Rani, the one I mention in the text. If you want to know the story, check out this movie Manikarnika: Queen of Jhansi. Note, it's violent, so definitely not for kids who aren't at least teenagers.

I am thrilled because I can finally include Tongue-Tied in the memoir workshops that I'm offering this September at Write 2 Ignite Conference (Sept. 20-21) and the Carolinas SCBWI Conference (Sept. 27-29). I would love to see you there, so please prayerfully consider coming to these wonderful conferences for children's writers.  

I've been unusually quiet because as I prepare to begin a new phase in my life without the day-to-day care of kids (yes, even teenagers need it), I've been evaluating how I use my time, and I'm sad to say that half of it is dissipated in the shallows. I've discussed this before when we bought the first cell phone for Max (he was 15). He had to read The Shallows by Nicholas Carr first so that he knew the dangers a smart phone and all that connectivity posed. Last year, I inherited Dagny's cell phone and I've seen how easy it is to spend 30 min scrolling through Facebook. I must admit that when I'm in the backseat of the car, it is the only way I can distract myself from her driving. But she too, is leaving home, so there's no need.

I've been practicing Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport for the past month and I highly recommend it. He lays out the groundwork for how to reorient your life around the things you care deeply about. And because I care deeply about writing books that matter and music that elevates the heart and soul to God, I bought a copy of his Deep Work. It is brilliant. I am, in essence, retraining my brain to work deeply. I am working on my lectures for Sept. and I want to be So Good They Can't Ignore Me (another one of Cal's titles I've amended slightly--isn't it just the best?). I doubt I will continue to use Facebook. I don't like the format even after three years and the benefits are too small compared to the noise it creates in my head. The blog will remain. I enjoy it tremendously. 

I have been reading other good books. Loved Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Beautiful, powerful writing. A story that will resonate with many teenagers, especially those who are questioning their faith. And I'm getting ready to dive into a couple more good books, and the beach too :)

Facebook: Crossing Over to the Dark Side

Ummm, I never thought I'd join Facebook (I said the same about blogging many years ago), but this week, when the chapter I was revising was driving me nutty, I decided that I'll make a Facebook account so that I can keep in better touch with many of my family and friends. Is this the height of procrastination or what?

It is an easier way to stay in touch and I can see why so many people prefer it to writing letters. But I could never give that up. I'm just too old-fashioned. 

I have a lot to learn about using Facebook. I'm not sure I will ever get used to the busy platform and it's too early to tell whether it is a blessing or a burden. I have enjoyed seeing lovely photographs and funny family moments. It's been great to connect with some of my old friends. I even discovered a group of parents here who swap textbooks and such. I suppose, like anything we do on the computer, I'll need to watch how much time I spend *connecting* and not doing the work I need to be doing. We shall see. Even if I'm not active, I'll probably still keep my account to catch up on my family and friends' lives.

Oh, that chapter I was revising ... I did finish ... two days later :) It's funny how I resolved to not procrastinate the month of June. Look at the backlash! Oy! Pray for me.

This is my page.
It's a lot easier going to people's pages.
You can catch up on all their news.

This is my feed page.
It's a constant stream of information,
not organized in any way, just by the time it was posted.