So I've decided to try this new blog as a way for all of us to continue processing what we are reading for class and to encourage, challenge and help hold each other accountable for what we read and talk about together. I hope we can find this beneficial. I know at times I have found myself pondering things throughout the day and by Sunday have somewhat forgotten what I had been thinking. Or after a Sunday have wanted to continue to find ways to follow up, so here is an attempt to keep the ponderings and conversations going.
So I hope that all will feel free to write or comment on posts as you feel led. At this point I have added some of you as authors and will add more as I get more email addresses. Feel free to send this blog address to those you have emails of who are in class. Hopefully by Sunday everyone will have a chance to check this out and those who can, to respond to the above question, "Why am I studying this book?"
I was initially drawn to this book because, although I haven't nearly read all of the stories & quotes sprinkled throughout the More-with-Less Cookbook, I've been impressed with Doris' conscientious world view & know I have a lot to learn in this area.
ReplyDeleteI've also always been attracted to simple living. Through our decision to educate our children at home, we were able to simplify in many ways. Now I feel we are full force in an UNSIMPLE life & I am looking for ways to change that - including attitudes, decisions regarding schedules, daily choices in food prep, shopping, imagining how we want our life to be in our new home, etc.
I am inspired by what this book has to offer as well as our class discussions. I appreciate & ponder what each of you in the class contributes. The challenge is to move forward with the inspiration & put our learning into action, right?! ...not simple!
I'm grateful for this time & place to share with you, surrounding what I believe to be truths to which God wants us to attend.
Today I spent the morning in the garden doing some clean-up. I don't typically like this task but I know it's necessary and it does feel good when it is finished.
ReplyDeleteThis year I decided to tie up my tomato plants - meaning having t-posts in a row and as the plants grow, add string/twine between the posts to hold the plants up. As I started pulling the plants out it was such a tangled mess. I should have had a scissors to cut the string but I had forgotten that tool so I was just yanking the plant out and trying to maneuver between the strings. It didn't take long to realize that it would go much better if I just took small parts of the plant at a time.
I realize this time of year I try to bring order to life more. Once the kids are in school, there is routine again and I find myself trying to find routine as well. The tomato clean up helped me to realize once again that working at things in small amounts is less frustrating and is more productive.
As I think about our study on Living More with Less, I desire to do some fall clean up. I have been continuing to process what are the small things that I need to work at, what are my reasons for the clean-up, how do I keep this from being a lifestyle change and moving it towards a life standard?
I also realize that I need others to help hold me accountable on this journey - a journey towards doing justice, learning from the world community, nurturing people, cherishing the natural order and nonconforming. Thanks for walking with me, challenging and encouraging me.
(BTW, the birds are so active today. I just saw an eastern towhee! Now it's hard for me to want to do anything other than look out the window seeing what else I might find.)