Mama-Come-Lately

Ten days and eight posts have taught me a few things:

1. I have time to write every day.
2. I have ideas to write about every day.
3. If I’m going to write, it has to be in the morning before the kid gets up. Otherwise, poof, there goes the day.

That pretty much says it all right there. I’m going to keep going though — and keep to my “first thing” writing schedule.

So. Lately I’ve been feeling very fortunate. I live in a comfortable house in a wonderful neighborhood in a great school district. We have really good health insurance and good health to go with it. We voted as a family yesterday, and were happy to do our civic duty. But what do we do with all of that? Is it enough to acknowledge that we have a good life, or are we obligated to do something with our good fortune? Naturally we donate to charities and participate in food drives, but should we be doing more? And if so, how do we figure out what to do?

On the flip side, not long ago I read part of a (super long and tedious) biography of Berenice Abbott (amazing pioneering 1920s-60s American photographer who also happened to be openly lesbian). At one point the book quotes her talking about the pride she and her 1920s Parisian artist friends took in living well. It wasn’t about money (they didn’t have or need much), or things, but enjoying what they did have and doing exactly what they wanted to do. It struck me as a liberating way of being in a world that’s all about what’s trending on Twitter and the latest food fad. Perhaps I should go forth, happily eating croissants when I feel like it.

I have no real conclusion to draw — these are the thoughts that float around in my head all the time and I wanted to give them some air. But I believe they’re worth thinking about, and maybe acting on.

I’ll let you know if I get it figured out.