Monday, October 19, 2009

The Fine Art of Neglect

I spend a lot of time painting. I spend a lot of time playing with my kids. I spend a lot of time cooking breakfast/lunch/dinner. But what I MOSTLY spend my time doing is neglecting things I should be doing. Sometimes I neglect my students, letting them put down layer upon layer of ugly paint without a word of caution passing my lips. Sometimes I neglect my kids, letting them watch one too many Scooby Doo episodes before finally rounding them up and dumping them in the tub only to neglect them for a few minutes more. I often neglect painting, letting gawky, unfinished work sit on the easel like somebody's Grandpa in his dingy tightie-whities when the doorbell rings. I definitely neglect housework. Who wouldn't? But, in all this neglect, something IS getting accomplished: one lovely daydream after another.

Posted by at

6 comments:

  1. TracyOctober 20, 2009 at 8:40 AM

    Hello, Nancy! My first visit here, and this post really stuck a chord. I was having a mini meltdown last night due to all the "neglect" swirling around me...A little creative time, and a glass of wine ;o), helped. Your blog is beautiful and tremendously inspiring. I look forward to visiting again. Found my way here via the lovely Gigi of Magpie's Fancy. Your image with this post give me hope that I can get past the neglect, temporary worry, and fly on the past the fast back onto my happier usual path. Thank you. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nancy Nichols-PethickOctober 20, 2009 at 11:05 AM

    Thanks for visiting, Tracy! The combination you mention -- creative time and a glass of wine -- is my favorite form of therapy. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gigi ThibodeauOctober 20, 2009 at 7:10 PM

    Wow, I wish all the things I neglect in my life could lead to work as beautiful and luminescent as this, Nancy. Missing you and wishing we could sit by the ocean with a thermos-ful of something hot and just be. Big hugs to you and Jonathan and those amazing kids of yours.
    xoxo Gigi

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nancy Nichols-PethickOctober 21, 2009 at 1:54 AM

    Oh, to sit by the ocean with my Gigi...that IS a lovely daydream...

    ReplyDelete
  5. V.A.L.October 22, 2009 at 4:14 PM

    "somebody's Grandpa in his dingy tightie-whities" HAHAHA! It's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels like she neglects some things in life. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Denise FasanelloOctober 27, 2009 at 2:29 PM

    i so can relate. thanks for your blog. love.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)