Reflecting Jenn... my life at Calvin College

Friday, April 13, 2007

in search of daily breath

So, I’m losing patience. Who knew it took so long to get over pneumonia? I was hoping it was just like a Super-Cold: give it a week or two and it will be gone. But pneumonia is a whole different ballgame. Energy and ambition seem like myths of the past—I’m certainly not doing much lately! My writing computer has been off for far too long, which brings all kinds of fears: any writing talent I ever had will dry up, I’ll forget the gist of my plot, I’ll turn into a lazy slacker who watches movies and knits all day . . . eek!

I’ve been pretty out-of-it for over a month now—using up those wonderful extra weeks that I added to my writing plan. Rats! I had really hoped I could sail through, get done early.

I feel foolish complaining, because things could be so much worse. I’m not terribly sick, just out of energy. What little I have is being used up; there’s just so much going on lately! We had a great visit with my younger sister and her fiancé. They’re singing in St. Louis this weekend, with their college choir. So we’ve been crossing the river, delighted to hear them.

Also, we remodeled a bathroom in our house, which means waking early (!) to the sounds of workmen installing a cabinet, toilet, fixtures, etc. The result is gorgeous (I know, you were holding your breath, weren’t you?), but it was a lot of work. One memorable night, Dad and I scraped linoleum adhesive off of the subflooring. This is now my least favorite thing to do! Back-breaking, slow work.

But the weather is turning beautiful here, and I’m excited for the summer. (Slight bit of panicking at the realization that I’ve been out of school for nearly a year! Shouldn’t I have, I don’t know, four or five books written already? Despite being sick??) But I’m hopeful. Sickness will pass, I’ll get back on track with the writing work, back in the swing of things. Soon. Hopefully, very soon.—jl

yes, i really did it. i posted a picture of our bathroom. ha! but we really are so excited . . .