Natural Resources.

Today, I got a call from my ex-boss at the Nautical & Aviation Publishing Company, where I worked for over three years. He asked me if I could help out this week, since he's between employees and swamped with projects. I happily obliged, not only because I can use all the extra pocket change I can get (like any writer), but also because he's a friend. I was glad to be his resource.

And (this is a little more random, for sure) I also discovered a great place for a July/August cover shoot this morning - none other than the little creekside dock in the neighborhood where I used to live SIX years ago. It totally sprang into my head on a whim, while I was drinking iced coffee this morning at Troubadours. I asked Brian if he'd go look at the scene with me and offer his opinion. We checked it out, and it was just as I remembered it. I think it's going to work out great.

I've always had a good memory (thanks to my mother, who's pretty much like an elephant) and as I get older I'm noticing how valuable it is. I mean, who would have thought that when I moved into that neighborhood almost seven years ago, as a 26-year-old graduate student (gosh, those were the days), that I would later recall it as the perfect backdrop for a shoot at my magazine gig?

Here's the test shot that Brian took with his phone. Lowcountry perfection, no?

On Having it All.

So, it seems a bit premature to post something on this topic, since I'm not a mother, nor pregnant, nor dating someone that I would consider starting a family with, nor even dating someone. 

All of that aside, I had a brief text-conversation with one of my best gal pals this morning and it got me thinking about writing and being a mother. Actually, I think about this topic a lot when I spend time with her. She's both a writer and a mother, after all. She has two beautiful sons and a spectacular idea for a novel. How lucky is that?

I should probably also point out that when people ask me if I "want children some day,"sometimes I'll answer that I'm a writer, and that a lot of writers don't have families. It's kind of a dumb thing to say. I guess it's my way of defending myself when I feel put on the spot.

The truth is, plenty of amazing writers have families, and plenty of amazing mothers have the desire to write. My friend said in a text message this morning that she was considering asking her neighbor to watch the boys while she makes time to work on her book. I said that was a great idea; I'm always urging her to make time for writing when she needs it.

And if I ever have kids one day, I hope my best friends do the same. I know I'll still be writing, even if I have to scrawl notes on napkins at kid-friendly restaurants and type them much, much later. Even if I have to ask my neighbor, or other friends who understand as well as this friend does, to come over and help me.

I've read countless articles and blogs in the last few years that proclaim it is tough, if not impossible, for women to "have it all." You've all seen these articles; they claim that a woman can't be an amazing mother and successfully hold down a worthwhile career at one time.

But why does the 9 to 5 grind even matter so much? If we can pull off being amazing mothers and successfully foster our passions (even if we don't make a paycheck doing it), then I think we can say that we have it all.

My friend has it all, in my opinion, because she's passionate about raising her kids and making time for her own calling. So, to the rest of you ladies who are doing the same thing, keep it up. Keep showing the world that we can have it all.

Without a Net.

Friends, today is the first day I've had Internet at my house in an entire WEEK.

....actually it may have been longer, but I was in Litchfield for Memorial Day.

To top it off, I had a horrible time getting Comcast to visit my house and address the problem. I spoke with probably ten Comcast employees, explained the issues with the connection probably ten times or more, and spent WAY too much time on hold, listening to elevator music. When the technician guy finally showed up today around 11 a.m., I have a feeling I was happier to see him than the other way around.

But a week without Internet turned out to be a pretty good thing. Here is how I spent my time:

1. I worked on my memoir. In fact, I churned out some of my best writing yet in the last few days. Here is an excerpt:

What is holy water? I asked my grandmother as a child, wondering why we wet our fingers at the beginning of Mass and blessed ourselves with it, leaving a raindrop-sized circle of water on our foreheads.

When she told me, I mused to myself why we didn't ask the priest to bless the water we drank, cooked with and bathed in - why not have all the water be holy? Why just the dab before Mass?

2. I wrote poems and studied poems. After all, I have a feature in November to prepare for. 

3. I cleaned off my bookcase and took books to Goodwill (the ones that aren't special enough to keep, that is). 

4. I met Mark Sanford. Now, some of you might suspect that this was a waste of my time, but I found it to be quite amusing. 

5. I scouted out different price quotes for fixing the air conditioner in my car. It'll be expensive, any way I slice it. 

6. I led a Piccolo Spoleto poetry walk. 

7. I discovered how to ignore outside noise at McDonald's while I borrowed their wi-fi. 

8. I spent more quality time with Buttercup. 

9. I trained interns. 

10. Most importantly, I learned that I can survive without constant access to all the sites I hold so dear. 

Of course, I missed Eating Gardenias the most. I couldn't wait to get back on and tell everyone about my experience without Internet. Ironic, huh? Such is life in the 21st century. 

Just remember to take time to stop and smell the gardenias.