The Writing Life – The Pleasure of an Open Schedule
If you regularly follow this blog, you may realize that today’s post is going up much later in the day that is typical for me. This unusual (on the scale of finding a penny, not a $20 on the sidewalk type of “unusual”) schedule has occurred because I took advantage of one of the best parts of the writing life (one of the types of currency mentioned in the comments to yesterday’s post, in fact) – an open schedule. This morning I got up just after five, had some coffee, fed the cats and hit the road to mosey on up to PA. I met my friend Susan for breakfast at this little place called the Country Kitchen, and then wandered over to Kemblesville to mail a couple of packages before I made my first appointment for the day . . . a visit to an alpaca farm.
I spent my next hour wandering around and petting alpacas. They had great names – Pilgrim, Jethro, Bonjangles, Arlo – and Christine nearly ate my shoes. They were so soft and gorgeous. Now, I want some even more. I stopped by the farm to learn so that I could, maybe, get alpacas for myself in the future but also because I would like to write about them. What a great way to spend a morning.
I’m now in Lancaster at this great coffee shop called Square One, where they serve organic, fair trade coffee. I’m listening to music I don’t know but really like, watching “my people,” sport backpacks and read Mrs. Dalloway, and type away on their laptops. I’m going to sit here for a few hours and get some work done. What a great liberty of writing . . . the freedom to do it anywhere.
Tonight, I meet up with my friend Sam for drinks. We’re supposed to talk business – he’s starting this great property management company, and I’m privileged to be working with him on some marketing ideas – but I expect we’ll just gab as much about life and music as much as we talk work. Either way, what a great way to spend a few hours.
On the ride home, I’ll keep listening to Juliet Naked by Nick Hornby. I just love the way Hornby writes about music and about fame. So entertaining and so poignant.
I know I am blessed to be able to spend my days this way. Perhaps this is the greatest blessing of the life I am called to – the freedom to see people when I can, to write in a stimulating environment, the sunshine of a day with alpacas. Nothing beats it.
