Some things definitely get better with time–fine cheese, fine wine, meat when it’s marinating, dance steps (for some people, anyway), friendships, the economy (we can hope, right?), sinus infections… I like to believe that time is a healer and that there is a time for everything.
But some things DO NOT get better with time–leftovers after about the 3rd day (although lasagna is DEFINITELY better as a leftover), most mean people, a grudge, weeds, and, as I have recently learned–OVERripe fruit.
There is a lovely lady I know who grows stuff and makes stuff. She’s just one of those cool, earthy people who seem to always make yummy and useful things happen. This summer, she shared some pears with us from a tree in her yard. My husband loves a pear when it is really juicy and ripe. He wants the juice to run down his chin. Not me–I like a pear to be more crunchy, like an apple. Anyway, when he tasted these beautiful pears, he said they were the best he’s ever had. EVER. They did taste good. And their color is very beautiful and natural-looking.
We ate a few of the gorgeous pears, but then, I procrastinated. I waited. I got distracted, or something. And the rest of the pears got too squishy for pie. They got really squishy, and the fruit flies heard about it and made their way to my garage. There was a smell like pear wine and suddenly something sticky on my shoe as I made my way in from the car one day. Dangit. Shouldn’t have procrastinated.
As good fortune would have it, the Lovely Pear Lady came through again. Above are pictured some of her lovely pears. I kept my focus this time, and as I’m typing this, a pear pie is in the oven for her. Boy, those pears smelled perfectly sweet and delicious.
Here’s to getting on with it.
A word about procrastination. Late last year, I wrote a children’s storybook. And no, I’m not telling you what it’s about. You can buy one when it comes out. 🙂
I showed it to a few folks and read it aloud to my family, and for a while, I could actually picture kids choosing my book from the shelf at a school library. I could picture a dad or a mom or a teacher reading my book to a child. I envisioned illustrations and even an action figure based on my book. I printed out the manuscript and bought some envelopes. Then I got distracted. I procrastinated.
The jury will be out for a while as to whether this “situation” will be better or worse with time. But today, those pears–the ones that I got a second chance on–inspired me to get on with it. Now it’s six months later. Time to get on with it.
So I did this:
I revised one last line, printed a copy, signed my cover letter, and sealed it all up. I’m taking it to the post office today. There is one of those self-serve machines for postage, so I don’t even have to wait for tomorrow.
I’m no fool (OK, I probably am a lot of the time, but I’ve researched a little), so I know that publishing is a tricky business these days. There are a bazillion writers out there hoping for a slice of the Publishing Pie. Will this one envelope change my career? Probably not. Is there enough hope in it to make me send another one? Absolutely.
There’s something to be said for Nike’s slogan:
Just do it.
I hope the Pear Pie tastes as good as it looks.
As for you, if you’re putting something off–
fortyandtwentyblackbirds 