A Peck of Gold

Just The Facts, Ma'am

I find it difficult at times to write what's happening in my life without fictionalizing it somehow. Isn't that odd? I want to tell you about Wrenn's antics at the pool, and my first impulse is to make a story out of it. I wanted to talk about the summer, what we're doing, blah blah blah- and sometimes that's harder than writing a few sentences of dialogue between some made up characters.

Many elements that come out of these short stories/scenes originate from how I'm feeling at the moment. That can be good and bad. On one hand (the bad one), it's a way to assign responsibility for those difficult or painful emotions to the characters and not me. It gets me out of the hotseat. On the other, it does give me an opportunity to explore some things I might not feel comfortable with in "real life". I go places with a pen that I'm not brave enough to in reality.

I don't want to live my life in fiction, though. So with that in mind, I will post some of the goings-on in the Trisler neighborhood, minus the dramatic pauses and scene setting.

Patrick finished his 3rd year of school in May. There was MUCH rejoicing. His grades were good, despite the efforts of one particularly heinous teacher who was surely out to get him. He starts his 4th year in the Fall, the final year of classes. (His 5th year will be a conglomeration of studio time and internship.) So, we're excited. He's in the home stretch!!

He won't be the only one in school though. That's right, Wrennie will be busting up in a 4 year old kindergarten class in the Fall. She'll be attending three half-days a week at the Christian school supported by our church. She loves the whole idea of school, the teachers, the kids, learning. She'll thrive. I'll cry.

Eli, the Scamp of the Trisler household, is busy doing his own thing. He's the most indescribable of all of us. Dramatic and funny, all boy, busy making trouble and messes. Hard to believe he's 16 months old.

Work is great- though the schedule can be difficult at times. I work 3p-11p, which is a fun shift, but Patrick and I don't see a lot of each other. He is walking in the door from work as I am walking out. We chat on the phone and at night when I get home, but it's the biggest downside to our situation. We're making it work though, and these days are numbered.

I'm planning something totally extravagent for myself in June. I'm driving over to Pensacola for a weekend of Me Time. I am trying my hardest to remain guilt-free over it- I feel bad not taking anyone with me, and spending money I really don't have on something so... unvital. But, I suppose there are times when you need to stop worrying and just do it. This is that time for me.

The idea is to seclude myself for a few days and write, write, write. I've never done anything like that before- and I'm curious to see what happens when I remove the distractions of life and force the pen to keep moving in my hands.

Well, that's the latest non-fiction in my life! I'm proud of myself! Now if I can just keep from using the words "The End"... That's going to be the challenge.

Posted by Shannon at June 5, 2004 05:47 PM | TrackBack