Spring slump
Oh, hey — how are you? It seems like it’s been forever!
Apologies to anyone who’s spent even a moment fretting if we’re OK. We’re (finally) healthy, and happy, and working hard. But for some reason that I just can’t put my finger on, we’re just not blogging.
I anguished over missing last week’s Drink of the Week — the first since our formal hiatus last year — and then I realized that probably nobody cared but me, and had a good laugh.
I feel like I have blogger’s block. Which is somehow distinctly different than writer’s block, as I’m actually doing a lot of writing. I have plenty of stuff on tap, and even lots of posts in draft mode but — as Cameron likes to say — “my finisher is broken”. I get to the point where a post needs its photos, or a last good paragraph, or a final polish… and I lose momentum. I still haven’t told you about the long weekend when we spent four days eating nothing but Mexican food. Or the wicked shortbread Cameron made. Or our happy-hour dinner at O Izakaya. Or the batch of vin d’orange we’re whipping up with the giant sack of oranges that Cookie gave us. Ah, well — it’ll happen when it happens. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
I feel like I am running in place with a pile of office work and a million distractions. Whenever I find 30 minutes that I could use to blog, I always decide I’d rather take a nap, or watch an episode of The Wire, or cuddle with my old-man dog on the couch. (He had minor surgery last month, and I am feeling especially motherly toward him… even if he has no idea that anything happened. Seriously, I think he just thinks the whole anesthesia thing was a big nap with his favorite people — he loves the vet’s office, because they give him unlimited cookies — and has in no way connected it with the fact that we keep rolling him over to inspect his sutures. Which he has no idea exist, as far as we can tell.)
I’m chalking up my blogging blahs to the change of the seasons, at least in part. We’re having some truly gorgeous weather here — we’ve moved from just-spring into the real deal at the farmers market: asparagus… avocados! And on the home front, our plum tree is in full blossom and some of our herbs have mysteriously sprung back to life. The mint and verbena didn’t surprise me, but I had no idea that chives or tarragon would do that. Ah, the never-ending parade of surprises, and most of them are good ones.
So, see — we have plenty to write about. We’ll be back soon…. Promise.
Comment by L Vanel
Dear dear Anita, I am glad to see that you are fine. We all have the right to a slump now and then. Have a great time recharging and know that I will fondly await your mojo no matter how long it takes. Bisous, Lucy
Posted on 03.05.08 at 9:41AM
Comment by Michael
Very true that we all get the blues or is it the blahs) from time to time. For me (as a blogger) they tend to come when I lose the sense that people like to connect through my blog. Ouch! Then writing seems like work rather than having a chat at the pub. I hope it helps you a bit to hear from a loyal reader that you need not worry about that! Blog on!
Posted on 03.05.08 at 9:50AM
Comment by Anita
Lucy — You’re such a dear. Thank you for the encouragement… I think I see the end of the slump up ahead, but just in case it takes a little longer, it’s good to know that you’ll be waiting.
Michael — You really hit the nail on the head, I think. I got two really wonderful trackbacks this morning, right before I posted, and then another note yesterday from a reader (who I don’t know in the ‘real world’) asking if all was well. It suddenly reminded me of all the great things that come with the hard work. Not sure why I’d forgotten, other than I have been nose-down on a lot of other things… but thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Posted on 03.05.08 at 10:34AM
Comment by Jane
As a loyal reader, I totally missed your Cocktail of the Week last Friday.
Posted on 03.05.08 at 11:19AM
Comment by Jennifer Hess
I think it’s going around. 🙂 Glad you guys are all well!
Our chives have come back bigger and better every year, and they even migrate to other locations in the yard!
Posted on 03.05.08 at 11:52AM
Comment by jen maiser
I am not a good person to coach someone through a blog slump (I sometimes feel like my blogging career has been one long slump broken up by brief moments of brilliance).
That said, I noticed that there was no DOTW but didn’t want to bug you about it. 😉
Posted on 03.05.08 at 12:05PM
Comment by sam
I think my readers have given up even asking if I am ok every time I have a blog slump now. I have so much to say – and I can’t even be bothered with the writing part now, or even cooking: spring cleaning is my new ‘thing’, that and beautifying my space with purchase from etsy.com. Maybe when I am through with that I will be refreshed and ready to create again.
Posted on 03.05.08 at 12:58PM
Comment by Sean
Oh, you’re just trying to fit in with all the other cool-kid bloggers who have slumped. 😉 Seriously, though, I am the last to cast stones in this glass house, since I have several half-written posts that have languished in TypePad for weeks if not months. To say nothing of the fact that my photographer seems to have gone on hiatus as well! Fret not — one day we will all be back to our happy blogging selves. Maybe after the time change?
Posted on 03.05.08 at 1:11PM
Comment by Darcy O'Neil
I know how you feel. This has been a long winter and sometimes getting an extra hour of sleep or watching an hour of TV seems easier than blogging.
Once the sun comes out and the snow melts I’m sure everyone will start thinking about cocktails again.
Posted on 03.05.08 at 1:59PM
Comment by Tea
Welcome to my neighborhood! I’ve been slumping for months now (similar to slumming but not quite). In my experience, the more energy I put into the blog, the more energy and enthusiasm I get out of it–but sometimes even that knowledge doesn’t help me dive in again. It always comes back eventually though. I’m sure it will for you too.
Now, go play and enjoy yourself!
Posted on 03.05.08 at 7:22PM
Comment by Fay Jai
“and then I realized that probably nobody cared but me…”
Humph. Speak for yourself…I check daily to see if there is something new!
Love ya both, ~Jason
Posted on 03.06.08 at 5:22PM
Comment by Jennifer Jeffrey
I can totally relate!
This blog medium is so interesting, in that we all somehow feel “obligated” to post on a certain schedule, and that we have to apologize if we don’t… but really, life is full of ebbs and flows, and that’s the beauty of it.
I love your spring photos. This is my absolute favorite time of year.
Posted on 03.07.08 at 8:37AM
Comment by Tartelette
There is always a point when we have to take a step back and breathe. Ever noticed how a vacation or mini break recharges your battery? Same thing with a blog, a break, a slow down is necessary so that you can come back to it with a spring in your step.
As a reader, it gives me the chance to look into the archives and enjoy more of you guys 🙂
Posted on 03.07.08 at 1:44PM