A mother, a reader, a writer

Well, I admit it.  I've started re-reading books.

As a busy mom, I don't have the luxury of endless hours of reading, curled up on the couch with a glass of wine or a cup of cocoa.  [Pause for brief moment to sigh and remember those good old days.]  I barely have enough time at the library to look for a new book to read, let a lone sit down and read it.  And then if it's not one I care for, I've just wasted precious time!

But I'm also a reader, which means that even with my limited time, I crave the written word.  I long for those times when I get so wrapped up in a book that the rest of the world dissolves into a misty fog, when you suddenly look up from the pages with tear-stained eyes only to see that hours have passed and that you've missed at least one thing on your to-do list.

And finally, I'm also a writer so I not only crave the written word, but I require it.  We all know that one of the best writing practices is to read.

So as a writer who needs to read, a reader that wants to read, and a mother who has little time to read, what does one do?

For me, I've started diving into my bookshelf, reading old favorites.  Some of them aren't so spectacular the second time around, others have stood the test of time.  One in particular, "Scratching the Woodchuck" by local Amish author David Kline (an exceptionally nice man) is currently making it's second debut on my nightstand.  It's a wonderful collection of nature essays that I adore.  The mother in me can appreciate the kindess between a farmer and his land...again.  The reader in me loves to get whisked away to his acres to learn about the blinking of fireflies...again.  The writer in me wishes I could capture the simple spirit the way the author does...again.

So, with a few minutes here and there, I'll read. 

And hopefully with a few minutes here and there, I'll write.

Karrie McAllister, webmaster & graphic design
www.KarrieMcAllister.com
www.outdoormama.blogspot.com