3.26.2009

How to Be Idle

chickens know idle

My brother called the other day. He had heard a story on his local public radio station that made him think of me. It was called "How to Be Idle". I was flattered that he had thought of me, but slightly offended that he thought of me as idle.

In my brother's defense, I had written once upon a time about sitting and drinking coffee and doing nothing but looking out the window, and when he heard the radio program, he was reminded of that post. I wish that happened more often these days. Last year when both children were homeschooled, I did have time each morning before they woke up just to sit and enjoy my coffee. Nowadays, I hastily drink a cup of coffee while running up the hill to the bus stop with Aidan. Not quite the image of idle, is it?

Later the same day my brother had called, I was putting the kids to bed and Avery came out to get a project from the hall closet to take back to bed. She said to me, "Mom, I'm just like you. I can't just do nothing." I was flattered that she thought of me as quite opposite from idle. Industrious, in fact.

I went online and found the radio program about idleness. The story is certainly not about sitting and doing nothing, but rather being in control of your own time and life. Pursuing the things that make you happy, being able to say at the end of the day, "I enjoyed myself today." Waking up and thinking, "I'm looking forward to enjoying myself today." I do believe that my industrious life is quite idle after all. Ideal too, most of the time.

I haven't quite finished listening to the radio program yet. I've been up and down, checking on the chickens, drying dishes, hanging laundry, heating up my coffee, taking pictures of the bees buzzing around the blossoms. If you'd like to listen to the show, here's the link. Thank you Rob!

Tomorrow I'll share a little trick I discovered about making lounge pants, the uniform of the idle.

19 comments:

  1. Love this post. Reminds me of an "argument" my husband and I recently had where he told me - I do whatever I want whenever I want - definitely a characteristic of the idle. We're quite misunderstood if you ask me.

    I'll be tuning in tomorrow for your tricks, my wardrobe does need a little revamping.

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  2. I think I'll have to go check it out. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. oh, I needed this today. I'm thinking about making a change that would really give me my idle time back. I've been running so fast for the last 8 years though it might take me time to get my idle back.

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  4. great post. love lounge pants too..they are quite forgiving to momma's bodies!

    have a great day! karen

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  5. Some of my favorite moments of the past few weeks have been because I've been getting up earlier than my husband on the weekends and going down to make coffee, feed the pets, then read in my favorite chair for a bit. Idle time. But I don't get much of it. I can't just do nothing very much either. I'm sure that's evident. :)

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  6. beautifully written and I totally relate...

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  7. Time is precious, and each day we should stop and smell the roses. Bravo Molly (and say hey to Rob for me when you think about it next!)

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  8. I think I need to listen that story- I need a little perspective on idle. And lounge pants...my favorite...I cannot wait!

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  9. I relate to this one so much.

    I do get that coffee time on most mornings - after G has gone to school and before A wakes up. But lately, she's getting up earlier, so we have "coffee time" together.

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  10. How to be idle is quite an art, really...

    Love the birds on the picture, and am smitten with your blog, which I just discovered. I'll be back!

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  11. It always makes me laugh when I find my coffee in the microwave a day later. How many times do I reheat it, anyways?

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  12. indeed. a whole LOT of nothing going around over there. thanks for the link. i'm thinking of making the hour drive once a week!

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  13. I need more idle time, thanks for the link!

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  14. hmmm...I wonder if they're making a clever play on 'idyll'...either way, I'm happy to be both!

    (I followed a link into your blog, (maybe even a comment?) and this was one of the first things I read. Yay! :)

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  15. your new header is making me pretty dang excited for the arrival of our 8 little ladies.

    i'm also looking forward to listening to this radio bit on the art of the idle. sounds like i will connect with it.

    we're off in the morning to pick up an old wooden dinghy for use as a sandbox. fun projects are keeping this idle-er busy and quite happy.

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  16. Awesome chicken picture! And thanks for the link.

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  17. this post hit the spot this evening - being a stay at home mum is something I often find myself defending - despite the fact that my days are busy with caring for my family and creating what I hope is a loving and rich home life. Tonight, after the dishes are done, I shall make a cup of tea and be idle, whilst listening to the radio program. Love your blog by the way.

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  18. Firstly, that's a gorgeous chicken picture.

    Secondly, Tom Hodgkinson's book is both brilliant and hilarious... try giving it a read.

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