10.28.2010

Miss Me?

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Hello blog. It’s me, Molly. I know you’re there, even if I’m not.


Are you lonely? Probably not. I happen to know that a couple hundred people still stop by every day, even if they don’t always say hello. I’ve even stopped by a few times, just to make sure you haven’t been hijacked, and I haven’t said boo.



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I talk to you all the time. In my head. I know you can’t hear me, but I keep on blabbing away, quite often incoherently, and without spell check. Can you believe I had to look up the word “approve” in the dictionary the other day? One p? Two p’s? How many o’s? I can’t even remember why I needed to know how to spell approve.



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I do miss you. You’re a convenient receptacle for my thoughts, and you check my spelling with the click of a button. You also force me to edit my ideas, sort them out, narrow them down a bit. Without you, I gather a jumble of random musings and dump them all on George the minute he comes home from work (I think he misses you too). It’s like when I run into the grocery store for just one item, and I don’t grab a cart or basket, and I end up with an armful of groceries I didn’t know I needed. Then I run into a friend and, as we chat, drop a container of yogurt on the floor, and when I reach down to pick it up, there goes the bread. Yeah, it’s kind of like that.


You’re also a good place to store my memories. My ability to retain them is going the same way as my ability to spell simple words. Did I ever tell you I placed third in the school spelling bee when I was in the third grade? 1st and 2nd place went to sixth graders. Well, maybe my memory isn’t so bad after all. But still, I like sharing my memories with you. You make them more vivid, you allow me to relive those moments I hold dear. I tell you things that I probably wouldn’t otherwise tell anyone at all. Here’s two recent memories I think you’d like, ones I don’t want to forget anytime soon.


The other night, Aidan and I went for a walk in the rain. We wanted to confirm that his new rain gear was in fact waterproof, and find the deepest puddle on our street (which happened to be thigh high on Aidan - now he knows to wear his rain pants over his boots rather than tucking them in). I opened the front door after pouring the water out of Aidan’s rain boots and found George sitting in the armchair next to the fire, reading Walden. My heart skipped a beat.


Then last night, the kids and I were playing Apples to Apples, and when we turned over a green card that read, “Powerful”, Aidan said, “I have the perfect card!”


He laid down a red card that read, “My Family”. That’s my boy.


Our family life without the internet has included many walks, lots of games, and even more books. George and I have been reading our way through the wonderful world of dystopian literature (to borrow my sister-in-law/high school English teacher’s phrase). It all started with The Postman, followed by those classics we should have read (and maybe did read) in high school: Fahrenheit 451, 1984, Lord of the Flies. But yesterday I finished my favorite so far: The Giver by Lois Lowry (recommended by my dear high school English teacher/sister-in-law). By far the shortest dystopian book I’ve read, I think it said more by saying less. I’ve picked up the next book in Lowry’s trilogy, Gathering Blue, and I look forward to digging in tonight, preferably in the armchair next to the fireplace. I’ll be thinking of you. And I’ll try to come back with thoughts and memories, sooner than later.



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P.S. Are you loving Fall as much as I am?


51 comments:

  1. You make it all sound so tempting, friend. Miss you.

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  2. Molly - Funny - I scrolled past your blog on my reader wondering when I had last heard from you and I reread your last post. I am so intrigued by your choice. I love that you are trying it out. I don't blog - but I sure read a ton of blogs and I'm starting to wonder what else I could/should be doing with my time. Love you little man's comment about family - it should make you proud! I recently listened to the Giver with my husband on a trip - great read... Best to you!

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  3. Oh, I love the giver -- and walks and books in general.

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  4. Glad you're back for a hello :)
    I still can't believe you did this I'm in awe.
    We're loving the fall colors around here. Just beautiful.

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  5. was just thinking of you yesterday - so happy life is treating you well.

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  6. Molly, it's a treat to find you here. Loving fall here too. Your photos are beautiful.

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  7. Highly creative post. Very clever way to transmit your feelings. I loved it!

    Beautiful macro photos.

    Yes, we missed you. Yes, you are doing the right thing for you and your precious family.

    Everything has it's own time.

    Happy Halloween and Fall Harvest time, in case I don't stop by again before......

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  8. Well, your heart may have skipped a beat when you found George reading Walden but mine skipped a beat when I looked at the "top sites'' page on my mac and saw that Foothill Home Companion *finally* had a blue star in the corner (which meant there was a new post up.)

    I don't know if your blog misses you, but I miss your blog. No one does trees in a cup of coffee quite like you do, and no one muses about spelling bees and puddle-jumping boys and dystopian literature and manages to make it all come together as beautifully as the leaves do in your last photo.

    So yes, I miss you. You go and drink in all that fine literature by the fire, but get yourself to some free internet a little more often because I do miss my FHC fix.

    Hugs, my friend.

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  9. Loike others, I miss reading your blog more often also. But my, those pictures and words are worth the wait.

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  10. Miss you? So much! You're always worth the wait, but I was getting impatient. Your storytelling touches me like no other out there in the blogospere! I'm happy to hear about The Giver. It's on my son's list for this year, and I was considering reading it too. Now I will!
    xo

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  11. Been wondering what you've been up to lately...glad for the update!

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  12. Yes Molly, I miss you! I've thought of emailing you for your snail mail address :)

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  13. Miss you too - too busy to think these days and trying so very hard to stop time - enjoy time. I want to enjoy time with you too soon. Love the stories. There are always so many good things to do that it's hard to decide.

    How is your fall garden?

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  14. Well Miss Molly, *I* miss you. I was hoping this was all a lead-in to you saying you'd be returning to your blog. Oh well! Hard to compete with Apples to Apples and Walden!

    Dystopias ... I assume you've read The Hunger Games trilogy? For once I've read what everyone else is reading! :-)

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  15. These are quite lovely photos.
    It was good to find you here.

    We are having a delightful autumn.
    As it goes.

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  16. love the words. love the photos. love the time you've had with your family. beautiful, all of it.

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  17. You sound refreshed. I've been wondering about my blog/life balance a bit lately too...Autumn is doing its thing here and as beautifully as ever.

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  18. I love the first photo with the reflection of the tree in your coffee cup. So beautiful! My family and I are really enjoying fall. It is absolutely beautiful...the colors are so vibrant. It is very cold this morning...we have a misty rain falling...it's a little over 30 degrees and I am brewing some coffee and about ready to make a fire in the fireplace. I have been aching for a good book lately. I am starting "To Kill a Mockingbird". I read it in the 7th grade, but have absolutely no memory of it whatsoever. I really don't think I could apprecitate literature in the 7th grade..no way, back then, I wanted something a little more fun to read.

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  19. Great to have you back! I love your pictures, especially the cup/reflection one. Good thoughts on spending more time with family instead of computer (and t.v. for me). Thanks for posting something, I and I'm sure others really enjoy your blog.

    We're finally "getting" fall here in the New Mexico, I'm enjoying finally getting to make more soups and breads! :)

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  20. Welcome back! Yes, I am enjoying Fall (autumn here) so much, and with a new energetic dog as companion, am spending much less time at the computer, walking under trees and beside rivers instead..... bliss!

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  21. I do miss your blog and your thoughts. Lois Lowry is also an amazing children's book author-- Number the Stars in our favorite of hers.

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  22. Oh Molly, I have oh so missed you!. I am, however, proud and jealous of your internet break...slow down.

    I just started Walden as well. Dense reading but fantastic. The Giver is on my list.

    Have you read The Hunger Game trilogy? Curious about your thoughts.

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  23. I like your analogy - blogging to sort out, narrow down, edit and not end up with the armful of groceries when you came in for one thing. But that too is okay. I like your trust in experiencing life.
    Take care,
    Rachel

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  24. So good to hear from you, but glad you are out living life and enjoying your family. We'll all be here when you poke in to say hello.. Wishing you a most wonderful autumn!

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  25. Welcome back!!! If you makes you feel better, I massively fell off the face of the earth for almost two months! *sigh* ;)

    Love the tea/coffee reflection pic. You have such a good eye!

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  26. Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures and your memories. I miss you too, but then appreciate your posts all the more when they appear. Sounds like you're all having fun - we're going to have to turn the dreaded box off and follow your lead!

    Take care

    a-m x

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  27. your making me want to unplug Molly.
    but my kids wouldn't have 'baby' books without the blog... so I feel a little obligated. (oye!)

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  28. Miss you Yes, but glad you are enjoying your time without this so much! I am loving Autumn too - maybe see you in Winter clothing next? :D

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  29. It's so wonderful to hear your voice in this space again! I recently came back after 7 months away myself, and it's good to be back... for many of the reasons you so eloquently stated.

    Nothing like a good read by the fire... and we're planning a day trip to Walden/ author's ridge next week:-)

    Happy November!
    ~Michelle

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  30. hey you made it so impactful..great pictures..though its my first encounter with your blog..but after going through this post..
    i can say..i am definitely going to miss you..
    Student Accommodation

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  31. Hmmm, more walks, more reading. Sounds perfect. You'll love Gathering Blue. Have you read Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson...also a good one. A favorite of mine and super old...the only one I read in high school that I have managed to read many times over...Silas Marner by George Eliot.

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  32. I am one of those who checks back here often ~ I'm so glad to find you "here" today. It's good for me to hear of life without the internet at home ~ it's something I daydream about. I could give it up easily, but my husband, on the otherhand, is not interested in disconnecting it.

    Until the next time...

    Cheers,Conny

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  33. So nice to *hear* your words again. I do miss them...but honestly a life without the internet sounds so sweet.

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  34. ..yes you were missed. Your thoughts and your fabulous photos. However, the unplugged place is very tempting. I have two etsy shops, a blog, twitter, facebook, tweetdeck, four email accounts.....all to market the wonderful handmade items I do not have to make. I have hijacked myself.

    Thank you for the voice of reason. I hear you.....and thank you.

    Please, tho, don't leave the lens cap on.

    Kathy

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  35. yes. miss you dearly. Love your stories. Checked back, like, a few times a week, left disappointed each time-- until today! yay!
    thanks for sharing those sweet memories. I LOVE that he associated the word powerful with family! thanks for the book recommendation. Come back soon. pretty please.

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  36. Your pictures are so crystal clear and luscious. Love the walking in the rain to try out the new boots and the Hubby sitting by the fire reading stories. Lovely pictures in my head on those.

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  37. um, wow! these pictures are just STUNNING. nice to see your words again, too. this ebb and flow of the internet thingamajig is so interesting. been there.

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  38. LOVE...all of the above.
    You have such a way with words friend and your pictures aren't bad either : )
    I'm so very glad that your heart, your home and your family have found such peace with your decision.
    hugs to you!
    xo

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  39. Great pics! Do you use a tripod or are just naturally calm? *grin*

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  40. Oh my Molly, how I have missed you. Yours has always been my first blog of choice. I checked every day for a while, and then tapered down.
    I wondered if you were gone forever and am so thankful you are not.
    I have also missed your children, wondering what they have been up to.
    I am thankful you are all well.
    Please come back soon.
    Fall is over in MN, but November has been lovely.

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  41. I think of you often and anticipate your visits here.
    sounds like your life is so, so sweet.

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  42. Oh, I love the Giver! I've gifted it to so many people and I've read it myself at least a dozen times. Its such a quick read that sometimes when I have nothing to do I'll just sit and kick it out.

    This post made me laugh a few times and a smile a whole bunch.

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  43. Yes! I'm one of those ones who keeps stopping by and hoping.

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  44. Yes!! I keep stopping by to see if you're back yet. Hope all is well with your family this November.

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  45. I love what you are doing Molly. Some day in the future I will follow suit. For now I need my computer close by. Thanks for such a great blog!

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  46. You are really an amazing blogger.. Your experiences over blogs were seen in this post..You have a wonderful knowledge of presenting fantastic blogs..This post includes really beautiful images..Good job...

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  47. When I was younger, I thought that The Giver had a happy ending....

    I've been reading the newer batch of YA dystopian fiction (also a librarian term!) - Uglies is currently being torn through. Pretty decent stuff, although certainly designed for the YA level. Liked the Hunger Games, too -- even the ending. "Yes, of course it's bleak. That's the poing!" Shade's Children by Garth Nix as well. And that's your teen ref librarian suggestions for the day all done!

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  48. Nice post...might I recommend 'We' by Yevgeny Zamyatin for your dystopian odyssey?

    Cheers,

    Alana

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  49. You really have a good sense of photography...Beautiful collection of pics...I am going to be the fan of yours..really

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  50. Those apples look so deliciously yummy. All your photographs are beautiful, and sharp and raw and emotional.
    {I'm on the lookout for a new camera, would you mind telling me what you use, and what bits you attach to it as well...}.

    I don't visit here often (trying to limit the amount of blogs I read), but whenever I come here you fill me up with a strong feeling of contentment and knowledge that the world is good, and things are so warm and just perfectly real.

    Thank you.

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