filling time

It hit home for me today how much I have always used novels to hide from the messier or more stressful realities of daily life. As I was taking the train home, I was contemplating how much I'd like to curl up in a hot bath and read the evening away. And then I realized that I don't even have any novels around, because I've given them up for Lent, along with a weekly bout of fasting.

So, tonight I made a trip to the craft store. I've taken up crocheting, and I'm making a scarf just presently. Something to do with my hands while I watch a bit of TV, listen to music, or a sermon.

I like the feeling of creating, of watching something appear where there wasn't anything, of making something beautiful and practical.

I miss the novels, particularly after a day like today, which was full of stress, and created a knot of tension that took quite a lot of crocheting (and a liberal dose of chocolate) to loosen.

But this might be a good alternative... we'll have to see.