Sunday, August 2, 2009

No More Housework!

Do you subscribe to The Writer's Almanac? I do. Every day I get a message from this organization that has a poem at the top, followed by famous authors whose birthdays are that day, with snippets about each author. I've learned quite a bit from it--and it's fun. Highly recommended.

But that's actually not the subject for today's post. Not entirely. See, at the end of July, I got my daily email from TWA, and one of the authors featured was Rose Macaulay. Here, let me just show you the snippet:

It's the birthday of the writer Rose Macaulay, (books by this author) born in Rugby, England, in 1881. She wrote 23 novels as well as travel books and biographies. Her family were all scholars and Anglican clerics. She studied at Oxford and then began a career as a writer. During WWI she worked as a nurse and then in the British Propaganda Department, where she met Gerald O'Donovan. He was a married man, a lapsed Catholic priest, and a novelist. They had an affair that lasted until his death. In her novels, she writes about mystical Christianity and about trying to reconcile adultery with religion. She said, "At the worst, a house unkept cannot be so distressing as a life unlived."

OK, so Rose had herself a pretty fascinating life. But you know what I like best? That last quote:
"At the worst, a house unkept cannot be so distressing as a life unlived."
--Rose Macauley
HA! Take that pile of dirty dishes, dirty laundry, and overall filthy house!

Yanno, I sometimes feel bad about how I let my housewiferly duties slide...and slide... I have been known to eat chicken with a spoon because there were no clean forks left, or to just order a pizza because I can't be bothered to cook (or, if I could be bothered, had no clean pots or pans with which to cook). And I feel a bit guilty about that--it's my job to keep the house clean, especially in the summer when I'm not working.

But I'd be much unhappier if I didn't live my life the way that makes me happy: playing with my dog, being with my husband, and writing my books.

In the end, who cares about that unkempt house!?

10 comments:

Trisha Pearson said...

It's so true! I doubt anybody reflects on their life and says "I only wish I would have kept my house a little cleaner."

Great quote! I should post that one somewhere in my house to help keep my guilt at bay. (We had cereal for dinner last night because I didn't want to cook!)

Susan R. Mills said...

I love this post! I'm so sick of cleaning! You just gave me a great excuse not to do it today. :)

Abby Annis said...

This is awesome! Housework is always near the bottom of my priority list. Now I have another excuse to add to my list. :D

Teri K said...

Wonderful quote, one to ponder and absorb,but also appreciate on face value. Thanks for sharing it. Would it be alright if I used it on my blog someday? I don't want to just latch onto it, since you brought it to my attention.
Thanks

Clementine said...

Oh I just love that! Thanks for sharing, that's going on my fridge.

Mim said...

That's my attitude towards my housework. I dread company, some days my house stays fairly clean, others it is quite the opposite. It's hard to predict what each day will be like.

I wanted to congratulate you on the partial from the Query Contest at Miss Snark's First Victim! Great job!

Danyelle L. said...

I am so there with you! Death to housework, dirty dishes, and all their ilk!

Christina Farley said...

Great post. I don't mind housework once in a while. Actually, it relaxes me and gives me time to think as long as the hubby has taken the kids off my hands. I have tried to get the boys involved in housework and they actually like it but it sure takes a lot longer!

PJ Hoover said...

My house is neat but definitely lacking on the clean side. Must get a housekeeper.

And I love her quote!

Unknown said...

Thanks Mim :) I'm still dancing happily!

And everyone: feel free to copy and share as much as you want! I love this quote and just had to pull it.

Actually...I think today's post will be inspired by it...