Thursday 14 October 2010

A Riff On Reflection

Dedicated to Alexa whose windows are giving her trouble.

Good prose, George Orwell once said, is like a window pane.


That was in the days before blogging, of course, but then he always was a man ahead of his time and maybe blogging would have suited him. He certainly had a point.

The very best posts, like the very brightest of windows, are sparkling. The words reach out from the page and carry us along, lift us up and set us down again, our mood altered, our spirits raised. A clean window offers us a clear view. It does its job, without extras. Like a well built blog post.

But perhaps Orwell also meant that a window reflects. If you look carefully you can see yourself. Look again and you can make out little snatches of the world going on around you. And that's what it's all about. When you blog, you put a little bit of yourself out there, you find out a little bit more about the world and the people in it. You connect.


Which brings me back to Alexa who has continued to blog and write and create throughout a truly trying building project. It should have been finishing up soon, but she is still without windows, and when the kettle goes as well and you can't even make a cup of tea, what's a girl to do?  We're cheering you on today Alexa! With your windows and your writing. You may not have one, but we love what you do with the other.

So it's over to you now. Leave a message of cheer for renovators everywhere (hello Amy!), a story about windows, a ramble on writing. A reflection of your own..




20 comments:

Julie Kirk said...

Moning :)

*Only* 3 years on from having our kitchen installed ... as I type, there is a man downstairs boxing-in the great big eyesore of a black pipe that has sat there, exposed for all this time, in my nice white kitchen!

This might actually mean we're nearly 'finished' ... but that never happens really does it?

x

Sandra said...

Truely a great post Sian .... for all those of us that have been through a build, we smile and say - thank goodness that's over with :)

Cheri said...

Great post Sian!I wholeheartedly agree that when you blog you put a little of yourself out there, and definitely learn a little (or a LOT) about the wide wide world in return! Well said.

Anonymous said...

Sian, your writing always inspires, but today's post is especially wonderful. I think I'll print it out!

Susanne said...

Well said, Sian. But now I'm a little intimidated to write my own morning blog post - maybe I'll have a little more tea for fortification first.

laurie said...

the windows/writing analogy is such a great one, and so very true! the more we attempt to look away from ourselves (gazing out the window), the better we can view our own lives (by seeing the reflection in the glass). very thought provoking, sian.

humel said...

Love your writing, Sian :-)

I think George Orwell would have Tweeted, too, don't you? And I would so have followed his blog!

alexa said...

Sian, this is a very lovely and sparkling piece of writing of your own... :) And I am truly touched by your thoughts and wishes and kindness to me. Thank-you. xx

Ann said...

A lovely piece of prose, Sian. Inspiring and uplifting and assuredly George would have approved.

Denise said...

I can only reiterate what others have said, especially Laurie- the windows/writing analogy is very true -great post Sian x

Amy said...

The Renovation Club is a secret club - just like the Mother's Club where everyone omits to tell you of the utter and absolute pain it can involve! Living in a state of deconstruction and reconstruction is a surreal experience, and, like parenthood, a daily exercise in patience!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

This is a beautiful post, Sian. Thank you for writing it. I am usually reluctant to post anything that's personal, but I find that I truly enjoy reading personal stories on other blogs. And ironically, I did just post something a tad bit personal on my own blog, so your timing is impecable.

And a little shout out to Amy for her endurance through an extensive renovation!!! xo

Maria Ontiveros said...

In the US, we have these wonderful shows where experts come in and help people redo a single room in a weekend. A few years ago, I felt totally inspired and over a long four day Thanksgiving weekend, we redid our bedroom. No construction, but lots of clearing out, new paint, new drapes, new bed and bedding, new shelves. Best weekend project ever!
Rinda

scrappyjacky said...

A lovely, thoughtful post,Sian....and I'm sure George would have loved your writing style.

Scrappi Sandi said...

Well, I think you've got the whole writing think sorted!! Another bit of compulsive reading...& as for Alexa (& Amy)..hang in there, it'll all be worth it in the end!!

Abi said...

Sian you're writing always inspires me! Made me think today! Have loved catching up with your blog! Abi xxx

furrypig said...

loving your posts Sian... looking forward to seeing you in class with Shimelle xxx

Tinkertaylor said...

Loved your post today it really got me thinking......I need to tackle those windows!

Liberty :) said...

No heating, no running water and no bathroom including toilet was particularly challenging but SOOO worth it when we see our beautiful house now!

Lizzie said...

Well, that was a thought-provoking post for a Thursday! I wasn't here reading it though... working hard on current bookbinding project and pretending blogs didn't exist - I tend to get sucked into "blogland" for hours and nothing gets done.

Bookbinding... for me, that was the combined result of a recovering back injury and a large Renovation Project, to add another room over the kitchen.

A very thought-provoking post, Sian and beautifully put, as always! Thanks for the thoughts and inspiration.

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