Tiffany Painter

We are halfway through the year! And what a year it’s been. When I was a teacher this is when I would get sad that summer was halfway over and it would be time to go back to work soon. But now I can use this as a time to reflect. I am halfway through the quilt I’m working on – but I’ve been working on this for well over a year. I’m halfway through an amazing book – you should run to your nearest indie bookstore and get Fredrik Backman’s latest book, My Friends. I’m halfway (hopefully) through a renovation – this has caused me to wake halfway through the night many, many times. I’m halfway through the latest rounds of revisions/edits on my manuscript – I’m determined this will be the last time I make big changes. So many things I’m halfway through. It’s nice to look back to the beginning and see where I started – skeins of yarn, stacks of books, old carpet, story not told – and then see how much closer I am to the finish line. But as I look at that finish line getting closer, I stop and think about what it will be like when I reach it. Is crossing that line really what’s most important? When I finish making the blanket what will happen then. I will go get more yarn and start a new blanket. When I finish the book, I will start a new one. When I finish my manuscript – and start the heartbreaking process of querying it – I will think of another story that wants to be told. The only finish line I am racing towards and will NEVER start again is the remodel – I highly recommend moving instead. All of these halfway projects remind me that the journey really is what it’s all about. The process of doing is what’s most important. Finish lines are just rest stops along the way, unless it’s a remodel.

6/24

air heavy today
full of possibilities
lurking all around

6/28

nature at its best
picture worthy of hanging
best seen from outdoors

7/1

ready to support
providing inspiration 
blank pages waiting

7/2

like rings on a tree
my body feels each year pass
but still moving strong

7/5

dog bed begs for use
soft grass beckons from nearby
yet, rocky path wins