Retirement is a week filled with Saturdays and Sundays interrupted only occasionally by a holiday.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

The Tower of Words

Blogging is killing my brain cells. Oh, don’t get me wrong…using my creative skills (or at least typing skills) to continually write posts is certainly keeping at least some portions of my brain working. But yesterday I suddenly realized that I have not picked up a book to read in weeks. That’s right…it’s been weeks since I’ve thought about my most favorite hobby. Mind you…that hasn’t stopped me from buying books (I have two new paperbacks still sitting in the small plastic bag from the bookstore) and it hasn’t stopped my friend from sharing two new hardback mysteries with me. So I have this stack of new and some older books to read near my bed and it continues to grow taller and taller. It looks like the game Jenga where you keep placing wooden blocks on top of each other to see how many can be added before the tower comes crashing down. And even though I’m now aware of my sudden lack of reading and the growing stack of books, notice what I’m doing at this moment. Do I have my nose in a book? Oh no…I’m blogging about reading…how sad is that?

21 comments:

Special K ~Toni said...

I have the same problem! To justify my... uh...addiction.. I have started getting audio books from the library and listening to them in the car. I go through about 2 a week. It makes it completely ok in my little world!

Thanks for visiting me!!

sari said...

I know how you feel. Sometimes I just have to turn off the computer and not come back too it - otherwise it's too easy to start surfing blogs and catching up.

Renee Nefe said...

I have to take time from my blogging schedule to read too. I so love reading a good book. Historical fiction is my favorite.

Although right now "Mr Darcy Takes A Wife" is very interesting.

meno said...

I too am guilty of neglecting my reading for blogging. Is there help available?

jaded said...

My name is Patches and I am a chronic blog reader....I go through reading phases. Right now I'm only sort of interested in the book by my bed. The last book I read, was disappointing. Even though I have two books that I'm looking foreword to reading, I haven't made it to that curl up in the yellow chair and get comfortable kind of place...Maybe when I finish reading your blog.

Joan said...

Toni: Welcome and thanks for stopping by. What a good idea...audiobooks. You'd think as a retired librarian I might have come up with the idea. ;~)

Sari: Some mornings I promise myself I won't turn on the computer but then I cave and push the "On' button. Sigh...

Renee: I guess that's what I should do...make a schedule with reading included somewhere. Oh...and I'm a mystery fan.

Meno: Maybe we need to start our own Bloggers Anonymous chapter. Oh wait, we'd have to meet online...never mind.

Patches: I too go through reading phases but the no-reading phases usually only last a week or so. This one has been going on for many weeks and it has me worried.

Susie said...

It's a common problem. My reading has dropped way off too! By the time I try to read at night, my eyes are falling closed. Its a dilemma...
:)

Lynn said...

Somehow I still manage to read. Of course it is at times that there is no computer within 100 yards of me. Usually I can read while...I am waiting to pick Ten up from school (yep, no computer), while I am watching Ten's baseball practice (still no computer) or when I am waiting for Twelve to finish her class (again no computer available). Now if I ever decide to pay for the wireless through the phone company so that I will have internet access all of the time, then I will probably never read a book again.

Midlife Mom said...

I know what you mean, I always had a couple of books going at a time and now I haven't touched anything for ages. I do read on the plane and while on vacation, I don't like my hubbys laptop that he takes with us. I need to set aside some reading time as I have a friend that I share an informal reading group with and when we are riding our horses we discuss our books.

Joan said...

Susie: I too have trouble reading before bed. I seem to be a morning reader. I guess I have to spend time at Starbucks (away from my computer) with a book to read.

Lynn: Maybe I need to start volunteering to pickup Ten at school or going to his baseball practice. That would get me away from my computer.

Midlife mom: Hubby just bought me a laptop so now I'm worried I won't even be able to read a book while I'm on vacation. Oh no!!!

Anonymous said...

All of you really make it sound like reading is going out of style and that makes me very sad. I too am guilty of neglecting to read much lately. Hopefully the audio books could replace reading at least in my life.

It's taken me so long to get through #6 Harry Potter book that I am thinking of getting the one coming out in July (also the final Chapter) in audio also so I can listen at my leisure.

Lynn said...

You can volunteer to be the taxi service, anytime!

Joan said...

Only oldest: Audiobooks sound great. The only problem is that, the only time I listened to one, I found myself sitting in my car for a very long time after pulling into my driveway because I couldn't stop listening in the middle of a really crucial part.

Lynn: Oh...a taxi service...what a great way to earn a little income while retired! Oh wait...you said "volunteer."

Travelin'Oma said...

Lately I've been buying books about blogging! I can now do both at the same time.

I'm a new reader and like your posts. Visit me!

Joan said...

Welcome and thanks for stopping by. I like your idea of combining reading AND blogging...you're one clever lady. Oh and I took your advice and clicked on over to your blog...love it!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I can relate to this. I feel so guilty, and wonder if I should find a 12-step program for anonymous bloggers.

My constant visits to the Friends of the Library Bookstore haven't stopped, though. Or my Amazon habit. I am so well-stocked that when I am finally cured of this addiction, I won't have to go out ever again.

Joan said...

Heartinsanfrancisco: Welcome and I'm glad you stopped by. Yes...this addiction thing is hard to shake. I'm afraid soon I'll be like those packrats you see on the TV news with a house filled with books from floor to ceiling and I'll be found sitting in front of my computer frozen in time!

Musings of a Housewife said...

As ironic as me ignoring my kids to blog about how I need to be a better mother. ;-) Blogging, it's addicting alright.

Unknown said...

I love the game Jenga! Never tried it with books, but if I keep on blogging, it might come to that.

Joan said...

Dcrmom: Okay...I guess I'm not the only addict. My Hubby thinks we're all nuts but then what does he know?

Dana: I've never played the game myself but I've watch a group of teens play it and it sure looks like fun. I'm thinking though that little blocks probably dont hurt as much as falling books.

Elizabeth said...

Hi, I like your choice of subjects. So easy to relate to. I am just lately acquiring the blogging addiction so my reading two books a week hasn't suffered...but my grooming and cleaning of the house has. Something's got to give. And it might just have to be the reading...
Reading is quite ingrained, however. I read everything. Can labels and phone books, dictionaries and so on if a novel or history is not close at hand.

Stop by my place when you have a moment. Nice to have found you.