Most days, we allow our lives to flow along, performing everyday chores and keeping our appointments. Then again, some days, we wake up with a sense of purpose, where we plough through tasks and chores methodically, and feel a strong sense of achievement at the end of the day.
Yesterday, was such a day for me. I woke up with a clear sense of purpose. The list of tasks was long, but manageable. So, I wrote it out on my notepad. I decided to work my way down the list, not for a moment doubting my strong will power or its ability to drive me to task completion. Enough said.
The first chore on my list was – ‘Clean the two bookshelves’. See, I had it clearly stated – half the battle won. Each of these bookshelves has four racks. Each of these eight racks is crammed with books, and more books. The books, poor souls, have no breathing space. I wanted to give them some respite from being smothered by words!
I first took down all the books from the shelves. And then, the fun started. I dusted each one, and sorted them into piles – Must have, Can go, Not sure! But each time I sorted a book, I flipped through its pages, and sat down cross-legged, just to jog my memory. Aha, the sheer pleasure of reading, surrounded by books. Soon, I was nose deep in Ayn Rand and R.K.Narayan, Hilary Mantel and Amitav Ghosh. Time tip-toed around me, giving me complete ownership of those moments of bliss. I made a mug of coffee for myself (after all, how can reading ever be complete without coffee!).
The children have their term break, so when they saw me busy with the books, they sifted through their own, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Lord of the Rings, Amelia Jane, Jungle Book, Noddy, Malory Towers and many, many comics. They refused to part with any of their books. They suddenly wanted to re-read all of them.
So, to cut a long story short, all books went back to their shelves, clean and comfortable. I hope they love being in our bookshelves as much as we love having them with us.
I shelved my chores and settled down to read.
That sound very familiar…hehe. Boeta is building up a collection too..books everywhere!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely to hear that…I can imagine what Boeta’s collection would look like now ☺☺
LikeLiked by 2 people
and you would be correct…hehehe, but there would be a few surprises too, like an bird identification book…hehe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
After seeing Boeta’s sojourns in the Karoo, I am not surprised..😆😆😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like you had a great day Nimi 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Irene. Totally lovely
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha! Reading can be dangerous… if you need to get your chores done.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My internal taskmaster was MIA yesterday…so 😉😉😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not the worst thing…especially in this case.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would call that a productive day! 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed !
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many books, so little time. I love my little babies to death, and I can hardly imagine parting away from them. Once, a bunch of filthy termites attacked those poor souls. I remember, I had been bawling my eyes out for almost a week. I was completely broken!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aww…babies, totally agree. I have such sentiments too…Thank you dear Soumya
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bookshelves are happiest when overflowing with books. Reading is always a productive enterprise. I hope your weekend is going great. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the weekend has started off well indeed. Books have set the right tone😆 Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just donated 200 books to a library and another 50 or so were given out to friends . The task of sorting them out and deciding which ones were the ‘must haves’ and which I could let go was a dilemma !! I spent three days mulling and filling bags and emptying them again just to make sure . I can imagine what you went through . I find it easier to bid people good bye than to give away my books , I dare say !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have captured that struggle beautifully Priyanka. Definitely easier to say bye to people😆😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great achievement in a wonderful way… still have to do that too….. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Erika dear. It is a pleasurable task so do it asap
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmmm….. I better write a little instead… lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so very much. Am honoured
LikeLike
Now I feel a small amount of guilt when I look at our bookshelves. I’ve been ignoring this to-do item for weeks with books overflowing everywhere.
Maybe I’m just not ready to consider parting with anything 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
On the pretext of cleaning you can spend a whole day reading. I can guarantee that you will have a blast😆😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
My solution to crowded books is to get another bookshelf. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally cool idea. Now, why didn’t I think of that ? Thank you Marie
LikeLiked by 1 person
A much better day, no doubt!
P.S. Love the new Avatar photo of you with your adorable smile. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! And thank you for the compliment about my new Avatar😆😆
LikeLiked by 1 person