Generally Speaking – Columns

Slices of Life

Yeah right. I’ve been meaning to write a column about procrastination – I just never got around to it. Besides, I’m not sure even Thomas Jefferson could abide by his own words 100 percent of the time. Most of us have succumbed to the sin of avoiding that which needs to be done at least once or twice. I’m even betting many of us can relate to a slight modification to Jefferson’s words, quipped by Mark Twain: “Never put off till tomorrow what can be done the day after tomorrow.”

Pro-cras-ti-na-tion. The noun requires a full five syllables to get its point across. I’ve read entire sentences that were shorter. I suppose some sort of poetic symbolism exists in the fact that the word itself seems lazy and never-ending – similar to ignoring a task for days and days, or floating down the Mississippi with Huck Finn.

Procrastination is the act of doing one thing – such as napping or checking Facebook – in order to avoid something else you know you should be doing instead. Conquering the beast involves not only finishing what you start, but starting in the first place. And starting is often the hardest part.

That’s because procrastination sneaks up on you. You don’t wake up one morning and decide to ignore certain tasks. You just...

For the rest of this story and more, pick up this week's Voyageur Press.

Slices of Life

I’ve been on the job for more than 21 years, without a day off for longevity, illness, endurance or good behavior. I’m not complaining. I wouldn’t want a day off. Not a whole day, anyway. Although I do appreciate 10 minutes under a hot shower within the solitary confines of my bathroom each morning.

If you’re a newbie to the profession, you might feel tired. Heck, I’m absolutely certain you are tired. Don’t worry. (There will be plenty of things to worry about during the next 18 years, believe me.) You’ll get used to the brain fog – even learn to use it to your advantage. Besides, sleep is over-rated. It’s one of the lessons motherhood has taught me.

There’s more. Motherhood is practically a classroom, and some of the things learned within its confines are even more exciting than sleeping through the night. Like one concept I call the time conundrum.

Back when I was a rookie mom, friends, family and strangers at the grocery store predicted the next 18 years would zoom by faster than warp speed. I nodded my sleep-deprived head, tried not to yawn and failed to believe them. Other mothers fall into the same trap.

Here’s why: When you are in the throes of colic, or potty training, or learning...

For the rest of this story and more, pick up this week's Voyageur Press.

Slices of Life

It was a party 14 years in the making. Attendees included nine moms who met when our kids were in preschool. Now, we came together to anticipate and celebrate those same preschoolers’ high school graduations We sat around a long table at a local restaurant, passing old photos and wondering aloud where the time went.

Fourteen years is a significant span during which a preschooler goes from practically in diapers to practically in college. A mom, however, doesn’t change a bit – well, at least not her hairstyle (as one of the ladies in attendance pointed out).

To our kids, the 14 years of childhood probably elapsed at a painstakingly slow pace. From a mom’s perspective, it passed in a heartbeat. Cliché, I know, but sometimes being a mom is cliché – often, in fact, just ask...

For the rest of this story and more, pick up this week's Voyageur Press.