Carrie and Danielle - Latest Comments in An Ode in Celebration of Ironing: Writing Brilliantly About Mundane Tasks

Re: An Ode in Celebration of Ironing: Writing Brilliantly About Mundane Tasks

Suzyn — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:57:51 -0000

Lovely ideas.
Tales of the Lost Formicans by the fabulous Connie Congdon (my thesis advisor) takes the martian theme on full force. The entire play is presented by alien anthropologists studying an earth family. They interpret the wobble in the kitchen chairs as being meant to remind the family of the impermanence of life... http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Lost-Formicans-Othe...

Re: An Ode in Celebration of Ironing: Writing Brilliantly About Mundane Tasks

Sarah Salway — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:30:22 -0000

Hah, yes, Carolynn. It depends on the quantity involved I find!

Re: An Ode in Celebration of Ironing: Writing Brilliantly About Mundane Tasks

Sarah Salway — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:29:41 -0000

Hope you do. I'd like to read it!

Re: An Ode in Celebration of Ironing: Writing Brilliantly About Mundane Tasks

sarah Salway — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:28:24 -0000

I think it's all in the details, Rick. Not just in writing, but in reading. I know that's what I remember from many pieces I've read.

Re: An Ode in Celebration of Ironing: Writing Brilliantly About Mundane Tasks

sarah Salway — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:26:47 -0000

Ooo, yes. Now you've made me want a coffee! It's so sensuous, isn't it? Worth taking time over.

Re: An Ode in Celebration of Ironing: Writing Brilliantly About Mundane Tasks

Carolynn — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:03:10 -0000

I like the creative approach to this and will have some fun with it myself.

BTW, I used to enjoy ironing as a kid, so my Mom would set me up to iron the sheets and pillowcases. I think I enjoyed the scent of the freshly laundered cotton that wafted up to my nose when it was warmed, the transformation from wrinkled to smooth, and the meditative qualities inherent with this fairly repetitive act.

Now...not so much. :o)

Re: An Ode in Celebration of Ironing: Writing Brilliantly About Mundane Tasks

LTanya — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:52:24 -0000

Enlightening post. I've often done something similar in my mind. There was a seaon when we had lot of ant hills in the yard. I hate ants. But I got lost in watching them march in single file and their science-fiction-like crawling about when their home is disturbed. Needless to say, I became fascinated with ants. I've just never considered writing about it.

Re: An Ode in Celebration of Ironing: Writing Brilliantly About Mundane Tasks

EcoDiva — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:32:59 -0000

Hmmm. this makes me want to write about one of my favorite sensory activities...making coffee. From opening the bag, getting my first whiff, to grinding the beans as I hear each one crunch crunch, and scooping the now soft beans into the pot. Then waiting patiently for my first hot cup.

Great topic!

Re: An Ode in Celebration of Ironing: Writing Brilliantly About Mundane Tasks

Rick_Juliusson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:21:10 -0000

This is so rich, thank you Sarah. Reminds me of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, when the professor is helping someone get over writer's block. "Go to one block in the city and write about it," he advises. No luck. "Choose one building." Still nothing. Eventually the writer focuses in on just one brick, which opens him up to pages and pages of ideas.