Basics

So, lesson 1: a daily blog is unreasonable. Weekly I can probably commit to.

Lesson 2: Thinking of what to blog that isn’t just a stream of consciousness is pretty tricky. So I’ll be asking for ideas…

Lesson 3: I’m much happier with a bullet journal than without, it turns out. After a year’s hiatus of birthing and keeping alive a baby, I think I’m ready to return to one. And hopefully it helps with the problem in lesson 2.

The last year has been one of a huge amount of learning, for obvious reasons; some learning was predictable: how to change a nappy, how to get nappy contents off not-nappies, etc… Some learning was less so. The one that most surprised me, I think, but perhaps wouldn’t surprise the people who often know me better than I know myself, is how important predictability and order was to me. Which, as anyone who’s had a newborn knows, was tough luck. However, now that he is 1, (and yes, I know predictability is not a natural function of 1 year olds), I am making a concerted effort to bring order back. Partially that’s by making sure he’s entertained (*cough* exhausted *cough*) enough in the mornings to have a decent nap in the afternoon, wherein I try to tidy / read/ iron / write / do laundry / think / cook dinner. This blog is, I think, an attempt to substantiate the bits that often get lost between the tidying, ironing, laundry and cooking… I am not bored, staying at home with the baby, but it can sometimes feel like bits of my brain I quite liked are somewhat floating away.

Which brings me to what I’m reading. Not much, to be honest, and not in any kind of serious way, which I think is part of the reason why everything feels very bitty. So I’m committing to one book at a time (ish), and hopefully one book a month. This month’s read? ‘Mary: The Church at the Source’, by Hans Urs von Balthasar and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Lots of the ‘religious’ books I’ve read recently have been more spiritual than theological, and I kind of want to get back to theology – but don’t want to lose the spiritual altogether. I’m currently contemplating a consecration to Mary, but wanted to shore up my understanding – and therefore relationship – with her before it.

Now I know I said one book at a time, but I’ve also rejoined the Catholic Mothers group in South London (which is genius, by the way – proper conversation and a space for the babies to get into controlled trouble…) and they are currently doing a study of Aquinas for beginners. So there is that, but I’m not counting it as a book, because…it’s a study. Right?

Right.

Baby boy is still asleep, so reading it is! This is still pretty stream of consciousness, but I’m working on it. Ideas / suggestions much welcome!