I feel weird when I’m washing dishes as my lawn service guys blow off the deck (so we’re eye level through the window). It’s work but I still feel weird. 🤷♀️ It’s as if I feel we’re meant to hide the fact that we are home and therefore “available” to do the work we pay someone else for ourselves.
Having done a tiny bit of power washing, I'd hire a powewasher before doing it again myself. It's called *power* washing for a reason. Did some real damage to our wood paneling. 🙈
I hear you, I hear you... plus it's hard to focus when someone's powerwashing. I love the inner-worlds renditions here:)
If I may, I must admit that I enjoy to watch people when they read, often inadvertently, when they chuckle, gasp, or frown. It's hard not to check what they're reading. Plus, what a pleasure it is to congregate in cafés, libraries, bookstores, public transportation, on the beach, etc. with a book. A different experience altogether, but who does not like a little sand, a pressed flower or leaf in the books we read while away from our reading nooks?
I have to add (don't laugh): powerwashing is soooooo incredibly satisfying! Yes, I'd rather read, but when I can't, I'd take powerwashing over dusting or doing the laundry:)
That's a great story about Kingsolver! I was reading Kingsolver once at the social security office, and someone else's toddler kept asking me about it which led to a brief chat with his mom :)
You're my hero. My saviour. I wanted to write my next book by hand and with doddles and all sort of weird stuff that goes through my head. I was going carzy because I couldn't figure out how. And your post appeared in my feed. I am checking all your books. Thank you for writing this one. I think mine will on the line A Woman Writing and The Man Doing The Dishes.
I'm glad to hear it! I remember when I first read Maira Kalman's books, and I was like, Whoa, you can just handwrite your words? And paint cool images? Your title with the man doing dishes cracked me up!
For three years I have been in awe of Lynda Barry’s books. I have been wanting to create at least one book like hers. Now you have introduced me another writer Maura Kalman. I will check her out. I tried getting your book The Keeper, but it’s very expensive in Australia. I will buy it in London. I am going there in ten days.
One of my favourite posts (subject and incredible drawings that always are a party for my eyes), Dear Kelcey! Also, I identify well, as I feel the same when my landlord shows up to cut the grass in front of my window… immediately I move to the dinner table to hide from her so she doesn’t think that I am being lazy while she is doing the hard work…
Lovely post, I so connect with the portal of books. As a child, they allowed me to escape from an abusive environment into other worlds. I often became so engrossed, I did not hear my mother calling my name—as she stood next to me. I was gone! LOL!
Oh my, Sharon, that is really powerful. It reminds me of Lynda Barry's quote: "We don't create a fantasy world to escape reality, we create it to be able to stay." ❤️
Same! In my graphic novel I have a lil drawing of me drawing Princesses getting happily married to Princes 🫅 - to escape the reality of my parents’ domestic violence
Oh my goodness! What a story. :) I relate so much to this inner rattling or nervousness of having eyes on me while I’m reading — regardless of who it may be. I just want the pressure to lift in this quiet space.
And I’m absolutely, incredibly honored you chose to incorporate something I said in this piece. Thank you for this. 🙏🏼
Thanks so much, Amanda! I responded to your note and just saw that you commented here too. As I said, your words just stopped me in my tracks. And you said it so clearly! As someone who rambles a lot, I was like, whoa, how did she just say a perfectly quotable quote on the fly? 😂
Oh my goodness, I'm just the same! I hate being seen reading, or doing my crochet, or even sewing (and I often sell things I crochet and sew!) when my cleaning lady comes, or the gardener comes, because I feel like so a privileged cow! Or when my husband is running around like a mosquito cleaning things because he's retired now and can't keep still and is a neat freak! I usually go and hide away in my office to read, and rarely crochet during the day anymore unless I'm alone. I love your illustrations! You're so talented! Thank you!
Omg, "a privileged cow" made me laugh out loud! And yes, my partner gets very busy around the house too--he does all the chores while I just hide away in my studio feeling guilty. Thanks for your kind words!
Can I tell you a secret....I once closed the curtains during the day because I was about to read my book!
We had taken down the net curtains and our neighbours had full into our lounge and I too was embarrassed of having leisure time during the day! It seems crazy but such was my relationship with productivity. So I totally get your discomfort with having leisure time while someone works.
Good for you! We don't need people judging us for reading in the middle of the day! Not to mention, some of the reading I'm doing is actually RESEARCH for a book. But try telling that to a deck guy! 😂
Someday (hopefully never) we can create a short line of text that floats above our heads, such as, “I’m joyfully lounging AND doing research.” Subtext: don’t judge me, deck guy!
I love Amanda B Hinton’s comment and I further love how you then opened up a view into the lively and entrancing reading worlds of these elegantly dressed, totally engrossed readers. That’s a calendar of women reading that I would totally buy!
Thank you! 🥰
I remember one day my wife and I moved across town (NYC) and the movers said, "you got a lotta books. Are you Jewish?"
Posting without further comment 😂
Thanks for this Kelcey!
Hahaha! That's perfect.
This goes perfectly with the book I just finished, Cal Newport’s slow productivity.
Oh I've seen that one mentioned a lot...I need to check it out!
It’s a good one! Between that and How To Do Nothing they’re two of my favorite summer reads ✨
Sounds like a perfect pair! I read How to Do Nothing a few years ago and definitely need to revisit it!
I feel weird when I’m washing dishes as my lawn service guys blow off the deck (so we’re eye level through the window). It’s work but I still feel weird. 🤷♀️ It’s as if I feel we’re meant to hide the fact that we are home and therefore “available” to do the work we pay someone else for ourselves.
Yes, you know it's a fraught dynamic when even washing dishes feels weird! Ugh!
Having done a tiny bit of power washing, I'd hire a powewasher before doing it again myself. It's called *power* washing for a reason. Did some real damage to our wood paneling. 🙈
Haha, yeah, I’ll leave the powerwashing to the deck guys! 😂
I wouldn't want the deck guy seeing me reading, either... but more than anything, having the deck guy within eyeshot would disturb my reading!
PS, I also took note of Amanda B. Hinton's comment about reading... 👀
Yes, it works both ways! And cool, you tuned in to the summit too! I thought Christin did a really great job.
It’s like reading is a leisure activity only! Odd!
Ha! Right?!
I hear you, I hear you... plus it's hard to focus when someone's powerwashing. I love the inner-worlds renditions here:)
If I may, I must admit that I enjoy to watch people when they read, often inadvertently, when they chuckle, gasp, or frown. It's hard not to check what they're reading. Plus, what a pleasure it is to congregate in cafés, libraries, bookstores, public transportation, on the beach, etc. with a book. A different experience altogether, but who does not like a little sand, a pressed flower or leaf in the books we read while away from our reading nooks?
I have to add (don't laugh): powerwashing is soooooo incredibly satisfying! Yes, I'd rather read, but when I can't, I'd take powerwashing over dusting or doing the laundry:)
You're so right--reading in public is a TOTALLY different thing! I hadn't thought about that, hmmmm...
And I am with you: I would take powerwashing or mowing the lawn over dusting and laundry any day!
Reading physical books in public is a positive counterexample to phones. It has generated a few serendipitous conversations with strangers.
Having Kingsolver at hand once saved me from a speeding ticket.
That's a great story about Kingsolver! I was reading Kingsolver once at the social security office, and someone else's toddler kept asking me about it which led to a brief chat with his mom :)
You're my hero. My saviour. I wanted to write my next book by hand and with doddles and all sort of weird stuff that goes through my head. I was going carzy because I couldn't figure out how. And your post appeared in my feed. I am checking all your books. Thank you for writing this one. I think mine will on the line A Woman Writing and The Man Doing The Dishes.
I'm glad to hear it! I remember when I first read Maira Kalman's books, and I was like, Whoa, you can just handwrite your words? And paint cool images? Your title with the man doing dishes cracked me up!
For three years I have been in awe of Lynda Barry’s books. I have been wanting to create at least one book like hers. Now you have introduced me another writer Maura Kalman. I will check her out. I tried getting your book The Keeper, but it’s very expensive in Australia. I will buy it in London. I am going there in ten days.
Lynda Barry is amazing, and I think you will appreciate Maira Kalman too! If you can't find The Keeper in London, let me know. I can get it to you! ❤️
Will do.
One of my favourite posts (subject and incredible drawings that always are a party for my eyes), Dear Kelcey! Also, I identify well, as I feel the same when my landlord shows up to cut the grass in front of my window… immediately I move to the dinner table to hide from her so she doesn’t think that I am being lazy while she is doing the hard work…
That's so nice to hear about the post, C! ❤️ I didn't realize until reading many of the comments how common of a feeling this is!
It's good to know we are not alone in this!
Lovely post, I so connect with the portal of books. As a child, they allowed me to escape from an abusive environment into other worlds. I often became so engrossed, I did not hear my mother calling my name—as she stood next to me. I was gone! LOL!
Oh my, Sharon, that is really powerful. It reminds me of Lynda Barry's quote: "We don't create a fantasy world to escape reality, we create it to be able to stay." ❤️
🎯🎯🎯🎯
Same! In my graphic novel I have a lil drawing of me drawing Princesses getting happily married to Princes 🫅 - to escape the reality of my parents’ domestic violence
I’m so sorry. It sucks when you don’t have a good childhood.
I'm sorry too, and I love that you channeled your pain into art. Thanks for sharing, Christine.
Oh my goodness! What a story. :) I relate so much to this inner rattling or nervousness of having eyes on me while I’m reading — regardless of who it may be. I just want the pressure to lift in this quiet space.
And I’m absolutely, incredibly honored you chose to incorporate something I said in this piece. Thank you for this. 🙏🏼
Thanks so much, Amanda! I responded to your note and just saw that you commented here too. As I said, your words just stopped me in my tracks. And you said it so clearly! As someone who rambles a lot, I was like, whoa, how did she just say a perfectly quotable quote on the fly? 😂
Oh my goodness, I'm just the same! I hate being seen reading, or doing my crochet, or even sewing (and I often sell things I crochet and sew!) when my cleaning lady comes, or the gardener comes, because I feel like so a privileged cow! Or when my husband is running around like a mosquito cleaning things because he's retired now and can't keep still and is a neat freak! I usually go and hide away in my office to read, and rarely crochet during the day anymore unless I'm alone. I love your illustrations! You're so talented! Thank you!
Omg, "a privileged cow" made me laugh out loud! And yes, my partner gets very busy around the house too--he does all the chores while I just hide away in my studio feeling guilty. Thanks for your kind words!
Can I tell you a secret....I once closed the curtains during the day because I was about to read my book!
We had taken down the net curtains and our neighbours had full into our lounge and I too was embarrassed of having leisure time during the day! It seems crazy but such was my relationship with productivity. So I totally get your discomfort with having leisure time while someone works.
Good for you! We don't need people judging us for reading in the middle of the day! Not to mention, some of the reading I'm doing is actually RESEARCH for a book. But try telling that to a deck guy! 😂
Someday (hopefully never) we can create a short line of text that floats above our heads, such as, “I’m joyfully lounging AND doing research.” Subtext: don’t judge me, deck guy!
Haha, YES! ❤️
Love this. I can totally relate.
I didn't realize how many people relate to this!
I love Amanda B Hinton’s comment and I further love how you then opened up a view into the lively and entrancing reading worlds of these elegantly dressed, totally engrossed readers. That’s a calendar of women reading that I would totally buy!
Thank you, Rebecca! That was my favorite part of the whole piece! (And yes, not a bad idea for a calendar! ❤️
Me too❣️ Loved this and your drawings.
Thanks so much!