 Once my parents had a dinner guest, so we ate in the dining room where I had to be on my best behavior. A few minutes into our meal, this stranger spoke to me. “I see you’re a section eater.” I was non-plussed. What is that? He saw me finish my peas before I moved on to the mashed potatoes, he explained. Clearly it made an impression, because I still remember it 50+ years later. Was this a defining aspect of my identity? I think, yes! I am a section person. I like to finish one thing before moving on to the next. When I was a full time mom, it stressed me out to think of being something else simultaneously – teacher, writer, whatever. I’d rather be all-in, one occupation at a time. When I teach, I put off other undertakings until the semester’s over. It’s not very efficient. I have grown to enjoy alternating bites off the dinner plate. Maybe that’s progress. My 60th year in 60,000 words Day 106: 163 words, TOTAL = 17,517; 42,483 remaining |
AuthorRobin Clifford Wood is a writer and writing teacher. She lives in central Maine with her husband and dogs, loves to be outdoors, and enjoys ever-expanding horizons through her grown children and their multi-species families. Archives
June 2021
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