Fulcrum
a thing that plays a central or essential role in an activity, event, or situation.
Hello Friends,
Do you have a place in your home that is the center of everything, the fulcrum everything spins around?
Maybe it’s where homework gets done or bills are paid or people gather for an afternoon snack? Maybe it’s a well-lit spot near a window? Maybe it’s a dark corner? Likely it’s messy, filled with things that need to be taken back to stores or to the post office or dropped off to the taxman (reminder: tax day is today!)
We are remodeling our house this year. All but two walls will remain and the rest will be brand new. Through this process, I have become more thoughtful about how I spend my time in my home. What are the things that frustrate me about my space, What are the things I love?
In the 1950s there was an architectural trend called the kitchen desk. It’s gone through a few iterations over the years some wonder if it’s on the way out?
When we first started to imagine the kitchen I thought I wanted a kitchen desk. When I read this from Writing in the Margins of Motherhood, I realized what I want is more than a space to sign permission slips and make plans, but a feeling of togetherness.
Right now we don’t have one single fulcrum space, but rather a collection of cluttered spaces spread out in the kitchen and the living and dining rooms. Our kids are still young, but they are on the cusp of those brooding teen years when they will need more time alone.
My hope is to create a space that acts like a magnet. Where we empty our pockets and air out our troubles. I’ll let you know how it goes.
This is where I am today. Thank you for listening.
xoxo,
Emily
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Read This Week
The Book of Lost and Found by Lucy Foley
This is the kind of book that makes me wish I could give half stars. Overall, I give it 3.5 stars because I enjoyed spending time with these characters and the setting truly came alive for me. It's been a long time since I had the travel bug, but this book had me Googling Corsica, Paris, and London. (more)
Links to Ponder
It’s hard to complain about gas prices when children with cancer are escaping Ukraine (Washington Post)
Beautiful words (SwissMiss)
How did email take over the world? (You’re Wrong About Podcast)
After being one of the first eight women officially admitted to the Boston Marathon, this 75-year-old is running again. (Runner’s World)
How long is too long to grieve? (New York Times)
“I don’t think there’s a way people can fail at doing nothing.” Try Mind Wandering to boost creativity and get more done. (Washington Post)
The 1990s were weird. Five books that explore the strange and surreal decade (Lit Hub)
I’ve always wondered who actually wins those HGTV Dream Homes (Catapult)
A beautiful story of a woman traveling with her brother’s remains (The Cut)
I didn’t like The Great Gatsby either (Lit Hub)
The history of fruit stickers (Fast Company)
Delete my Goodreads TBR? Not sure I could, but maybe I should? (Book Riot)
How does a Buddy Read work? (Modern Mrs. Darcy)
And does anyone what to join me in starting the Louise Penny series? She has a gazillion books and people love this mystery series. It’s been on my TBR for a year now. Hit reply if you’re up for it and we can discuss.
Your Journal Prompt for Today
What are you reading or listening to this week? What have you created that wasn’t there before? Post your response in the comments below or tag me on Instagram @emilykathleenwrites