Review, Revision, Edit and Update
Once typographical errors become minimal, needed revision becomes the real work of writing. Getting an idea streamed down on a page can be relatively easy. Reviewing, after hours or weeks, reveals little gaps or too much filler. Todays revision involved both. Gaps are the addition of details missed in the first several drafts. Too much filler, being too wordy, was trimmed away. (i.e. ands, buts, thats,)
Taking a Break
feeling too distant,
When, unknowingly,
distances lengthen
Gaps form and waver all around………. Dez had been trying to write a few lines of poetry, when Emmie came back into the dining room. The sisters had decided that they needed time off together, away from the busy and bustle of either the Estate or Hartley. Pandemic self-isolation had taught them the value of rest and relaxation away from the world and, as mature women, they enjoyed one another's company.
While Emmie was downstairs, Dez was trying her hand at writing poetry - something she’d done in high school but had left behind with her teenage self. Her sister had gone down to the kitchen to talk with Cook. “Dez and I going to hibernate upstairs for the next twenty four hours, Cook. Is there anyway we can get our meals sent upstairs. I'm ashamed of myself. For as long as I've lived here, I really should know how meals arrived upstairs piping hot and ready to serve.” Cook smiled at her employer. “Don’t you worry about it, Miss Emmie. That old dumbwaiter still works so neither of you has to come downstairs, unless you want a midnight snack. I’ll send up your meals at the regular times and some snacks, you send the dirty dishes back. If you want anything else just send a note down. I’ll send up a fresh thermos of coffee and one of tea in the morning and in the afternoon. The two of you just have yourselves a good visit up there. It’s high time you did, too.”
Emmie contacted Brigitte and Joey to cancel anything for the next day. Joey at part-time, would just have his shift replaced so he didn’t lose any pay. On a straight salary, Brigitte’s pay wouldn’t be any less. The sudden and welcome day off would be compensation for overtime hours she had worked. Dez called Mr. Jorgensson to let him know she’d be unavailable for the next day. She wouldn’t be seeing Matt for a few days, but texted him that she would busy to prevent any unwarranted calls. All that settled, Emmie and Dez, in jeans and sweat shirts, put on their sneakers and went out for the evening. Not far, though. Just to the track where they had jogged most days of their self isolation. When they came back, there was hot chocolate and fresh popcorn on the dumbwaiter. Pyjamas on, they settled in with their goodies, blankets and a good movie. The little resident ghost, Sarah, had floated outside to her swing.
“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest.
Use both and overlook neither.”
~ Alan Cohen
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